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September 4, 2025

September 4, 2025

Michigan Infrastructure Council Q3 Meeting   

September 4, 2025   

Michigan Department of Treasury Operations Center   

7285 Parsons Dr, Dimondale, MI 48821     

Meeting Minutes

  1. Call to Order
    1. Chairperson, Palencia Mobley, P.E. called the meeting to order at 1:07pm
  2. Roll Call
    1. Let the record show that seven (7) voting members and seven (7) non-voting members were present. A quorum was established.
  3. Public Comment   
    1. There was no public comment.
  4. Approval of Agenda
    1. The chairperson solicited discussion or amendments to the proposed agenda and there were none.
    2. Motion to approve the agenda
      1. Motion made by John Daly III
      2. Supported by Erin Kuhn
    3. Motion carried without dissent, the agenda was approved
  5. Approval of Proposed Minutes from Q2 Meeting, June 26, 2025
    1. The chairperson solicited discussion or amendments to the proposed 2025 Q2 meeting minutes and there were none.
    2. Motion to approve 2025 Q2 MIC Meeting Minutes
      1. Motion made by Kathleen Lomako
      2. Supported by Roger Blake
    3. Motion carried without dissent, the 2025 Q2 Meeting Minutes were approved
  6. MIC Committee Updates
    1. The chairperson directed members to see the meeting packet attachments #3-#8 for written committee updates and noted that the Administration Committee did not provide written updates for this meeting. The chairperson also noted a full overview of the committees involvements can be found on the chart on attachment #2.
      1. Administration Committee – Palencia Mobley, P.E., Committee Chair
        1. No verbal updates or discussion at this time.
      2. Nominations Committee – Emilee Madison, Staff Liaison (attachment #3)
        1. Charles Marshall was not present so Emilee Madison updated the committee on WAMC Nominations; stating that the MIC currently meets legal requirements for the number of applicants and are working to get the committee together in October.
        2. Discussion
          1. No discussion at this time.
      3. Asset Management Education (AM Ed) Committee – Erin Kuhn, Committee Chair (attachment #5)
        1. Erin Kuhn updated the council on Cohort 8 of the AM Champions program as well as a status update on the elected officials training.
          1. Discussion
            1. Members discussed the proposed duration of elected officials training.
            2. Members discussed ways of broadening the scope of the AM Champions program to include Higher Education Institutions.
      4. Communications Committee – Nathan Hamilton, Staff Liaison (attachment #4)
        1. Nathan updated the group on adding WAMC and TAMC representation to the communications committee. Nathan also updated the group on recent work including the recent press release on the AM Champions program, an upcoming article that will be included in the Fall edition of MML’s The Review, and the continuation of work on legislative messaging.
        2. Discussion
          1. No discussion at this time.
      5. Integrated Infrastructure Conference (IIC) – Emilee Madison, Staff Liaison (attachment #5)
        1. Emilee updated the group on both the IIC Planning Subcommittee and IIC26 Content Ad Hoc Group. She let the group know the RFQ for obtaining a conference planner was finalized and announced that EDGE Partnerships was selected. Emilee also updated the council on the current timeline for the IIC Conference and upcoming plans.
        2. No discussion at this time.
      6. Rates, Funding, & Finance (RFF) Committee – Kathleen Lomako, Committee Chair (attachment #6)
        1. Kathleen provided updates on the introduction to rates course in collaboration with Michigan State University.
        2. Discussion
          1. Ryan Laruwe provided administrative updates pertaining to the rates course in collaboration with Michigan State University.
          2. Kathleen discussed the importance of communicating key messages for rates, revenue, and funding.
      7. Climate Adaptation & Resilience (CAR) Committee – Doug Matthews, Committee Chair (attachment #7)
        1. Doug provided updates on CAR committees recent work with Consumers Energy on Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) and upcoming plans for the group.
        2. Discussion
          1. Ryan Laruwe discussed Consumers Energy creating case studies to help spread awareness of EWR efforts with municipal organizations.
          2. Palencia Mobley asked the group to explore nonrevenue water systems and their role in reducing peak demand.
          3. John Daly discussed the importance of ensuring data is available for more effective decision making and all concerns are included in evaluating programs.
          4. The group also discussed the potential impacts of data centers on Michigan’s infrastructure and Doug Matthews asked the group to continue to discuss this through the CAR committee.
      8. Asset Management Technology & Systems (AM Tech) Committee – Ryan Laruwe, Staff Liaison (attachment #8)
        1. Ryan updated the group on the RICH pilot and the MIDIG Project portal integrations with MDOT, DTE, and new work with Consumers Energy.
        2. Discussion
          1. No discussion at this time.
    2. The chairperson asked if there were more questions for committees and referred members to reach out to staff liaisons for committees with any questions or concerns ongoing. (listed in attachment #2)
  7. MIC Staff Updates
    1. Ryan Laruwe, Executive Director, referred members to view attachment #9 of the meeting packet for full staff updates.
    2. Ryan provided updates on legislative efforts and on partnership programs with MIO. He provided information on the AMRS workshops from across the state and upcoming workshops planned. He also discussed the elective pay program in partnership with MIO and EGLE and announced the four townships in the Upper Peninsula who applied for the tax credits and are beginning to receive their checks.
    3. Discussion
      1. Kathleen Lomako shared her appreciation for the staff’s work to create and include maps that show the reach of the MIC in the legislative report and on other outreach materials.
      2. Members discussed the longevity of the elective pay tax credits and the requirements to be eligible for the 2025 tax cycle.
  8. Agency Updates
