BUILDING, GROUNDS AND JAIL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

July 15th, 2009

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Building, Grounds and Jail Committee was held on Wednsday, July 15th, 2009 at the Chippewa County Health Department in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Chairman McLean called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Don McLean, Ted Postula and Richard Timmer

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Jim German, Administrator, John Zander, Bob VanPutten, Jim Lucas, Chad Stevens, Brian Bartlett, Bobby Savoie, Jeff Moran, Sharon Kennedy, Jim Moore, Diane Cork, Brian Peppler, Steve Ewing, Julie Beck, Sue Short, Judge Church, Ann Mikolowski, Judge Ulrich, Jesse Knoll, Dick Timmer, Scott Shackleton, Thelma Bosbous, Dave Martin, Chris Lundquist and Dave Pietrangelo.

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

None

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula to accept the agenda as presented. On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

Public Comments

Chairman McLean called for pubic comments. No public comments were offered.

Presentation on the City County Building

Bob VanPutten gave a presentation on renovation of the City-County Building once the County took it over. Two options were presented. Option A was considered a temporary solution at a cost of roughly one million dollars. Option B was considered a more permanent solution at a rough cost of 2.2 million. The options put together were conceptual in nature or pre-design. The next step would be programming in which the department heads affected would sit down individually with the architects. Numerous security issues were discussed. Chairman McLean thought the next step was to do a walkthrough with the plans presented. He stressed these were two options but not the only options. A connector walk to the Courthouse was also discussed. No action was taken.

Presentation by Liberty Telecom

Chad Stevens of Liberty Telecom gave a presentation on how his services could save the County money by analyzing all communication and data services. There would be no up front cost to the County however Mr. Stevens noted that usually there is a two year contract in which Liberty gets fifty percent of the savings it finds. Administrator German noted that he had negotiated a sixty-forty split in the County’s favor. Commissioner Timmer asked the Administrator to provide to the Finance Committee a list of monthly bills that would be looked at.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the contract with Liberty Telecom and send it to the Finance Committee. On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

Courthouse Security

Administrator German noted that as of late there were a number of security issues that had arisen at the Courthouse. He asked the Committee to begin exploring the possibility of a security system. Chairman McLean said that LSSU also might be able to provide an ongoing security study.

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to begin exploring the feasibility of a security monitoring system at the Courthouse. On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

Committee and Chairperson’s Comments

Commissioner Timmer noted that he felt the County was on good ground with the presentation by Bob VanPutten.

Adjourn

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Chairman McLean declared the meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

Jim German, Administrator

Don McLean, Committee Chairman