PUBLIC HEARING
Present: Commissioners Ted Postula, Don, Cooper, Rita
Dale, Richard Timmer, Aaron Hopper, Jim Moore and Chairman Earl Kay
Also Present: Tim Dolehanty, Controller, Hon. Lowell
Ulrich, Probate Judge, Diane Cork,
The purpose of the Public
Hearing was to accept public comment on the Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Resolution
and General Appropriations Act.
Lowell Ulrich, Probate Court
Judge, distributed a handout to the Commissioners and stated his reasons why
the 2 Probation Officers and Juvenile Register/Deputy positions should not be
reduced from a 40-hour workweek to a 35-hour workweek. Hon. Ulrich felt that by reducing the man
hours in his office there could be a possible reduction in collecting restitution,
reimbursement cost of care, service fees and bond monies.
Hearing no further comments,
Chairman Kay declared the Public Hearing closed at
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Cork, Clerk
Earl Kay, Chairman
BOARD MEETING
Immediately after the closing
of the Public Hearing, the Chippewa County Commissioners met in regular session
on
Present:
Commissioners: Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Rita Dale, Richard Timmer, Aaron
Hopper, Jim Moore and Chairman Earl Kay
Also Present: Tim Dolehanty, Controller, Hon. Lowell
Ulrich, Probate Judge, Diane Cork,
It was moved by Commissioner Postula,
supported by Commissioner Cooper to acknowledge 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 Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the
“It was moved by Commissioner Dale,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval of the Maximus Inc.
agreement as presented, and to monitor reimbursement rates resulting from the
agreement. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.”
Should read: “On a voice vote, the motion carried with
Commissioner Cooper voted no.”
On a voice vote, the motion carried for
the approval of corrected minutes of
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Don McLean read the following statement
into the record:
“At the September HBH Board
in St. Ignace representatives of four families spoke and explained how failures
within HBH had resulted in the death of a family member.
Phyllis Huffman of Manistique
explained that her deaf, 29 year old son developed mental problems including
depression and how HBH repeatedly failed to provide a person who could work
with him using sign language. She and
her husband had to send their son to a Salvation Army program south of
Linda Sayles of St. Ignace
explained how her husband of 29 years suddenly became paranoid and depressed
and how HBH dragged out his initial intake.
HBH used patient confidentiality to refuse her any information about his
condition or medications. She continued
to plead for help right up to the day he killed himself.
Deloris Griggs of the Sault
explained her son’s life before he developed mental health problems and how HBH
failed to provide services when he became very ill. With HBH using the excuse that he had the
right to make his own choices, she had to stand by and watch as he became
homeless and was eventually beaten to death in an alley about 4 blocks from
here. The three teenagers were sent to
prison from this very room.
I briefly reminded the Board
of our daughter’s story and explained why we felt changes in HBH were
necessary.
These four true stories were
very important to my wife and I. The
reason is that many months ago after we had spoken at an HBH board meeting, the
chairman, Patrick Rodman of Manistique, explained that we, the McLean’s, were
the only ones in the three county area who felt HBH was not doing a good job.
Since our daughter, Karen,
died on February 14, 2001 these three other people have died.
We believe this is terrible.
Another terrible thing is
that HBH continues to state that there are no problems, they are doing a
terrific job and nothing needs to be changed.
We urge this board to
continue your efforts to make the necessary changes in HBH so no one else has
to suffer as these people and their families have suffered.”
CONTROLLER’S REPORT: Tim Dolehanty
Lt. Bob Savoie, Sheriff’s Department, gave
the monthly report for that department touching upon foreign language
interpreters for the foreign inmates, response training for 6 deputies, booking
fee increases, 2 grant reimbursements and the tether program.
Discussion was held on the intersection of
M-23 and M-28 where a recent fatal accident occurred and the possible remedies
to make this crossroad a safer place for motorists.
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper,
supported by Commissioner Timmer to adopt Resolution #03-26 as follows:
SOIL EROSION CONTROL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
WHEREAS, Part 91, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, of
the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended
(Part 91), was passed by the state legislature, this law and rules promulgated
under this law are incorporated by reference in this resolution: and
WHEREAS, Part 91 requires that the County Board of
Commissioners designate a county agency, or conservation district upon the
concurrence of the conservation district, as the
county enforcing agency responsible for administering and enforcing Part 91 and
the rules promulgated under Part 91.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Chippewa County
Building Inspection Department is hereby designated the County Enforcing Agency
responsible for administering and enforcing part 91 and the rules promulgated
under Part 91.
On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper,
supported by Commissioner Hopper, to adopted Resolution #03-27 as follows:
HOUSE BILL 4603
WHEREAS, House Bill 4603 would legally define “birth” the
commencement of legal person-Hood and rights, and to provide immunity for
certain acts; and
WHEREAS, that in Roe v Wade the United State
Supreme Court declared that an unborn child is not a person as understood and
protected by the constitution, but any born child is a legal person wit full
constitutional and legal rights.
WHEREAS, that in Roe v Wade the United State
Supreme Court made no effort to define birth or place any restrictions on the
states in defining when a human being is considered born for legal purposes.
WHEREAS, that the State of Michigan has compelling interest in
protecting the life of a born person.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED as follows:
1.