    1. The chairperson explained the intent behind the new agenda item and invited the agency representatives to share any updates, discussion, or anything else they would like at this time.
      1. Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Dan Lord
        1. Dan talked about the DNR’s natural resource management responsibilities for the state and talked about the state exploring carbon sequestration.
        2. No discussion.
      2. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – Jonathan Mallek
        1. Jonathan discussed solar vs. farmland and shared national statistics on solar installation.
        2. No discussion.
      3. Michigan Department of Transportation – Todd White
        1. Todd shared information on and showed the group MDOTs STIP transportation portal.
        2. Discussion
          1. Members asked Todd about how the program estimates funding.
      4. Michigan Public Service Commission – Naomi Simpson
        1. Naomi discussed their integrated resource planning and announced the public comment opens in October. She also discussed the agency developing voluntary Public Act 30 guidelines and a study they are coming out with soon that may be of interest to MICs EWR work. The agency is also working on creating a benefit cost framework for distributive energy resources and they are beginning to work on an equity framework for all the MPSCs’ work.
        2. Discussion
          1. Members asked about solar infrastructure differences and similarities.
        3. The council talked about rate considerations for infrastructure.
      5. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
        1. No update was provided for this meeting.
      6. Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget – Eric Swanson
        1. Eric updated the group that the Connecting Michigan Communities (CMIC) grants are wrapping up, similar to the MIHI grants. He also discussed with the group the costs associated with public safety communication systems infrastructure and suggested the council keep in mind the competition this creates for infrastructure funding.
        2. Discussion
          1. Membership solicited more information on the usage of 5G towers for systems and how many private companies lease state towers.
      7. Michigan Department of Treasury 
        1. No update was provided for this meeting.
  9. Council Updates 
    1. Water Asset Management Council - Cameron Van Wyngarden, Chairperson
      1. Cameron updated the council on the WAMC report to the MIC and data concerns. He emphasized their appreciation of work with the MIC and DTMB on improving data collection efforts. Cameron also provided updates on WAMCs strategic plan and that it has been approved and will be released to the public soon.
      2. Discussion
        1. Members asked about EGLE reporting guidelines and how these align with WAMC reporting.
    2. Transportation Asset Management Council - Ryan Buck, Chairperson
      1. Ryan updated the council on the TAMC strategic planning work and asked the MIC to deliberate on what reporting they would like to see from TAMC moving forward to advise the council on transportation asset management.
      2. No discussion.
  10. Member Updates
    1. Kathleen Lomako shared appreciation for the discussions and emphasized how this can help with momentum on issues that are important.
    2. Doug Matthews updated the council on legislative advocacy currently going on to fund a pilot program that would explore the carbonization or liquefaction of wastewater residuals to create fuel. They would be selecting 3 communities at $10 million each to implement programs.
    3. Roger Blake discussed how he attended a conference recently and attended a session on integrated asset management and appreciated seeing communities championing it.
    4. John Daly III expressed his appreciation for the council and that he looked forward to working with the committees ongoing.
  11. Old Business  
    1. None at this time.
  12. New Business 
    1. 2025 Michigan Infrastructure Council Legislative Report
      1. Chairperson referred members to see attachment #10 in the packet
      2. Motioned to Consider
        1. Motion made by Erin Kuhn
        2. Motion supported by Roger Blake
      3. The chairperson asked Ryan Laruwe to discuss the report.
        1. Ryan highlighted the overall budget and noted the technical assistance funding that has been awarded through Treasury’s BLGSS this past year and the expansion/continuation of asset management training programs. Ryan fielded questions from membership.
      4. Discussion
        1. Kathleen Lomako asked staff to review the language of the report to make sure that it avoids too many acronyms and overly technical language.
      5. Motion to the 2025 Michigan Infrastructure Council Legislative Report
        1. Motion made by John Daly III
        2. Motion supported by Erin Kuhn
      6. Item voted on by a roll call vote
        1. The 2025 Michigan Infrastructure Council Legislative Report was approved by the council without dissent.
  13. Roundtable Discussion  
    1. 2025 Joint Council Planning Session and Workshop
      1. Due to time restraints, the opinions from the group will be solicited via email.
  14. Next Meeting Date   
    1. November 20, 2025
      1. The chairperson noted that this will be held in tandem with the Joint Council Annual Meeting and will be a day long event held at the State of Michigan Operations Center.
  15. Adjournment
    1. Motion to adjourn the meeting
      1. Motion made by Roger Blake
      2. Motion supported by Doug Matthews
    2. Meeting adjourned at 3:04 pm

Attendance & Roll Call Votes

Present

  • Chairperson, Palencia Mobley, P.E.
  • Co-Vice Chair, Kathleen Lomako
  • Co-Vice Chair, Erin Kuhn
  • Roger Blake
  • Charles Marshall
  • Doug Matthews
  • John Daly III
  • Ryan Buck
  • Cameron Van Wyngarden
  • Dan Lord
  • Eric Swanson
  • Naomi Simpson, MPSC Alternate Designee
  • Jonathan Mallek
  • Todd White

Absent

  • Marco Bruzzano
  • Mandy Grewal
  • Aaron Keatley
  • Kevin Smith

In-Person Guests

  • Ryan Laruwe, MIC Executive Director
  • Nathan Hamilton, MIC Staff
  • Emilee Madison, MIC Staff

Virtual Guests

  • Christopher Mayes, MIC Intern
  • Kevin Spence
  • Stephanie Brown

2025 Legislative Report Roll Call Vote:

  • Palencia Mobley, P.E. - yes
  • Kathleen Lomako – yes
  • Erin Kuhn - yes
  • Roger Blake - yes
  • Charles Marshall – yes
  • Doug Matthews – yes
  • John Daly III - yes
  • Mandy Grewal - absent
  • Marco Bruzzano - absent