The Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners met in regular session on
Present: Commissioners Ted Postula, Don Cooper,
Rita Dale, Richard Timmer, Aaron Hopper, Jim Moor and Chairman Earl Kay
Also Present: Tim Dolehanty, Controller, Mary Piralli,
Jeff Moran, Sheriff, Don and Chris McLean, Jim Lucas, MSU Agent, Don Holt, Road
Commission, Maxine Anderson, Sue
Short, Probate Court, Bob Atherton, Bernita Sibbald, Norma Osborn, Lynn
Greenglish, Michael Worley, Mayra Santos-Worley, Elaine Love, Ken Rogers,
Melissa Green, Margaret Merchberger, Amber Myers, Bay Mills News and Diane
Cork, County Clerk
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
Postula, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Norma Osborn, Margaret
Merchberger, Amber Myers, Ken Rogers, Jeffrey Green and Elaine Love all voiced
their individual concerns with the possibility of non-funding for the position
of 4-H Agent in
Jim Lucas, MSU Extension
Director, informed the Board that MSU had found an additional $9,000 to help
fund the 4-H position from
Don McLean made the following
statement:
“At last month’s HBH meeting
in Manistique, we listened to a report on their new crisis line service. After the presentation, a board member asked
if this new service taped the calls like Emergency 911 services.
After a very round-about
discussion involving confidentiality, patient rights and money, it was admitted
that they did not have the ability or the interest in taping these calls to
HBH.
For the last 6 months a staff
member has video taped each board meeting, even though a paid HBH executive
secretary recorded the minutes. This
makes two paid staff members and thousands of dollars of top of the line video
recording equipment devoted to keeping track of what is said at the meetings.
Yet, the agency doesn’t have
the interest or the money for equipment to record the after hours phone calls
from people in the midst of a mental health crisis.
The Emergency 911 service
uses their tapes to look back on a situation and see if mistakes were made in
an attempt to improve the service.
It appears the top management
at HBH is more interested in keeping track of what is said at their meetings,
than they are in finding mistakes and improving service to mentally ill
clients.
Also, at this meeting the HBH
Board discussed the spending of funds for a party for a departing board member
from
The tentative plans call for
the former member and his family to be honored by the agency at a Whitefish
dinner at the Ojibway Hotel.
This lavish recognition event
is new since past departing board members haven’t been treated in this manner
and the event promises to be another example of how money intended for client
care is being misdirected to provide another free lunch for management and
board members at HBH.
The natural question is “What
can be done about this?”
The answer may have come from
the last Chippewa County Legislative Committee meeting, when Schoolcraft County
Commissioner and HBH board member, Mr. Linsely Frenette, stated that he thought
problems with HBH could be worked out between the various county commissions.
We encourage this commission
to contact the other county commissioners so that together you can determine if
the present HBH board members are truly representing the best interests of the
residents of the three counties involved.
We ask that this commission
do this soon; since as each day passes, the top management of HBH misdirects
more money and more residents go without services, suffer and die.”
CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Tim
Dolehanty
Mr. Dolehanty informed the
Board that a letter had been received from the Bay Cliff Health Camp asking for
the Boards continued endorsement of this program.
It was moved by Commissioner
Cooper, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to adopt Resolution 04-12,
Proclamation Supporting Bay Cliff Health Camp and Proposed Federal
Appropriation from Health, Labor and Social Services.
On a roll call vote: Commissioner Postula: yes, Commisisoner Cooper: yes, Commissioner
Dale: yes, Commissioner Timmer: yes,
Commissioner Hopper: yes, Commissioner
Moore: yes and Chairman Kay: yes. The motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner
Postula, supported by Commissioner Cooper to adopt Resolution No.04-13 as
follows:
WHEREAS, Public
Transportation exists in some form in all 83 Michigan counties and in the majority of Michigan’s
municipalities, and
WHEREAS, Public
Transportation is funded by a combination of sources including federal, state and local financing and the
historic level of state support has been declining
as a percentage of overall support for the past seven years, and
WHEREAS, The
Granholm Administration has proposed a budget for 2005 that holds Public Transportation essentially harmless from
further cuts, and
WHEREAS, The
state’s Comprehensive Transportation Fund is recognized as a primary source of funding for Public
Transportation and these funds are “restricted state funds” intended to be used solely for provision of public
transportation services and state
administrative support, and
WHEREAS, Public
Transportation is a key economic development tool in local communities, providing essential
transportation to work sites, training centers and
education facilities, and
WHEREAS, Public
Transportation is recognized and depended upon by countless residents as a vital source of
transportation for medical purposes, grocery shopping,
employment and consumer activities, and
WHEREAS, Public
Transportation is an integral part of local and statewide economic activity through the wages and salaries of
employees, contracting of services and equipment
from local vendors, purchasing capital equipment including buses and vans from Michigan-based automotive
manufacturers that promote the retention of
manufacturing jobs in Michigan, and
WHEREAS, State
funds in the Comprehensive Transportation Fund, in addition to funding Public Transportation, provide
essential rail, passenger and freight, intercity
bus service, transportation planning and critical state match funds for significant federal grant funding,
and
WHEREAS, Public
Transportation is recognized for its positive contributions to the economic development of Michigan and the
local economy, quality of life for employers
and employees, senior citizens, students, lower income citizens and the disabled, and
WHEREAS, Public
Transportation contributes significantly to the overall economic vitality of Michigan’s counties and
demand for public transit services surpass current
resources
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Michigan Association of Counties hereby calls upon the members of the State Legislature to fully
fund existing positions in the
Department of Transportation’s Multi-Modal bureau and the state’s transportation services, and to
expand state funding of these services insomuch as
resources allow.
