The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, January 7, 2002, for
their Organizational Meeting, in the Courtroom of the Chippewa County Courthouse at
7:05 p.m.
Present: Commissioners, Rita Dale, Bernard LaJoie, Aaron Hopper, Earl Kay and
Chairman Gary McDowell
Absent: Commissioners, Ted Postula and Don Cooper
Also Present: Tim Dolehanty, Controller, Ron Cross, Jim German, Mr. And Mrs.
McLean and Diane S. Cork, County Clerk
With legislation in 2001, the Chairman of the County Board is now a two (2) year
appointment unless the Board acted otherwise and need not be voted upon.
Commissioner LaJoie nominated Aaron Hopper as Vice-Chairman. Chairman
McDowell called three times for further nominations. Hearing none, it was moved by
Commissioner Dale that nominations be closed and a unanimous ballot be cast for Aaron
Hopper as Vice-Chairman of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Kay supported this motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, that the
meeting dates presented for various committees be accepted as scheduled except for the
County Board of Commissioners meeting date that is scheduled for February 11, 2002 be
changed to February 18, 2002 because of the MAC Conference.
It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Dale, to adopt the
Rules of Procedure as previously used in the past. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Chairman McDowell stated that the Standing Committees would remain the same
unless anyone would like a change. Hearing nothing to the contrary, the Standing
Committee appointments will remain as in the previous year.
Chairman McDowell stated that Commissioner Dale has stepped down from the
Chippewa County Health Board. He thanked her for her many years of service on that
board. Chairman McDowell appointed Earl Kay to this position.
Commissioner Hopper announced that Bob Lesenski's (past president of MAC) wife,
Ann, passed away this past weekend.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
Chairman McDowell stated he would like to see the Prescription Drug Program be one
of the priorities for the Board this coming year.
Hearing no further comments, it was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by
Commissioner Hopper, to adjourn. On a voice vote, the meeting did adjourn at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk Gary McDowell, Chairman
The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, January 14,
2002, at 7:10 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Chippewa County Courthouse.
Present: Commissioners Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Rita Dale, Bernard LaJoie, Aaron Hopper,
Earl Kay and Chairman Gary McDowell.
Also Present: Tim Dolehanty, Controller, Jeff Moran, Sheriff, Tim McKee, OES/9-1-1
Director, Don Holt, Lisa Wilcox, Barbara Fortin, Ed Sloan, Scott Brand, and Shelly Peterman
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the
correspondence received in the Clerk's Office and forward to the proper committee if necessary.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the
Board minutes of December 10 and December 27, 2001 with the correction in the minutes of
December 10, where reference to John Holt and Gary Savoie are concerned to read "Don" Holt
and "John" Savoie. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CONTROLLER'S REPORT - Tim Dolehanty
Controller Dolehanty introduced Ed Sloan, Director, Pathways Substance Abuse Services, to
answer any questions that the Commission might have.
Mr. Sloan explained that since last October E.U.P Substance Abuse Services incorporated,
consolidated and merged operations into the Pathways Community Mental Health organization and
as October 1, 2001, Pathways Community Mental Health became the designated and coordinating
agency for substance abuse services for an eight county region.
Since they didn't have an advisory council for substance abuse services, they asked the board if
they would accept recommendations from each county in the eight county region so they could
appoint two representatives from each county to serve on the advisory council, specifically for
substance abuse services. The first meeting of the advisory council will meet on January 23, 2002.
Eventually, the E.U.P. Substance Abuse Services Board will be disbanded. Further discussion
ensued as to current representatives.
One member needed to be appointed to the E.U.P. Substance Abuse Board. Currently there
are two nominations for the E.U.P. Substance Abuse Board, Jim Johnson and Chum Leask.
On a roll call vote, Commissioner Postula, Dale, LaJoie, Hopper and Kay voted for Chum
Leask. Commissioners Cooper and Chairman McDowell voted for Jim Johnson.
Chum Leask was reappointed to serve on the E.U.P. Substance Abuse Board.
Controller Dolehanty received a letter from Kinross Township seeking the County Board of
Commissioners to delegate one or more Commissioners to attend negotiations for the Chippewa
County Fair lease agreement. This is something new this year that the township is trying to initiate.
Commissioner Hopper explained that there was a stale mate between Kinross Township and the
Fair Board and they would like the County Commission to be involved since they appropriate
money to the Fair Board every year.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to appoint
Bernard LaJoie to attend negotiations between Kinross Township and the Chippewa County Fair
Board. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
UPCAP Board of Directors has asked for an appointee from Chippewa County. The 2001
appointee was Commissioner Hopper.
It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Dale, to reappoint
Commissioner Hopper to the UPCAP Board of Directors for 2002. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Tim McKee, OES/9-1-1 Director, was present with his annual statistical report.
Commissioner Cooper inquired about the Enhanced 9-1-1 progress. Mr. McKee explained
that the equipment had arrived and was being configured for the computer and hoped to have it
installed soon.
Commissioner LaJoie was concerned that while traveling around the County, not all homes have
their 9-1-1 numbers posted. Mr. McKee said he has attended township meetings to stress how
important this. Compliance issues will be looked at.
