The Chippewa County Board of
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, Diane S. Cork,
County Clerk, John Bosbous Don and Chris McLean, Sue Short, Don Holt, Rosemary
Blashill, Chris Lundquist, Mike Guilmette, Floyd Rabineau, Sharon Kennedy,
Register of Deeds, Manville Casey, Tye
Purdy, Hayley Potter, Monti Martin, Carmen Anderson
and Alyssa Bancroft
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
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Don McLean read the following
statement:
Once again I would like to
address issues concerning mental.
At a Chippewa County
Legislative Committee meeting last Monday, Mr. Mark Keilhorn from the Dept. of
Community Health in Lansing was present:
It was my impression from statements made that HBH is only responsible
to provide mandated services: and as long as these services are provided HBH
can spend our tax dollars on whatever they want.
Federal and state dollars
come to HBH based on what our area is expected to need for its population to
provide the mandated services. If
clients can be screened out, re-diagnosed, or if there is a glinch in the delivery
of services and there is unused client funds, it seems HBH has these funds
available to play with.
Instead of providing
additional mental health services to the residents with the tax dollars that
haven’t been used, HBH has chosen to provide themselves with unnecessary
policies that protect the agency from public scrutiny, lavish offices and
furnishings, luxury vehicles for management, paid tuition for employees,
employee and board parties, yearly bonuses for all employees, wage and benefit
increases for employees and management, employee sweatshirts, lavish meeting
facilities, decorative landscaping, smoker hideouts and expensive propaganda
campaigns.
HBH refuses to help clients
and their families with transportation costs to and from treatment: the sheriff
departments are faced with huge expenses when they must transport HBH clients
and are not reimbursed; clients are referred to other social service agencies
for help even though HBH has budget surpluses; while other state and federal
tax supported programs are facing layoffs and unpaid holiday time for
employees, HBH is providing health wage increases, benefits and bonuses.
Is HBH able to provide these
agency perks due to “good management” as one HBH employee cited at the
Legislative Committee meeting; or are the residents, local county budgets and
other area service agencies being used to provide the extra benefits for HBH
management and employees.
Christine McLean read the
following statement:
At last month’s meeting of
HBH we expressed our concern about a policy called “Sentinel Events”.
Our concern centered around
the separate, secret client file concerning information about possible mistakes
made by HBH that might have resulted in injury or death of HBH clients.
The policy was re-approved
although one of our
We still have concerns abut
the need for such a policy.
A new policy that was
recently approved and is listed as “Team Building Benefits” is another
illustration of HBH’s continuing lack of financial restraint and
accountability.
The “Team Building Policy”
authorized about $38,000 per year ($250 per employee) to pay for: staff recognition luncheons; Christmas
parties and summer picnics; retirement parties; and various other employee and
management snacks and meals. Two
representatives from Chippewa County voted against this policy.
We believe that the
management of HBH would better serve the residents of Chippewa County if they
put their creative efforts into lifting some of the financial burden from the
counties instead of providing another free lunch for HBH management and
employees.
CONTROLLER’S REPORT: Tim Dolehanty
Controller Dolehanty stated
that he had received a letter of resignation from Sylvia A. Murray, member of
the Chippewa County Family Independence Board effective March 31, 2004. Ms. Murray urged the County Board to fill her
unexpired term with Floyd Rabineau sighting his involvement with this board for
many years.
It was moved by Commissioner
Hopper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to accept the resignation of Sylvia A.
