Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Could I'd like to call the board of commissioners meeting for October 21st to order. Like all to rise and for the pledge of allegiance followed by the invocation by chairman James Shwell. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I would ask each person in their own way to assume a reverent stance. Good and gracious God, watch over us this evening as we conduct the business of Jackson County in the state of Michigan. Please help us to follow your words, your thoughts, and your paths as we work through this. be in our minds, on our lips, and in our heart today through your son. Amen.

I'll go ahead and do it now. Michael Overton, if you'd like to introduce the facilities director at this time. Sure. Blake Upright and he started yesterday. Why don't you come up and tell us a little bit about yourself, where you came from, and you know, your life story. Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah. Started there. Um, no. Uh, my name is Blake Upright. I come from Eaton County. Um, I have a pretty lengthy history in, uh, kind of, uh, the public sector. A lot of years in Lancing, um, working with, uh, Tri County Mental Health. Um, most recently I was with Kent County. Um, I've been a facilities director, project manager over large projects for Ottawa and Kent County since 21. Um, so I have a a fair amount of knowledge to bring to the team and I'm eager to get in and start working with them. It's been a little bit of a fire hose drinking contest the last day and a half, but we're getting there.

Yeah, very much. For those who may not be aware, we are in the throws of doing something in every building in the county and the parking lots and the solar panels, all kinds of good stuff. So, you're in for a lot of fun. Yep. Yes, sir. Thank you. You Thank you, Michael. At this time, I'd ask the clerk to call the role, please. Yes, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Bayer, present. Commissioner Walls, here. Commissioner Kennedy, here. Commissioner Duckham. Commissioner Pleski here. Commissioner Willis here. Commissioner Williams present. Commissioner Snell here. Chairman Shotwell present. We have a quorum.

Thank you. Entertain a motion to approve the agenda. We have a motion and support. Any corrections, deletions, or additions? Hearing nor seeing none. All in favor please say I. I. Those opposed. Same sign.

We have no awards and recognition. Are there any communications or petitions to present to the clerk? Seeing none, we have no special hearings or public hearings. This time we've arrived at public comment. Public comment guidelines. Each individual will state their name. You have three minutes to address the board. You may only address the board once under this public comment opportunity and may not yield your time to others. Board members will not debate nor answer questions at this time. Please step forward if you'd like to speak under public comment.

Good evening, Mr. Chair. Douglas Brinker. I am a candidate for the open board position at Lifeways Community Mental Health here in Jackson. Little bit about myself. Born and raised in Jackson January 31st, 1963 in WA Foot Memorial, which is now the Anderson building. If you're not familiar with the Anderson building, it is the mental health unit. I uh went into the US Navy right out of high school because Eastern Michigan wouldn't take me. I sought the seas of the Navy, the oceans, Beirut, Lebanon, and then I returned home only to uh find myself in a number of different jobs that ultimately led me down some dark, deep roads that led to two suicide attempts. I sought treatment at Lifeways in September of 1999 after my first attempt. And ironically, just two and a half weeks ago, I retired nearly eight years from a as a veteran peer support specialist with Lifeway. So, talk about full circle, ladies and gentlemen. I am a product of full circle. I've spent my whole life. I've spent 53 years in the community as a volunteer. Right from scouts to Toast Masters to the JC's to now my appointment for seven years as a Department of Michigan Veterans of Foreign Wars mental health director. And here in Jackson, the Jackson County Military Coalition Chair and founder of Beacon for Hope LLC, where hope stands for helping one person every day. published author, My Dark Shadow: From a Suicidal Self to a Purpose of Hope that just released. And it isn't about money. It's about saving lives. Because I'm tired of the 8,550 veterans that take their life every year because we just throw money at it. We

don't do something about it. So, I seek that appointment to the open position of Lifeways board member. Thank you. Good evening, uh, commissioners. Russ Jennings. I'm going to wear my Leone Township Trustee hat this month. Um, I want to talk about the, uh, additional road funding that come through the state of Michigan with the new state budget. I know everybody probably expected it to be a lot more than it was, but we did get some extra funding uh poured into each county. Um the reports I'd seen for Jackson County was $7.2 million. I'm being told it's around $7 million. Um with that uh come a reduction of revenue sharing not only for the county but for the townships also. I think all municipalities and the structure for um road match u 7030 road match that's provided by Jackson County to the townships which is a struggle for many townships to uh utilize as it is. I know some do I know Leone Township does not. Um, but I'd like to see make a recommendation that you guys please consider moving the match to 60/40 or better yet 50/50. I did do some research around the state and yes, most are 7030, but many are 50/50 and there's some 6040s are kind of all over the map, but I would hope that you would take this $7.2 million and think about the townships and just lowering the match for the townships. Um, it may, you know, I know in Leoni Township there's been

