Kent County public meetings in 2023
17 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Election Commission
The Kent County Election Commission is meeting to review and approve the proposal/candidate list and official ballots for the February 27, 2024, Presidential Primary Election. The commission will also consider approving minutes from the September 6, 2023, meeting.
- Approval of candidate list for February 27, 2024, Presidential Primary Election
- Approval of ballots for February 27, 2024, Presidential Primary Election
- Approval of minutes from September 6, 2023
Kent County Community Action Governing Board
The Kent County Community Action Governing Board approved the Title VI Plan and the 2024 meeting schedule. The board also received updates on the new Lead Remediation program, financial reports, and programmatic updates, including a new HUD grant and challenges in senior services.
- Approved Title VI Plan
- Approved 2024 meeting schedule
- Lead Remediation program: $3.6 million HUD grant, partnership with Health Department
- Walk for Warmth: $3,000 in sponsorships from DTE and Consumers
- Senior Services: implementing waiting list due to demand outpacing capacity
Kent County Housing Commission
The Kent County Housing Commission approved several routine financial resolutions, including appropriating 2023 fraud recovery funds and NRA interest, adopting 2023 FSS escrow forfeitures, amending the 2024 FSS Action Plan, and setting the 2024 meeting schedule. The director reported on a new data dashboard project, dropping a software vendor, and receiving 14 additional HUD VASH vouchers. The meeting was largely procedural with no public comment or new business.
- Resolution to approve appropriation of 2023 Fraud Recovery Funds
- Resolution to approve appropriation of 2023 NRA Interest
- Resolution to adopt 2023 FSS Escrow Forfeitures
- Resolution to amend the FSS Action Plan 2024
- Resolution to adopt 2024 Housing Commission Board Meeting Schedule
Revolving Loan Fund Committee
The Kent County Revolving Loan Housing Fund Advisory Committee is meeting to review the loan pipeline report and discuss next steps. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific decisions or dollar amounts listed.
- Review of Loan Pipeline Report
- Public comment period
- Discussion and next steps
Kent County Community Action Governing Board
The Kent County Community Action Governing Board met and approved the August meeting minutes. They received updates on staff recruitment, program operations, and financial status, including grant spending and potential impacts of a government shutdown. The board also discussed homelessness prevention efforts and upcoming events like Walk for Warmth.
- Approved August 28, 2023 meeting minutes unanimously
- Walk for Warmth event scheduled for February 10, 2024, with $2,500 sponsorship from Consumers Energy and fundraising goal of $10,000-20,000
- HOME ARP grant RFP received six responses, with $500,000 to be committed to projects
- Pilot project with Community Rebuilders to cover security deposits and up to two months' rent for housing
- Potential government shutdown on November 17 could impact TEFAP and CSFP, with about 30 days of coverage planned
Kent County Community Action Advisory Board
The Kent County Community Action Advisory Board met to discuss program updates, staff recruitment, and fiscal reports. The board reviewed a public hearing for the FY 2024 Community Action Plan and discussed the status of various grants and upcoming community events.
- Review of RFP for $3.3 million in HOME ARP funding for supportive services
- Announcement of $16 million in project funding available over the next 5 years
- Public hearing for the KCCA Community Services Block Grant FY 2024 Community Action Plan
- Walk for Warmth fundraising event scheduled for February 10, 2024
- Approval of July 20, 2023, meeting minutes
Kent County Housing Commission
The Kent County Housing Commission approved three resolutions: changing the fiscal year end, adopting the 2024 Housing Choice Voucher budget, and adopting the 2024 Family Self-Sufficiency budget. The board also heard a director's report on new staff, landlord engagement efforts, and a pending funding application. No public comments were made.
- Resolution to adopt fiscal year end change
- Adopted 2024 Housing Choice Voucher budget
- Adopted 2024 Family Self-Sufficiency budget
- New staff member Mayra Diaz-Rodriguez hired
- Landlord appreciation event scheduled for 10/3
Kent County Community Action Governing Board
The Kent County Community Action Governing Board reviewed the annual single audit report, financial reports, and program updates. The audit found no material weaknesses but noted significant deficiencies, including repeat findings on housing inspections and a CDBG reporting issue. The board also discussed program updates, including weatherization improvements, senior services funding, and community development projects.
- Audit found no material weaknesses, but significant deficiencies in housing inspections and CDBG reporting
- Weatherization intake time reduced from 206 to 66 days; goal to cut total project time from 450 days in half
- Senior Services received about 23% funding increase, tentative award just under $700,000
- KCCA awarded $3 million for lead remediation and $2.4 million for capacity building from HUD
- First RFP for HOME ARPA funds: $250,000 for nonprofit programs to alleviate homelessness
Kent County Community Action Advisory Board
The Kent County Community Action Advisory Board reviewed a recent audit showing a significant deficiency regarding housing quality standards for HCV vouchers. The board also discussed program updates including staff hiring, community development projects, and senior service funding.
