COMPUTER COMMITTEE
					 MEETING MINUTES

					November 25, 2002

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Computer Committee was held on
Monday, November 25, 2002 at the Chippewa County Courthouse Annex in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  
Chairman Cooper called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Cooper, Chairman, Rita Dale and Earl Kay

MEMBERS ABSENT:	 None

OTHERS PRESENT:  Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Helen Kennedy, Information Systems 
                 Liaison, Cindy Moniz, PC Specialist


Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Chairman Cooper called for additions or deletions to the agenda.  Hearing none, the agenda was declared 
approved as amended.

Public Comments
There were no public comments.

Correspondence and Information Items
No correspondence or information items were presented.

Agenda Items: Information Systems Department Matters
Chairman Cooper asked about hours and work assignments affecting the Information Systems Department. 
Information Systems Liaison Helen Kennedy said training and GIS support were the most immediate 
concerns of the department.  She went on to state the Department could not function without a director or 
someone with more knowledge than the current staff.  She added that the staff could keep the current system 
running until something major happens.

Ms. Kennedy told the Committee that the level of expertise previously available to the County was 
uncommon for an organization of the County's size.  She said vendors holding service and maintenance 
contracts could assist the County as necessary, and that her level of confidence with the current vendors is 
high.

Commissioner Kay asked if the staff's confidence level would increase with training.  She stated training 
would help and listed several training opportunities available to the staff.  The Committee discussed a number 
of training needs as outlined by the staff.

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Dale, to handle support services 
offered by ASI Systems administratively.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Chairman Cooper suggested the staff should continue looking for training opportunities.

Ms. Kennedy reported on the status of the Local Government Network project currently underway.  She said 
the state would fund half the cost for the project that would connect the courts to the state network.  She 
stated her concerns about the trustworthiness of subcontractors that would be hired to build firewalls and 
security systems attached to the network.  The Committee discussed numerous details connected with the 
project.

Ms. Kennedy next addressed progress made with the County GIS.  It was explained that the software 
maintenance agreement had lapsed and should be resumed.  Call-in support and software upgrades would be 
offered with the agreement.

It was moved by Commissioner Dale, supported by Commissioner Kay, to recommend resumption the 
software maintenance agreement with ArcInfo.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Ms. Kennedy presented a proposal from InfoGeographics, Inc. for additional GIS training and support.  The 
Committee discussed options for funding the contract.

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Dale, to recommend approval of the 
support agreement with InfoGeographics at $120 per hour.  On a voice vote, the motion was
CARRIED.

The Committee discussed several ongoing projects at the Sheriff's Department including Livescan and the 
LEMS program.

The Committee discussed the status of the City contract and the impact on available staff time.  Currently the 
City is allocated 100 hours per month.  Expectations of the staff were discussed in conjunction with available 
hours and pending projects.

Hours of work and pay grades for Information Systems staff were discussed.  It was explained that the current 
wage and job classification system assigned an annual maximum pay figure to each position.  The proposed 
2003 budget proposed a reduction in hours for the Information Systems department to make their workweek 
consistent with the majority of employees.  Compensation was calculated at the annual rate, meaning neither 
employee would be penalized for the reduction of hours.  Additional funds would have to be allocated if the 
workweek was set at 40 hours.  It was the consensus of the Committee that this matter should be addressed by 
the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee.

Public Comments
There were no public comments.

Committee Comments
There were no additional committee comments.

Chairperson's Comments
Chairman Cooper had no additional comments.

Adjourn
It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Dale, to adjourn the meeting.  On a 
voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Chairman Cooper declared the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.







__________________________________	__________________________________
Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder	Don Cooper, Committee Chairman