The Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners met in regular session on
Present: Commissioners Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Scott
Shackelton, Richard Timmer,
Bernard LaJoie, James Moore and Chairman
Earl Kay
Also Present: Mary Piralli, Bill Connolly, Susan Short,
Probate Court, Marilyn
McDonald,
Jim German, Scott Brand,
Evening News, Liz Church, Chief Public
Defender, Kelly Beaune,
Assistant to the Controller, Jim Lucas, MSU
Extension, Frank
Blissett and Diane Cork,
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
supported by Commissioner Postula, 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 LaJoie, to approve the Public Hearing minutes of
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Don McLean read the following
statement:
We are here tonight as we have been
for the last four years to explain the continuing problems of mismanagement of
Hiawatha Behavioral Health.
At last months HBH meeting were
surprised when the HBH Board voted unanimously to make the employees health
insurance program available to all board members and their dependents. This benefit will start out initially being
paid by the individual board member.
We believe this will be an example of
the proverbial “camels nose under the side of the tent”. As the proverb goes, once the camel has its
nose inside the tent it is only a short time before the entire camel is in the
tent.
This benefit will start out this way
but we feel that next year it will be probable be partially funded and over a
short period it will end up completely funded by HBH with money intended for
patient care.
Up to this time we have only pointed
out what we feel are instances of HBH mismanaging patient care funds for the
benefit of top management and employees.
We feel this is an example of HBH management trying to include their
board in this questionable diversion of patient care funds. What better way to insure the board will find
no fault then to include them in the prize?
To us this scheme is a questionable
practice that benefits management, employees and now board members t the direct
expense of client care.
Has the noble ideal of selflessly
serving the public interest completely degenerated into serving your self
first?
Monday was the fourth anniversary of
our daughter Karen McLean’s death from untreated mental illness because HBH
repeatedly refused to provide her the services their own psychiatrists
recommended. Our goal has been to see
that nobody else suffer the same fate as Karen at the hands of HBH.
Again, we ask this commission to put
forth more of an effort to make HBH more accountable for the taxpayer money
they so casually spend on themselves, so that money is being spent in the
manner in which it was intended, that being to provide services to the most
vulnerable of our citizens, the mentally ill.
CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Kelly Beaune
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper,
supported by Commissioner Timmer to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
FOR THE ADOPTION OF
THE
NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the
WHEREAS, the President, in Homeland Security
Directive (HSPD-5), directed theSecretary of the Department of Homeland
Security to develop and administer a
National Incident Management system (NIMS), which would provide a consistent
nationwide approach for Federal, State, and local governments to work together more effectively
and efficiently to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of
cause, size or complexity.
WHEREAS, the collective input and guidance
from all Federal, State, and local homeland
security partners has been, and will continue to be, vital to the development,
effective implementation and utilization of a comprehensive NIMS:
WHEREAS, it is necessary and desirable that
all Federal, State, and local emergency agencies
and personnel coordinate their efforts t effectively and efficiently provide the highest levels of
incident management;
WHEREAS, to
facilitate the most efficient and effective incident management it is critical that Federal, State,
and local organizations utilize standardized terminology,
standardized organizational structures, interoperable communications,
consolidated action plans, unified command structures, uniform
personnel qualification standards, uniform standards for planning, training, and exercising,
comprehensive resource management, and designated incident facilities during emergencies or disasters;
WHEREAS, the National Incident Management
System (NIMS) standardized procedures
for managing personnel, communications, facilities and resources will improve the Chippewa
County’s ability to utilize federal funding to enhance
local agency readiness, maintain first responder safety, and streamline incident management processes,
WHEREAS, the
Incident Command System components of NIMS are already an integral part of various
Chippewa County incident management activities, including
current emergency management training programs; and
WHEREAS, the National Commission on Terrorist
Attacks (
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY
PROCLAIMED by
the Board of Commissioners
of the
On a roll call vote, Commissioners
Postula, Cooper, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the nominations of
William Connolly and James German for the Hiawatha Behavioral Health Board seat
opening. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously. The open seat will
be voted on at the March County Board meeting.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula,
supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to amend the Fixed Assets Policy to include
that the depreciation will start the month the item was purchased. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
The names of Patricia Ann Ames,
Michael Krzycki, Edward P. Leask and Debbie Sirk were submitted for 2 open
seats on the Pathways Substance Abuse Oversight Counsel.
