The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, July
8, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Chippewa County Courthouse.
Present: Commissioners Rita Dale, Bernard LaJoie, Aaron Hopper, Earl Kay and
Chairman Gary McDowell
Absent: Commissioners Don Cooper and Ted Postula
Also present: Tim Dolehanty, Controller, Don McLean, Chris McLean, Roxanne Bosley,
Tim McKee, OES 9-1-1 Director, Ron Cross, Cecilia Harrison, Anne Goetz and Diane Cork,
County Clerk
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner Dale, to accept the
correspondence received in the Clerk's Office and, if necessary, forward to the appropriate
committee. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Kay, to approve the
County Board minutes of June 10, 2002 as presented by the Clerk. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Don McLean read a prepared statement re: Hiawatha Behavorial Health
CONTROLLER'S REPORT: Timothy Dolehanty
Tim McKee, OES 9-1-1 Director announced that Enhanced 9-1-1 went into effect on
June 12, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. and that the site was tested at 100 per cent accurate. The
equipment is now all in place and felt that the facility was ready for a display to the
public in some fashion.
Mr. McKee suggested a meeting of the County Board, held at the 9-1-1 Center and
Emergency Operating Center, sometime in the future as a test run in case of an emergency
when decisions had to be made by the Board.
Chairman McDowell thanked Mr. McKee for a job well done re: 9-1-1 Enhanced and
Emergency Operating Center.
Mr. Dolehanty referred to a letter received from Kinross Township in regards of
detaining animals for pick up in Kinross Township.
Commissioner Kay thought more information was needed before any action could be
taken. The Controller thought this item should be referred to the Finance Committee if in fact
the township was requesting additional funds.
OLD BUSINESS: None
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel Committee - Aaron Hopper - June 12, 2002
Action Items:
Public Defender Elizabeth Church informed the Committee that she would be releasing
the recently hired assistant public defender from County employment. She stated her
decision was the result of her evaluation of his work.
Ms. Church sought authorization from the Committee to offer one or two weeks'
severance pay to the employee upon termination. Chairman Hopper suggested giving the
employee a two-week notice of termination instead of severance pay. Church advised
against the two-week notice because of the potential impact on the Public Defender office.
Ms. Church reported her second and third choice candidates for the assistant public
defender position, each requested compensation higher than that offered by the County. Both
possess more than five years of experience. Ms. Church requested a reclassification to pay
grade 13 because it is closer to the level paid to an assistant prosecuting attorney.
Controller Dolehanty reminded the Committee of prior discussions of this issue with the
Finance Committee. He suggested starting the employee at a high rate within the assigned
pay grade as an alternative.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to terminate
the employment of the assistant public defender and to authorize two weeks severance pay,
effective June 17, 2002. Discussion was held on probationary employees and authorization
of severance pay. On a voice vote, Commissioners Kay, Dale and Chairman McDowell
voted no, Commissioners Hopper and LaJoie voted yes. Commissioners Cooper and Postula
were absent. Chairman McDowell declared the motion as failed.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to
recommend appointment of Julie Beck as Assistant Public Defender, to compensate the
position at an annual rate of $38,000.00 through the 90-day probationary period, and to
compensate the position at the two-year rate upon successful completion of the probationary
period.
Commissioner Kay asked where the $38,000.00 was at on the pay grade scale. Controller
Dolehanty stated it was actually a grade 12 position and the public defender asked that the
$38,000.00 be that starting point in lieu of moving the position to a grade 13 or anywhere
else on the scale and after the 90 probationary period the individual be compensated at the 2
year rate. Mr. Dolehanty did not have the scale before him, but thought that the $38,000.00
was between the starting rate and one year.
On a voice vote, Commissioners Dale and Kay voted no. Commissioners Hopper and
LaJoie voted yes. Commissioners Postula and Cooper were absent. Chairman McDowell
declared the motion as failed.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to accept
the Personnel Committee report of June 12, 2002 as given. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Personnel Committee - Aaron Hopper - July 1, 2002
Action Items:
Controller Dolehanty reported on the Building Inspectors recommendation to hire Kari A.
Willis to fill the part time Clerk Typist position. Chairman Hopper stated his preference for a
candidate with more knowledge of the building trades, but would concur with the
recommendation of the Building Inspector.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to
recommend appointment of Kari A. Willis as part-time Clerk Typist for the Building
Inspection Department. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty reviewed the grant contract and dedicated funding for the Crime
Victim Advocate with the Committee. The Prosecuting Attorney requested reclassification
of the position from grade 8 to grade 10. A reclassification committee was convened as
required under the terms of the current AFSCME collective bargaining agreement to consider
the Prosecutor's request. In his justification for the change, the Prosecutor stated his belief
that the state grant for this function would cover all expenses associated with the
reclassification. It was later learned that the grant amount was not sufficient to cover the
expenses of the Crime Victim Advocate function.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to
recommend compensation for the Crime Victim Advocate position remain at grade 8. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner LaJoie suggested implementing wage increases and the combined sick day
and short-term/long term disability coverage for non-union employees. He stated his
position that implementation of these changes has been delayed long enough and that any
further delay was not fair to non-union employees.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to present
implementation of the 3% wage increase retroactive the January 1, 2002, and implementation
of the combined sick day and short-term/long-term disability package for non- union
employees to the Finance Committee for their consideration and approval. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Hopper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to accept the
Personnel Committee meeting minutes of July 1, 2002 as presented.