Murray from the Chippewa County Family Independence Board effective March 31,
2004. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Hopper, supported by Commissioner Dale, to suspend the by-law process of
advertising for this position and go forward with appointing an individual to
this board. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Cooper, supported by Commission Timmer, to appoint Floyd Rabineau to fill the
unexpired term of Sylvia A. Murray, to the Chippewa County Family Independence
Agency. Term to expire on October 31,
2005. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Cooper, supported by Commissioner Dale, to re-appoint Robert Wilson to the
Veterans Affairs Board. Term to expire
on April 1, 2008. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Cooper, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to adopt Resolution number 04-07 as
follows:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE
CONSUMER PRESCRIPTION PROTECTION
LEGISLATION
WHEREAS, the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners is concerned for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of
the county and fully supports efforts to maintain
or improve the care provided to residents of the county, and
WHEREAS, guaranteeing
the opportunity for the residents of the county to choose the pharmacy of their choice is critical to
maintaining quality health care; and
WHEREAS, keeping
business in the county and the state is a high priority of the county, and
WHEREAS, this
year $1.5 billion in prescription drug revenue was mailed out of this state, and the number is expected to exceed
$2 billion in 2004; and
WHEREAS, local
community pharmacies are willing to provide the same services for the same price as mail order pharmacies
located outside the state with no increase in
cost to the employer or to the patient; and
WHEREAS, the
Consumer Protection Package (House Bills 4987, 5435, 5436, 5437 and 5438) has been introduced in Lansing, and
the bills are currently before the House of
Representatives’ Health Policy Committee; and
WHEREAS, the
Consumer Prescription Protection legislation preserves consumer choice for prescription services, allows
Michigan community pharmacies to provide
a 90-day supply of medication for the same co-pay as mail order pharmacy, and assists small
businesses to better evaluate pharmacy costs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners fully supports the Consumer
Prescription Protection package of legislation.
On a roll call vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, to adopt Resolution number 04-08 as
follows:
RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE THE
ADMINISTRATIVE PILT PROPOSAL
WHEREAS, the
State of Michigan executive budget recommendation on the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) includes the
recommendation that payments on property purchased
by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shall move from the responsibility of the DNR and be paid
from the State’s statutory revenue sharing pot
and that payments are frozen at 2003 levels; and
WHEREAS, the
DNR currently owns several thousand acres in Chippewa County with a total tax bill of more than $35,000;
and
WHEREAS, the
DNR has not yet paid its obligation under PILT for fiscal year 2004, although the Legislature appropriated funding
for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, the
Administration’s proposal for revenue sharing this year includes total elimination of county revenue sharing. Linking PILT to this source creates an unstable base of funding for this program which
is critical to maintain key County services;
and
WHEREAS,
freezing PILT payments potentially increases the tax burden of all other county residents and represents a real cut
in funding for critical programs because of
Headlee requirements; and
WHEREAS, the
Administration’s proposal take away any incentive for the DNR to utilize prudence in deciding which parcels
of property to purchase; and
WHEREAS,
these two programs have distinctly different purposes, revenue sharing is needed to be utilized statewide for
counties to conduct state-mandated programs,
and PILT is used to offset pressures of providing services in those specific areas where state land is
prevalent; and
WHEREAS, another
component of this budget proposal is to cap commercial forest payments at 1994 levels, a proposal which is
particularly difficult for Upper Peninsula
counties
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners:
1. Officially opposes the Administration’s proposal for PILT
funding and strongly urges the
Legislature to maintain the current process of having the DNR make PILT payments.
2. Supports funding the payments by utilizing any and all
possible DNR sources of funding,
including restricted funds and revenue from the sale of state lands.
3. Supports efforts to
streamline tax bills so the DNR gets just one tax bill from each county and supports giving local
governments veto authority on future DNR land purchases,
in their respective jurisdictions.
4. Directs that a copy
of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Jennifer Granholm, Senator Shirley Johnson, Senator Michelle McManus,
Senator Jason Allen, Representative
Mark Schulman, Representative John Pastor, Representative
Scott Shackleton, and Michigan Association of Counties.
On a roll call vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
Hospice of Chippewa County
requested the County Board’s support with continued funding of their Faith in
Action Bridging Program in the amount of $5,000.
It was moved by Commissioner
Hopper, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to allocate $5,000 to Hospice of
Chippewa County. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Hopper, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to appoint Diane S. Cork, Chippewa
County Clerk, Grant Manager for the purpose of purchasing and contracting
authority for HAVA (Help America Vote Act).