On round one of voting: Commissioners Kay, LaJoie, Postula, Moore and
Timmer voted for Leask
Commissioners Cooper and Shackleton
voted for Debbie Sirk
On round two: Commissioners LaJoie, Postula and Timmer voted
for Michael Krzycki
Commissioners Cooper, Shackleton and
Moore voted for Debbie Sirk
Commissioner Kay voted for Patricia
Ames
It was declared that Debbie Sirk and
Michael Krzycki tied.
Voting round three: Commissioners Kay, LaJoie, Postula and Timmer
voted for Michael Krzycki
Commissioners Cooper, Shackleton and
Moore voted for Debbie Sirk
Edward P. Leask and Michael Krzycki
were appointed to the Pathways Substance Abuse Oversight Council for a term to
expire
One seat is open on the Jury Board
and only one person applied, that being Marjean Roe.
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper to appoint Marjean Roe to the Jury
Board with a term to expire on
Ray Bauer was the only applicant for
the Building Code Board of Appeals.
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to appoint Ray Bauer to the
Building Code Board of Appeals. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Marilyn McDonald,
She explained that one hundred
percent of the December 2004 property tax levy must be put into a reserve fund,
but the County can only draw out the amount of the revenue sharing based on the 2003 figures. The Revenue Sharing is approximately
$656,000. The County can draw on this
fund as needed and when depleted, the plan is, the State should kick in with
money upon the County’s request.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel – Bernard LaJoie – 1-18-05
Equalization Director followed up
with the Committee regarding changes to the Equalization Department, including
hiring a part-time position to be filled by Ron Cross, promoting Cynthia Morley
to Property Appraiser I, increasing the current staff hours to 40 hours per
week, and posting the vacant position of Data Entry I position.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to promote Cynthia Morley to Property
Appraiser I, following the County’s policy, increasing the Equalization
Department hours to 40 hours per week until April 2005, hiring Ron Cross
part-time for no more than 25 hours per week for approximately 13 weeks and to
post the Data Entry I position.
Discussion was held on the hourly
rate of pay for Ron Cross. It was noted
that Mr. Cross will continue at the pay scale for that position at the time of
his retirement and the cost savings to the County by Mr. Cross returning for 13
weeks would be between $4,000 and $5,000 for the County.
On the motion, all Commissioners
voted in the affirmative except Commissioner Cooper who voted no. The motion carried.
Jim Lucas, MSU Co-op Extension
Director, presented the Committee with a funded proposal and position
description for a one (1) FTE 4-H Program Assistant III and a .25 FTE 4-H
Educator. Bay Mills Indian Community,
MSU Extension, public donations and Chippewa County will fund the positions,
with no guarantee for future funding from the County. It was asked by Jim Lucas that a County
Commissioner be on the screening committee and Commissioner Jim Moore
volunteered for that position.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
seconded By Commissioner Timmer, to accept the proposal as presented and to
advertise for the position. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the recommendation of hiring of
Mary Ann Eby to the Legal Secretary I position in the Prosecutor’s Office
effective January 18, 2005. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Discussion was regarding the possible
changing of office hours in the Public Defender’s Office. The contracts with Sault Tribal Court and
Elizabeth Church were followed up on from the Finance meeting of December 8,
2004. No letter was sent to cancel the
contract with Elizabeth Church and the County.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to cancel the current contracts with both
Sault Tribal Court and the separate contract held by Elizabeth Church, and to
pay, pursuant to the completion of the contracts, cancellation to include
written notice to both parties. It was
noted that the contract goes from May 2004 to May 2005. The estimated cost would be approximately
$14,500.