- Audit finding: tenants found outside the 2-year inspection window for HCV vouchers
- CDBG project selections: water infrastructure in Sand Lake, library lot clearing in Tyrone township, and a sidewalk project in Gaines Township
- New emergency need fund for seniors offering assistance up to $300 starting in 2024
- Walk for Warmth 2024 fundraising goal set at $20,000
- Approval of May 18, 2023, meeting minutes
Kent County Community Action Governing Board
The Kent County Community Action Governing Board approved the Community Needs Assessment report with an amendment to language about serving those with the highest level of need. The board also received updates on the 2019 Strategic Plan, the 2022 Annual Report, and financial and programmatic reports. The meeting was largely informational, with no public comment or other business.
- Approved Community Needs Assessment with amended language on pages 6 and 16
- Received $6,000 additional funding for Senior Services Outreach and Assistance Program
- Reopened CDBG Housing Rehab program with new clerk
- Submitted 2023 Annual Action Plan to HUD, expecting almost $3 million in funding
- Strategic plan update: working on universal intake process and data dashboard
Kent County Housing Commission
The Kent County Housing Commission approved three resolutions amending its administrative plan and Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) action plan, covering payment standards, the FSS chapter, and use of escrow account funds. The board also discussed staffing, software, and homelessness coordination with community partners.
- Resolution to amend Administrative Plan: Payment Standards
- Resolution to amend Administrative Plan: FSS chapter
- Resolution to amend FSS Action Plan: Use of escrow account funds
- Approved request for an additional program specialist; 26 applicants
- Discussed 'bridge' shelter options and group homes with Network 180 and other organizations
Kent County Community Action Advisory Board
The board approved the Community Needs Assessment report and received updates on staffing and program funding. Discussions included a request for increased Senior Program funding and the status of water assistance funds.
- Approval of the Community Needs Assessment report
- MEAP has approximately $20,000 remaining for gas and electric assistance
- Request submitted to increase funding for Senior Programs from the Area Agency on Aging
- Three monitoring reviews completed with zero findings reported
Kent County Community Action Governing Board
The Kent County Community Action Governing Board met to approve prior meeting minutes and receive updates on staffing, monitoring, community needs assessment, finances, and programs. The board heard that MDHHS monitoring findings were resolved, a community needs survey gathered over 1,000 responses, and several grants were awarded or extended. No action was taken on these informational items.
- Approved February 27, 2023 meeting minutes unanimously
- MDHHS desk review of BCAEO-funded programs: one recommendation and two findings, both resolved
- Community needs assessment survey: over 1,000 consumer and 60 provider responses; final report in progress
- KCCA awarded $3.3 million in HOME ARP funding (2021) and $2.4 million in CDBG COVID funding (2020); spend deadlines extended to 2029 and 2026 respectively
- Financial reports noted efforts to spend Cares/COVID dollars; some grants moving to 9/30 ending dates
Kent County Community Action Advisory Board
The board reviewed staff expansion efforts, including hiring for the Wx program and updating job descriptions. Updates were provided on a community needs assessment survey and various grant spending statuses.
- $75,000 in CDBG COVID funding used to supplement Hope Network’s transportation program
- $1.8 million in public infrastructure projects completed using CDBG 2022 funds
- $8,700 requested for Senior Services Emergency Needs funding through KCSM
- Approval of 9 new employees for the Wx program
- Over 900 completed Community Needs Assessment surveys
Kent County Community Action Governing Board
The Kent County Community Action Governing Board elected Stephen Wooden as Chairperson and Milinda Ysasi as Vice Chairperson, then approved meeting minutes, the 2023 meeting schedule, and several policies required for transportation funding. The board also received updates on staffing, program monitoring, and financial reports.
- Elected Stephen Wooden as Chairperson and Milinda Ysasi as Vice Chairperson
- Approved 2023 meeting schedule
- Approved Vehicle Accessibility Plan and ADA Complaint/Reasonable Modification Policy
- Approved Procurement Policy for vehicle purchases
- Noted CSBG Organizational Standards Review: passed 49 of 50 standards
Kent County Community Action Advisory Board
The Kent County Community Action Advisory Governing Board approved a Vehicle Accessibility Plan and reviewed compliance with organizational standards, including a missed standard on customer satisfaction data. The board also received updates on staff needs, community needs assessment, and programmatic and fiscal reports for various grants and services.
- Approval of Vehicle Accessibility Plan as required by the state of Michigan
- Organizational Standards monitoring found compliance with 49/50 standards; missed standard on customer satisfaction data
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure Certification to be completed every 2 years
- Fiscal report on grants ending in 2022 and funding beginning January 1, 2023
- CERA program ended; over $52,000,000 in assistance distributed; now providing Housing Stability Services
Kent County Veterans Services Advisory Committee
The Kent County Veterans Services Advisory Committee will discuss the monthly impact report, review the current budget, and address contract status and projects for 2023. The meeting also includes approval of minutes, introduction of a new member, and a closed session.
- Review of monthly impact report including highlights, gaps, and return on investment
- Manager report with current budget update
- Discussion of contract status and 2023 projects
- Public comment opportunity
The committee approved the minutes from the previous January meeting. Members discussed 2023 projects, including the PACT Act informational meeting and Art Prize, and approved a change to the Monthly Activity Report.
- Approved January meeting minutes
- Approved replacing 'Bus Passes' with 'intent to file' numbers on the Monthly Activity Report