HIGHLIGHTS from the January 28 Board of Commissioners meeting and VOTE EXPLANATIONS.
* I made a motion to postpone voting on a contract that came to us from Public Health with Spoke (now Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance) in order for our Board to have time to further research concerns that I and other board members had stemming from lack of details shared about the specific work being done as well as concerns with a heavy DEI focus.
My motion failed 7-4. (Commissioners Moss, Rhodea, Wenzel and myself voted for it).
* Michigan Earned Sick Time Act
Suggested Motion: To approve adding the employee benefit under the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act.
Vote Explanation: I voted to support this as it aligns our county with Michigan law set to change in February. Before my vote, I shared that I had reached out to our lobbyist Bob DeVries after I saw this item on our agenda in light that this very issue has already been voted on and passed in the state house and is currently in the senate. I agree that our HR department is doing the right thing here and making sure we are up to date with the current law. This will most likely need to be revisited by our BOC within the next month or so as changes are anticipated to some degree in Lansing.
Motion passed 11-0.
* Employment Agreement for Interim County Administrator
Suggested Motion: To approve the employment agreement for Interim County Administrator
Vote Explanation: The employment agreement is similar to what has been offered to recent interim county administrators at the county.
Motion passed 11-0.
* Amend Board Rule 2.3
Suggested Motion: To amend section 2.3 of the Rules of the Ottawa County Commissioners to read as follows: For all active commissioner assignments on non-standing Board Committees, county and community-based commissions, authorities, boards (such as CMH and Parks and Recreation), the Chairperson shall make all assignments for seats that are dedicated to the Board, subject to bylaws, ordinances and state statute, and the approval of the Board of Commissioners by majority vote.
Vote Explanation: I was happy to see this motion added to the agenda as I had previously made this motion at the last Board of Commissioners meeting and it had failed at that time with a 6-5 vote. This brings back what has historically been done and seeks to give more power to the board vs the chair.
Motion passed 11-0.
* 2025 Committee Assignments
Suggested Motion: To approve the Chairman’s 2025 recommended appointments of Commissioners to community boards, commissions, authorities, and councils per section 2.3 of the Rules of the Ottawa County Commissioners.
Vote Explanation: There was a lot of great work done by some board members leading up to this meeting, discussion and some changes made during the meeting. I was disappointed to see unnecessary divisive graphs added to the Board packet and spoke about this during the meeting. I will make a separate post about that.
Motion passed 11-0.
* Appointment and Alignment Committee
Suggested Motion:
To create a five-Commissioner ad hoc committee titled the Appointment and AlignmentCommittee, whose purpose shall be to: Bring forth qualified candidates to the Board of Commissioners for appointment to open seats on county-based boards, commissions, authorities, and councils, And, To review and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for adjustments to term expiration dates of non-Commissioner appointments to county-based boards, commissions, authorities, and councils, such that said appointments are in alignment with their respective bylaws and, where applicable, state statute.
Vote Explanation: With the eliminating of the historic Talent and Recruitment Committee earlier this month, I am thankful to see this ad hoc committee created to continue important and necessary work.
Motion passed 11-0.
* Appointment and Alignment Committee Members
Suggested Motion:To appoint the following five Commissioners to the Appointment and Alignment Committee
Josh Brugger
Phil Kuyers
Doug Zylstra
Allison Miedema
Jordan Jorritsma
Vote Explanation: I am thankful to be appointed to this committee. As the past Chair of Talent and Recruitment over the past two years, I look forward to sharing information learned and continuing to work with my fellow commissioners in this capacity.
Motion passed 11-0.
* Closed Session
Suggested Motion: To go into a closed session for all reasons permitted under the OMA, including: 1. To consult with the attorneys regarding the strategy in connection with the pending litigation of Gibbs v. OC Board of Commissioners, AAA, Case # 01-24-006-3750 Gibbs V Ottawa County and Moss, USDC-WD, Case # 1:24-CV-357-JMB-RSK; pursuant to OMA section 8(e) because an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigating or settlement position of the public body.
Vote Explanation: I voted against going into closed session. One thing I’ve learned over the past two years, is that I need to weigh out the intention and purpose of utilizing closed sessions along with the risks involved when one or more people that participate in a closed session misuse its purpose for their own self interests and often at a higher cost long term to the health of our county.
Motion failed 6-5 (needed 2/3 vote to pass).
* Doug Zylstra moved to add a discussion item on the agenda to discuss the litigation of Gibbs v OC Board of Commissioners in an open session.
Vote Explanation: I voted against this motion as it was my desire for this item to be sent back to the Insurance Authority as I didn’t believe it was a good deal for the county.
The motion passed 6-5.
* Joe Moss motioned to send this motion to the Insurance Authority for further work.
Vote Explanation: I voted for this motion as it was my desire for this item to be sent back to the Insurance Authority as I didn’t believe it was a good deal for the county.
The motion failed 7-4.
* Suggested Motion: Settle the Gibbs v OC Board of Commissioners pursuant to the settlement agreement presented by the Board’s legal counsel.
Vote Explanation: I voted against this motion. I had reviewed the material shared from litigation counsel and was a witness to some of the reasons John Gibbs had been fired for cause. I cannot willingly support the harmful precedence this sets for our county with all that I know.
Motion passed 7-4.
For more information, you may watch the meeting: