By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Two Zeeland planning commissioners with ties to the economic development organization Lakeshore Advantage were recused from the June 25 vote in which the Planning Commission recommended approval of rezoning the properties at 605 and 633 E. Main Ave. to accommodate Reckitt/Mead Johnson’s plans to expand and modernize its manufacturing facility.
Amanda Cooper, who is Lakeshore Advantage’s vice president of strategic initiatives, and Robert Blanton, whose wife Beth is the organization’s vice president of engagement, asked to be recused from the vote over potential conflict of interest concerns. Commissioners unanimously granted their request in separate votes.
Lakeshore Advantage has worked closely with Reckitt/Mead Johnson on the company’s proposed $836 million modernization project, and its president, Jennifer Owens, has spoken at several public meetings in support of the project, saying it will help keep jobs in Zeeland.
In advance of the June 25 meeting, City Attorney Jim Donkersloot issued a memo to commissioners addressing conflict of interest concerns that were raised in the community. Donkersloot wrote in the memo that the Planning Commission does not define in its bylaws what conflict of interest is. So under state law, he wrote, it’s up to commissioners themselves to determine what defines conflict of interest.
Donkersloot cited a 1999 Michigan case in which the court ruled “that a conflict of interest exists in those situations where one has a personal, financial or emotional interest in a matter or personal relationship with an individual.” While not mentioning Owens by name, he went on to say if she had been a member of the Planning Commission, “there would have been a clear conflict of interest” in the Mead Johnson matter. The question becomes, though, does this apply to an employee of the Lakeshore Advantage organization?
Donkersloot went on to write that “it would appear that there may be a conflict of interest for another employee of Lakeshore Advantage to vote or participate in deliberations as a Zeeland Planning Commissioner. Questions could arise as to whether the rezoning application was discussed in the office of Lakeshore Advantage, whether Lakeshore Advantage is receiving compensation for its work from Mead Johnson, and whether the executive director of Lakeshore Advantage supervises, evaluates or determines compensation for a planning commissioner.”
Prior to the vote to be recused, Cooper spoke about her work at Lakeshore Advantage.
“In my role, I work mainly with local units of government on regional initiatives, such as access to child care, transportation, etc. I am not actively involved in any business expansion projects, including the one before us tonight,” Cooper said. “That’s simply not the work I do, and I’ve never met or even spoken to the leadership team at Mead Johnson that has been present at these meetings. Second, I do not have any financial interest in this project and received no compensation related to this project. Third, while my colleagues at Lakeshore Advantage share their insights on the project, I feel no obligation or responsibility to them making decisions as a planning commissioner.”
“My only concern, and has always been my concern for eight years on this commission, is with what’s best for the Zeeland community … which has been my home for the past 15-plus years. What matters to me most in this moment is making sure our residents are able to have full confidence in the integrity of the decisions being made here tonight. Therefore, in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, I respectfully ask that the commission to make a motion to excuse me from the remainder of the proceedings,” Cooper added.
Blanton echoed Cooper’s comments.
“There have been a lot of things that have come before this commission that Lakeshore Advantage has had a relationship (with), in one way or another,” he said. “For myself personally, I’ve always felt like that (my wife’s employment) has never been taken into account (in) how I vote on things in this commission.”
City Manager Tim Klunder, who serves on the Planning Commission, proposed that the city look at adding a conflict of interest statement to the commission’s bylaws. Chairman Bill Elhart directed staff to develop such a statement.
Zeeland Record
Two Zeeland planning commissioners with ties to the economic development organization Lakeshore Advantage were recused from the June 25 vote in which the Planning Commission recommended approval of rezoning the properties at 605 and 633 E. Main Ave. to accommodate Reckitt/Mead Johnson’s plans to expand and modernize its manufacturing facility.
Amanda Cooper, who is Lakeshore Advantage’s vice president of strategic initiatives, and Robert Blanton, whose wife Beth is the organization’s vice president of engagement, asked to be recused from the vote over potential conflict of interest concerns. Commissioners unanimously granted their request in separate votes.
Lakeshore Advantage has worked closely with Reckitt/Mead Johnson on the company’s proposed $836 million modernization project, and its president, Jennifer Owens, has spoken at several public meetings in support of the project, saying it will help keep jobs in Zeeland.
In advance of the June 25 meeting, City Attorney Jim Donkersloot issued a memo to commissioners addressing conflict of interest concerns that were raised in the community. Donkersloot wrote in the memo that the Planning Commission does not define in its bylaws what conflict of interest is. So under state law, he wrote, it’s up to commissioners themselves to determine what defines conflict of interest.
Donkersloot cited a 1999 Michigan case in which the court ruled “that a conflict of interest exists in those situations where one has a personal, financial or emotional interest in a matter or personal relationship with an individual.” While not mentioning Owens by name, he went on to say if she had been a member of the Planning Commission, “there would have been a clear conflict of interest” in the Mead Johnson matter. The question becomes, though, does this apply to an employee of the Lakeshore Advantage organization?
Donkersloot went on to write that “it would appear that there may be a conflict of interest for another employee of Lakeshore Advantage to vote or participate in deliberations as a Zeeland Planning Commissioner. Questions could arise as to whether the rezoning application was discussed in the office of Lakeshore Advantage, whether Lakeshore Advantage is receiving compensation for its work from Mead Johnson, and whether the executive director of Lakeshore Advantage supervises, evaluates or determines compensation for a planning commissioner.”
Prior to the vote to be recused, Cooper spoke about her work at Lakeshore Advantage.
“In my role, I work mainly with local units of government on regional initiatives, such as access to child care, transportation, etc. I am not actively involved in any business expansion projects, including the one before us tonight,” Cooper said. “That’s simply not the work I do, and I’ve never met or even spoken to the leadership team at Mead Johnson that has been present at these meetings. Second, I do not have any financial interest in this project and received no compensation related to this project. Third, while my colleagues at Lakeshore Advantage share their insights on the project, I feel no obligation or responsibility to them making decisions as a planning commissioner.”
“My only concern, and has always been my concern for eight years on this commission, is with what’s best for the Zeeland community … which has been my home for the past 15-plus years. What matters to me most in this moment is making sure our residents are able to have full confidence in the integrity of the decisions being made here tonight. Therefore, in order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, I respectfully ask that the commission to make a motion to excuse me from the remainder of the proceedings,” Cooper added.
Blanton echoed Cooper’s comments.
“There have been a lot of things that have come before this commission that Lakeshore Advantage has had a relationship (with), in one way or another,” he said. “For myself personally, I’ve always felt like that (my wife’s employment) has never been taken into account (in) how I vote on things in this commission.”
City Manager Tim Klunder, who serves on the Planning Commission, proposed that the city look at adding a conflict of interest statement to the commission’s bylaws. Chairman Bill Elhart directed staff to develop such a statement.
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