On a roll call vote: Commissioner Postula: yes, Commissioner Cooper: yes, Commissioner Dale: yes, Commissioner Timmer: yes, Commissioner Hopper: yes, Commissioner Moore: yes and Chairman Kay: yes.
The motion carried.
Mr. Dolehanty stated that
there was an open seat on the E.D.C. and that it would be a reappointment with
a nomination by the Chairman to the County Board for consideration.
Chairman Kay nominated Paul
Coutant for the open seat on the E.D.C.
It was moved by Commissioner
Hopper, supported by Commissioner Dale, to appoint Paul Coutant to the open
seat on the E.D.C. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously. Term to
expire March 31, 2010.
Commissioner Cooper wanted to
go on record as opposing the collection of summer taxes as proposed by the
Governor.
Commissioner Hopper stated
that the Michigan Association of Counties is still negotiating with the
Governor on summer taxes for 2005 and it is more than likely to come about, but
the Association has to go about it the right way to make sure that revenue
sharing is not lost. Commissioner Hopper
will report back to the Commission.
This concluded the
Controller’s report.
OLD BUSINESS: None
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel – Rita Dale – May
3, 2004
The Committee reviewed a
memorandum from Circuit Court Judge Nicholas Lambros announcing office hours of
the Friend of the Court were changed to 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning on
April 1. Commissioner Kay stated he did
not agree with this decision, adding that there was no reason why office
personnel could not stagger hours to maintain an 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Postula, to not accept the office hour
adjustment for the Friend of the Court, and to table formal action pending
further investigation. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Dolehanty reported on
recent resignations at the Animal Control shelter and discussions held with the
Sault Ste. Marie City Management concerning the agreement for supplemental
animal control services. He stated
animal shelter attendant Holly Henderson originally applied for an open animal
control officer position and expressed continued interest in that job. Mr. Dolehanty suggested Ms. Henderson be
temporarily assigned as a full time animal shelter attendant pending completion
of the 100-hour training program to be certified as an animal control
officer. Then, upon receipt of the
certification, assign her to the full-time animal control officer position.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend Holly Henderson be given
full-time status as an animal shelter attendant and that consideration be given
to promoting Ms. Henderson to the animal control officer position, on a part
time basis, upon her completion of certification requirements. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Mr. Dolehanty asked that the
Committee recommend authorizing him to hire two animal shelter attendants to
fill open positions. He stated he had a
number of applications on file that were less than one year old. Mr. Dolehanty said that he was concerned that
a delay in hiring until the June board meeting would hamper operations at the
animal shelter.
Commissioner Kay asked if the
hours of the animal shelter attendants could be reduced in recognition of the
current budget situation. It was noted
that these positions were originally supposed to be 20-hours per week.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend that the County
Controller be authorized to hire two part-time animal shelter attendants from
the field of standing applications, and that the positions be filled on a
20-hour per week schedule.
Commissioner Timmer asked
what the net figure was for these positions.
Mr. Dolehanty responding by saying about $8,000. Discussion was held on the animal control
budget if the City should decide to cancel their contract.
On a voice vote, the motion
carried with Commissioner Timmer voting no.
OES/E9-1-1 Director Tim McKee
proposed that Chris LaPointe, a part-time dispatcher since November, 2001, be
promoted to fill a vacant dispatcher position.
He also proposed the appointment of Brenda Curtis to fill the part-time
dispatcher position vacated by Mr. LaPointe.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend appointment of Chris
LaPointe to the vacant full-time dispatcher position, and to recommend
appointment of Brenda Curtis to the vacant part-time dispatcher position. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Mr. McKee pointed out that
part-time dispatchers earn $8.00 per hour when they are hired, and $10.00 per
hour upon completion of required training.
He asked that part-time dispatcher pay be increased to $9.00 upon hiring
and $12.00 upon completion of training.
It was suggested that part-time dispatchers be placed on the approved
pay schedule for non-union employees in order to assure equity with other
employees and to keep pace with inflation.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend that part-time
dispatchers be placed on the non-union pay scale at grade 6.
