From the Feb. 3 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting
At this meeting, Michelle Williamson, CEO of Community Action, gave a presentation on the programs that impact Calhoun County residents. Click here for that report.
On the consent agenda, commissioners approved appointments to the Calhoun County Veterans' Affairs Committee, an amendment to the Veterans' Affairs Committee bylaws that will allow a County Commissioner to join the committee, and Road Department plow truck financing for 2022.
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In new business, the Board approved,
- surveyor agreements for the 2022 Survey and Remonumentation Program
- an MDOT contract for federal grant-funded overhead flashing beacons at two intersections with crash histories suggesting safety improvements are needed
- authorization for the Calhoun County Treasurer to issue 2022 Delinquent Tax Anticipation Notes
- a First Responder Training and Recruitment Grant application for the Sheriff's Office
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A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott
Celebrating Black History Month
Because February is Black History Month, I want to highlight some relevant training that all County employees are required to complete this month, and share some other information from our local community and our statewide county commissioners’ association.
Since we began the County's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee and I've participated in some anti-racism training and coaching in conjunction with boards that I'm on, I’m even more committed to helping myself and others within County government keep learning about how we can together best represent our community and value each other’s differences.
The County is currently offering online employee training called "Building a Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," that highlights topics such as unconscious bias and microaggressions. Our HR/Labor Relations Director Kim Archambault shared, "This is a basic informational series designed to bring us all together; not apart." This week’s first session was “Diversity, Inclusion, Sensitivity and Racism.” I want to thank employees for taking the time to learn, or review their knowledge about these topics we believe are important to our culture. I hope that small steps like this will make the work we do every day a little better.
Some members of our JEDI committee are also participating in extra training. In addition to last year’s training session for department heads and elected officials, the JEDI Committee co-chairs are participating in an ongoing workshop called "Anti-Racism Primer for Institutions." The YWCA of Kalamazoo also provides a workshop called Brave Spaces, which multiple members of the JEDI Committee have participated in.
Within Calhoun County, Kellogg Community College has several events throughout February, including a concert, a luncheon, and a panel on the "black experience" (which was postponed, so there's still a chance to catch it!). The bottom of the Black History Month KCC website, kellogg.edu/blackhistorymonth, includes a list of interesting resources.
And finally, an interesting history piece: On Facebook, the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) is remembering Genesee County trailblazer, Charlotte Williams, the first African-American woman to serve as president of the Michigan Association of Counties. Check out the post on Facebook.
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Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events:
On Friday, Jan. 21, there was a State of the Community presentation with updates from the City Managers of Albion, Battle Creek and Springfield, as well as from County Administrator Kelli Scott, about successes in 2021 and what's to come this year. Click here to watch the full presentation.
On Friday, Jan. 26, the Calhoun County Public Safety Information Alliance (RMS Board) met for the first time this year. Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker was reelected as chair of the board, and we heard updates from County IT staff on the continued enhancements to this jointly purchased law enforcement records management system used by the County Sheriff, Battle Creek Police, Emmett Township, KCC Public Safety and the City of Marshall. Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott is one of the county’s representatives on the Board, along with Sheriff Hinkley and Chief Deputy Dave Tendziegloski. The Board welcomed other new members from our partner agencies due to retirements from their public safety departments.
On Tuesday, Feb.1, the County’s Road Department and County Administration hosted a meeting of countywide township supervisors, to give updates on the Road Department’s budget forecast, and strategies to maximize limited funds available to match local road projects. A few county commissioners also attended the meeting to hear the input on potential policy modifications, which may come following continued conversations and ultimately require Board approval.
The Broadband Task Force met this morning, Feb. 3. Information was shared about the upcoming presentation by Merit Network at the next Board of Commissioners Meeting on Feb. 17, summarizing the results of the initial countywide survey. The group also discussed additional ways to address its four strategy areas—accessibility, affordability, digital literacy, and adoption.
Also on Feb. 3, the Parks and Recreation Commission met. In new business, it discussed committee reappointments, possible names for the new park in Albion, and a township request about millage funds.
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Update from the Calhoun County Road Department
Operations Update:
- Boom mowing is taking in Albion and Pennfield Townships
- Pothole patching is ongoing countywide
- Tree cleanup is taking place countywide
THANK YOU to the Road Workers who worked tirelessly during the snow event this week to keep roads safe for drivers.
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