[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6375322,"mediaKeyId","2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d","parentId",2142086,"title","Votes at a glance: Jan. 22 Washtenaw County Board actions — appointments, consent items and board rules adopted","audioSeconds",1723,"startMs",6315000,"endMs",8038000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d&start=6315&end=8038","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d/thumbnail_6315000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6375322/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Jan-22-Washtenaw-County-Board-actions-appointments-consent-items-and-board-rules-adopted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375322-40f000519b6d4c4a906c9cce378b625e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181176&Signature=nlgTjyea-22nxc20vC~TgBFy9jYMNbhGDsT8ExkkUNM10LyrXR97zY6A3X93xmdTdM~Sj9on7di5tMX~OCgbRTzDcVuOZ7N~v52qsyNmDyWQFcbX9iAdOEXcs1wpAa4OzSsndouir~01jD9l8zbmcp68IhB2sInO1aPzOtIflojGdWwjoiufdgwmxOBuyj4Oex4JetAyKN8XTQDrka82jJJqs1v2IkoxGfQVtdrrBTUiFUeWqu-BAw0pEW0iqoyttbhZHsS3WZhr3e6Y9KNui-lhlJcYqQMBhbh7dFtEbd2EHe8GDEgjHu0xXaRSjexFd-l8F5VTFIGXIqm0nkHxjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-22T22:17:40Z","article","The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved a set of routine and governance items on Jan. 22 and adopted updated board rules after a short amendment addressing travel-booking and spending limits.

Highlights

- Appointments: The board approved the appointment slate as presented (roll-call vote). Commissioners voted “yes” across the roll call; the appointments passed.

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda by voice vote. Items included routine administrative and finance matters (passed).

- First readings and single readings: The board moved several first- and single-reading items forward for consideration, including resolutions ratifying grant applications and changes to administrative classifications. Several items were passed by voice or roll-call as indicated on the agenda.

- Board rules: Commissioners adopted updated board rules in a single-reading action. During debate, the board approved an amendment (roll-call) requiring that county staff arrange and book commissioner travel and that commissioners shall not exceed their yearly travel allotment; commissioners who inadvertently exceed the allotment will be invoiced and may set up payment plans. The main rules package (including that amendment) passed on the floor.

Procedural notes: Votes were taken by voice and by recorded roll call at different stages of the meeting; when roll-call votes were used the clerk recorded commissioners voting “yes” in sequence. No mayoral or external governmental approvals were required for these items.

No pending board-level appropriations tied to millage or capital acquisitions were finalized during the meeting; commissioners discussed shelter planning and senior‑millage implementation in informational sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Meeting January 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved appointments, a consent agenda and adopted updated board rules on Jan. 22; the rules package was amended to require county staff to book commissioner travel and to cap travel spending at each commissioner’s yearly allotment.","taxTitle","Washtenaw County, Michigan","taxId",2833,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6375327,"County delegation reports meetings in Qatar, Oman and UAE exploring trade, investment and data‑center interest",1201,5284000,6485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d&start=5284&end=6485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d/thumbnail_5284000.jpg","/articles/6375327/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/County-delegation-reports-meetings-in-Qatar-Oman-and-UAE-exploring-trade-investment-and-datacenter-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375327-6a9bf17c4851be5b3f7c014f51d03122/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181176&Signature=gYOTMKXr8gC0XvWQ0osEsNyNFrs6n4IpI1dhosaz3tyP2x8Ycut8yCX8oT-gx0KmQzsAqGzLvjHixd6uOp95Qt03wP-J1aQMxZaFIymIAnKQDSycG~lRWYlxiG9WXoeQEarP6HLt33u5EZSeoizf3q9bqh9ICdQXJUd~yDnDmIxfnCaV0zqjOR0yFYHMfUi7Tqs5YM0X2FYzNwfDe4CIZLW57wQPHsHNiwu7UqyrfYtAGE3EXa3cthM~5M01Wh81BG90KRLhLlYXuvc9u8ba6HNGODuqMXK6CCs3RRwDKXmUIxqgsBjnqsfDUytIqTho5XeIyy8FQWOEhQ2aVfEQrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County leaders and chamber partners briefed commissioners on a December delegation to the Middle East and North Africa that included stops in Doha (Qatar), Muscat (Oman) and the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai).

