Meeting Notes - Hambley Special Meeting

Appointment to Board of County Canvassers: The Board approved Chris Kostamo and Lloyd Van Duin as the Democratic Party and Republican Party appointments respectively to the Board of County Canvassers beginning November 1, 2023.

Resolution Opposing State Control of Solar Siting: The Board approved 9-1 a resolution opposing state control of solar siting.

Summary:

House Bills 5120-5123, otherwise known as the Clean Energy Jobs Act, would give the Michigan Public Service Commission authority to permit large-scale renewable energy projects, with smaller projects remaining under control of communities. As part of that process, the MPSC would have to consider what public benefits each project provides, as well as how much renewable energy has already been installed in a given community. The measures would not give the state power to use eminent domain for wind and solar developments and world force them to spell out the public benefits a development would provide to the local community. Wind and solar developers would also be required to cover up to $150,000 in costs local governments incur while litigating a proposed project’s approval. The bills apply to solar projects over 50-megawatts (350 acres for a project that generates 7 megawatts-per-acre), wind projects over 100-megawatts (about 35 turbines), and energy storage facilities over 100 megawatts.

In addition to the requirements for local benefits and prevailing wages, the commission would have to consider a host of other factors. Developers building on greenfields would have to explain why they can’t use other land. Solar arrays would need to be 150 feet from the nearby homes, and couldn’t extend more than 25 feet above the ground. For wind arrays, the distance to the nearest off site residence would need to be 2.1-times the highest point on the wind turbine. Outdoor noise impacts to the nearest home would be limited to 55 decibels, about as loud as a home refrigerator. MPSC already has authority to site other types of energy infrastructure, like natural gas and petroleum pipelines, and the measure would simply level the playing field beween renewable and non-renewable energy project proposals. Additionally, the approach proposed by these bills would mirror that of neighboring states like Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, whose public service commissions oversee siting for large renewable energy projects, and would put Michigan on a more equal footing for renewable energy projects.

I voted no on this Resolution. I definitely appreciate and understand the need and desire for local control on siting and land use, but I also beleive that Michigan needs to continue its work towards a more balanced portfolio of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy and that excessive red tape will deter those efforts, especially on the larger renewable projects to which these bills are adressed.

The Board voted unanimously to authorize Counsel to arrange and participate in mediation in the Hambley v Ottawa County. The Board likewise voted unanimously to establish a special committee to participate in the above mediation.

I was pleased that the Board could take this step forward in our deliberations regarding this matter. My hope is that the mediation helps us resolve our differences and creates a situation where we can work together for all Ottawa County residents.

Update 2/26 -

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcgN-_kSLQk

Sentinel Roundup: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/county/2024/02/26/ottawa-county-board-votes-unanimously-to-retain-hambley-as-health-officer/72714417007/

Motion to adopt Stipulation and Order to Dismiss: I voted yes on the agreement as I believe it accomplishes many important goals, most notably that of retaining both the Health Director and the Deputy Health Director. This has been a trying period for all involved and I am pleased that we can finally get positive resolution to this matter.

Settlement order: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YQ0ja5ep4XWfk5Zf79USSUCfZ2OgGP-Z/view

Update 2/29 -

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kfdDy6rkJs

Sentinel Tweet-Thread: https://twitter.com/SentinelMitch/status/1763345450621387017?s=20

The Board voted to adjourn the Special Session regarding the potential removal with no action taken as per the Motion to adopt Stipulation and Order to Dismiss.

Doug Zylstra

Meeting Notes - Hambley Special Meeting

Meeting Notes 11-28-23

Meeting Notes 11-21-23