Update from Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott
Thursday, March 5, 2020
At tonight's Board of Commissioners meeting, we heard about the success of our Senior Services Office over the past year. With a proclamation, the Board specifically honored the Meals on Wheels program, which is an important free service for seniors and has no waitlist because of funding support from the Senior Millage.
 
Senior Services also presented its 2019 Annual Report, highlighting that over 6,500 seniors were served and $3.4M was spent across 22 services for seniors aged 60 and older. We learned that 1,164 seniors ate over 135,000 nutritious meals and 487 seniors exercised 11,734 times at 14 Fit 'n Fun sites countywide.

Here is what else is going on in Calhoun County:

We had a packed conference room for February's Elected Officials and Department Heads meeting, which took place Tuesday, Feb. 25. Here are some highlights from countywide leadership at that meeting:

  • Health Officer Eric Pessel gave the latest update about Coronavirus, and encouraged everyone to stay up to date by monitoring the Health Department or MDHHS's websites. The previous week, the City of Battle Creek was on a boil water advisory for just over 24 hours, and Pessel shared that all 170 restaurant contacts were following CCPHD guidance on necessary safety measures
  • Public Defender David Makled shared that his office is implementing new paperless workflow and case management software, and is still in the hiring process to fully staff the new office. As he considers public defense holistically, Makled stated that he's interested in the benefits of incorporating social work into this process, which was echoed by Treasurer Brian Wensauer, who has also considered how a social worker on staff could benefit foreclosure prevention efforts.
  • In his update, Treasurer Brian Wensauer shared that county investments earned over $400,000 in interest last year, which is higher than ever and due to a new strategy on how the money is pooled in bank accounts and cashflow is managed tightly. 
  • Land Bank Director Krista Trout-Edwards shared that she and the treasurer had recently canvassed houses around the Union Steel Property in Albion, before the demolition began. They visited 130 homes and expect the demolition to take 16 weeks
  • Managing Director for the Road Department John Midgley mentioned that due to lack of frost on the ground, the County is not placing seasonal weight restrictions on primary or local roads this year.
  • Assistant Administrator Brad Wilcox said he hopes to hold Declutter Days in April, to assist all departments with purging all unnecessary items in our offices. More communications will be sent as details are confirmed.
  • Senior Services Manager Helen Guzzo shared that millage renewal ballot language was approved at the last Board of Commissioners meeting, and that the millage vote (along with park's) will take place Tuesday, Aug. 4. 

There was a check distribution ceremony with the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at which we celebrated over a decade of increasing net revenue for the casino. At the ceremony, over $18M was presented to the state of Michigan and nearly $6M was given to the Local Revenue Sharing Board. The Board will distribute the money across local government entities per the compact over the next several months.
 
At the County's Information Technology Executive Committee meeting on Friday, Feb. 28, Communications Manager Lucy Blair gave an overview of the nearly-completed website design, which will go live in mid-March. The committee also discussed implementation and training for Microsoft Office 365, training related to IT security, the administrative services agreement with the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority, and an update on the integration of OnBase and Mentis, our countywide document scanning and workflow management system.
 
Calhoun County's Road Department welcomed township supervisors to a meeting on Monday, March 2, regarding 2020 construction and the revised Board Policy 509, which is the local road improvement funding program. In addition to these updates from the Road Department, there was also the opportunity for County administration, commissioners and townships to provide updates for the group.
 
The Summit Pointe Board met Tuesday, March 3, and we heard presentations about Summit Pointe's Urgent Care Center and Crisis Continuum Project, as well as Compliance Risk Assessment Training. Per the Audit/Finance Committee's recommendation, the Board approved an advertising contract with Adams Outdoor. Other Board action included approval of a Risk Assessment Report and amendments to certain Board policies as recommended by legal counsel.
 
The Calhoun County Planning Commission met Wednesday, March 4, and reviewed the 2019 Annual Report. In township planning and zoning, the board considered four zoning amendments in Pennfield and Marengo Townships, and a PA 116 application in Sheridan Township. The Commission also received a resignation notice from Scott Fleming, who is leaving his post as CEO of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA) and relocating outside of our community. The Planning Commission now has two vacancies and will be seeking candidates soon to fill them.  
Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
On Thursday, March 5, the Board of Commissioners read a proclamation for Meals on Wheels and its March promotion that includes "celebrity" meal delivery. Senior Services also presented its 2019 annual report for Commissioners.
In new business, the Board,

  • Approved a resolution to authorize the Treasurer to issue this year's Delinquent Tax Anticipation Notes
  • Approved a staffing allocation change for the Public Defender's Office
  • Approved an agreement for staffing and workload analysis within the Prosecutor's Office 
  • Approved the annual Road Mileage Certification report 
  • Approved a new Utility Construction Requirement Policy for the Road Department
  • Approved a bid award for pavement marking
  • Approved a bid award for cold patch material 
  • Approved two PNC lease schedules for previously authorized and budgeted Road Department Equipment 
Around the County
Update from the Road Department
Operations:
  • Boom mowing took place in Burlington, Leroy, and Sheridan Townships
  • Tree trimming and cutting has begun for Phase 1 of the Emmett Township Local Road Program
  • Guardrail repair is taking place countywide
  • Pothole patching is taking place countywide, as weather allows
  • Sign maintenance is taking place countywide
  • Winter maintenance is taking place as needed

Engineering:
  • Federal aid safety grant tree removals are ongoing countywide
  • Tree removals for the N Drive N (Gorsline Rd) project will begin in the next couple weeks
Update from the Public Health Department
The Calhoun County Public Health Department is leading the communication charge regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, and as of March 5 there are no confirmed cases in Michigan. The situation is changing quickly, and CCPHD is working with the state and CDC to stay abreast of the situation and response.

Avoid misinformation by getting your news about COVID-19 from reputable sources. The CDC and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have websites that are great references for national and state updates, respectively. Don't forget to bookmark the Calhoun County Public Health Department website for close-to-home information, as well.

Preventative recommendations remain the same. Remember:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands after disposing of the tissue.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home if you are sick and contact your healthcare provider.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Update from the Land Bank Authority
This week, asbestos abatement began on the Union Steel building in Albion, and demolition is expected to begin late next week. The blighted structure has sat empty in Albion since 1995 and became a home to feral cats during that time. The demolition was a long time coming and was made possible thanks to funding from the Calhoun County Treasurer, with support from the Board of Commissioners, and the City of Albion. The Land Bank also used dollars from an Environmental Protection Agency grant to perform assessments at the site and prepare it for demolition. Even the feral cats are taken care of with the help of the Friends of Albion’s Animals organization.

The Calhoun County Land Bank canvassed the area around the building before the demolition. Director Krista Trout-Edwards and Treasurer Brian Wensauer visited more than 130 homes, recommending homeowners keep doors and windows closed and reduce time spent outside during active demolition. The building is extremely dangerous, and the Land Bank insists that no one enter the site for any reason. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the Land Bank noted: “Albion Public Safety will be increasing patrols around the area and trespassers, including those accessing the site with drones, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” 

Demolition is expected to take approximately 16 weeks and is the result of much collaboration between community partners. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Krista at the Land Bank via email at landbank@calhouncountymi.gov or 269-781-0859.
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