The Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners met in regular session on
Present: Commissioners Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Scott
Shackleton, Richard Timmer,
Bernard LaJoie, Jim Moore and
Chairman Earl Kay
Also Present: Don and Chris McLean, Robert Money, Frank
Blissett, William Karr,
Robert Savoie, Under
sheriff, Kelly Beaune, Assistant to the Controller,
Floyd Rabineau, Nancy
Steinhaus and Diane Cork,
It was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, 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 LaJoie, to approve the
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Robert Money, Professor at
LSSU, addressed the Board with his concerns of the proposed demolition of Brown
Hall, South Hall, the jail and the fire house on campus at
Don McLean read the following
statement:
“Ten years ago in Nov. 1995,
I had just turned 50 years old. My
daughter, Karen, was 25 and living on her own; my son Joe, had just graduated
from high school.
Within a month, Karen had a
major mental breakdown and my wife and I spent the next five years trying to
get Karen the treatment she needed. We
didn’t succeed.
Since Karen’s death we have
been trying to change the local mental health system so no one else would have
to suffer and die as she did.
About a month ago, I got a
call from a woman who was a student at Sault Junior High back in the late 70’s
when I first taught there.
She introduced herself and I
remembered her somewhat; I had taught her brothers.
She is now 42 years old. She called because she had heard of our
daughter and the trouble we had with HBH.
After a number of sad
conversations with both my wife and I over the next few days, her story became
clear.
She had suffered from
depression since her father was killed in an accident when she was in Jr. High.
Later, she developed a
serious drinking problem trying to self medicate for her depression.
Over the years, her drinking
problem has used up the good will of her fiends who have tried to help her with
jobs, living arrangements and alcohol treatment.
To complicate matters further, her mother died a few
years ago. Her problems have
exhausted her entire family.
This woman had been to treatment a number of times in
various paces; she either leaves early or
returns to drinking as soon as she gets out.
The treatment programs no longer want to accept her.
She has been to HBH, but the
claim she is only an alcoholic and she must get her drinking under control
first. They will have nothing to do with
her.
She can’t hold a job because
of her drinking.
Her family will no longer
take her in because of her drinking.
At that time she was staying
with a casual friend out in the boomdocks without a car; she was afraid of
dying.
Could we help her?
She called us about five
times over a four day period, including one call at 1:00 a.m.
It was like talking to our
daughter, Karen, all over again.
We didn’t have her phone
number; a chill ran thru us whenever the phone rang. In a way, we didn’t want her to call, yet we
worried about her when she didn’t call.
It was difficult talking to
her because we really couldn’t offer this young woman any viable options. The alcohol treatment programs wouldn’t take
her. HBH had turned their back on her.
How do you tell a homeless
person, who is so desperately ill, to call Michigan Protection &
Advocacy? Call an HBH board member? Go to the emergency room and demand care? Stop drinking and go to AA? Go to HBH and tell them the McLean’s sent
her?
All of our efforts since
Karen died have changed nothing. HBH can
still just turn their back on her; she has no one to stand with her; she is
only a drunk
She stopped calling; we
haven’t heard of her since.
We feel terrible.
We don’t know what happened
to her.
Was she just trying to use
us?
Could we have done something
different?”
CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Kelly Beaune
Informational purposes only
OLD BUSINESS:
Appointments to various
boards, committees and agencies:
The names of Don McLean and
Floyd Rabineau were previously nominated as applicants for the Department of
Human Services Board vacancy.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Moore and Timmer voted for Don McLean.
Commissioners Cooper, Kay,
Shackleton, LaJoie and Postula voted for Floyd Rabineau.
Floyd Rabineau was appointed
the Department of Human Services Board with a term to expire October 31, 2008.
The names of Jon MacLeod and
Don McLean were previously nominated as applicants for the Hiawathaland Library
Cooperative Board vacancy.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioner Cooper, Kay, LaJoie and Postula voted for Don McLean.
Commissioners Shackleton,
Moore and Timmer voted for John MacLeod.
Don McLean was appointed to
the Hiawathaland Library Cooperative Board with a term to expire September 31,
2006.
It was moved by Commissioner
Postula, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to nominate the following names to
the various boards, committees and agencies as the applications indicated.
Board of Health: John B. Schaeffer, Don McLean, Patrick
Shannon and James German
Chippewa County Building
Authority: Frank Fazi, Marilyn McDonald
and Michael Krzycki
Transportation
Authority: Aaron Hopper
War Memorial Hospital, Inc.: Ronald Calery, John B. Schaeffer, William P.
Connolly, Kristi L. Little, Don McLean and Patrick Shannon.
