FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
May 8, 2003
A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Finance, Claims and Accounts
Committee was held on Thursday, May 8, 2003 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie,
Michigan. Chairperson Dale called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rita Dale, Chairperson, Aaron Hopper, Ted Postula, Richard
Timmer (5:05) and James Moore
OTHER
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Earl Kay
MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Cooper
OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave Carpenter, Finance
Director, Dave Martin, Environmental Health Director,
Tim McKee, OES/E-9-1-1 Director, and Cindy Payment
Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Chairperson Dale called for additions or deletions to the agenda. Tim McKee, OES/E-9-1-1 Director, asked
to have a proposal to purchase radio equipment added to the agenda. Hearing no other requests, the agenda
was declared approved with the requested addition.
Public Comments
Chairperson Dale called for pubic comments. No public comments were offered.
Agenda Items: FIA Budget / Private Foster Care Placement
Chairperson Dale asked Cindy Payment of the Intertribal Council to discuss the teen parent program and the
potential impact state funding cuts may have on that program. Ms. Payment stated the Governor proposed to
eliminate the program in its current form in the next budget year. She stated the proposal would reassign this
function to the County Child Care Fund and that state funding would be less than the $100,000 currently
allocated.
Ms. Payment informed the Committee that the Senate recently reinstated the program in the draft budget with
a 5% cut. The budget proposal is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives.
In its present form, Ms. Payment stated the teen parent program is available to all County residents and is not
limited to any particular group. She added that the program is not duplicated by any other agency in the
County.
After discussion of the teen parent program, the Committee directed the County Controller to draft letters on
behalf of the Board to Representative Shackleton and Senator Allen supporting reinstatement of program
funding. Ms. Payment agreed to provide the necessary background information.
Request for Temporary Staff Time Increase
The Committee reviewed a memorandum from Register of Deeds Sharon Kennedy requesting an additional
520 hours for a part-time co-op student. She stated the additional hours were necessary in order to offset the
absence of another employee who would be using sick leave.
The Committee discussed the proposal and its impact on the department budget. Commissioner Hopper
suggested allowing additional hours only in the case of the other employee's absence. Chairperson Dale
questioned whether the request was leading to a permanent part-time position.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval
of a prorated increase in hours for the part-time co-op student, and that the increased hours be
reconsidered after 90 days. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Environmental Health Food Service Fee Policy
The Committee reviewed a request to waive environmental health fees for churches, schools, senior citizen
meal centers and township halls. Fee reductions for certain 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporations was also
discussed. Environmental Health Director Dave Martin offered an explanation of the food service policy and
non-food fee increases. The Committee discussed the proposal and the rollback of the prior fee increase for
seasonal businesses.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval
of Resolution 03-12 to exempt certain operations from environmental health fees and to reduce the fees
for certain operations. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Environmental Health Sewer and Water Fees
Mr. Martin reviewed the recommendation from the Board of Health to increase sewer and water fees by 10%.
The Committee discussed the impact of the proposed increase with Mr. Martin
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval
of the 10% fee increase for sewage and water inspections by the Environmental Health Department, as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Environmental Health Body Art Fees
Mr. Martin reviewed a proposed fee schedule for enforcement of the recently adopted body art ordinance.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval
of the fee schedule for enforcement of the body art ordinance, as presented. On a voice vote, the
motion was CARRIED.
Tower Lease
Mr. McKee presented a draft lease to allow the Federal government to place an antenna on a County
communications tower. He assured the Committee that the frequencies used by Federal agencies would not
interfere with County equipment. The Committee discussed the rate to be charged for the lease and agreed to
instruct Mr. McKee to negotiate an appropriate fee.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval
of the communications tower lease with the Federal government as presented. On a voice vote, the
motion was CARRIED.
Language Line Services
The Committee discussed a proposal from Sheriff Moran to enter into an agreement with Language Line
Services, Inc. for interpreter services. It was agreed that this service would be advantageous to the County as
the number of foreign inmates held in the County correctional facility increases.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend approval of
the interpreter services agreement with Language Line Services, Inc. as presented. On a voice vote, the
motion was CARRIED.
Computer Services
Controller Tim Dolehanty reviewed proposals recently received for the purchase of up to ten personal
computers. He noted the difference between the low bid and the next lowest amount to be only $3.50 per unit.
However, Mr. Dolehanty reported that the higher-priced unit offered by Charm Computers was more
powerful.
It was moved by Commissioner Hopper, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval
of the bid submitted by Charm Computers for the purchase of up to ten personal computers as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Dog License Fee Reduction
Mr. Dolehanty reported that Animal Control officers would be hosting a rabies vaccination clinic in May and
asked that dog licensing fees be reduced for those participating in the clinic. It was noted that past events
offering the reduced rate have resulted in many unlicensed dogs becoming licensed. If approved, the pre
March 1 rate would be charged.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend approval
of the request to charge pre March 1 rates for dog licenses sold at the May rabies vaccination clinic.