some discussion about some special assessments on streets that it might entice those streets to those people on the streets to approve that special assessment if we move that. Um, I don't see Leone Township utilizing it, but maybe if it was 50/50, it would change change the game. But looking at all townships with the reduction of that 8%. So the townships that do put in a little bit minus the millages with townships have millages some from what I hear from my commissioners chip in for some road uh funding with the 7030 that could be a problem with them with the 8% uh revenue sharing reduction. So you it's in your guys' hands. I'm just hoping that you'll help look out for the townships a little bit. Thank you. Hello, my name is Rachel Warner and I work for Representative Kathy Schmaltz and she just sent me here to introduce myself to all of you since I haven't been here before. I just started working with her just a couple months ago. So, I just wanted to say hello and see what was going on in the county and give you all just a quick update of a couple things that we're going to see coming down to Jackson uh from the recently passed state budget. So, in case you haven't heard, we have $1.5 million that Representative Schmaltz helped to bring down to Cascades for restoring that. And then $750,000 for um improving Ella Park Trails and adding a bike library for that, too. And then 1 million for building a family shelter at the interface shelter for families to stay together. So, we were really happy to see that. And if you have any other specific questions or anything, I have cards if you'd like my

information or you can always reach out to our office. Thank you. I would ask that you give the clerk the card, please. One of your cards. That would be helpful. Yes. That way all the commissioners would have it.

Thank you. Uh, good evening, uh, David Hammond Tree, City of Jackson. Uh, thank you commissioners for the work that you do. Um, I want to put my, uh, name in the hat for the county land bank. I noticed in the last general government standing committee that there were no committee recommendations and there might be an opening for the nonprofit or the public member. It looks like the public member has submitted the information, but I think I also qualify for the nonprofit membership. I'm on the board of directors for Grove Jackson. I am also uh the vice chair of the city of Jackson's planning commission. I'm also on the board of review. This aligns with my interest of curiosity, but also engagement with uh what's going on in the land bank. So, my application came in Sunday after catching up with this. If uh nominations are taken on the floor tonight, I'd appreciate it. If not, I'm happy to wait a month. Whatever you think's best. Enjoy the evening. Thank you. Any other public comment? Any other public comment? Public comment is now closed. We have gone. I would ask that the board of commissioners for a motion for the human services committee to have its special session, please.

So moved. I have a motion and support. All in favor, please say I. I. Those opposed. Chairman of human services committee, Earl Pleski. Commissioner Pleski, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And this is um special meeting for the purpose of recommending appointments to the full board to certain boards and commissions. We have two vacancies at present or two uh appointments to make. One opening is for a public member of the DHHS board here in Jackson County for a term expiring October of 2028. The current member is Kenny Price. Mr. price is not applied. We have had no applicants uh so far for that opening and uh with the indulgence of my committee, I will ask that we pick that back up in the November committee meetings. Uh if there is no objection, next up would be the uh Lifeways P uh primary consumer member for a term expiring u March of 2028 that is currently vacant. has been vacant for a few months now after the resignation of that member of the Lifeways board. We are very pleased to have a half a dozen applicants. Uh they they being Sarah Allison, Douglas Brinker, Barbara Fryinger, Lauren Lake, Jennifer Palone, and Amy Rich. And uh chair will entertain nominations.

Douglas Brinker is nominated. Are there other nominations? Commissioner Bear nominate Douglas. Douglas Brinker is nominated. Thank you. Are there any other nominations? Hearing no other nominations, chair will um now ask for your vote. All those in favor of recommending Douglas Brinker to the full board will please say I. I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. Uh, Mr. Chair, that concludes the work and we stand adjourned at the call of the chair.

Thank you, Commissioner Pleski. At this time, entertain a motion to reopen the board of commissioners meeting. I have a motion and support. Any questions on the We are going to go from where we're at right now to item 8A. So, we would be where we're restarting the general commission meeting. Sir. Yes, sir. So, at this time, all in favor, please say I. I.

Those opposed? Duly carried. The appointments that were made at the special meeting will appear under the appointments for human services. Commissioner Bear, that will occur later in the meeting. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the September 23rd meeting. I have a motion in support. Are any additions or corrections? Commissioner Bear. Thank you, Chairman.

I'd like you to bring everybody's attention to the uh new business item 17A, drain commissioner's recommendation on the landfill. The vote count listed in the agenda or listed in the minutes is not correct. Um it shows four people voting no. Myself who made the motion. Corey Kennedy who seconded the motion and it that vote was 100% approval. Anybody need to look at the video of that meeting? You don't need to watch the whole video. advance to 1 hour and six minutes into the tape. That's when the voting starts. So, I would recommend correcting that vote count.