On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel – Bernard LaJoie –
10-25-05
Judge MacDonald updated the
committee with information regarding future staffing needs; having received a
resignation notice from Magistrate Kathy Savard, her retirement date will be
April 1, 2006. Judge MacDonald explained
that with departure of Ms. Savard that it would leave three (3) the number of
job functions that are unfilled in the court staff. Judge MacDonald sought approval to fill the
vacancies by January 15, 2006, so as to take advantage of Ms. Savard’s presence
to help train her replacements. Judge
MacDonald proposed to replace the Magistrate through a contract, saving money
on the fringe package, and still show a proposed 2006 Budget with a revenue
surplus.
It was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept Judge MacDonald’s proposal
to fill the vacant positions in the District Court Office, those positions
being the Magistrate, Traffic Clerk and Clerk.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Sheriff Moran presented the
Committee with documentation requesting a supplemental position for a First
Lieutenant/Administrator. Currently the
Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department is running four (4) positions short; those
positions being Sergeant, Captain, Clerk and Detective. The Chippewa County Jail has a problem that
has reached crisis level that needs to be addressed. It has been five (5) years since the
expansion, with no additional staffing.
The funding source for this position would be jail bed revenues, which
are predicted to be over by approximately $175,000 this year. The current part-time employee being
recommended for the position, Allen Allen, would not need the County’s medical
package.
It was moved by Commission
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore to accept and recommend the
supplemental position of First Lieutenant/Administrator. On a voice vote, the motion carried with
Commissioner Cooper voting no.
The remainder of the report
was for informational purposes only.
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the report of the
Personnel Committee as reported. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Equalization &
Apportionment – Bernard LaJoie – No meeting
Health & Social Services
– Ted Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds & Jail
– Earl Kay – No meeting
Transportation – Ted Postula
– No meeting
Legislative & Natural
Resources – Richard Timmer – No meeting
Computer – Don Cooper – No
meeting
Finance, Claims &
Accounts – Richard Timmer – November 10, 2005
The Committee received and
reviewed the Homeland Security bid summary for thirty (30) Ruggedized Mobile
Laptop Computers. Per the County
purchasing policy, one bid was received late, was not applicable, and upon
reviewing the other bids, it was determined that the bid from El-Com be approved
upon clarification, considering that El-Com is the local vendor.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the bid from El-Com
Services, in the amount of $114,394.50, to be paid from the Law Enforcement
Terrorism Prevention Program funds. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee reviewed the
bid summary for an IBM iSeries MIDRANGE Computer System. Two (2) bids were received which met all
criteria set forth in the RFQ, the quote submitted by ASI Systems, Inc. was
recommended, with a low bid of $48,372.00.
The new integrated Law Enforcement Management system will provide
integrated records management and data sharing capability among three law
enforcement agencies.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the expenditure of
$48,372.00 to ASI Systems Inc., to purchase an IBM ISeries MIDRANGE Computer
System from Homeland Security monies. On
a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee received the FY
2005-2006 child Care Budget Summary for review and approval for the Chairman’s
signature.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the FY2005-2006 Child Care
Budget for signature. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee received and
reviewed three (3) contracts from the Department of Human Services in the
amount of $77,882.00 for the IV-D Prosecuting Attorney, $283,126 for the IV-D
Friend of the Court and $11,291.00 for the Friend of the Court medical and the
renewal for Blue Cross Blue Shield Administrative Service Contract all for
approval of signature by the Chairman.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the above referenced
contracts for signature by the Chairman.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee received the
draft 2006 Borrowing Resolution as presented by the County Treasurer. The Resolution would permit the Treasurer to
borrow sufficient monies to adequately fund the Revolving Fund, if
necessary. On a voice vote, the motion
carried with Commissioner Cooper voting no.
The Committee received a
request to replace an existing copier in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with
a new Konica Bizhub 7228.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to follow the County’s purchasing
policy, and to do a RFQ for FY2006 for the purchase of a new copier, and to
approve the $300 payment to temporarily fix the existing copier. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Approval for the RFQ for snow
plowing and removal was requested, to advertise, as well as approve the low
bid.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to approve the RFQ for snow
plowing and removal as presented and to except the low bid. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The monthly claims and
accounts were presented.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend the approval of general
fund claims totaling $124,026.83, other fund claims of $183,412.89, payroll of
$341,283.37 and health department claims of $460,481.94, total claims of
$1,109,205.03, vouchers 39118 through 39358 and J-1 through J-202. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Having completed his report,
it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to
accept the report of the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
A discussion was held on the
renewal of the Workman’s Compensation Contract.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner
Shackleton to advertise for Workman’s Compensation quotes, with a deadline of
December 10, 2005. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of
Resolution number 05-24 as follows:
CHIPPEWA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 5124
WHEREAS, House
Bill 5124 recently introduced into the Michigan Legislature radically alters the intent of MCL
565.1 from facilitating methods of acquiring copies and researching records to mandating
services, fees, contracts, special reports, payment dates, personal liability and legal
consequences effectively removing any local governmental
control, and
WHEREAS, Elected
Officials have specific constitutional and statutory authority directing them to carry out the
obligations of their offices requiring that public records be properly maintained
and protected, and
WHEREAS, House
Bill 5124 mandates access to all electronic records, regardless of sensitivity of
information, and dictates fees of actual cost or not more than 4 cents per image for
non-paper reproductions when the actual cost may exceed 4 cents an image, and
WHEREAS, House
Bill 5124 will drastically reduce county revenue received in copy fees generated through the
Register of Deeds Office by approximately 75%, and
WHEREAS, County
records should not be available for private businesses to profit at public expense, and
WHEREAS, House
Bill 5124 interferes with the statutory duty of elected officials to safeguard the actual records in the Register
of Deeds Office by dictating the following requirements:
·
Mandates that the
county shall reproduce the records in the medium requested
if
it is available.
