The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 11,
2002 at 7:00 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, Patrick Schue, Scott Brand, Evening News, 
  Don and Christine McLean, Wayne and Barbara Fortin, Mary Marsh and 
  Diane Cork, Clerk
 
 
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the
correspondence received in the Clerk's Office and forward it to the appropriate committee if
necessary. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to approve the County
Board minutes of February l8, 2002 as prepared by the County Clerk. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS: 
 
 Don McLean addressed the County Commissioners asking that the Board look into changing
management at Hiawatha Behavorial Health. Chairman McDowell responded by saying that this
subject was in committee and they were looking at this situation.
 
CONTROLLER'S REPORT - Tim Dolehanty
 
 Mr. Dolehanty asked the Board if they would consider going into a closed session at the end
of the regular meeting to discuss the Teamster's Contract which has been signed with some of
the nurses at the Chippewa County Health Dept.
 
 Mr. Dolehanty introduced Carrie Stark, 4-H agent, from the MSU Extension Office. Ms.
Stark outlined several programs which included theater groups, volunteers and different
programs being held in several townships within Chippewa County.
 
 Ms. Stark thanked the Commissioners for giving her time off to pursue her Master's Degree.
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to send a letter to
the 4-H Agency noting their 100th anniversary and lauding them for the work they have been
doing. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Mr. Dolehanty noted that a 2001 Calendar Year Annual Report was included in their packet
from Tim McKee, OES/9-1-1 Director.
 
OLD BUSINESS:
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Cooper that the County Board extend the contract with local
1552, the contract that was in place as of 12-31-01, until the new contract is settled. The motion
failed for lack of support.
 
NEW BUSINESS: None
 
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
 
 Personnel Committee - Aaron Hopper - No Meeting
 Equalization and Apportionment - Bernard LaJoie - No Meeting
 Health & Social Services - Ted Postula - No Meeting
 Building, Grounds & Jail - Earl Kay - No Meeting
 Transportation Committee - Ted Postula - No Meeting
 Legislative & Natural Resources Committee - Earl Kay - Meeting of February 25, 2002
 
 Commissioner Kay outlined his written report. No action items were necessary. 
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Hopper to approve the Legislative 
Committee report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Computer Committee - Don Cooper - Meeting of February 18, 2002
 
 It was noted that Commissioner Cooper gave a verbal report of this committee meeting at the
February 18, 2002 Board meeting. 
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Dale, to accept the written
report of the Computer Committee. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee - Rita Dale - Meeting of March 7, 2002
 
 Treasurer Marilyn McDonald had appeared before the committee with a request to extend
work hours for her staff for a period of two weeks.
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend
approval of the extension of work hours for the Treasurer's Office to 40 hours per week for a
period not to exceed two weeks. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Controller Dolehanty reported receipt of an expense voucher from the Building Inspection
Department Clerk Typist seeking a percentage of the permit fee for a soil erosion control permit
issued by the County. He informed the Committee that he rejected the voucher a week earlier
and the matter was brought to the Committee at the request of Commissioner Hopper.
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend
that the County Building Dept. continue as the enforcing agency for the soil erosion control
program, that Ms. Ervin function as the department clerk typist consistent with the approved
position description, and that employees of the department be compensated for time and
expenses in a manner consistent with existing policies. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
 
 A letter from Raber Township requesting financial assistance for the purchase of a voting
machine was discussed at the committee meeting. It was moved by Commissioner Dale,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend the County consider a cost sharing program
beginning in fiscal year 2003, using PILT dollars to fund the program. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
 
 Controller Dolehanty asked the Committee to consider purchasing up to three copy machines
in lieu of the plan presented in February to replace all machines. It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, that a request for quotations be issued for the
purchase of three copy machines with the results to be considered at the next Committee
meeting. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Controller Dolehanty presented a copier maintenance agreement from National Office
Products. If approved, the agreement would cover the Health Dept. copier until February 2003.
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend
approval of the copier maintenance agreement with National Office Products for a cost not to
exceed $360.00. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend the
approval of general fund claims totaling $239,376.82, other fund claims of $107,819.23, payroll
of $483,471.57 and health department claims of $326,744.78, voucher's 30719 through 30859
and C-1 through C-170. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to accept the report of 
Finance Chairman Dale as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to accept the
written report of the Workshop Meeting minutes of February 28, 2002. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
 
 Commissioner Dale gave a synopsis of the Ad-Hoc Animal Control Committee meeting held
on March 4, 2002. Discussion was held on the various options for the animal shelter.
 
 It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the
minutes of the committee report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by
Commissioner Hopper, to go into a closed session to discuss the Teamsters contract. On a roll
call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Thereupon, the Commissioners adjourned to a closed
session at 8:15 p.m.
 
 The Board of Commissioners reconvened at 8:53 p.m.
 
 It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to accept the
Teamsters contract as presented. On a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.
 
 Moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Cooper to adjourn. Motion
carried unanimously. Thereupon, the board adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
Diane S. Cork, Clerk Gary McDowell, Chairman