Is that a motion? Yes. Support. I accept it as a friendly um adjustment to the minutes. Any other items for correction? Hearing none, we will vote to approve the minutes as amended by Commissioner Bayer. All in favor, please say I. I. I. Those opposed. Duly carried. We've arrived this time at the consent agenda. Entertain a motion for the consent agenda.

I have a motion in support for the consent agenda. Any items from for removal from the consent agenda? No. Hearing none. Madame clerk, when you're ready, you may call the role. Yes, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Walls. Yes. Commissioner Kennedy. Yes. Commissioner Pleski. Yes. Commissioner Willis. Yes. Commissioner Williams. Yes. Commissioner Snell. Commissioner Bayer. Yes. Chairman Chwell. Yes. Motion passes.

Thank you. We now move to item 13, standing committee public safety and transportation, chaired by Vice Chairman Corey Kennedy. Commissioner Kennedy, your meeting.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, tonight we're going to have the sheriff present his um request for purchase of new equipment. That's going to be firearms and the related equipment to the firearms that he's requesting. Good evening, Sheriff Shy. Good evening. Thank you. So, what you have in front of you is a staff report that uh is requesting the purchase of Glock model 45, which is a 9mm. And that can be a little bit uh funny to look at because you think it's a 45 caliber, but it's actually a 9 millimeter handgun um for transition for our deputies. Um so the reason for this is is simply modernization. Um we have a pistol right now. It's model 17, a Glock model 17. So also a 9mm handgun. And right now, pardon me, right now we use iron sights in order to shoot the weapon accurately. This would allows allow this new gun allows us to use uh an aim point site, which is a different type of sight. Instead of closing one eye and lining up a dot in the middle of two other dots, you just put one uh red dot, which is an electronic dot on the gun onto the item that you are intending to to shoot. um you use both eyes and they're wide open. It's much simpler to fire the the the gun that way accurately. It literally makes a good shooter a great shooter. And we have good shooters. We have some great shooters, but this makes our good shooters great shooters. And I think that's paramount for public safety because when you're thinking about unfortunate circumstances

where our our deputies have to draw their weapons and they have to fire them, they need to hit the target they're intending to hit. And this gun will increase that accuracy probably twofold. It is that much of a game changer. Um currently I believe all the area departments have this right now. Uh, I think Jackson PD is currently in transition getting them. Um, but I believe all the rest of them have transitioned to this. Um, so we're a little bit behind and I hate being a little bit behind, but I knew this was going to be a big ask. It's a lot of money uh to do this and um and essentially that's why I'm here today. Um, I've had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Overton about it and to see if in in fact we can do that through our capital fund. um he assured me that that money is available for us to do this. Um it will cost us a little over $100,000 to do it. However, we get $29,000 instant credit for the firearms that we have currently that we would be trading in. So, we get credit for the firearms that we have, trade them in, and then it brings our cost down to a little over $83,000 and some change. So, uh, that also includes, uh, lights for the guns for, uh, our patrol deputies. It doesn't include them for corrections deputies. They don't need them because they'll be in lighted areas. Um, and it's also a lot more training to train with a light on a gun for somebody who doesn't need it. Um, and that's an additional cost of u more ammunition and so forth. So, um, what we're asking for are the firearms, uh, for our patrol division and our corrections division, uh, to have the choice point, uh, aim point on it. Um, and it also includes the, uh, the holsters and the lights for patrol deputies. So, I'm happy to answer any

questions that you might have. I know this is a really quick uh,formational about uh, what could be a kind of complicated topic. Committee members, I know we all read through this, but do you have any questions? Commissioner Williams does. Commissioner Williams. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. So, just one quick question. Excuse my arrogance uh on this, but I'm just curious, what is the lifespan of this particular gun?

So, in general, guns last about 10 years, 8 to 10 years before you set have to start changing the extractor spring, um the uh recoil spring, and different things of that nature. So, what we're looking at right now with the Glock 17 is having to change those things. So, that's going to be some additional costs. Some of the things that were included in your staff report were the the mechanical aspects of that. So, you can see that we're about $8,800 that we're going to have to start changing out on our our current weapons.

Um, but that doesn't include time. Um, and how, you know, we talked about how we might be able to calculate this. We do have armorers, in other words, people that can that can legally and certifiably take care of the of the guns, break them down, put the new parts in them, and then put them back together. We do have them on our staff. Um, but calculating the hours was really difficult to do. So, what you see in front of you is simply the cost of the repairing parts. I see. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing further. Thank you.

