FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Thursday,
April 8, 2004 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, Richard
Timmer, Don Cooper and Ted Postula
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Earl Kay and James Moore
MEMBERS
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave
Carpenter, Finance Director, Sue Short, Circuit Court Administrator, Elizabeth
Church, Chief Public Defender, and Jack Gordon
Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Chairperson Dale called for additions or deletions to
the agenda. It was agreed that a resolution in opposition to racinos and a
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) lien subordination proposal would be
added to the agenda.
Public Comments
Chairperson Dale called for pubic comments. No public comments were offered.
Correspondence
and Information Items
The Committee received the monthly Treasurer’s report,
Blur Cross refund report, and several documents related to pending state
legislation.
The monthly travel report was discussed. Commissioner Kay said it would be
appropriate to freeze travel in light of the current fiscal situation. Chairperson Dale noted it would probably not
be possible to end all travel. Commissioner Hopper suggested department heads
be told of the Committee’s concerns.
Agenda Items: Health Insurance
Proposal
Jack Gordon of First of America presented an
alternative to the current Blue Cross / Blue Shield health insurance
program. He claimed the proposal would
result in substantial savings to the County.
Mr. Gordon also suggested rotating prescription drug carriers. Chairperson Dale said she knew of several
organizations that have separated the prescription drug program, only to have
Blue Cross increase fees in other areas.
The Committee agreed to have staff review the proposal and report their
findings at a future meeting.
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 additional funds would help.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend approval
of Resolution 04-10 in support of the EUPTA request for $30,000 in 2% funds
from the Sault Tribe. On a voice vote,
the motion was CARRIED.
Resolution
in Opposition to Racino Legislation
Controller Tim Dolehanty presented a resolution in
opposition to State racino legislation.
It was moved
by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval
of Resolution 04-09 to oppose racino legislation.
Commissioner Timmer drew attention to the expected
drop in gaming revenue at existing casinos if the racino legislation is
approved. Commissioner Cooper said it
is estimated that two casino jobs would be lost for every racino job created.
On a voice
vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Out of
State Travel Requests
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 Hopper, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the
request for travel to Anchorage, Alaska and Tampa, Florida be denied.
Commissioner Cooper said the travel rules that apply
to employees should also apply to Commissioners.
On a voice
vote, the motion was CARRIED, 4-1.
Commissioner Kay said the County should place a
moratorium on travel and hiring until the County’s financial situation
improves. He said a moratorium would
save existing jobs. Commissioner Cooper
responded, stating travel is necessary for some employees to retain
professional certification. Commissioner
Moore said the monthly report does not include in-county travel.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Postula, 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 was CARRIED.
Sault
Tribe Public Defender Agreement
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. The Committee asked that staff establish continuity among the
records in this matter and report their findings to the Personnel Committee.
MDCH
Decision on Mental Health Fee Waiver Request
Mr. Dolehanty reported on the decision of the Michigan
Department of Community Health to defer payment of approximately $23,000 to the
Hiawatha Behavioral Mental Health Authority for a period of up to three
years. Commissioner Cooper suggested it
would be best to make the payment now rather than wait. The Committee discussed the impact of this
decision on the financial condition of the County. It was agreed that a work session would be held on April 28 at
5:00 to discuss the fiscal situation.
Commissioner Timmer asked that the health insurance issue be taken up at
that meeting as well.
RFQ
Response: Civil Process Server
The Committee reviewed civil process server proposals
received in response to a request for quotations.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval
of the proposal submitted by Birddog Services for civil process service. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Register
of Deeds Microscanner
The Committee reviewed a proposal for purchase of a microscanner
through the Register of Deeds technology fund.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Hopper, 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 was CARRIED.
CDBG Lien
Subordination
Chairperson Dale presented a proposal to make the lien
on a home repaired with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) subordinate to
a bank loan. Approval of the proposal
would allow the homeowners to rebuild after a fire.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval
of the loan subordination proposal as presented. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Clarification
of Sick Time Use in Equalization Department
Controller Dolehanty reviewed a time sheet submitted
by the Equalization Department in which sick time was taken by two employees to
supplement additional hours approved to reduced a work backlog. The Committee agreed to take this
circumstance in to consideration if a request for extended hours continues past
June 1.
Quarterly
Budget Report
Controller Dolehanty reviewed revenue estimates for
the duration of the current fiscal year. Projections suggest revenue may fall
short of budgeted amounts by $252,184, but he cautioned that calculations based
on first quarter revenue are subject to change. Additional projections concerning expenditure trends will be
presented at the April 28 work session.
Finance
Department Business: Child Care Fund
Budget Amendment
Finance Director Dave Carpenter presented a budget
amendment for the Child Care Fund. He stated the amendment would not increase
general fund or child care fund obligations.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval
of the child care fund budget amendment as presented. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Mr. Carpenter reviewed the monthly claims and accounts report.
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $299,892.74, 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 was CARRIED.
Collective Bargaining Issues
It was moved by Commissioner
Postula, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to enter into a closed session to discuss strategies connected with
the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with the American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Local 946 of
Michigan, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 328, pursuant to
Section 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act, Act 267, P.A. 1976, as amended, being
MCL 15.268(c). A roll call vote was
taken as follows: Cooper - Yes; Timmer
– Yes; Hopper – Yes; Postula – Yes; Dale - Yes. Motion CARRIED.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by
Commissioner Hopper, to resume the open session meeting of the Finance, Claims
and Accounts Committee. A roll call
vote was taken as follows: Timmer – Yes; Hopper – Yes; Postula – Yes; Cooper -
Yes; Dale - Yes. Motion CARRIED.
Committee Comments
Committee members offered no additional comments.
Chairperson Dale presented a letter received from the
Hiawatha Behavioral Mental Health Authority Board concerning the County’s
recent appointment to that Board. She
said the letter was very inappropriate and that it was not appreciated. Commissioner Kay confirmed the motion to
send the letter was seconded by Commissioner Moore. He said Commissioner Moore was appointed to that board to
represent Chippewa County, and support of the motion to send the HBH letter was
not reflective of that purpose.
Commissioner Cooper said Commissioner Moore may have
reacted differently if a draft of the letter was available at the HBH
meeting. Additional discussion was
heard on the matter.
Adjourn
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to adjourn the
meeting. On a voice vote, the motion
was CARRIED.
Chairperson Dale declared the meeting adjourned at
7:50 p.m.
__________________________________ __________________________________
Timothy J.
Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder Rita
Dale, Committee Chairperson
RESOLUTION NO.
04-09
RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE THE
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, 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
tourist; 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.
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT
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.