On the agenda: Richland July 21, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes — Data Center (Jul 21)

Ross Township Regular Board Meeting
Minutes
ROSS TOWNSHIP
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Attendee Name Title Roll Call Status
Christina Hutchings Supervisor Present

Mary Stage Clerk Present

Amanda Wiersma Treasurer Present

Michael Bekes Trustee Present

Lynn Harmon Trustee Present arrives at 6:45 pm
Diana Langshaw Trustee Present

Todd White Trustee Present

Rob Thall Attorney Present

Call to Order:

Supervisor Hutchings called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm with all rising for the Pledge
Allegiance to the Flag.

Prior to the approval to the agenda, Supervisor Hutchings wanted to add: to new business
Extrication Combi Tool Purchase Request for Fire Department.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Trustee Bekes moved to accept the agenda with changes, supported by Trustee Langshaw.
The motion passed.

Mover Trustee Bekes

Second Trustee Langshaw

Result Motion Adopted: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 1 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Absent

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

| Trustee White Aye

Page 1 of 12

Consent Agenda

Motion

Trustee Langshaw moved to accept the consent agenda, supported by Clerk Stage. The
motion passed.

Mover Trustee Langshaw

Second Clerk Stage

Result Motion Adopted: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 1 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Absent

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye
Motion

Trustee Bekes moved to that we should stop our meeting at 7:15 pm to go into our first close
session, in order for us to make our meeting with Richland Township. We can have a special
meeting or table items until August meeting, supported by Trustee Langshaw. The motion
passed.

Mover " Trustee Bekes

Second Trustee Langshaw

Result Motion Adopted: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 1 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Absent

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Citizen Comment:
Was opened at 6:09 pm.

Ryan Vosberg — spoke about the solar ordinance and asked for a review of our current
ordinance.

Jim Corstange — expressed to the Board his appreciates and is in support of the Ross/Richland
lawsuit against Gull Lake Sewer & Water Authority (GLSWA).

Mark Rodgers — spoke on the management of the Sherman Lake Special Assessment District
(SL SAD).

Page 2 of 12

Nancy Boyd — spoke on the management of the SL SAD program, and forming a SL SAD
committee of residents and a Township Board member.

Tom Saad — shared with the Board that he went to a meeting that Kerry Lynn Elieff held, he
shared information with the Board.

Cheryl Duffy-Geiger — expressed that she also is in support of the lawsuit against GLSWA.

Tom Boyd — Thanked the Board for their support of the SL SAD, and also expressed that he
supports the lawsuit against GLSWA.

Was closed at 6:27 pm.
Various Committee Reports:

Ross Augusta Fire Department (RAFD) — Chief Bogema first spoke on the Extrication Combi
Tool purchase, after discussion the following Resolution was made.

Resolution

Trustee Bekes resolved to purchase the Extrication Combi Tool for $19,998, supported by
Treasurer Wiersma. After a roll call vote, the resolution passed.

Mover Trustee Bekes

Second Treasurer Wiersma

Result Resolution Adopted: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 1 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Absent

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Chief Bogema continued, the RAFD had 58 runs in June, did a number of public relations
activities and Firefighter Alex Hughes completed training.

Trustee Bekes asked about the ambulance contract with LifeCare, Chief Bogema expressed
that the RAFD supports staying with LifeCare Ambulance for another year. Trustee Bekes asked
the Public Safety Committee for their input, Clerk Stage stated that the committee agrees with
the RAFD. The following motions was made.

Page 3 of 12

Motion

Trustee Bekes moved to move forward with the ambulance contract negotiation with LifeCare,
supported by Treasurer Wiersma. The motion passed.

Mover Trustee Bekes

Second Treasurer Wiersma

Result Motion Adopted: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 1 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Absent

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Ross Township Police Department — Chief Brown 17 calls in June, Marine Patrol is up and
running. The other officers have been on the water more than Chief, allowing him to patrol the
roadways. There was a total of 38 ticket given 29 for speeding and 9 for failure to stop and
additional 21 warnings were given.