On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Calendar
Mr. Dolehanty presented a calendar for development of the fiscal year 2004 budget. It was noted that
presentation of the budget calendar at the May meeting of the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was
required by County policy. The Committee noted that the dates were subject to change depending on events
at the state level.
Radio Equipment Purchase
Mr. McKee proposed a purchase of $11,974 in radio equipment to allow communication with units on the
State's 800 megahertz system. He noted that the company offering the equipment, El-Com Services, Inc., is
the only vendor of Motorola products in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, and that Motorola is the only vendor
authorized to provide equipment for the 800 megahertz system. For this reason, Mr. McKee asked that the
normal bidding process be suspended for this purchase.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval of
the bid submitted by El-Com Services, Inc. for the purchase of 800 megahertz radio equipment for a
price not to exceed $11,974, and that the normal bidding process be suspended in recognition of the
vendor's status as a sole-source provider of this equipment. On a voice vote, the motion was
CARRIED.
Claims and Accounts
Finance Director Carpenter reviewed the monthly claims and accounts report.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend the
approval of general fund claims totaling $167,214.42, other fund claims of $530,235.79, payroll of
$503,357.25 and health department claims of $327,873.30, vouchers 33310 through 33490 and E-1
through E-142. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Committee Comments
Commissioner Moore asked about the regular meeting schedule of the Board of Commissioners. He noted
that meetings are scheduled to begin at 5:30 starting in June, and the he would prefer a start time of 7:00.
Committee members discussed the proposed change and the logistics of changing the start time.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend changing
the start time for Board meetings to be held in June, July, August and September to 7:00 p.m. On a
voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Commissioner Kay reported on progress at the new animal shelter. He stated a dishwasher was donated from
Humane Society at a reduced rate from Erickson's Appliance.
Commissioner Kay then reported on his recent trip to Washington D.C. where he met with the County's
Federal legislative delegates. Commissioner Kay was accompanied by representatives of Alcade and Fay as
he presented legislators with information on projects important to Chippewa County. He stated he is
exploring other funding sources to continue the contract with Alcade and Fay.
Commissioner Timmer commended Commissioner Kay for his effort on behalf of the County, and for
committing his own personal funds to pay for the trip to Washington D.C. He stated it is important that the
County continue its relationship with Alcade and Fay in order to maximize efforts to secure funding through
Federal officials.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to commend Board
Chairman Earl Kay for his initiative to secure Federal funds for projects important to Chippewa
County. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Chairperson's Comments
Chairperson Dale had no additional comments.
Adjourn
Chairperson Dale declared the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
__________________________________ __________________________________
Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder Rita Dale, Committee Chairperson
Minutes of a regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners, held at the Chippewa County
Courthouse, 319 Court St., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on the twelfth day of May, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: _________________________________________________________
ABSENT: _________________________________________________________
The following preamble and resolution was offered by Commissioner __________________ and seconded by
Commissioner _______________.
RESOLUTION NO. 03-12
RESOLUTION TO EXEMPT CERTAIN OPERATIONS FROM
ENVIRONEMTAL HEALTH FOOD SERVICE FEES AND
TO REDUCE FEES FOR CERTAIN OPERATIONS
WHEREAS, the Chippewa County Health Department asses fees for food service inspections; and
WHEREAS, the County Board of Commissioners has adopted a fee schedule for these services; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that certain public service operations should be exempt from food service
inspection fees; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that fees assessed to inspect certain seasonal operations should be reduced.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
1. That food service establishments falling within the following categories shall be exempt from food service fees.
a. Churches, including the Salvation Army
b. Public elementary, middle, alternative and high schools.
c. Senior citizen meal centers
d. Township halls - only the hall facility
2. That food service fees for establishments in the following categories shall be rolled back to 2002 rates.
a. All 501(c)(3) non profit and/or tax exempt
b. Seasonal
A VOTE WAS TAKEN AS FOLLOWS:
AYES: _________________________________________________________
NAYS: _________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
____________________________________________________________
Earl Kay, Chairman, Chippewa County Board of Commissioners
____________________________________________________________
Diane S. Cork, County Clerk
STATE OF MICHIGAN )
) ss.
COUNTY OF CHIPPEWA )
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of the resolution adopted by the County Board
of Commissioners of Chippewa County at a regular meeting held on the date first stated above, and I further
certify that public notice of such meeting was given as provided by law.
____________________________________________________________
Diane S. Cork, County Clerk