Any other uh Commissioner Bear? Not a question, a comment. This is a very low cost in my mind based on what our deputies do for us, the security they bring to our community, putting their lives on the line every day they go out the door. This is a very low cost for what we receive back from our deputies. I think everybody should support this. Thank you. Any up uh Chairman Shotwell?

I do. Um, just to answer for the public, the reason why we trade them in and not sell them ourselves is because of the time and everything involved in the disposal of the firearm. That's correct. Um, because I know people are going to ask us that. Yeah. Uh, so what we will do, most of these guns will probably be bought up through the company by our deputies. They'll buy their own guns back. Okay. So that's likely what'll end up happening. So they'll they'll they'll take whatever cost that uh Keieslers, the outlet that we're purchasing them from, would give us for it and then buy them back. So they'll likely buy the firearms back anyway. And

I know I will mine. Just just for again discussion, the light dot, does it appear on the asalent that you're aiming the gun at? No sir, it does not. It appears within the screen that the deputy's looking through. Okay. Any other committee member questions? If none from the committee, I'd be looking for a motion to forward to the full board with recommendation of approval. So moved. Moved by Bearer, supported by Williams. We'll take a roll call vote. Madame clerk.

Yes, Mr. Chair. as I find my correct sheet. Commissioner Bear, yes. Commissioner Walls, yes. Commissioner Williams, yes. Commissioner Kennedy, yes. Motion passes. All right, that'll be forward to the full board. And so I'm going to ask you at this time to entertain a motion from the full board to vote for that because this is during standing committee time. Okay. Motion for approval. Motion by bear. Is there support? Supported by Williams. Again, any discussion?

If you could post the vote, madame clerk. I don't know where it's going to appear. It is posted.

Voting is now closed. It passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you very much. Have a good night. That concludes business for public safety and transportation. Thank you. Standing committee general government. Uh chairing the committee tonight is Commissioner Walls. Commissioner Walls.

Thank you, Chairman Shotwell. First tonight, we need to look at appointments. And we have opening on our land bank for a nonprofit representative. Lindseay Null was the uh current member. We have a late applicant that presented tonight. Mr. Hammerree. Um we also have a public member. Mary Walcott is the current member. Applicant Mary Walcott. and commissioner was Corey Kennedy and our applicant was Corey Kennedy. At our um committee member meeting, Corey Kennedy was moved forward. Uh the other two I'll be looking for nominations um and recommendations.

I nominate David Hammetry. David Hammetry has been nominated. Yeah. for the for the nonprofit representative. Are there any other nominations? I'll request a vote. All in favor of Mr. Hammersley, please say I. I. I. Hammerree. I. Those opposed hearing none. Mr. Hammetry passes.

Thank you. And for the public member, we have Mary Walcott. I'd like to nominate Mary Walcott. There any nominations from the floor? Hearing? None. All in favor of Mary Walcott, please say I. I. Those opposed. Congratulations, Mary. You're returned. Thank you. And our last one, our recommendation was Corey Kennedy. He is the current member. He is the applicant. I'd like to The committee has recommended Corey Kennedy. Any nominations from the floor. All in favor enthusiastically supporting Corey Kennedy, please say I.

I. Those opposed, duly carried. Thank you, Commissioner Walls. Um, we'll go to item 14B, the drain commissioner 2024 report. We all saw this report at the uh standing committee meeting and we had a question whether or not we could approve the report without uh our drain commissioner giving it to us physically and that has been answered. We can re uh go ahead and approve that report. Were there any questions that perhaps Mr. Overton can answer or I'd be looking for a recommendation or a motion to approve.

I'll make a motion to approve. Support. All in favor? I

I motion passes. Okay. 14C. Retirey health insurance. Michael Good evening, commissioners. Um, you have a staff report in front of you regarding the post65 health insurance uh request for 2026 plan year. Uh, we submitted bids. Uh, we went out for an RFP. We received four bids back. We are recommending uh to transition the post65 uh Medicare Advantage plan uh to Etna insurance. Uh and that will save us an approximate cost of $1 36,000 in cost savings from the current 2025 plan year. I'd be happy to answer any questions regarding any of the RFP process or uh the post 65 plan.

Commissioner Kennedy. The current plan is carried by who? Current plan is current uh currently uh Humanana Insurance who was showing a 7.2% increase. Correct. That is correct. So it's more like a 14.6% differential. Okay. Thanks. Any other commissioner questions? Commissioner Willis? Yes. Excuse me. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And there's no change in the level of service that we're getting.

