Housing Commission approves bylaws amendment; commissioners discuss appointment language, vacancy

The Housing Commission reviewed an ordinance amendment adopted May 27, 2025 by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners and voted to approve updated bylaws at its July meeting.

Paul, a housing commission staff member, read the suggested motion into the record and recited the county ordinance language that requires the commission's bylaws to be "reviewed and approved by Ottawa County Corporation Council and the county administrator, and may not be inconsistent with this ordinance." The ordinance amendment that county commissioners adopted removes the full-board ratification step and allows appointments to the commission to be made by the board chair.

Commissioners debated whether the commission should preserve fuller ratification, with several members and staff noting that, even if the ordinance permits chair-only appointments, the chairperson might still seek broader ratification. The commission also asked county legal staff for a formal legal opinion about whether the commission is a statutory body and what changes would follow if it were reconstituted under a different form.

There was a motion to approve the bylaws as proposed. The commission voted in favor; the clerk recorded the outcome as "Motion passes." No individual vote tallies or member names were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Separately, staff announced the resignation of long-serving member Holly Cole and said the vacancy has been posted; the appointment and alignment committee will consider candidates at an upcoming meeting. Staff recommended the commission consider recruiting a candidate with lending or banking experience and suggested outreach to community partners to fill the seat.

Ending: Staff said they will forward the legal opinion when available, proceed with the posted recruitment for Holly Cole's seat and continue to align the commission's bylaws with county ordinance language.