Southwest Michigan Building Authority
September 15, 2016
The SMBA meeting was called to order at 4:00 with Oshtemo Representative Heiny-Cogswell as acting
chair.
PRESENT:
Libby Heiny-Cogswell, Oshtemo Representative
Deb Everett, Oshtemo Representative
Carol DeHaan, Cooper Representative
Also present were Building Official Jerry Reitenour, Building Inspector Garrett Reitenour, Attorney James
Porter, and Oshtemo Treasurer Nancy Culp acting as Recording Secretary.
Nomination of SMBA Board Officers
Chair Jeff Sorenson
Secretary Deb Everett
Treasurer Carol DeHann
Motion by Heiny-Cogswell, second by DeHaan to approve slate as presented. Carried 3-0.
Nomination of Citizen at Large SMBA Board Member
Ms. DeHaan presented for nomination Larry Stehouwer, Cooper resident, retired civil engineer; he has
expressed he would be willing to serve. Consensus was he is an excellent choice.
Motion by Heiny-Cogswell, second by Everett to approve nomination of Larry Stehouwer as the SMBA
citizen at large position. Carried 3-0.
Fee Schedule
Building Official Reitenour presented the proposed fee schedule noting it follows State guidelines;
proposed demolition permit fees are lower but still consistent with the guidelines. Consensus was there
should be no charge for Certificates of Occupancy.
Motion by DeHaan, second Everett to approve the fee schedule as presented. Carried 3-0.
Meeting Schedule
There was discussion that during the startup process, the Board should meet weekly, and beginning with
2017 monthly meetings the first Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m. and held at the Oshtemo Township
Hall.
Motion by DeHaan, second by Heiny-Cogswell to approve the meeting schedule as presented.
Carried 3-0.
Training
Ms. Culp presented a quote from BS&A to provide new file set up, workflow charts, and training on the
Building.net program after the Cooper and Oshtemo databases are separated from KABA. The quote is
$2,440 for 2 days training on October 10th and 11th. There was discussion that consultant Jeff Howe
would also be available for the project. Ms. Culp advised while the quote is for two days, if less time is
needed or used, the fee would be adjusted.
Motion by Heiny-Cogswell, second by DeHaan to approve the quote as presented. Carried 3-0.
Attorney Letter of Agreement
Attorney Porter advised the SMBA Board should execute a letter of agreement indicating interest in
working with both himself as Oshtemo’s attorney and Cooper attorney Mike Homier with each attorney
billing their respective client and SMBA reimbursing the township(s), matters other than routine
operations will be reviewed by both attorneys, and there will be no confidential information on either
township’s part. Mr. Porter will provide a draft letter.
Building Board of Appeals
A Building Board of Appeals is required consisting of 3 to 5 members, with building trades represented.
Building Official Reitenour will prepare a list for consideration at a future meeting.
Mr. Reitenour advised Bernie Mein, a building contractor and resident of Oshtemo has expressed
interest and would also like to be a voting member at the International Code Conference (ICC). He also
advised SMBA would be entitled to 4 votes; consensus was Mr. Reitenour, Building Inspector Reitenour,
and Mr. Mein would be submitted as voting members.
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Next Meeting – September 23rd – 8:30 a.m. – Oshtemo Township Hall