No level of service will remain the same. And this is a Medicare advantage plan. So once again, they have to offer all the Medicare plan options as well as additional options. But the uh silver sneaker plan remains intact. Uh the there's small transitions with the um uh with the prescription drug plan uh with the formulary formulary list. Uh but once again, that's natural with any plan transition. The nice part is Humanana. We had some difficulties because they did not they were in open negotiations with Trinity Health uh which was not a part of their active program in planning that resulted in a lot of uh bills having to be submitted by our retirees which caused a great deal of problems. The nice news is Etna does have Trinity Health on board. Uh so that will not be a problem in 2026.

Thank you sir. No further regain a motion support. I have a motion and support. Any further questions? All in favor, please say I. I. Those opposed. Duly carried. Thank you, Michael. Standing committee, human ser Oh, Commissioner Walls. Thank you again. Thank you. Our business.

Thank you. Human services standing committee chaired by Commissioner Pleski. Commissioner Pleski. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We return again to the appointments uh calendar uh reminding uh commissioners that we have an open member for the DHHS board and we will be taking that up at our November uh committee meeting at which time I expect to see applicants. The next item is uh the Lifeways primary consumer member for a term expiring March of 2028. The U chair is currently vacant. We've had a half a dozen applicants. Sarah Allison, Douglas Brinker, Barbara Fryinger, Lauren Lake, Jennifer Palone, and Amy Rich. The committee recommendation is Douglas Brinker, and we bring him forward for adoption by the full board.

Any nominations from the floor? Hearing none. All in favor of Doug's Blinker, please say I. I. I. Those opposed. Duly carried. Commissioner Pleski. I want to express my appreciation to all those who applied. We do need excellent people on committees and boards. So, uh, thanks for all the applicants and congratulations to Doug Brinker. We look forward to welcoming him to the Lifeways board. Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is all we have tonight.

Thank you, sir. We have no unfinished business. Is there any new business to come before the board? Seeing nor hearing none, we return to public comment. This is your second time. You'll have two minutes to address the board. You may only address the board once under this public comment opportunity and may not yield your time to others. Board members will not debate nor answer questions at this time. Any public comment? Hi, David Hammondry. It's It's a long one, I know. Uh, thanks for the vote. Look forward to working with you. Have a nice night,

Mr. Chair, fellow commissioners. Uh, thank you for the appointment and I look forward to not just serving Lifeways, but to serve our community where I've born and raised and this is where I will die. And uh, as a disabled Iraq vet, it's an honor to serve uh, those many individuals that need services for mental health like I once did. Any other public comment? Any other public comment? Public comment is now closed. Commissioner comments. Seeing none, in accordance with MCL 15121, excuse me, 15 268, a collective bargaining agreement litigation and a settlement strategy and a matter of Holstead versus Jackson County. At this time, we entertain a motion to go into close session.

We have a motion and support. Madame clerk, could you call the role? Yes, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Kennedy. Yes. Commissioner Pleski. Yes. Commissioner Willis. Yes. Commissioner Williams. Yes. Commissioner Snell. Yes. Commissioner Bayer. Yes. Commissioner Walls. Yes. Chairman Shhatwell. Yes. Motion passes. Yes. We'll go upstairs or downstairs or around

All in favor? I. Those opposed. Entertain the attorney uh recommendation in the case number 24-2468 NI, Halstead versus Jackson County. I so move. Do I have support? Madam clerk, are you ready to call the role? Commissioner Pleski, yes. Commissioner Willis, yes. Commissioner Williams, yes. Commissioner Snout, yes. Commissioner Bay, yes. Commissioner Walls, yes. Commissioner Kennedy,

no. And Chairman Sha, yes. Motion passes. Leadership. Leadership. Thank you, Commissioner Plesky. I'm going to show you some leadership here. So, Commissioner Kennedy, you're you're up. Make a motion to authorize the board chair to sign this successor collective bargaining agreement with the POAM corrections deputies consistent with the terms of the stipulated 312 award upon approval as to form by the county's legal council. We have a motion and support. Any questions? Uh to be clear for the record, Commissioner Kennedy, was that you making the motion?

Yes, it was. And that was uh Commissioner Bear with the second. Yes, it was. Thank you. Yeah, it's the exact same thing. Thank you for the clarification. Yes, please. Commissioner Willis, yes. Commissioner Williams, yes. Commissioner Snell, yes. Commissioner Bayer, yes. Commissioner Walls, yes. Commissioner Kennedy, yes. Commissioner Pleski, yes. Chairman Shwell, yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Entertain a motion to adjurnn. Move. I have a motion and support. All in favor? I. Those opposed? Duly carried.