Requires that copies be
provided within 3 business days of the date stamped on on the instrument or the date of request, whichever is earlier,
which means that someone requests copies two weeks after it is recorded, the
Register of Deeds Office must anticipate the request eleven days in
advance and provide it to the requesting party on that date or the Register of
Deeds will be in violation of the law and subject to civil action.
·
Requires the
electronic transfer of images on the day they are imaged.
·
Prescribes how
often the county can collect fees.
·
Pits elected
official against elected official and removes discretion of the courts
for
compliance and cost, and
WHEREAS,
House Bill 5124 ignores national security concerns by making it mandatory to provide access to public
records for any requesting party no matter where they reside or what organization they represent.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CHIPPEWA County Board of Commissioners expresses its strong opposition to
House Bill 5124 and urges resistance against any attempts to restrict local control by mandating
requirement on elected officials that result
in private gain at the expense of the public, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded to
Governor Jennifer
Granholm, Senator Jason Allen, Representative Gary McDowell, the Michigan Association
of Counties, and all other eighty-two (82) counties.
On a roll call vote: Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes.
The motion carried 7-0.
It was moved by Commissioner
Cooper, supported Commissioner Moore , to recommend approval of Resolution
number 05-25 as follows:
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE MONTH
WHEREAS, Alzheimer’s
disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory,
thinking and behavior, ultimately leaving its victims totally incapable of caring for themselves; and
WHEREAS, the
eighth leading cause of death in adults , Alzheimer’s disease claims more than 100,000 lives
annually, affecting males and females, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, equally; and
WHEREAS, currently
there are over 4 million adults in the United States with Alzheimer’s disease, including over
175,000 people in Michigan alone; and
WHEREAS, many
encouraging drug treatments have been introduced which significantly delay the onset of disease
symptoms, improving the quality of life for those afflicted and reducing the strain
on caregiver’s; and
WHEREAS, Chippewa
County in the State of Michigan is pleased to join with the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan State Council
in observing a month to address the need for information
and assistance in dealing with and eventually eradicating this disease;
NOW, THEREFORE,
Chippewa County does hereby declare the month of November 2005 as ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE MONTH in Michigan.
On a roll call vote: Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes.
The motion carried 7-0.
It was moved by Commissioner
Moore, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval of Resolution
number 05-26 as follows:
CHIPPEWA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SUPPORTS EXPANDING THE WINDOW OF
OPPORTUNITY
FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, tax
dollars are scarce and should be reserved for important public efforts which demonstrate results; and
WHEREAS, state
and local planning efforts for children, families or adults, without the inclusion of all
stakeholders, has led to fragmentation and lack of accountability of the systems at the local level
leading to poor outcomes for Michigan’s children; and
WHEREAS, state
government has expressed a desire to manage its resources based on principles of
prioritizing spending and eliminating programs and services that are least valuable to the citizens; and
WHEREAS, children
and families with high service and resource needs depend upon a myriad of different public organizations
to be successful; and
WHEREAS, the
developmental period of childhood is a vital window of opportunity for growth and to build resiliency
which has a lifetime impact; and
WHEREAS, families
are the primary source of nurturing, permanency and support for children and need the support of communities
to be successful in raining children with vulnerable/challenging needs to be
productive members of their community; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has recognized the need for coordination
of state agency resources for
children and has created the Director’s Interagency Group and The Children’s
Action Network; and
WHEREAS, the
Michigan Mental Health Commission identified the need for many service delivery
improvements to effectively provide improved access and continuity of care for Michigan ’s children
and youth; and
WHEREAS,
community-based care has demonstrated itself to be the most cost-effective care alternatives; and
WHEREAS, evidence-based
practices are emerging for children which demonstrate positive and predictable outcomes worthy of public investments;
and
WHEREAS, collaborative
service models such as “Wraparound” or “Family to Family” which coordinate multiple resources on behalf
of children and families with multiple needs have demonstrated superior outcomes; and
WHEREAS, collaborative
planning to align local services is an efficient and cost-effective tool which maximizes the value of
dollars invested; and
WHEREAS, early
assessment and intervention are proven to further enhance savings by preventing
more costly services from being utilized; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive
coordinated assessments in a community setting are created when planning, training,
implementation, outcomes and accountability are generated jointly by
all participating stakeholders with overt attention to
cultural and racial competency
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that community-based system of care strategies that have demonstrated their
efficacy and resources that support them should be protected and prioritized within the
appropriations process; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive Office convene state and local
