Update from Kelli Scott for Tuesday, April 9
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There is only one Board of Commissioners meeting in April, which is the statutory equalization session. A second meeting will not be held this month, and the next meeting is Thursday, May 2.
In community involvement,
The first "visioning workshop" for the
County's transit study
took place on Thursday, March 21. A number of community partners attended and were introduced to the project overall and then broke out into smaller groups to discuss current and future transit services in the County. We considered goals, governance preferences and the role of the County and partner organizations. The next steps include public input, and a website and online survey are available at
www.CalhounCountyTransit.com
.
At the
Calhoun County Planning Commission
meeting on Monday, March 25, Community Development Director Jen Bomba shared that Jackson County's Planning Commission is preparing a master plan. The Commission also reviewed our County Department's 2018 annual report, and voted on five planning and zoning plans for local townships.
Border Bandits
is the name of a regional group of city, village and County managers in Calhoun County. It is an offshoot of Michigan Municipal Executives and affiliated with the International County/City Managers Association. These meetings are helpful to network, discuss current events, and share new developments or challenges. At a meeting on Thursday, March 28, we discussed medical marijuana policies, potential economic development funding for roads and bridges, and employee recruitment and retention ideas. Marshall City Manager Tom Tarkiewicz is the current facilitator of our group meetings.
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I also attended last week's
Senior Information and Health Fair.
A number of County departments had tables at this event such as the Clerk's and Treasurer's Office. Prosecutor David Gilbert gave a presentation about crime in the County for those who were interested. The Senior Services Department worked closely with community organizations to make sure that the 500-600 seniors who attended had opportunities to explore county services, time to learn about brain (pictured) and colon health, and a free lunch to enjoy. Congratulations to the Senior Services Office for its management of this successful event.
On Saturday,
Recyclerama
took place. More than 50 volunteers unloaded over 700 cars, and by the end the appliance, polystyrene, and Household Hazardous Waste containers were full. Thank you to Sarah Kelly for managing this event with local partners, including the Sheriff's Office and Battle Creek Police to ensure safety for those who participated.
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From the Board of Commissioners
At the Tuesday, April 9 meeting, the Board of Commissioners heard the 2019 Equalization Report from Equalization Consultant Roger McEvers. McEvers recognized the newly promoted Deputy Equalization Director, Tom Scott. In new business, the Board also approved a contract extension for McEvers to continue to assist the office on a limited basis, with Kalamazoo County's Matthew Hanson continuing under contract as Calhoun County's Equalization Director.
In other new business, the Board:
- Approved an MDOT contract to install flashing beacons in two locations in the County.
- Approved the 2019 bridge resolutions to support application for 8 priority bridge replacements and repairs, which would occur in 2022 if funding is approved.
- Approved the 2019 primary and local paving bid
- Approved a resolution for a transportation economic development grant, which if approved would provide funding for road improvements along Raymond Road
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Road Department Update
Seasonal weight restrictions in Calhoun County were lifted at 7 a.m., Monday, April 8. These restrictions are meant to preserve and protect local roads when they are most vulnerable during freeze and thaw cycles.
Additionally, the Road Department is patching and grading gravel roads countywide. Preparation has also begun for construction season. 2019 primary and local road projects are being finalized and CCRD is preparing to submit bridge projects to the Local Agency Bridge program in hopes of getting funding for FY 2022.
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From the Public Health Department
As a part of the Public Health Department's Teen Outreach Program, an event called Talk Early & Talk Often takes place at 5:30 p.m., April 17 at the Calhoun Area Career Center.
Talk Early & Talk Often
is a nationally-recognized workshop to help parents and caregivers talk confidently and skillfully with their kids about abstinence and sexuality.
Check out the flyer
and
register online
.
A
"Do Not Eat" advisory
continues for Beaver Dam Pond and Helmer Creek by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This advisory is in place due to high PFOS concentrations in fish samples. Residents are advised to avoid foam that forms on the pond or creek. Foam may have higher amounts of PFAS than the water and could be a health risk, especially if swallowed.
Read more.
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The Public Health Department recently shared information on its Facebook page about how individuals can help prevent overdose deaths from opioid use. This was shared in conjunction with an interview that Medical Director William Nettleton did with WOOD-TV regarding Calhoun County's
opioid epidemic
. The Health Department offers short trainings and Narcan kits.
Read the Facebook post for more information
.
The Health Department reminds citizens that measles immunizations are inexpensive, effective, and safe. The Public Health Department released a
fact sheet about measles
. County residents can get the
MMR vaccination
at CCPHD clinics in Battle Creek and Albion. There are not any measles cases in Calhoun County so far this year, and as the Health Department says, let's work together to keep it that way!
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