Deputy County Administrator Andrew DeLo and OCED Director Tony Kyumay accompanied the county administrator and representatives from the Arab American Chamber of Commerce. Ahmed Chibani, chair and founder of the Arab American Chamber, and Bilal Hamoud, the chamber’s executive director, described the trip’s purpose as rebuilding relationships after COVID and creating channels for trade, investment and cultural exchange.

Delegation members said meetings covered a range of topics: port logistics and airport-linked trade in Oman, sovereign‑investment and innovation hubs in Abu Dhabi, and private-sector investment and data‑center developers in Dubai. Bilal Hamoud said the group secured follow-up interest from at least one Dubai-based data‑center developer and that Omani and Emirati hosts emphasized partnerships for logistics and workforce development.

“These meetings set a foundation for future collaboration,” Ahmed Chibani said during the Jan. 22 presentation. County staff and chamber leaders said Michigan and regional partners presented the state and counties as an organized, talent‑ready option for collaborations that could include trade, education and project investment.

County staff said they would return with recommendations on specific next steps and follow-up engagements that could include targeted business outreach, coordination with neighboring counties and work to position local sites and workforce assets for potential investment. Commissioners praised the delegation’s effort and asked staff to bring more detailed proposals to the board as opportunities crystallize.

No county commitments or contracts were announced; the briefing was informational.","Washtenaw County officials joined a Michigan delegation to the Middle East and North Africa in December and briefed commissioners on meetings with government and private-sector partners about trade, ports, logistics, education and possible data‑center and investment interest.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6375332,"Commissioners map out priorities for Washtenaw senior millage: nutrition, centers, homelessness prevention and RFP process",648,4800000,5448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d&start=4800&end=5448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d/thumbnail_4800000.jpg","/articles/6375332/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/Commissioners-map-out-priorities-for-Washtenaw-senior-millage-nutrition-centers-homelessness-prevention-and-RFP-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375332-4673b6f451926ad49d59af9a780bea23/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181177&Signature=QfORBs~H0DOh-VBuVmqZ4vGj4eHzmiq8CW-p74lkVpfKOs2z5oH50CNqjh4t2~5ZySWwffPHp7aLcmgFEsSgKscCJn4zet2mgIwDI1XN5Rqw~rF8cs0nEIArd1EnvKwqL-dM~-gWOc7w8Bb4qUpthNpfdAWfRLXg5aMRhxOcC4QFVngw-iJOq8izyKyZjPaWOZL7mBpjdIwgp7SnS7UJ~JBon931YJrwTeWG-JIm0O-3OEK0-LlP3zmNO~ZVMUiSfRopxMBxH4xRGKNL8XtlrHJLtu2e3EdtRUI1OMYu3kqpkDwcVMprTPEPx6wSk1SYwjoJLJFQyPVLyplxhviwVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washtenaw County commissioners used a broad Jan. 22 working-session conversation to begin shaping policy for implementation of the recently approved senior millage, highlighting nutrition, senior-center operations, older-adult homelessness prevention and an RFP-driven approach for distributing funds.

Commissioner (Maciejewski) — who described a framework he has been refining since summer — opened with a set of proposed priorities that included eliminating wait lists for nutrition services, providing roughly $200,000 for senior-center operations to help centers retain qualified staff, targeting older-adult homelessness through partnerships, and issuing competitive RFPs to support proven community organizations.

Maciejewski said the county should provide central oversight and administrative capacity — potentially a small county “director of aging services” and an aging-program specialist — to manage contracting, reporting and a resource hub for older residents seeking services. He proposed periodic needs assessments and careful definitions for programs such as “minor home repair.”

Public commenters including Gary Muntz, Joanne McCollum (Washtenaw County Road Commissioner), Kat Layton (Ypsilanti resident) and Anna Peckrell (Dexter Senior Center executive director) urged an inclusive allocation process and clearer public communication about timelines and how the millage will benefit underserved seniors. Muntz and Peckrell specifically asked that stakeholders who will deliver services have a role in planning allocations.

Commissioners raised practical questions about priorities and process. Some urged fast, two‑track work: get money flowing quickly to established programs addressing urgent needs (nutrition, home repair, transportation) while designing a longer-term governance, RFP and oversight structure. Several commissioners emphasized avoiding duplication of existing services and using an equity lens to prioritize underserved neighborhoods.

Commissioners also discussed whether the county should directly operate programs or emphasize coordination and contracting with community providers. Commissioners proposed a public working session with the Commission on Aging and municipal partners to gather broader input, and asked county staff to present existing senior-related services and programs already administered through county departments to help align the millage strategy with current services.

