May 13th, 2023

Agenda: https://emmett.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=203

Video: https://www.accessvision.tv/telvue/798933



0:03:40 Public comments: dude on 10mi road says nothing is being done, "I know consumers powers did it" but the supervisor assured him the issue is being addressed. Between Thelma and Greg st.


0:05:00 Heather Rocko bringing up concerns about a "megamess" over in Ceresco, the Waterloop, Sackriders selling land, but I'm not completely sure what she's talking about here? (Trustee Titus addresses this later in the meeting I believe, it's not something that we have any control over atm?) Also complaining about zero police presence, lots of speeding in residential areas

0:08: 40 Tim White had complaints last month but returned to say the issues he voiced were being addressed and he was very pleased w the response that he was getting. The road has now been fixed and he is satisfied w the results.


0:09:50 Georgiana Morris discussing issues regarding BCgo, the city is waiting to vote, Albion has already opted out and saying we should, too. Also talking about running the water through the casino, she doesn't want to help the megasite. Supervisor Belles states that the BCgo vote was removed from the agenda as the city is going back to the drawing board regarding public transportation.




0:16:00 Dick Brown showing extreme concern about Josh using his personal car for a business training session in Lansing, requesting $156 from the township for gas? Supervisor Belles explains he used his vehicle instead of the company car as the distance might have been a concern for the car and Josh felt safer using his own vehicle, though this didn't seem to matter as he claimed "that's what AAA is for."

Then he's concerned about 'displayed sales' ads. Jim Mead remarks "geez you're taking all my thunder" Trustee Brown feels the need to hold up a public township meeting to express concern that, in advertisement discussing the township there is a photo of the township supervisor and NOT the township clerk. "I didn't see it myself just saying that's quite a bit of money for a picture" but suggests she is "putting her face out there" and campaigning by featuring herself and not a photo of Clerk Myers, though I'm not sure why that would ever be the case, as companies and businesses are looking for managers/supervisors, not clerks.


0:21:10 Jim Mead "I have some questions that I think are the same ones that Mr Brown has" wants a vote for next month's meeting to end all advertising in scene magazine as he considers it 'frivolous spending'


0:24:00 Hellen Guzzo Adult daycare services, Battle Creek shopper features welcoming seniors to battle creek event. Coming to talk about their annual report


0:33:20 Chris Dopp w the road commission. inflation has driven up cost of road prices 42% since last estimate. Presentation on road maintenance, how to proactively retain good roads and how often roads need to be maintained.


0:51 :00 Calhoun county prosecutor Dave Gilbert comments on druglords from Miama/Florida having grow ops here in MI, there's only 4 ppl in the whole state who deal w weed stuff so it's a lot of work

1:04:20 Clerk Myers makes a comment about Prop 3 passing so smoothly in 2018 because there was a republican legislature and republican governor but now that it's a dem legislator/governor things are much slower and more complicated, suggesting that she doesn't fully understand the process of government but would rather make baseless partisan comments. Partisan, unprofessional and a little concerning that our own public officials don't have a more complete understanding of how these government processes work but instead would rather make baseless "gotcha" comments like this.




She also remarked that there is no longer a permanent absentee application list, there will be a permanent ballot list. "You'll send in one application, you'll be on the ballot list until you die."


1:10:00 Chief wants a travel request $1800 to attend a police convention in Washington DC, asks literally the day before he's going to leave, even though he's known about this since February. "Only a few hotels down there, It's not going to be cheap... minimal parking so we'll have to take a few ubers..." It's curious how Trustee Brown and Mead are both getting bent out of shape over pocket change the township is spending but are tripping over each other to lick this dude's boots the second he mentions needing money for anything. Supervisor Belles is concerned that he's requesting this money for the upcoming weekend when he's known about this event since February and chief states that they didn't know if they were going to go until literally the last second. Parking is $44/day as there is, in addition to the police officers convention, a white pride Patriot Front rally taking place on the same weekend and there will be a lot of traffic.


1:18:30 Trustee Brown, albeit showing extreme concern over spending earlier in the meeting, interjects and requests that the money chief is requesting for his trip not come out of the public safety's excess school budget but instead be taken out of the general fund, directly from taxpayers.

1:19:40 James Juhnke makes a motion to grant 4% increase to salaries of the Clerk, Treasurer and Supervisor in response to the results of the wage study conducted and presented over the last year which stated that they were being underpaid and in order to maintain a standard rate it should be increased. Worth noting that in any other job you can't just vote to get better pay, but welcome to America I guess
-Trustee Mead and Brown both vote no on supervisor raise
-Trustee Mead votes no on clerk raise
-Treasurer raise postponed for 6 months as Trustee Brown commented that the new guy doesn't deserve a raise even though he is starting off below the average wage for his position.


Some discussion about building permits issued


1:42:10 Public comments

-dude made a FOIA request, wants to know "rules of the meeting"? ACT 359, "has this board adopted any rules of meetings?"


-Kathy wants a speedcart (though these don't work so well, maybe get an officer there) to handle speeders.


1:48:10 Heather Rocko back to make a few statements regarding the meeting, "I am a little considered about... Cunningham?... That you received notification in February, you're leaving this Friday, it's just now coming about that you're asking for the funds... if we're spending $1800 max to send you to a ceremony... you have $1800 to post troopers to help with the traffic issue." After calling out the chief she makes a special mention of both Trustee Mead and Trustee Brown, stating "what also concerns me is these two gentleman on the end seem to be at other people... because I voted for you people to be my voice, not my negative voice... It seems like you two gentleman-- and I don't know you, I have no personal relationship w any one of you... I'm not picking out anybody, this is the first Emmett Township meeting I have ever attended... Idk you people, and I'm walking in and you two gentleman for whatever reason seem to have issues. The center seems to work well... I'm just putting you on notice that as a township resident, it disappoints me." Some people have been watching this stuff going on for years now, but even for somebody who has never attended a meeting before it is obvious who is there to cause trouble and has no interest in actually running a township.

Trustee Titus makes a statement praising Chris Dopps the road commissioner for his excellent work. Also commenting that the board has received no information regarding the megasite.