CHIPPEWA
BOARD MEETING OF
Pursuant to the provisions of such case made and provided, the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on
Chippewa county Courthouse,
Sault Ste. Marie,
Gary McDowell presiding.
Present: Commissioner’s Don Cooper, Earl Kay, Rita Dale, Aaron Hopper, Bernard La Ted Postula and Chairman Gary McDowell.
Also present were Roy Mayry, Dennis Koback, Leah Halguist, Keith Hergerty, Leitz Khil, Seldon collins, Don Molt, David Carpenter, controller Gordon Newland, Judge Lowell Ulrich and clerk Margaret L. Kaunisto.
A motion was made by Comm. Postula, to acknowledge the correspondence received in the Clerk’s Office and forward to appropriate committee if necessary. Motion was supported by Corn. Cooper and carried unanimously.
It was moved by Corn. Dale to
approve the minutes of the
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Dusty King, Supervisor for Chippewa/East Conservation District, thanked the Board for their cooperation and support. Dusty informed the Board of their name change. They are now the Chippewa/East Mackinac Conservation District. She also presented each Board Member with a copy of the 1999 Annual Report and a Tree & Plant catalog.
The District was eligible for a grant and employed a new employee, Keith Kintigh
Mr. Keith Kintigh informed the Board he was a Wildlife Biologist/Forester. He will be contacting private landowners and local governments for forest land management, wildlife habitat management and related natural resource management activities. He will provide, as a public service, on site and in office assistance so landowners can make informed decisions about their property. Keith may plan, develop, and evalute land management prescriptions for private lands for timber production, wildlife habitat enhancement, and promotion of plant species or provide referrals to other individuals, agencies and organizations for resource planning and implementation.
Sheldon Collins, Resource Conservationist, spoke briefly to the
Board about the NRCS Programs. She updated the Commissioners on the
Wetland Reserve Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, Forrest
Incentive Program and the Environmetal Quality Incentive Program.
Next on Public Comments, Roy
Mayry, from
Regional Planning and Devopment Commission, explained the five—year
Overall Economic Development plan prepared for the Eastern Upper
Plan been taken to all three EDC Board for additions and now asking all
the County Boards for approval.
A motion was made by Comm. Hopper, supported by Comm. Dale, to approve the Resolution supporting the E.U.P. Regional Planning and Development Commission’s application to the Economic Development Administration for planning funds. On a roll call vote the motion carried unanimously.
The Probate Court report was in the packets and Judge Ulrich asked if there were any questions. Hearing none, the Judge explained to the Board about the installation of Interactive TV component and video recording system in Probate Court. Judge explained how it works and the cost savings to the County. However, the Judge stated, he hadn’t received administrative permission to do this. Also, that its been on Supreme Court adgenda for several months but no action was taken, so first he’ll have to ask for foregiveness for doing this.
He stated now with this system he has a very Hi—tech Courtroom.
This completed Controller’s report.
Dennis Koback, E—9—l—l Director, gave his report to the Board. He stated that information on the various types of pre—employment testing has been reviewed by Chippewa County Central Dispatch — Personnel Committee. The CCCD Personnel Committee recommendations were in the Board’s Finance Committee Packet and Mr. Koback would appreciate the Commissioners accepting the recommendations as recorded in the meeting notes dated 2—2—00 for implementation.
A motion was made by Corn. Kay to approve the CCCD—Personnel Committee recommendation. Motion was supported by Comm. LaLoie and carried unanimously.
Mr. Koback informed the Board
that “Request for Proposals” have been sent to 6 vendors for a “Communications
Manager” that will recommend purchase of 9—1—1 equipment; radio equipment;
computer software; radio paging system; dispatch furniture; and facility
upgrades for the new Central Dispatch Center. Return deadline for proposals is
Their goal remains to provide a
Voice 9—1—1 service to all of
Equis Consultants (Ameritech’s
Property Management Company) is waiting for receipt of preliminary drawings for
their renovations to accommodate the
Controller Newland told the Board the rebidding of Contracts 1 & 3 were completed and the he went over all three contracts with the Board. Based on the low bid for each Contract, the project construction cost is as follows:
Contract 1 $833,076 Underground Specialists
Contract 2 73,491 Ed Birkmeier Well Drilling
Contract 3 129,400 Ed Birkmeier Well Drilling
The total of the low bids exceeds the funding available for construction currently committed by RDA. Mr. Granger has had preliminary discussions with Duane Reid, District Director, and Paul Miller, State Director, on the need for additional funding. They have indicated that they will work with the County and Township to get this project completed.