That the Chippewa
County Board of Commissioners hereby records its support
for
House Bill 4603 to define “birth,” the commencement of legal personhood
and
rights, and to provide immunity for certain acts.
2.
That a copy of
this Resolution be forwarded to state legislators representing
Chippewa
County, Governor Granholm, and the Michigan Association of
Counties
for their respective consideration.
On discussion: Commissioner Postula thought that this
subject could be debated all night long.
Chairman Kay thought that he was uneducated at this time to vote on such
a serious topic.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, to
table Resolution #03-27 to research this further, not necessarily that they was
against the vote, just lack of the knowledge to make a decision. The motion died for lack of support.
On a roll call vote for the original
motion, Commissioners Cooper, Hopper and Moore voted yes. Commissioners Postula, Dale, Timmer and
Chairman Kay voted no. The motion was
defeated.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, that the County Board go on record supporting
November as Alzheimers Disease month. On
a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty reported that he had
received a letter from an attorney representing HBH stating that the County had
not submitted payment for what was requested for 2003. It was stated that if the County did not
honor this budget, then HBH would have no other choice than to notify the State
and potentially charge the County an additional $57,000.
It was suggested that instead of the
County submitting any more payments, that the County be represented at the
budget hearing for HBH the following Monday night requesting that HBH Board
voluntarily waive the additional $23,000 for 2003. Mr. Dolehanty stated there
is statutory language that would permit the state to waive the fee if the
County could show that they could not pay the monies due to cuts.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper,
supported by Commissioner Dale, that Tim Dolehanty, Controller, be authorized
to attend the Monday meeting of the HBH Board and bring back the results of the
meeting to the County Board. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: None
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel – Rita Dale – No
meeting
Equalization &
Apportionment – Jim Moore – Sept. 30, 2003
Sharon Kennedy, Register of
Deeds/Equalization Director, presented the annual millage report to the Committee. She noted the report would have to approved
by the board of Commissioners at the regular meeting held in October.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of the 2003 Millage
Report as presented. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Kennedy presented information
regarding a grant program to audit personal property classifications. The department workload and the potential for
subcontracting work were discussed.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend authorizing the grant
application if it is determined that the program is beneficial to Chippewa
County. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
This concluded the Equalization and
Apportionment Committee report and it was moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the report as given. Motion carried unanimously.
Health and Social Services –
Ted Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds and Jail
Committee – Earl Kay – No meeting
Transportation Committee –
Ted Postula – No meeting
Legislative & Natural
Resources Committee – Richard Timmer – No meeting
Computer Committee – Don
Cooper – No meeting (one will be set up)
Finance, Claims & Accounts
Committee – Rita Dale – September 22, 2003
The Finance meeting of September 22, 2003
was for informational purposes only and required no Board action. (Budget
hearings)
It was moved by Commissioner Dale,
supported by Commissioner Hopper, to accept the Finance, Claims and Accounts
Committee report as given. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Finance meeting of September 29, 2003 –
Rita Dale
The Finance meeting of September 29, 2003
was for information purposes only and required no Board action. (Budget hearings)
Commissioner Cooper made a correction to
the minutes indicating that he suggested allocating funds in the Register of
Deeds Technology Fund and the administrative portion of the Delinquent Tax
Revolving Fund to purchase a new digital scanner/reader for use in the Register
of Deeds Office and the County Treasurer’s Office.
It was moved, by Commissioner Dale,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the Finance, Claims and Account
Committee report as given. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Finance meeting of October 8, 2003 was
for information purposes only and required no Board action.
The Committee reviewed 37 requested
changes to the budget as presented by department heads and commissioners. Following discussion, it was agreed that
revenue requests totaling $58,517 would be added to the proposed budget and
that revised expenses totaling $43,987 would be included as follows:
Reimbursement – Circuit
Court
Add $35,000 to revenue
Circuit Court Probation
Officer – increase workweek to 40 hours
Add 7,431 to expenses
Circuit Court Probation
Officer – increase workweek to 40 hours
Add 7,370 to expenses
District Court Probation
Officer – increase workweek to 40 hours
Add 7,364 to expenses
Reimbursements – Friend of
Court Add 12,000 to
revenue
Legal Secretary – Friend of
Court (through 1-9-2004) Add 1,992 to expenses
Telephone – Clerk
Add 200 to expenses
4-H
Agent Contract – MSU Extension
Add 27,000 to expenses
Supplies – Register of
Deeds
Add 700 to expenses
Postage
– Register of Deeds
Add 500 to expenses
Equipment Maintenance –
Register of Deeds Add 500 to
expenses
SANE Membership Dues
Subtract 5,000
from expenses
Senior Citizens Nutrition
Program
Add 2,100 to expenses
Contingencies
Subtract 7,500 from expenses
Sault Drain District
Subtract 5,000 from expenses
Probate Court Air
Conditioning
Add 1,800 to expenses
Prosecuting Attorney
Reimbursement
Add 11,517 to revenue
Prosecuting
Attorney Intern
Add 4,600 to expenses
Commissioner Cooper asked when the issue
of Probate Court (40hours for 2 Family Court employees) would be handled.
Chairman Kay stated that there may be more
cuts coming down from the State and no final decision could be made at this
time.