As a point of clarification, so that the Controller could take back to the Public Defender,
Elizabeth Church, in the case of the Assistant Public Defender candidate that she brought
forth to the committee, that the Board would be agreeable to hiring at the start rate as
opposed to the $38,000.00 rate as proposed out of committee.
It was moved by Commissioner Kay that the Assistant Public Defender be hired at the
grade 12 starting pay and go through the step raises as any other employee. Supported by
Commissioner Dale. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Equalization and Apportionment - Bernard LaJoie - No meeting
Health and Social Services - Ted Postula - July 2, 2002 (Report given by Rita Dale)
No action items necessary. It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by
Commissioner Kay, to accept the report
as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Building, Grounds and Jail Committee - Earl Kay - June 17, 2002
Action Items:
Chairman Kay cited the need for architectural drawings for the proposed animal shelter
facility in order to create common detail to be considered by all bidders. He listed several
required components of the facility to be included in the drawings.
Commissioner Cooper stated the previous exercise asked bidders to consider a standard
package, and that specific shelter needs would fit into those dimensions.
Chairman Kay suggested contacting Northwoods Land Surveying to determine their price
to engineer the facility. Commissioner Cooper stated his opposition to the creation of
architectural drawings because it would prolong the project. He favored acceptance of the
bid submitted by McGahey Construction because it met the needs of a shelter facility.
The Committee discussed various dimensional and construction requirements.
Commissioner Dale stated the idea presented by Chairman Kay was a better option.
Chairman Kay suggested gathering the minutes of the Ad-Hoc Committee and the Meade
study for consideration by local engineers who would design a facility based on the compiled
information.
It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Dale, to recommend
that the County seek the services of a local engineer, funds not to exceed $7,000.00, to design
the animal shelter facility with the input of local officials. Discussion followed on specs of a
facility, location, boundaries, costs and future needs.
On a voice vote, the motion carried with Commissioners LaJoie, Dale and Kay voting
yes. Commissioner Hopper voted no. The motion carried.
Moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner LaJoie to accept the
Building, Grounds and Jail Committee report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Transportation Committee - Ted Postula - No meeting
Legislative and Natural Resources - Earl Kay - No meeting
Computer Committee - Don Cooper - No meeting
Finance, Claims and Accounts - Rita Dale - July 2, 2002
Action Items:
Community Health Administrator Rosemary Blashill and Health Dept. Finance Director
Chris Lundquist asked the Committee to consider several health department matters. The
Committee was first asked to consider an allocation of $1,000 for a survey designed to
document community assets, concerns and needs. A number of agencies are being asked to
allocate funds to offset the $6,500 cost to duplicate, fold and mail 18,200 surveys.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to
recommend approval of the request to allocate $1,000 for a survey designed to document
community assets, concerns and needs. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Health Department received notice of funding to offset costs associated with a new
bioterrorism protection program. Funds would be allocated by the state through a federal
homeland protection grant. Chippewa County will receive $51,726.00 to complete the
current fiscal year, with additional funds available beginning in 2003.
Commissioner Kay reminded the Committee of the Board's policy to fund grant positions
with grant dollars. If grant funds are interrupted, the County is under no obligation to fund
the program with general fund dollars.
Blashill presented a draft position description for the Public Health Emergency
Preparedness Officer. This position would be compensated with grant funds.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to
recommend acceptance of the $51,726 bioterrorism protection program grant and to adopt
the position description for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Officer. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Blashill reported on $8,500 in special funding available through the breast and
cervical cancer prevention program to offset computer equipment, client incentives, media
and staff costs.
