Update from Kelli Scott for Dec. 20, 2018
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T
his week's B
oard of Commissioners meeting is the last one for two commissioners, and we will welcome commissioners who will be sworn in on Thursday, Jan. 3. I would like to take this moment to thank Vic Potter and Carla Reynolds for the
ir dedication to the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Reynolds has served District 2 since 2015, and Commissioner Potter served District 6 since 2017.
On Thursday, Dec. 20, AFSCME ratified its new contract with a unanimous vote.
In community involvement,
- On Tuesday, Dec. 11, I attended the annual organizational meeting of the Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation. We reelected for 2019 the current slate of officers: Art Kale as president, Joe Sobieralski as vice president, Mark Montross as treasurer and Vic Potter as secretary. Community Development Director Jen Bomba gave updates on the upcoming County public transit study and the availability of local Brownfield grants. We will be recommending in January to the Board of Commissioners the reappointment of board members with terms expiring on Dec. 31 and the appointment of one new member to fill the one current vacancy.
- Thursday, Dec. 13, Communications Manager Lucy Blair and I met with with Paul Schutt of Issue Media Group who explained the work his organization is doing to tell the stories of Battle Creek. We discussed its role in the community and the potential of the county partnering for the On The Ground program.
- The Marshall Community Credit Union Board of Directors met Monday, Dec. 17. At this meeting, we approved the 2019 operating budget and credit union goals, as well as CEO and executive staff compensation related items.
- BC CAL KAL Board of Directors met Wednesday, Dec. 19. This organization supports economic development activities by providing services related to international trade. Manager Adam Reid gave an annual report for 2018 and explained how Section 232 and 301 tariffs imposed this year on imports of steel and aluminum, and imports from China, are impacting U.S. manufacturers and their willingness to pursue growth, even with savings our Foreign Trade Zone #43 can offer.
- We received our property and liability insurance renewal information on Dec. 20 from the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA). It was good news that the county’s cost for the coverage, which includes the Road Department, increased by only 1.6%. We also will receive an asset distribution (i.e. rebate) of $340,000 this year, which represents a return of 34% of our annual premium cost! MMRMA also offers risk management training and grant funding that has provided over $160,000 in equipment for the County over the past 10 years.
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From the Board of Commissioners
At this meeting, the Board recognized the service of Commissioners Potter and Reynolds. It also scheduled the 2019 Board of Commissioners Organizational Session, for 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019 in the Board Chambers of the County Building. At the Organizational Meeting, elected commissioners will be sworn in and a Chair and Vice Chair will be elected by the Board.
Additionally, the Board of Commissioners honored Rodna Stealy, Senior Services Administrative Assistant and Certified Medicare Medicaid Counselor, for her 14 years at Calhoun County as she plans to retire Jan.2.
Other approved items included,
- Land Bank Board Appointments and Reappointments
- MSU Extension Agreement for 2019
- MDOT Contract 18-5502 for road improvements within Marshall Township
- Final 2018 Budget Amendments
- Senior Millage Hearing Services Contract
- DHHS Carpet Replacement RFB#126-18
- AFSCME 2019-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Support for the TPOAM-Circuit/District Courts Collective Bargaining Agreements
- 2019 BCBSM Renewal Agreements
- Workers Compensation Excess Contract Renewal
- Voluntary Collection Agreement with Airbnb
- Equalization Director 2019 Contract
- Transfer Grant and Assets Agreement with Grace Health
- 2019 Consultant Contract for Equalization Services with Roger McEvers
- Amendment to Ordinance 6 of the Animal Control and Protection Act
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From the Sheriff's Office
Congratulations to
Sheriff Matt Saxton
for his appointment to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). He was appointed to this commission by Governor Rick Snyder. MCOLES provides leadership and support to the criminal justice community throughout Michigan, including setting standards for selection, employment, licensing, license revocation, and funding in law enforcement and criminal justice.
Sheriff Office employees are wearing beards to raise money for the jail ministry Haven of Rest, the local Shop With a Cop program, and the Sheriff's Office Awards Program. Sixty employees are participating in No Shave November, December and January. For a bit of money, Sheriff's Office employees can have beards for three months, despite a grooming policy that otherwise prohibits it. With a month to go, they have already raised $6,500.
Last week, eight Sheriff's Office employees participated in Shop With a Cop, alongside all law enforcement agencies in Calhoun County. Seventy-five youths from the County were given $100 to shop at Walmart, paired with a cop. Sheriff Saxton said that law enforcement officials who participate have as much fun, if not more, than the children who participate.
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Road Department Update
This week, the bridge on 25 1/2 Mile Road in the Village of Homer is open to traffic.
Continuing the work necessary at this time of year, the Calhoun County Road Department is patching potholes and working on gravel roads as the weather allows. Tree trimming is complete on 16 1/2 Mile Road in Marshall Township and is ongoing on North Avenue in Bedford and Pennfield Townships. Interviews for road workers took place this week.
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Before the Holidays
On Thursday, Dec. 21, the Community Development Department wrapped the
Juvenile Home Angel Tree
gifts for youth at the Juvenile Home. A collaborative activity to celebrate the holidays and build community, the volunteers wrapped over 250 gifts for residents to open on Christmas morning.
Among the 700 Angel Tree items donated this year, there were games, puzzles, coloring books, blankets, pillows, hygiene items, winter wear and stuffed animals. Gift tree tags were distributed at 10 locations in the community: Family Fare Albion, Marshall Animal Care, Marshall Lanes, Oaklawn Hospital Billing and Call Center, Marshall Senior Center, Family video, Calhoun County Human Resources, Calhoun County Justice Center, Marshall Medical/Dr. Mark Mahalka and Darling Ace Hardware.
About 200 items will be sent home with residents upon their release. The other items will be used in the facility throughout the year.
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Don't forget:
County buildings are closed for the holidays on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24 and 25. For the New Year, we are closed Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2019. We wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday season!
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