Ms. Cork explained that
currently 3 townships within Chippewa County (Hulbert, Chippewa and Trout Lake)
still use paper ballots for their elections.
Funds have been allocated thru the State of Michigan for these townships
to receive Accu-vote machines. This is
Phase I of a three phase process to update the State of Michigan’s voting
precincts.
On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
This concluded the
Controller’s report.
OLD BUSINESS: None
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel – Rita Dale – No
meeting
Equalization and
Apportionment – Jim Moore – April 6 2004
Register of
Deeds/Equalization Director Sharon Kennedy presented the draft 2004
Equalization Report. She discussed
various trends noted in the report. Ms.
Kennedy also noted that the value of land in the County now exceeds $1 billion.
It was moved by Commissioner
Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of the 2004
Equalization Report as presented. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
No further action items were
necessary in this report.
It was moved by Commissioner
Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the Equalization and
Apportionment Committee report as given.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Health & Social Services
– Ted Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds & Jail
– Earl Kay – No meeting
Transportation – Ted Postula
– No meeting
Legislative & Natural
Resources – Richard Timmer – April 5, 2004
Mr. Dolehanty presented the
County Courthouse Emergency Plan on behalf of Tim McKee, OES/9-1-1
Director. Discussion was held on the
need for the Plan and the agencies affected by this plan. It was noted that an emergency plan was
required by the State Court Administrator’s Office for the Courts.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to forward the County Courthouse
Emergency Plan to the Board of Commissioners for final action.
On a voice vote, the motion
carried with Commissioner Cooper voting no.
The remainder of the report
was for informational purposes only but Commissioner Hopper suggested that the
discussion of Mental Health issues be entered into the minutes.
Discussion of Mental Health Issues
Chairman Kay introduced Mr.
Mark Keilhorn of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCG). In response to questions posed by Mr.
Dolehanty, Mr. Keilhorn discussed how mental health agencies are funded through
Medicaid, State government, and the counties.
He also spoke about the relationship between the State, HBH and Pathways
Mental Health Authority, the Medicaid agent for the entire Upper Peninsula.
Mr. Keilhorn discussed the
statutory process the County would have to follow in order to establish its own
mental health program. He explained that
the program would have to be certified as fully operational before State
funding could be provided. Prior to that
time, Mr. Keilhorn said the County would be required to fund the entire
program.
Participation in another
community mental health (CMH) authority was discussed by Mr. Keilhorn. He said joining an adjacent CMH might require
changes to CMH agreements in other counties.
Mr. Keilhorn also cautioned that joining another CMH might result in
less representation than the County currently has on HBH Board.
In regard to services
provided by HBH, Mr. Keilhorn said HBH does not have much flexibility. He said Medicaid and the State will not
provide funds for services that exceed minimum requirements. However, local funds could be used to provide
additional services. He also explained
that state, federal or local funds could be used to provide employee bonuses,
depending on how the bonuses were structured.
Lindsley Fernette, Chairman
of the Schoolcraft County Board of Commissioners, asked about local match
dollars. Mr. Keilhorn said four counties
have asked for hardship consideration, and that only the Chippewa County
request has been granted so far.
Bernie LaJoie, an HBH Board
member from Chippewa County, asked whetyher money used to pay for employee
bonuses and administrative pay raises could be used to supplant funds required
from the counties. Mr. Keilhorn said
this was not possible because the funding may have come from the state or
Medicaid.
Peter Markham asked about
control the counties have over HBH funding, and whether the counties could
collectively decide to reduce that funding.
Mr. Keilhorn stated counties do not have the ability to set funding
levels for mental health. He added that
any of the counties could opt out of participation in HBH. If this occurred, the State would be required
to assume responsibility for the mental health program. As a result, the counties would be required
to pay for mental health programs under the statutory formula.
Mr. Markham referred to a
recent situation in which a Schoolcraft County employee was fired based on
reports created by HBH. He said the
employee was denied access to the HBH reports in question, and then asked about
the authority exercised by HBH to sequester the documents. Mr. Keilhorn said the reports could possibly
be recipient rights reports protected by client confidentiality rules, but he
had no way of knowing the circumstances of the situation.