On discussion, Commissioner
Cooper asked if these individuals where County employees and if so, he felt it
looked bad that the Commission was asking departments to cut their budgets by
20% and turned around and gave the dispatchers a raise. Commissioner Timmer was in concurrence with
Commissioner Cooper. Continued
discussion was held.
On the vote, the motion carried
with Commissioner Cooper and Timmer voting no.
This concluded the Personnel
Committee report.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Equalization &
Apportionment – Jim Moore – No meeting
Health & Social Service –
Ted Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds & Jail
– Earl Kay – No meeting
Transportation – Ted Postula
– No meeting
Legislative & Natural
Resources – Richard Timmer – No meeting
Computer Committee – Don
Cooper
Finance, Claims &
Accounts – Rita Dale – April 28, 2004
This report was for
informational purposes only. A review of
the 2004 budget was discussed.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to accept the report of April 28, 2004
as given. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Finance, Claims &
Accounts – Rita Dale – May 6, 2004
The Committee reviewed out of
state travel requests submitted from the Health Department and Prosecuting
Attorney. The Health Department request
involved an employee traveling to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and the request
from the Prosecuting Attorney involved and employee traveling to Alexandria,
Virginia.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend the out of state travel
request be denied based on the discussion and subsequent Board decision in
April. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Friend of the Court, Thelma
Bosbous, addressed the Committee about the hours of the part-time employee
assigned to her office. Ms. Bosbous
discussed the number of hours the employee is assigned to normal office functions
and the number of hours dedicated to the medical enforcement support
contract. She stated the employee will
be working up to 35 hours per week but would continue to be considered
part-time.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend approval of the part-time
employee work hours proposal presented by the Friend of the Court for the life
of the medical enforcement contract. It was noted that this was a grant. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee discussed the
Michigan State Housing Development Authority Emergency Shelter Grant proposal
provided by the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission. Commissioner Cooper questioned why the County
was asked to sign the grant agreement instead of the City. The Committee directed the County Controller
to discuss the matter with City officials and to report his findings to the
County Board at their regular meeting scheduled for May 10.
Mr. Dolehanty responded by
saying that the grant is a three county grant and that is why the County was
asked to sign. This grant will be administered by the Sault Housing Commission.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to authorize Chairman Kay to sign
the necessary paperwork. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee reviewed the
fiscal year 2005 Community Corrections Grant information provided by David
Murray, the Community Corrections Coordinator.
It was noted that this program is routinely approved every year.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of Resolution
04-11 to approve application for Community Corrections Act funds. It was noted that Chippewa County’s portion
is $3,500. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE
APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
ACT FUNDS
WHEREAS, the
Eastern Upper Peninsula employment and Training Consortium of the Counties of Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac, has
submitted a proposed Application for
State of Michigan Community Corrections Act funds for fiscal year 2005: and
WHEREAS, the
Eastern Upper Peninsula Employment and Training Consortium Advisory Board has recommended
adoption of the application: and
WHEREAS, the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners has reviewed the Application for State of Michigan Community Corrections Act funds
for fiscal year 2005, in detail, and
concurs with the recommendation presented.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners
approves the Application cited above for submission to the State of Michigan, and respectfully
requests that the Application be approved as
presented.
Controller Dolehanty
explained that an employee who participates in the Nationwide Retirement
Solutions, a voluntary retirement program, wished to borrow against her
account, but the company would not grant the request until the board agreed to
a resolution to permit borrowing.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval of Resolution
04-12 to approve borrowing against individual retirement accounts administered
by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty
presented a printer reduction and reallocation proposal received from the
Information Systems department. He
stated these changes should result in reduced printer expenses while allowing
employees access to a number of different printers.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval of the printer
reduction and reallocation proposal as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Controller Dolehanty
presented a letter affirming the County’s use of Title III National Forest
revenue. It was noted that allocation of
these funds is the same as the past two years.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of the Tile III
declaration letter as presented. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend the approval of general
fund claims totaling $148,360.33, other fund claims of $312,301.77, payroll of
$735,091.79 and health department claims of $385,087.77, total claims of
$1,580,841.66, voucher 35800 through 35957 and E-1 through E-131. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
This concluded the Finance,
Claims and Accounts Committee report of May 6, 2004.
It was moved by Commissioner
Dale, supported by Commissioner Hopper, to accept the report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Commission was reminded
and invited to join in the Hiawatha National Forest Clean Up on May 15 and
16. Individuals will meet at the Raco
Forest Work Station at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday with a free lunch
provided.
Chairman Kay stated that the
4-H position will be discussed at the Special Finance Committee meeting on
Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 5:00 p.m.
With no further business to
discuss, it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore,
to adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously and the Board did adjourn at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk
Earl Kay, Chairman