PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
August 12, 2002
A special meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Personnel Committee was held on
Monday, August 22, 2002 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Chairman
Hopper called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. with a quorum present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Aaron Hopper, Chairman, Ted Postula and Bernard LaJoie
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Brian Peppler, Prosecuting Attorney,
Cheryl Jones, Crime Victim Advocate
Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Chairman Hopper called for additions or deletions to the agenda. Hearing none, the agenda was declared
approved as presented.
Public Comments
Chairman Hopper called for pubic comments. No public comments were offered.
Agenda Item: Consideration of New Employee
Controller Dolehanty asked the committee to consider appointing Nichole Sundman to the part-time Animal
Shelter Attendant position. Commissioner LaJoie expressed concern about cutting back on the hours offered
to the two employees who are currently working 30 hours per week. He stated his belief these two employees
may quit if their hours are cut back.
Committee members discussed the current shelter schedule and staffing. Dolehanty reported the number of
animals cared for at the shelter is running 38% higher than one year ago. Total pets claimed by owners
increased by 6% so far this year, and adoptions are up 31% according to County records.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the
current Animal Shelter Attendants be retained at 30 hours per week, and that no other persons be
hired at this time. On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.
Victim Advocate Position
Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler appeared before the committee to answer any concerns of the Committee
where the Crime Victim Advocate position was concerned. The Board of Commissioners referred the matter
to the Personnel Committee. Mr. Peppler stated that the Prosecuting Attorney budget subsidized the Crime
Victim Advocate function since it's inception. He asked the Finance Director to create a separate cost center
for the Crime Victim Advocate function in order to allow better tracking of the grant fund for State oversight
officials.
The Prosecutor also reviewed the outcome of the Reclassification Committee meeting held in compliance
with the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement. Commissioner LaJoie confirmed the current
classification for the Victim Advocate position is grade 9. Peppler stated his hope that the Committee would
concur with the Reclassification Committee and assign the position to grade 10.
The Committee discussed the duties and responsibilities of the Crime Victim Advocate. Mr. Peppler
reminded the Committee that this is a mandated position.
Commissioner Hopper recalled discussion of the specialized training required of a Crime Victim Advocate.
The Prosecutor prepared a draft job description with revised qualifications in sociology and counseling. The
Committee discussed the position and needs of the County at length.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend adjusting
the grade assignment of Crime Victim Advocate from grade 8 to grade 10. On a voice vote, the motion
was CARRIED.
Public Comments
No public comments were offered.
Committee Comments
There were no additional committee comments.
Chairperson's Comments
Chairman Hopper had no additional comments.
Adjourn
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to adjourn the meeting.
On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Chairman Hopper declared the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
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Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder Aaron Hopper, Committee Chairman