It is recommended that a tentative award of contract be made for each Contract, to the bidder indicated above subject to the following:
*approval by Rural Development
*completion of final funding
A motion was made by Comm. Hopper for approval of Contracts 1, 2, & 3 per recommendation. Motion was supported by Comm. Dale and carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Reappointment of Ms. Audrey Lyons to U.P.AAA Advisory Council for calendar year 2000.
A motion was made by Comm. Dale to reappoint Ms. Audrey Lyons to UPCAP Board. Motion was supported by Comm. Kay and carried unanimously.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: MEETINGS January 24th and January 31st.
Comm. Hopper, Chairman of Personnel Committee, gave the following reports on meetings held.
It was moved by Comm. Hopper, supported by Comm. La that the
request of County Clerk Margaret Kaunisto to temporarily increase the
hours of Ms. Diane Cork and Ms. Marcy Wilson to 40 hours due to a
medical leave of Ms. Barbara Fortin for a period not to exceed four (4)
weeks, or until the return of Ms. Fortin, with her Doctor’s permission, to full—time be approved. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Comm. Hopper, supported by Comm. Dale, that the
MER Resolution pertaining to Mr.
Jay S. Finch, former
Public Defender, and approving the releasing of assets in the amount of
$154.21 be adopted. Motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.
It was moved by Com. Postula,
supported by Comm. LaJOie, that the committee enter
into closed session for the purpose of discussing negotiations. Motion carried
and the committee entered into closed session at
The committee returned to open
session at
It was moved by Comm. Hopper,
supported by Comm. LaJoie, that the tentative contract reached between the
This completed report on meeting of January 24th and Comm. Hopper moved for acceptance of minutes. Motion was supported by comm. Postula and carried unanimously.
Comm. Hopper gave the following report on meeting held on January 31st.
It was moved by Comm. Hopper, supported by Comm. LaJoie, that the County Job Descriptions dated December 1999 as prepared by DMG—Maximus, Inc., be adopted. Motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.
It was moved by Comm. Hopper,
supported by Comm. Dale, that the request of Sheriff Moran to increase the
hours of part—time Barbara McBryde from 25 hours per week to a maximum of 28
hours a week effective
It was moved by Comm. Hopper, supported by Comm. LaJoie, that the policies as stated in the current Police Off icers Labor agreement be established as applicable to non—union members of the Sheriff’s Department, excluding the elected position of Sheriff, and that specific items directed for members of the union be excluded by the Personnel Committee. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Comm. Postula,
supported by Comm. LaJoie, that the committee enter
into closed session for the purpose of discussing negotiations. Motion carried
and the committee entered into closed session at
The committee returned to open
session at
A motion was made by Comm. Hopper, supported by Comm. Cooper, that the agreement between the County of Chippewa, Chippewa County Probate Court, Fit ieth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan and the Chippewa County Circuit, Probate and Courthouse Employees affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL—CIO Local 1552 of Michigcan council #25 for the period January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001, be adopted by the Board of Commissioners. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
This completed report and Comm. Hopper moved for adoption of minutes. Motion was supported by Comm. Kay and carried unanimously.
Chairman McDowell thanked Comm. Hopper and controller Newland for all their work. Comm. Cooper wanted the County employees thanked for all the hours they spend after office hours trying to reach agreement.
EQUALIZATION & APPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE — no meeting
HEALTTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE - no meeting
BUILDING, GROUNDS & JAIL COMMITTEE — no meeting
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE —
meeting’s January 27 &
Comm. Postula, Chairman of the Transportation Committee gave the following report on meetings.
It was moved by Comm. Postula, supported by Comm. Cooper, that the Board of commissioners request the assistance of the Eastern Upper Peninsula Community Dispute Resolution center, Inc., regarding the matter of the Road Commission/EUPTA/Norton case. Motion carried unanimously.
The committee discussed in general terms the matter of the ORV’s being permitted to operate on designated roads. The committee is awaiting information from the townships and the Prosecuting Attorney and will continue its work on the matter.
This completed this report and Comm. Postula moved to approve the minutes. Motion was supported by Comm. cooper and carried unanimously.