Commissioner LaJoie discussed the addition of a level one secretary at the health
department for the final ten weeks of the fiscal year, and the addition of a Nurse of the Day,
Health Educator and Public Health clerical position that were suspended earlier in the year.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to recommend
adding the level one secretary, Nurse of the Day and Public Health clerical positions to the
Health Department roster. The position of Health Educator will be held for a further date
contingent upon the presentation of the Health Dept. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The committee discussed the need to hire an environmental health consultant as ordered
by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to oversee issues associated with
accreditation of the onsite sewage disposal program. The impact of the administrative order
from the DEQ was also discussed.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to recommend
approval of the $5,000 budget amendment to cover the costs of the environmental health
consultant as ordered by the DEQ. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Blashill presented a contract to implement the Home Med System that will allow the
Health Department to monitor the health of its clients. She reviewed the benefits of the
program to both the Department and its clients.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to
recommend approval of the contract to implement the Home Med System. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Blashill and Ms. Lundquist asked the Committee to consider establishment of a Lead
Sanitarian position to assist in tracking accreditation issues. If approved, a current
environmental health employee would be promoted to the position at a cost of between
$2,000 and $3,000. Ms. Lundquist stated the promotion would be more cost effective than
adding another person to the Department roster.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to recommend
approval of the Lead Sanitarian position to be filled by internal promotion. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty referred to the Joint Building Authority's budget request. Proposed
expenditures were increased by $200,000 to cover the cost of air conditioning and an
electrical upgrade. Dolehanty reminded the Committee of ongoing discussions to renovate
the District Court. The City is scheduled to present an alternative plan on July 17 that may
affect the Joint Building Authority.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to table
consideration of the Joint Building Authority 2002-2003 budget request. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty presented the draft budget amendment to implement building
Inspector Anthony Bosley's request to reorganize the building inspection department. The
proposal would combine two part-time building inspector positions into one full time
position.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to
recommend approval of the Building Inspection Department reorganization plan as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Committee members reviewed a funding request form Kinross Township for replacement
of two wells at the County fairgrounds. The total cost of the wells was estimated to be
$8,270. Commissioner Cooper reminded the Committee that the County provides funding to
the Fair Board each year. He stated requests such as this should be brought to the Committee
through the annual budget process. Discussion followed.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to
recommend denial of the Kinross Township request for funding to offset the cost of
constructing water wells. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner LaJoie reported that the Board previously provided $2,000 for suicide
prevention brochures. He asked that the Committee consider a similar allocation.
Commissioner Cooper stated that his position is that requests such as this should be
brought to the Committee through the annual budget process. Those requesting the funds
should also be required to appear before the Committee.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to recommend
denial of the request for funding to offset the cost of printing suicide prevention brochures.
Commissioner Kay was concerned with the request coming so late in the budget year.
Discussion followed.
The motion died for lack of response.
After receiving additional information, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported
by Commissioner Dale, to approve $2,000 for the suicide prevention brochures. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty briefly reviewed the Link Michigan Project. He stated that the
project administrators are now seeking an allocation of $4,000 from each participating
County. Allocation of funding would be consistent with the Board's previous support of the
grant application.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to
recommend allocation of $4,000 in matching funds to support the regional Link Michigan
Grant. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty presented three proposals for a household hazardous waste
collection building. Although the quoted buildings were smaller than the one originally
sought for the project, the sizes quoted were adequate for the intended use. Funds for the
purchase of the building were previously designated through the household hazardous waste
collection grant.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by commissioner Kay, to recommend
approval of the purchase of a household hazardous waste containment building with funds
designated from the household hazardous collection grant. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty presented a draft elevator maintenance agreement from Otis
Elevator for the annex building unit. Otis was the only firm to respond the County's request
for proposals.
Commissioner Kay questioned the need for a maintenance agreement since maintenance
is rarely needed on the elevators. He stated it might be more cost effective to pay for the few
repairs needed each year instead of entering into the maintenance agreement.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to table
consideration of the elevator maintenance agreement. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty presented a draft agreement with Robert and Helen Collia doing
business as Frenchy's Storage for rental of a storage unit. Under Sheriff Tom McBryde
requested approval of the agreement in order to permit storage of the marine division boat.
Funding for the unit would be allocated from the Marine Patrol budget.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend
approval of the contract with Robert and Helen Collia doing business as Frenchy's Storage
for rental of the storage unit as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Finance Director Dave Carpenter reported on the need to amend the FIA Fund Budget to
clear a deficit condition reported in the County Audit. The fund was out of balance by
$1,786.00.
Commissioner Kay inquired about the use of FIA funds and questioned why the deficit
occurred. Carpenter explained this as a State fund and the County had little information
regarding expenditures allocated from the fund.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to approve
the budget amendment tranferring $1,786.00 from the General Fund to the FIA Fund. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Finance Director Carpenter reviewed the history of the victim advocate grant and its use
by the Prosecuting Attorney's office. A recent request from the Prosecutor to create a cost
center budget for this function resulted in a number of questions regarding funds allocated to
this service. Carpenter stated the current grant amount was not sufficient to cover the
function. The Commissioners expressed concern that the Prosecutor represented the grant
allocation as being sufficient to cover the cost of providing this service.
It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to send a
letter to the Prosecuting Attorney explaining that the revenue received from the victim
advocate grant represents the total sum of available funds, and that after careful research, it
was determined that part of the grant allocation was already spent and was no longer
available to the program. This matter will be referred to the Personnel Committee. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend the
approval of general fund claims totaling $256,000.23, other fund claims of $160,333.91,
payroll of $469,426.61 and health department claims of $339,944.46, vouchers 31309
through 31480 and G-1 through G-165. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to approve the Finance,
Claims and Accounts Committee meeting of July 2, 2002 with the correction of "to resume
the open session meeting of the Personnel Committee" to read "to resume the open session
meeting of the Finance Committee" contain in the Committee minutes. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: None
Commissioner Kay wanted to say thank you to some individuals who were involved in
getting a dog returned to their owners. He stated the owners were very appreciative of their
efforts.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Kay, to adjourn. On
a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. The Board did adjourn at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, County Clerk Gary McDowell, Chairman