Commissioner Cooper said the
amount of effort put into recent investigations of mental health service
options should have been undertaken before the decision to join HBH was
made. He added that it did not seem
right that the County should have to cut employee positions because it must
provide funds to HBH while HBH holds over $2.5 million in fund balance.
Mr. Keilhorn said there
appeared to be some confusion over the roles of the different governmental
bodies associated with HBH. He said
Chippewa County may have concerns, but the Board of Commissioners is not the
proper forum to raise those concerns. He
added that there is no mechanism to bring issues to the County with the thought
that they would easily translate to another governmental body such as HBH. Mr. Keilhorn said the only recourse is
through the courts.
Chairman Kay said he
understood earlier statements to mean the counties could disband HBH, which Mr.
Keilhorn then confirmed.
Christine McLean clarified
that the County would have to provide a one-year notice of its intention to
leave HBH. Mrs. McLean asked whether
Medicaid dollars could be used to pay for the costs associated with a number of
recent HBH expenditures. Mr. Keilhorn
said he was not able to answer in detail.
HBH employee Fran Hoholik
asked about the definition of a contiguous county as it pertains to the membership
in CMH. Mr. Keilhorn said the current
definition includes counties within 50 miles of a county boundary, but pending
federal legislation might change the definition.
Mr. Markham asked if surplus
funds held by HBH could be transferred to the member counties. Mr. Keilhorn said such a transfer was not
possible.
Committee Chairman Richard
Timmer expressed concern about persons in need of assistance who are left out
of the system. He said there is a need
to establish a method for getting care to these persons. Mr. Timmer also cited a need to address those
with drug and alcohol issues in a more consistent manner. He concluded by
stating the County was not getting answers from HBH.
This concluded the
Legislative and Natural Resources Committee report.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to accept the report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Computer Committee – Don
Cooper – March 16, 2004
Hardware Operations Analyst
Brian Bartlett reviewed the draft Internet Access Policy. He stated the policy was necessary in order
to maintain a high level of security for the county computer network. Mr. Bartlett said he would advise county
vendors of the policy if it were adopted.
It was moved by Commissioner
Cooper, supported by Commissioner Dale, to forward the draft policy to the
Board of Commissioners for consideration.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Barlett presented a
network map showing all workstations and servers on the network. He also presented a five-year technology plan
for all county systems.
PC Specialist Jennifer
Lipponen distributed and discussed the PC inventory. She estimated the county could comfortably
eliminate 25 printers. Ms. Lipponen said
there are enough network printers conveniently located throughout the county to
serve all offices. It was noted that the
elimination of these printers would result in savings of consumable items such
as ink cartridges.
It was moved by Commissioner
Cooper, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to accept the Information Systems
Plan and to forward the Plan to the Board of Commissioners for
consideration. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
This concluded the Computer
Committee report.
It was moved by Commissioner
Cooper, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Finance, Claims and Accounts
– Rita Dale – April 8, 2004
The Committee reviewed a
request from the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority for $30,000
in 2% funding for public bus service.
Commissioner Hopper, a member of the EUPTA Board, said the agency has
serious financial concerns and the addition funds would help.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of Resolution
number 04-10 as follows:
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT
E.U.P.T.A. REQUEST FOR FUNDING
WHEREAS, Chippewa
County is a public body corporate charged with the responsibility of protecting the health, welfare and safety of
its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Chippewa
County is a member of the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (EUPTA), which has as its mission the responsibility to provide essential
transportation services to the residents of Chippewa
County for work, medical, school and other essential transportation purposes; and
WHEREAS, EUPTA
has applied to the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians for financial assistance to continue with vital essential
transportation services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that:
1. The Chippewa County
Board of Commissioners supports the application of EUPTA and expresses its willingness to assist in any way possible
to distribute and utilize any funds
provided by the Tribe for essential transportation services for the residents of Luce and Chippewa
Counties; and
2. Directs its staff to
distribute and make known to the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians the support of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners.