Meeting of
Mr. Andary, Mr. Ludwick and Ms. Myers explained the program and budget of the E.U.P. Disput Resolution Center, Inc., which is a private, non—profit organization that offers free voluntary mediation services to people involved in a dispute. A volunteer mediator(s), who have been through an extensive traiing program, meet with disputing parties to see if an agreement can be reached that both sides can agree to. The mediators will assist the parties in reaching a solution, but will not decide who is right or wrong, and will not impose a decision.
This service is funded, in part,
by the State of
burden on our court system. The program serves Chippewa, Luce and
Mackinac counties and they have
an office on the campus of
Ms. Lorena Myers is the Director.
It was moved by Comm. McDowell, supported by Comm. LaJoie, that the EUP Dispute Resolution Center, Inc., be requested to intervene on behalf of the County in the matter of the Chippewa County Road Commission, the Eastern UP Transportation Authority, the residents of Neebish Island, Mr. & Mrs. Norton and Chippewa County. Motion carried.
This completed report and Comm. Postula moved for approval of report. Motion was supported by Comm. Cooper and carried unanimously.
LEGISLATIVE & NATURAL
RESOURCE COMMITTEE - meeting
Comm. Kay, Chairman of Committee, gave the following report.
The committee reviewed a letter
dated
Historic Preservation Office, indicating that the M—28
been listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The committee entered into a discussion on the status report of the Rudyard Landfield provided to the members by Regional Planning John Campbell, and is made a part of these minutes.
The committee requested the
controller to obtain information regarding the criteria for the
The committee discussed other
matters which included the status of the Superior Township Water system
program; and
This completed report and Comm. Kay moved for its adoption. Motion was supported by Comm. Dale and carried unanimously.
COMPUTER COMMITTEE: — no meeting
FINANCE, CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS
COMMITTEE — meeting
Comm. Dale, chairman of Committee, gave the following report of meeting.
It was moved by Comm. Dale, supported by Comm. LaJoie, that the February Travel Requests be approved as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Comm. Dale,
supported by Comm. Postula, that the three year agreement between Michigan
Municipal Management Authority (MMRMA) and the
It was moved by Comm. Dale, supported by COmm. Cooper, that the bid of Newberry Motors for the purchase of six (6) sheriff Department vehicles at a cost of $19,493.01, each, or a total cost of $115,866 be accepted. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Comm. Dale,
supported by Comm. Postula, that the Board recommend the calling to meet of the
It was moved by comm. Dale, supported by Comm. cooper, that the bid of Advantage Systems Incorporated to purchase an AS/400 Model, including hardware, software, setup installation, and 60 month service suite (maintenance) at a cost of $453,518.74 be accepted. Motion carried unanimously on roll call vote.
It was moved by Comm. Dale,
supported by Comm. Kay, that the
It was moved by Comm. Dale,
supported by Comm. Cooper, that the use of private automobiles mileage rate be
established in accordance with the federal government register effective
It was moved by Comm. Dale, supported by Comm. Kay, that recommendations concerning the operations of the Central Dispatch Advisory Board to the Board of commissioners for its action. Motion carried unanimously.
The following information items were presented to the committee:
Treasurer monthly Investment Report; Census 2000 letter to County
residents;
Veteran’s Affairs minutes dated
Building Authority minutes, November 24 and January 19, Public
Defender’s monthly report.
CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS:
It was moved by Comm. Dale, supported by Comm. Postula, that the following Claims and Accounts be authorized for payment:
Vouchers Number 23332 to 23641 and B—i thru B—92:
General Fund $234,299.96
Other 81,834.18
Payroll 361,274.60
TOTAL $677,408.74
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
It was moved by Comm. Hopper,
supported by Comm. Postula, that the committee enter into closed session for
the purpose of discussing negotiations: Aye: Dale, Hopper, Cooper, LaJoie,
Postula. Nay: None. Motion carried and committee entered into closed session at
Committee returned to open
session at
This completed report and Comm. Dale moved for its acceptance. Motion was supported by Comm. Lajoie and carried unanimously.
MERS BENEFITS: A motion was made by Comm. Cooper, to adopt Resolution for Adopting MERS Benefits for Division 01 — General and Division 02 — Sheriff. Motion was supported by Comm. Hopper and carried unanimously on roll call vote.
As there was no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Comm. Lajoie to adjourn. Motion was supported by Comm. Postula and carried unanimously.
Thereby the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ma gar . Kaunisto, Gary McD well,
Chippewa