Commissioners approve MOU to let school district use John Henry Building, staff to pursue ADA grant

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) permitting the local school district to use the John Henry Building at 301 West 2nd Street and the adjacent smaller building at 303 West 2nd Street.

A school representative who presented the draft told commissioners the document is intentionally labeled “draft” so county and school legal counsel can review language. She said she would take the county-approved draft to the school board at its March 9 meeting and pursue a timely grant application. “If we would move forward with an MOU, April 1 is the grant deadline for the Ottawa County Community Foundation,” the presenter said, stressing the need for an ADA assessment and door modifications before holding public meetings in the building.

Commissioners asked staff to have the county attorney review the MOU and to report back with any required changes. The presenter noted the first priority would be making the entrance ADA-accessible (a door that opens outward) and that plate glass and other improvements could follow in a later grant cycle. The commission asked that any grant application be brought back for approval before the county accepts awards; the presenter said she would recuse from foundation deliberations where she sat on that board.

The motion to approve the draft MOU was made by the meeting chair and seconded by another commissioner; the commission approved the motion by voice vote. Staff said they would follow up with an accessibility assessment, help prepare the April 1 grant submission if the school board concurs, and return to the commission with updates.

No sale or transfer of county property was authorized at this meeting; commissioners reiterated the county’s obligation to follow required public-notice processes before any disposal of property.