No formal votes were taken on specific allocations or structure during the session; commissioners agreed to continue work in future meetings and to set up more focused public engagement and technical planning.","Board members and public commenters outlined goals for implementing the county's recently approved senior millage, emphasizing nutrition program expansion, operational support for senior centers, an RFP-driven grant program, caregiver supports and a county oversight role for contracting and data.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6375337,"County shelter operators report record winter demand; urge planning for east-side family site",1072,1158000,2230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d&start=1158&end=2230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2142086-add83f23456d5e2158e369baca31d12d/thumbnail_1158000.jpg","/articles/6375337/Washtenaw-County/Michigan/County-shelter-operators-report-record-winter-demand-urge-planning-for-east-side-family-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375337-01159ab266ced6bb2150212fcc748f4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181177&Signature=BqqRdiGBVN2~9AHy5mU3MqT28L~ZbkML3Rk2N2ar0vlyq3rnWlIXz~T3rc1FDmH4ojOr8FXQq94JUHFe971xuJ9X888NluwJ9kq-rQ6114w-WNnG0mRels1R8ME5fg1KNzPdJqxj8GxcB~cOQN2ujOJkFPUjcETycU0~EIvNs~u0cc3CSCd8QyQozwh4xz5kMUNQ1OpWMiib7JgzR6g8UpWk4Y1ikYD-qxyGkyIU83VPOX6eOpDO4EpDyYVS0jtibLzlnO7~iqmfwHmUzJ0cgiOBHkDYb9lgVV5vBIEJX4R4M~BzQz3JcxA0ABgB5oKPs9SNW8qK44qW5MVA2xDZ5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alpha House and the Shelter Association told the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 22 that demand for emergency shelter has surged this winter and that short-term measures are straining staff and capacity.

At a working-session update, Shona Teruza of Alpha House said the program converted office space into bedrooms and expanded from serving six families at a time to accommodating as many as 14 family units after renovations completed late in 2024. Teruza said Alpha House launched a winter “weather” program in November and, with county winter-shelter funding, hired four staff and three social-work interns to provide shelter, meals and case management for families that arrive through school liaisons, partner agencies and walk-ins.

“Over the past two months we’ve served 35 weather-amnesty families,” Teruza said. “Last night we hosted 73 individuals under our roof — up from about 20–23 per night this time last year.”

Dan Kelly, executive director of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, said the county’s coordinated winter response has expanded to as many as six sites at once and includes rotating church sites and hoteling when needed. Kelly said the shelter system is serving roughly 15% more people on a typical night than last winter, with peak nights above 200 people and a record around 210 on one night in December.

“We are seeing increases across the board and increased acuity,” Kelly said, noting a rise in adults over 55 with health complications and a disabled rate among people served that he placed near 72 percent. Kelly added that the shelter system has housed 35 people so far who came through winter programs and that case management remains the key to moving people into longer-term housing.

Commissioners pressed staff and operators about next steps and capacity. Several said the county should pursue an east-side site to reduce travel time for residents and to provide space better configured for families, particularly in Ypsilanti where many people seek services. Commissioners also discussed using county-owned buildings, the county space plan and potential purchases of property in Pittsfield or Ypsilanti townships.

Kelly and Teruza praised recent coordination with Community Mental Health and local hospitals, which provided hoteling for medically fragile clients during a cold snap and helped free shelter space. Both presenters urged continued flexible funding, stronger partnerships with municipalities and planning for how to transition families when temporary winter programs end in March.

Commissioners thanked the presenters and said they would continue exploring potential sites, funding and operational models that might include seasonal or year-round spaces and support for specialized services such as recuperative care for people discharged from hospitals.

The presentation and discussion were informational; no formal county action or vote was taken on shelter facilities during the session.","Alpha House and the Shelter Association told commissioners they are seeing large increases in families and individuals seeking shelter this winter, describing expanded capacity, case management efforts and urgent need for a longer-term east-side facility and transition plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Jan. 22 Washtenaw County Board actions — appointments, consent items and board rules adopted

County delegation reports meetings in Qatar, Oman and UAE exploring trade, investment and data‑center interest

Commissioners map out priorities for Washtenaw senior millage: nutrition, centers, homelessness prevention and RFP process

County shelter operators report record winter demand; urge planning for east-side family site