On a roll call vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper to recommend approval of Resolution
number 04-09:
RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE THE
RACINO LEGISLATION
WHEREAS, the
State of Michigan is considering legislation that would allow “racinos” to be developed at race tracks located in
Michigan; and
WHEREAS, a
racino is a combination horse track with Internet betting and video lottery terminals (slot machines); and
WHEREAS, a
passage of racino legislation would create a new gaming industry by allowing up to 2,000 slot machines to be
placed at the site of a facility that has an active
track license; and
WHEREAS, opening
of 15 racinos in Michigan will cause a significant drop in gaming revenues at existing casinos, causing
economic hardship for established businesses;
and
WHEREAS, this
pending legislation will harm the nearly two dozen communities across Michigan that depend on Native
gaming to help them attract tens of thousands of tourists; and
WHEREAS, this
pending legislation will decrease revenues that tribes use to provide two-percent distributions to local
governments throughout northern Michigan by
about $2 million per year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners:
1. Officially opposes
legislation that would allow “racinos” to be developed at race tracks located in Michigan.
2. Directs that a copy
of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Jennifer Granholm, Senator Shirley Johnson, Senator Michelle McManus,
Senator Jason Allen, Representative
Mark Schulman, Representative John Pastor, Representative
Scott Shackleton, and the Michigan Association of Counties.
On a roll call vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
Health Department
Bioterrorism Coordinator Leslie Askwith petitioned the Committee for
authorization to travel to Anchorage, Alaska to attend a conference. Likewise, Home Health Nurse Nancy Mongene
sought approval to attend a conference in Tampa, Florida. Commissioner Kay stated this expense was
excessive, given the current financial condition of the County. Commissioner Cooper said the County was not
paying travel expenses, just attendance at the conference.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend the request for travel to
Anchorage and Tampa, Florida be denied.
On a voice vote, Commissioners Postula, Dale, Timmer, Hopper, Kay voted
yes. Commissioners Moore and Cooper
voted no. The motion carried 5-2.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of the
out-of-state travel request for Christina Minnich to attend a conference in
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Chief Public Defender
Elizabeth Church appeared before the Committee to discuss the arrangement for
providing public defender services to the Sault Tribe. She stated 2% funds are used to compensate
her for work performed outside of her county responsibilities. Ms. Church said the work is performed as a
second job, but is accomplished during County work hours.
Commissioner Cooper stated
the arrangement was not consistent with the Board’s intentions in 2001 and made
the following statement:
“I would like the minutes to
reflect my opposition to giving additional compensation to two employees of the
public defenders office. They are
compensated at the rate per the DMG Maximius study. One receives an additional $12,000 per year
and one receives an additional $5,000 per year on top of their regular
pay. In essence they are working a part
time job while they are on the County Payroll.
That is unfair to the other county employees and the taxpayers of the
County”.
The Committee reviewed civil
process server proposals received in response to a request for quotations.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend approval of the proposal
submitted by Birddog Services for civil process service. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously. It was noted that this
contract is for a 3 year period.
The committee reviewed a
proposal for purchase of a microscanner through the Register of Deeds
technology fund.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of the proposal
submitted by Commercial Equipment Company for purchase of a microscanner at a
cost not to exceed $12,080. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
These monies will come from the Technology Fund.
Finance Director Dave
Carpenter presented a budget amendment for the Child Care Fund. He stated the amendment would not increase
general fund obligations.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval of the Child Care
Fund budget amendment as presented. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend the approval of general
fund claims totaling $229,892.74, other fund claims of $223,847.85, payroll of
$524,680.66 and health department claims of $349,656.49, total claims of
$1,398,077.74, vouchers 35538 through 35799 and D-1 through D-184. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
This concluded the Finance,
Claims and Accounts Committee report.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to accept the report as presented by
Commissioner Dale. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: None
Having no further business,
it was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Timmer to
adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion
carried and the Board did adjourn at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk Earl Kay, Chairman