The future of the Crystal Valley Dam remained a significant topic for the Oceana County Board of Commissioners at its Feb. 26 meeting, as County Administrator Tracy Byard provided an update on information requested by the board on Jan. 8.
Due to new standards on spillway capacity imposed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the Crystal Valley Dam has been deemed unsuitable, which prompts either its replacement or, more likely, its removal. Since learning of this new standard in January, the Oceana County Board of Commissioners and Byard have been seeking avenues through which to fund a replacement. One recommended organization was the Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA), which has an ecological interest in preserving dams for the purposes of preventing the spread of invasive species throughout Michigan’s waterways.
In Byard's update, the CRA’s next step in assessing what can be done to save Crystal Valley Dam is to conduct an inspection of the dam in the spring, free of cost. Chairman Robert Walker reminded the board that EGLE will be administering its own inspection at the same time, though no date has been set, which will effectively start the timer for making a decision on the dam.
Commissioner Tim Beggs approved of the involvement and planned inspection from CRA, saying, “It makes good sense to have parallel fact-finding missions, replacement, removal… [it] streamlines the process.”
When asked for his opinion as representative for Crystal Valley, Commissioner Paul Erickson spoke of its importance as a piece of Oceana County history, as well as his understanding that many Crystal Valley residents would prefer to see the dam replaced rather than removed due to the picturesque appeal of Crystal Pond. Erickson also mentioned that, should the dam be removed, it would prompt the redrawing of property lines surrounding the pond, which stop at the pond’s shore.
Also presented to the board were permits allowing the Michigan Department of Transportation to install Flock Safety cameras on state highways running through Oceana County. Undersheriff Ryan Schiller also took the opportunity to update the board on the progress of the Sheriff’s Department utilizing Flock cameras for a trial period, anticipated to begin this summer. Walker noted the possible nonpartisan legislation from the State restricting the cameras as well as warned of the controversies surrounding the information being inappropriately accessed and disseminated as common criticisms of the technology.
The Board of Commissioners also heard requests from the county’s Animal Control and Building Departments regarding staffing and hours. The Building Department requested an hour increase for a secretary, which would see them moved to full-time, working 35 hours for the eight busiest months of the year and 27 for the remaining four. The cost of this hourly increase will come out of the Building Department’s fund.
Animal Control requested funds to allow the hiring of part-time office staff for the busy summer months, manning phones and handling intake tasks. The requested funds are not to exceed $5,000 for the year. Byard noted that this is a rare request from the department - “Animal Control doesn’t ask for much… [requests] don’t come forth very often.” - and the board agreed they had no issues getting Animal Control the staff they needed. Both requests were unanimously approved.
Two appointments were made to the West Michigan Community Mental Health (WMCMH) Board, the reappointment of Walker’s longstanding membership as well as the appointment of Melissa Fuehring, who will finish out the term of a recently deceased board member as well as her own three-year term following. Commissioners and WMCMH praised Fuehring’s considerable resume and believe she will do well in the role.
Finally, the Board of Commissioners were asked to decide on how to move forward with the Michigan Indigent Defense Counsel and their refusal of reimbursement of indirect costs. These funding requests have been put forth by Oceana and other Michigan counties looking to recoup the associated costs, many in the tens of thousands, only to be denied by the MIDC multiple years in a row.
The Office of Indigent Defense Services defines an indigent person as "a person who is financially unable to secure legal representation and to provide all other necessary expenses of representation in an action or proceeding…"
Oceana County’s own Indigent Defense Counsel has asked the board how they would like to proceed following the State’s most recent denial of $33,000 in indirect costs, with the pursuit of mediation and possible legal action. The board voted to join with Lake County in mediation, following which they will reevaluate the situation to decide whether litigation is necessary.
