Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Report

From the Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting

At tonight's Board of Commissioners meeting, a proclamation was read for the retirement of Chief Jim Blocker from the Battle Creek Police Department. Read the proclamation here. Additionally, on the consent agenda, Commissioners approved a CCCDA bond financing agreement providing for the County’s principal and interest payments to be fully covered by the Dispatch Authority for the life of the bonds; a settlement agreement for a regional opioid lawsuit; a financing resolution for a Road Department plow truck; traffic control orders for the Kesselwood Subdivision; and numerous beginning of the term Commissioner appointments to internal and community boards and committees.

To view the agenda or meeting recording, visit the Agendas page of the website.

In new business, the Board approved,

an inmate medical contract amendment, which adds three years on the previous contract
a Calhoun County Road Department (CCRD) contract for a federal aid road improvement project on 17.5 Mile Rd
a CCRD bid award for cold patch
a CCRD bid award for contracted pothole patching
updates to CCRD Policy 509 for Local Road Improvement Funding
a CCRD Road Improvement Agreement with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribe covering funding for two projects: S Drive South crossing Pine Creek and R Drive

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott

The State of the County is Strong! One of the beginning of the year communication highlights included last week’s State of the Community Presentation, hosted by the City of Battle Creek. I and managers from the cities of Battle Creek, Albion, Marshall and Springfield highlighted key accomplishments of 2022 and invited our residents to look for some exciting projects during 2023. If you missed the live stream, watch the State of the Community presentation from Friday, Jan. 27. Watch the Recording. I also spoke with Jane Simons from On The Ground Battle Creek about what we are looking forward to in 2023. Read the article.

Speaking of exciting projects, there's an upcoming listening session in our county, hosted by the state of Michigan, that will help our Calhoun County Broadband Initiative move forward. These sessions are happening in various county to help the public stay informed about plans to improve internet access to residents in Michigan. This is a great opportunity to have our local voices heard by the state office that is distributing millions of dollars in grant money for broadband expansion. Click here to learn more about the Michigan High Speed Internet Office's listening tour and to pre-register for the event in Battle Creek, which will take place from 10 a.m.-Noon, Thursday, Feb. 16 at Squirrel Hollow Golf Course. Calhoun County's Broadband Task Force is putting the parts in place so that we can participate in these grant processes and find solutions for the areas of Calhoun County that are either unserved or underserved.

The Broadband Task Force met on Jan. 10, and Ziggy Rivkin-Fish from CTC Energy & Technology gave a presentation on the primary findings of their Broadband Plan to be finalized and delivered to the County this month. Additionally, Communications Director Lucy Blair gave a brief overview of the Request for Proposals that was issued for Internet Service Providers to respond to. The goal is to find industry partners who we can work with to improve access to unserved and underserved households in Calhoun County.

The Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Committee met on Wednesday, Jan. 11. It reviewed 12 applications for the Veterans Relief Fund, and ultimately approved six applications, and a seventh provisionally.

Lunch and Learns for County employees were held on Jan. 17-18 showcasing the County Veterans Affairs Office. Employees learned about the benefits the County VA Office offers, ranging from disability benefits to burial assistance and benefits to scholarships and other services. Learn more about the Veterans Affairs Office on the website.

The Calhoun County Board of Health met on Monday, Jan. 23. A presentation was given by Stacy Fayling, the Maternal Child Health Supervisor about the Fetal Infant Mortality Review and Infant Safe Sleep programs. The Board also discussed reappointment of members, accreditation efforts, and general department operations.

Also on Jan. 23, a Calhoun County Planning Commission meeting was held. Three items of township planning and zoning coordination were discussed, including a zoning text amendment in Athens Township and two zoning text amendments in Emmett Charter Township.

The internal Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee held a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2. At this meeting, each subcommittee provided updates regarding trainings, policy review, and Lunch and Learns.

Also on Feb. 2, the Parks and Recreation Commission met. Chair, vice chair, and secretary for the committee were voted upon, and in the department report, Community Development Assistant Director Doug Ferrall provided updates on Michigan DNR grants due, on grant applications that are being considered, and on execution of grants that were awarded such as for the construction of Ott Preserve Bathrooms.

From the Public Defender's Office

On Friday, Jan. 13, 10th grade students from Battle Creek Central participated in a mock trial in front of Judge Jason Bomia. Yesterday, the students went through a practice session with Judge Michelle Richardson. Students played roles of prosecuting and defense attorneys, questioned witnesses, submitted evidence, and offered opening statements and closing arguments. Students learned about the justice system, and Judge Bomia ultimately issued a guilty verdict. The mock trial is part of a partnership between teacher Joe Hearns, students from his practical law class, and Andrea Satchwell and David Makled from the Calhoun County Public Defender’s Office.

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