Brian Walls — LifeCare Ambulance monthly update in your packet. If need we can extend the
current contract, to finish the negotiations of the new contract, LifeCare is willing to do
extension.

Old Business:

Sherman Lake Water Quality Special Assessment — Supervisor Hutchings, this will be discussed
in close session.

Neighborhood Streetlight Special Assessment — this is ready to for a public hearing, Atty. Thall
will set the public hearing date.

New Business:

Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments — Atty. Thall explained the changes to the Ordinance and
why it was necessary. The following motion was made.

Page 4 of 12

Motion

Trustee Langshaw moved to accept the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment, supported by
Treasurer Wiersma. After a roll call vote, the motion passed.

Mover Trustee Bekes

Second Treasurer Wiersma

Result Motion Adopted: 6 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 1 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Absent

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Trustee Harmon arrived @ 6:45 pm.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment Temporary Moratorium Authority and Temporary Moratorium for
Data Centers — Atty. Thall reviewed why the temporary amendment was necessary and why it
protects the Township and will assist in the future if another moratorium is necessary. The
following motion was made.

Motion

Clerk Stage moved to accept the Zoning Ordinance Amendment Temporary Moratorium
Authority and Temporary Moratorium for Data Centers, supported by Treasurer Wiersma.
After a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mover Clerk Stage

Second Treasurer Wiersma

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

EFT ACH Policy & Resolution — Treasurer Wiersma explained that she was tasked after the last
Board meeting to come up with an EFT ACH Policy and what was developed was in our packet.
Atty Thall suggested that Auditor Jeff Rood review the policy. The following motion was made.

Page 5 of 12

Motion

Trustee Bekes moved to accept the EFT ACH Policy after Jeff Rood review the document,
Treasurer Wiersma will bring the policy back before the Board after the review, supported by
Treasurer Langshaw. The motion passed unanimously.

Mover Trustee Bekes

Second Clerk Stage

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Parcel Division of platted lot 3904-08-315-140 (2782 Burlington Drive) — Board reviewed and
discussed Assessor's memo and recommendation. The following motion was made.

Motion

Trustee Bekes moved to accept the recommendation from Ross Assessor Angels Story
concerning the division of 2782 Burlington Dr, supported by Clerk Stage. The motion passed
unanimously.

Mover Trustee Bekes

Second Clerk Stage

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Page 6 of 12

Budget Amendments — Trustee Harmon lead the discussion, covering all amendments to the
current budget, after discussion the following resolution was made.

Resolution

Trustee Bekes resolved to accept the amendments to the budgets as presented, supported
by Trustee Langshaw. After a roll call vote, the resolution passed unanimously.

Mover Trustee Bekes

Second Trustee Langshaw

Result Resolution Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Supervisor Hutchings noted the time and asked for a motion to table the M-89 sign and the
hardware and software quote. The following motion was made.

Motion

Trustee Harmon moved to table the M-89 sign and hardware and software quotes until our
next business meeting, supported by Trustee Bekes. The motion passed unanimously.

Mover Trustee Harmon

Second Trustee Bekes

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

GLSWA/EGLE Violation Notice VN-019299 — Supervisor Hutchings went through the document
with the Board, and the repair that will take place on 37" Street, for $300,000 plus dollars.

GLSWA Invoices to Ross Township — Atty. Thall spoke about the invoice for $262,686.00
regarding the Sherman Lake Sewer Project overage. When we found out about the overages
almost 2 years ago, we sent a letter requesting documentation to support the overages. We
have never received any documentation. GLSWA never came to the Ross Township Board or
the GLSWA Board to report that overages were occurring. Which leads to the conclusion that
there is no documentation concerning the overages. Atty. Thall would like to send corresponds
to GLSWA regarding this matter. After discussion the following motion was made.

Page 7 of 12

Motion

Trustee Harmon moved to direct Atty. Thall to correspond with GLSWA regarding Sherman
Lake overage invoice for $262,686, supported by Trustee Bekes. The motion passed
unanimously.

