Berrien County public meetings in 2024
14 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Resolutions
The Board of Commissioners is approving various requisitions and purchase order change orders for county departments. These items cover drain repairs, engineering services, and park improvements. Total approvals include $257,273.84 in requisitions and $96,015.55 in change orders.
- $85,009.26 for excess proceeds related to Joseph Maeder
- $30,000.00 for engineering services for Holle & Bujack Drain #235
- $19,500.00 for Silver Beach County Park parking lot planning
- $33,000.00 for 'The Dirt on Weed' health campaign
- $22,815.55 change order for Pinebrook #408 Drain project
Resolutions
The County Administration Committee recommends approving a Notice of Intent application for the FEMA 2024 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This project would fund GIS software and services to update the county’s five-year hazard mitigation plan. The total projected cost is approximately $38,540.
- Notice of Intent application for FEMA 2024 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds up to $38,540
- Funding for GIS software and contractual services to update the County's mitigation plan
- Estimated county match of $9,635 with in-kind staff services valued at $12,196.14
Resolutions
The Finance Committee recommends that the Board of Commissioners adopt a three-year agreement with Rendel Elie & Associates. This contract provides auditing services for seven County Senior Centers through September 2027.
- Three-year audit service agreement for seven County Senior Centers
- Estimated annual fees: $42,556 (Year 1), $43,996 (Year 2), and $45,435 (Year 3)
Resolutions
The County Administration Committee recommends a resolution to accept MDOT funding for the M-63 Corridor Lakeview Trail. This project involves constructing a non-motorized trail between Higman Park Road and Monte Road. The resolution also authorizes maintenance agreements with Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment.
- $2,109,649 in MDOT TAP funding for the M-63 Corridor Lakeview Trail project
- Estimated construction cost of $2,897,601 including a 10% contingency
- $527,412 local match requirement from various grants and donations
- Authorization for maintenance agreements with Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment
Resolutions
The County Administration Committee recommends authorizing a project agreement with the Michigan Trails Fund. This follows a $100,000 award for the Lakeview Trail along M-63. Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment will manage trail maintenance through an agreement with the County.
- $100,000 grant from Michigan Trails Fund for Lakeview Trail
- Trail location between Higman Park Road and Monte Road on M-63
- Maintenance agreement with Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment
Resolutions
The County Administration Committee recommends accepting $39,000 from the State of Michigan to support required in-service training for licensed law enforcement officers. The Sheriff's Office will be responsible for complying with all related reporting requirements.
- Acceptance of $39,000 for Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
- Compliance with MCOLES in-service training standards
Resolutions
The County Administration Committee recommends authorizing a lease of two patrol vehicles from the Berrien County Sheriff's Office to Lake Michigan College. The vehicles would be used for the Lake Michigan College Police Academy.
- $2,000 total cost for the lease of two police vehicles
- Lease term runs from July 15, 2024, through August 16, 2024
- Lessee responsible for gasoline and maintenance costs
Resolutions
The Berrien County Finance Committee recommends approval of an auditing report covering June 27 to July 10, 2024. The committee also recommends approving Road Department accounts payable vouchers totaling $816,582.81. These items cover various county expenses and vendor payments.
- Auditing Report ($2,827,516.91)
- Road Department Vouchers #127 & #128 ($816,582.81)
- MDOT payment of $219,892.00
- Rieth-Riley Construction Co. payment of $292,607.97
Resolutions
The Finance Committee recommends modifying the Transportation Service Agreement between Berrien Bus and Avenue Family Network, now operating as Caring Connection. The proposal includes increasing the hourly service rate to $45.00 and extending the agreement term through September 30, 2025.
- Increase hourly transportation service rate to $45.00
- Extend agreement term to September 30, 2025
- Update Avenue Family Network operating name to Caring Connection
Resolutions
The Finance Committee recommends that the Board of Commissioners approve a five-year lease for an inserting/stuffing machine. The equipment will be provided by Pitney Bowes for use in the Printing Department.
- Five-year lease of an inserting/stuffing machine from Pitney Bowes
Board of Commissioners
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners will review routine resolutions and communications. Items for consideration include grant acceptances for trails and law enforcement training funds. The board will also address new lease agreements for a mailing machine and a police academy vehicle.
- TAP Grant acceptance for Lakeview Trail M-63
- Berrien Bus contract with The Avenue
- Pitney Bowes mailing machine lease
- State of Michigan law enforcement training funds
- Vehicle lease for Lake Michigan College Police Academy
Berrien County Broadband Internet Task Force
The task force will receive updates on broadband project completions and ongoing construction efforts within the county. Members will provide feedback on construction plans for existing and new homes in Buchanan Charter Township. The meeting also includes an update regarding a MITTEN grant opportunity.
- Update on Oronoko Township broadband project completion
- MEC construction efforts update within Berrien County
- Feedback on construction plans for homes in Buchanan Charter Township
- Update on Comcast agreement for Pipestone Lake in Bainbridge Township
- MITTEN grant opportunity update
Health Department - Board of Health
The board will review resolutions for Comprehensive Agreement and Emerging Threats amendments for fiscal years 2023-2025. Members will also receive updates on epidemiology and department staffing, including open positions for nurses and medical assistants.
- Appointment of Eric Hoppstock to the Board of Health
- Resolutions for Comprehensive Agreement and Emerging Threats amendments
- Monthly financial report from David Jeffery
- Epidemiology update from Sara Palmer
- Report on open positions including Public Health Nurses and Medical Assistants
Health Department - Sewage Appeal Board
The board will consider two appeals regarding converting a garage into a dwelling at 12799 Lubke Rd. in New Buffalo Township. The meeting also includes the election of a chairperson and approval of May 1, 2023 minutes.
- Appeal to convert a garage to a 4-bedroom dwelling at 12799 Lubke Rd.
- Appeal to convert a garage to a 3-bedroom dwelling at 12799 Lubke Rd.
- Election of Board Chairperson
- Approval of May 1, 2023 meeting minutes