Sheriff Moran proceeded to give his annual report for his different departments and operations.
Informational purposes only.
OLD BUSINESS:
When advertising was done for various vacant seats for boards and commissions, no one applied
for the County Building Authority. At this time Chairman McDowell stated someone had come
forward to be considered for this position.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner Kay, to appoint William
Thorne to sit on the County Building Authority Board. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Commissioner Hopper brought attention to a resolution from the Benzie County Board of
Commissioners requesting the State of Michigan re-instate funding for the Cooperative Resource
Management Initiative Program.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, that the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners go on record supporting the Benzie County Resolution
requesting the State of Michigan re-instate the funding for the Cooperative Resource Management
Initiative Program effective January 1, 2002. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel Committee - Aaron Hopper - No meeting
Equalization and Apportionment Committee - Bernard LaJoie - No Meeting
Health and Social Services Committee - Ted Postula - No Meeting
Building, Grounds and Jail Committee - Earl Kay - January 9, 2002
Commissioner Kay asked Commissioner Dale, who is a member of the Hospital Board, to
review the request of War Memorial Hospital to transfer the deed to the CMC building and the
parking lot directly north of the building to the Hospital. This request was made in order to satisfy
"clear title" requirements necessary to allow the Hospital to proceed with its expansion project.
Commissioner Dale reminded the committee that the lease with the County states that once the
corporation is free of long-term debt, the lease with the County would expire and the County would
have direct control of the asset again. She added that the bylaws of War Memorial Hospital also
clearly state that if the corporation were to dissolve, all assets after the debts have been released
would go to the County.
It was moved by commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend that
the deed to the CMC building and the parking lot directly north of the building be transferred to
War Memorial Hospital as requested.
On discussion, Commissioner Cooper was concerned that the County was giving away some of
their assets and will have very little control.
On a roll call vote Commissioners Dale, LaJoie, Hopper, Kay, Postula and Chairman
McDowell vote yes. Commissioner Cooper vote nay. The motion carried.
All other matters were for informational purposes only.
It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to accept the report
of Commissioner Kay as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Transportation Committee - Ted Postula - No Meeting
Legislative and Natural Resource Committee - Earl Kay - No Meeting
Computer Committee - Don Cooper - No Meeting
Finance, Claims and Accounts - Rita Dale - January 10, 2002
Register of Deeds Sharon Kennedy appeared before the Committee with a request to hire a
temporary replacement for a deputy Register of Deeds who would be off on sick leave for four to
six weeks.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend
appointment of Barbara Gallagher to the temporary Deputy Register of Deeds position. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty presented the Committee with a proposed budget amendment to provide
funding necessary for the temporary appointment based on 35-hour workweek. He noted the
budget amendment could be approved by the Committee because it did not result in a change to
the bottom line of the General Fund.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to approve the
proposed budget amendment transferring $3,305 form the contingency cost center to the Register
of Deeds budget, as presented by the Controller. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler reviewed recent history of the Victim advocate position.
The State recently announced the availability of funding for a full time Victim Advocate. Currently,
the employee roster shows one person serving as Victim Advocate and Office Manager in the
Prosecutor's Office. Peppler proposed splitting these functions into two separate, full time
positions.
Controller Dolehanty presented the committee with a proposed budget amendment to provide
funding necessary to increase the hours of the Office Manager position to accommodate a 35-hour
workweek. He noted the budget amendment would need the approval of the Board of
Commissioners because it proposed a transfer of $21,981 from the fund balance of the General
Fund.
It was moved by commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend
amending the Prosecuting Attorney budget to fully fund the office manager position as a full time
position. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty reported that funding for the 4-H Youth Agent was inadvertently omitted
from the fiscal year 2002 budget. He added that the county is contractually obligated to provide
funding for wages and operating supplies, with Michigan State University being responsible for
fringe benefits.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend that
the County fund the 4-H Youth Agent position and that the Controller and Finance Director
develop a budget amendment to be considered at the next Finance, Claims and Accounts
committee meeting. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend that
the Novell Netware Server be purchased from National Office Products and Printing, Inc. at a cost
of $16,571 as low bidder, and based on the recommendation of the Controller. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend services
provided for the Big Brothers-Big Sisters Agency by Chippewa County be terminated, and that the
available fund balance of $4,909.65 as of December 31, 2001 be returned to the agency to close out
the fund. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend
payment of vouchers 30427 through 30533 and A-1 through A-21; General Funds claims of $156,371.05;
Other fund claims of $260,298.59; Health Department Claims of $331,175.70; total
claims for the month of $747,845.59. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend payment of
Superior Township Water Project claim totaling $81,060.55. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to accept the
Finance, Claims and Accounts report as presented.
Commissioner Cooper had a question on the Animal Control Officer/Custodian position and
asked for clarification. It was noted that nothing had changed for this position re: benefits, pay etc.
when the Animal Control position was transferred to the Courthouse.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to go into closed
session for contract negotiations.
On a roll call vote, all Commissioners voted yes.
Upon returning to open session, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by
Commissioner Postula to approve the 9-1-1 contract as presented. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner
LaJoie, to adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously and the Board did adjourn at
8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, County Clerk Gary McDowell, Chairman