Mover Trustee Harmon

Second Trustee Bekes

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

The nest invoices are dealing with the user rate increase. Atty. Thall had sent a letter concerning
this matter previously, in which he explained that the Township is not legal obligated to pay for
the rate increase for individual users, he would like to send them another correspondence to
GLSWA concerning this matter.

Motion

Trustee Harmon moved to direct Atty. Thall to correspond with GLSWA concerning the
invoices for all sewer users rate increase that are being sent to the Township, supported by
Clerk Stage. The motion passed unanimously.

Mover Trustee Harmon

Second Clerk Stage

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Second Citizen Comment
Was opened at 7:16 pm
Tom Boyd — Thanked us for the discussion tonight, and we have his full support.

Was closed at 7:16pm

Page 8 of 12

Motion

Trustee Bekes moved that the Township Board convene in closed session under section
8(1)(h) of the Open Meetings Act to consider material exempt from disclosure by state statute
section 13(1)(g) of the Freedom of Information Act, being the letter from our attorney dated
July 21, 2026 for reason that the letter is exempt from disclosure under state law as attorney-
client privileged, Supervisor Hutchings & Treasurer Wiersma will not be present in close
session, supported by Trustee Langshaw. After a roll call vote, the motion passed
unanimously.

Mover Trustee Bekes
Second Trustee Langshaw
Result Motion Adopted: 5 Ayes; 0 Nays; 2 Abstained; 0 Absent

Name Vote Name Vote
Supervisor Hutchings Abstained Trustee Bekes Aye
Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye
Treasurer Wiersma Abstained Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye
Returned to conference room 7:51 pm.
Motion

Supervisor Hutchings moved to come back into open session, supported by Trustee
Langshaw. After a roll call, the motion passed unanimously.

Mover Supervisor Hutchings

Second Trustee Langshaw

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Page 9 of 12

Motion

Supervisor Hutchings moved to recess the meeting to reconvene at Richland Township Hall,
supported by Clerk Stage. After a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mover Supervisor Hutchings

Second Clerk Stage

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye
Motion

Trustee Langshaw moved to reconvene our meeting at Richland Township at 8:08 pm,
supported by Treasurer Wiersma. After a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mover Trustee Langshaw

Second Treasurer Wiersma

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Page 10 of 12

Motion

Supervisor Hutchings moved that the Township Board convene in closed session under
section 8(1)(h) of the Open Meetings Act to consider material exempt from disclosure by state
statute section 13(1)(g) of the Freedom of Information Act, being the letter from our attorney
dated July 21, 2026 for reason that the letter is exempt from disclosure under state law as
attorney-client privileged, supported by Treasurer Wiersma. After a roll call vote, the motion
passed unanimously.

Mover Supervisor Hutchings

Second Treasurer Wiersma

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye
Motion

Supervisor Hutchings moved to come back into open session @ 9:37 pm, supported by
Trustee Harmon. After roll call, the motion passed unanimously.

Mover Supervisor Hutchings

Second Trustee Harmon

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye
Motion

Trustee Harmon moved to increase our Professional Service under the Hall by $30,000,
supported by Supervisor Hutchings. After roll call, the motion passed unanimously.

Mover Trustee Harmon

Second Supervisor Hutchings

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

Page 11 of 12

Motion

Trustee Harmon moved to adjourn the meeting, supported by Clerk Stage. The motion
passed unanimously.

Mover Trustee Harmon

Second Clerk Stage

Result Motion Adopted: 7 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstained; 0 Absent
Name Vote Name Vote

Supervisor Hutchings Aye Trustee Bekes Aye

Clerk Stage Aye Trustee Harmon Aye

Treasurer Wiersma Aye Trustee Langshaw Aye

Trustee White Aye

The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 pm.

A video recording of this meeting is on YouTube, the portion meeting at the Richland Township Hall is not
included in the YouTube video.

Wax Stage We daesd au. Araust (7. 20a

Mary Stage yy) Date ) 4

Page 12 of 12