planning groups in concert
with local collaboration to results in the comprehensive action plan for the coordination and
implementation of services to Michigan’s children and their families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any community-based care policy initiative that
requires local
planning and utilizes state financial support should show evidence of the
inclusion of all
local stakeholders; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that blended funding models need to be implemented immediately to
further promote local collaboration; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the state must continue to identify, disseminate
and support
Evidence-Base Practices specific to children with serious emotional disturbances
and developmental disabilities in Michigan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all community mental health directors and board leadership
will share this resolution with other stakeholders in their local communities
such as collaborative bodies, and encourage the endorsement of this resolution or another
like it which promotes values, priorities and public funding for such programs and services for
Michigan children with serious emotional disturbances and developmental disabilities and their families described
herein;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
Governor Granholm, Members
of the Legislature, all state department heads whose responsibilities include Michigan children, all
community mental health directors and board chairs, local Department of Human
Services directors, local family court judges, all intermediate school superintendents and the
Michigan Association of Counties.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted
yes. The motion carried 7-0.
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approval of
Resolution number 05-27 as follows:
RESOLUTION IN APPRECIATION AND SPECIAL
RECOGNITION
OF MERRILL LEWIS
The appreciation of the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners, and the residents of Chippewa County ,
is extended to Merrill Lewis, for:
His dedicated services as
appointed Board Member of the Hiawathaland Library Cooperative for Chippewa
County , for the past several years.
His untiring efforts in
promoting Hiawathaland Library Cooperative as the service agency for public
libraries in a four county region.
His unceasingly and
consistent work for what he knew was the best for Hiawathaland Library
Cooperative and Chippewa County.
His deep personal commitment,
reflected in the tireless quest for excellence and the hours of time spent in
his work on various beneficial projects.
It is altogether fitting and proper that
the Chippewa Count Board of Commissioners should honor this man, for over the
years he has honored us by his selflessness, his devotion to duty, and his care
and concern.
Upon his term ending from the Hiawathaland
Library Cooperative as Chippewa County’s appointee, our wish for Merrill Lewis
can be no less than this: as he has
blessed lives of all with his kindness, care and concern, a gracious thank you
for a job well done, and wish him continued success in which he so richly
deserves.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted
yes. The motion carried 7-0.
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend approvable of
Resolution number 05-28 as follows:
RESOLUTION IN APPRECIATION AND SPECIAL
RECOGNITION OF
JAY PORCARO
LET IT BE KNOWN, that
it is with great pride that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners join
together with the residents of Chippewa County, to express their appreciation and
gratitude to JAY PORCARO for his eighteen (18) years of service as a member of the Chippewa County
Board of Canvassers, serving seventeen (17) as the Chair.
JAY PORCARO has served the
citizens of Chippewa County in a manner above reproach, and for this we extend our
thanks.
JAY PORCARO has served his
community as a contributing volunteer in many organizations. His constructive suggestions,
his high performance standards, his kind friendship, his professionalism, his enthusiasm, and his
inspiration to always do the right thing, has placed
him in the highest of categories.
JAY PORCARO has brought
recognition to himself, the community and the County of Chippewa.
The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of
Chippewa County, extends their appreciation to a gentle man who is thoughtful,
caring, involved and dedicated, and who made a favorable impact on the betterment of
life in Chippewa County.
IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE, therefore, upon his term ending, this document is signed and dedicated to
honor JAY PORCARO, for his countless contributions to Chippewa County. We join together to extend to JAY PORCARO a
gracious thank you for a job
well done, and wish him continued success in which he so richly deserves.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted
yes. The motion carried 7-0.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to construct a resolution/letter from
the County Board of Commissioners to Lake Superior State University asking them
to reconsider/reevaluate the historical value of certain building sited for
demolition.
On a voice vote, the motion
carried with Commissioners Shackleton and Moore voting no.
Commissioner Shackleton
wanted the minutes to document that his vote of no is not reflective of his
lack of concern for historic buildings, but the appropriateness of the County
telling the University what they should do.
Discussion was held on the
County Administrator/CFO vacant position.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner
Postula, to request that the top two candidates (by consensus at the last Work
Session; those being Joseph Bixler and Kristy Ryan) be invited for an
additional interview session with the Commission. Time and date to be set. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Having no further business,
it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to
adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously and the Board did adjourn at 8:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk Earl Kay, Chairman