Notification of the hiring of Denita
Stevens, County Clerk ’s Office, effective January 1, 2005 to fill the
Secretary I position was received.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to accept the recommendation of the hiring of
Denita Stevens, to fill the Secretary I position in the County Clerk’s Office,
effective January 10, 2005. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the report of the Personnel
Committee as reported. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Equalization and Apportionment – Jim
Moore – No meeting
Health & Social Services – Ted
Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds and Jail – Earl Kay
– No meeting
Transportaion – Ted Postula – No
meeting
Legislative & Natural Resources –
Richard Timmer – January 27, 2005
John and Chris Katona, of U.P.
Insurance Specialists, Inc. and Chippewa County’s Michigan Municipal Management
Authority Risk Manager, presented the Committee with two pricing options for
workers compensation for the county, coverage offered through Accident
fund. The proposal is based on actual
claims and the County’s experience modification. Accident Fund programs have the same benefits
as Michigan Counties workers’ Compensation Fund, including the year-end
dividend. The premium savings would be
approximately $20,000, if the County were to switch for FY2005.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to meet with an Accident Fund representative,
and to have a cost and services comparison of the other Counties currently with
Accident Fund.
On discussion: Commissioner Cooper asked if bids were
solicited for this service. It was noted
that this was an informational meeting only.
Commissioner Shackleton responded
that this could be a potential savings if the County should be looking for
change.
On the motion, all Commissioners
voted in the affirmative.
Having no further action items, it
was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula to accept
the report as given. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Finance, Claims and Accounts –
Richard Timmer – February 10, 2005
Letters of request were reviewed by
the Committee from those agencies whom were removed from the FY2—5 Budget to
balance the budget. As determined
previously, these agencies would be given first consideration for
appropriations.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to appropriate 50% of the requested
funds: Regional Planning $4,000.00, Soil
Conservation $11,000.00 and EUP Transportation $12,500.00, and to review these
requests again on June 1, 2005. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Director Tim McKee submitted two
requests to make purchases from the Homeland Security Grant.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the purchase for radios and
equipment authorized under project A of our Homeland Security Grant from El-Com
Communications in the amount of $88,425.00 and to purchase GIS software under
project D from Info Geographics in the amount of $33,810.00. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Director McKee additionally requested
approval to spend $3,000 to set up a Table Top Exercise to be held on May
11-12, 2005, the money is to be fully reimbursed through grant money.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the $3,000.00 expenditure to set
up the May 11-12-, 2005 Table Top Exercise.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Brian Bartlett, Information Systems,
updated the Committee on a previously presented project that was delayed and
budgeted for FY2005 for the purchase of the CORE secure tunnel products.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to recommend purchase of CORE
Technologies MultiBridge for $3,850.00 and approve the annual supported in the
amount of $1,150.00 as presented. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Sheriff Moran presented the Committee
with price quotes for the purchase of eight (8) Silent Witness-Color
Hi-Resolution cameras to be installed in the medium and maximum security areas
of the County Jail The County’s
purchasing policy, the current maintenance agreement and additional cameras
were discussed.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to purchase eight (8) cameras for the medium
and maximum security areas from the SimplexGrinell at the cost of
$4,592.00. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Sheriff Moran presented the Committee
with quotes to purchase and install different hook in sections of the County
Jail.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to purchase and install sixty-one hooks at a
price not to exceed $1,831.68. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The vehicle bid summary was presented
to the Committee for review and approval.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend purchase of One (1) 2005 Dodge
Ram 1500 from O’Connor Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in the amount of $21,100.00. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The 2005 annual dues for UP RC &
D were presented to the Committee for approval.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve payment of dues in the amount of
$300.00 to UP REC & D. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee was presented a list of
approximately seventy five items to be sold “as is”.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the advertisement and sale of
equipment “as is”. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
MSU Extension Director Jim Lucas
presented the Committee with two Memorandum of Agreements to be approved,
following the approval of the position description by the personnel
Committee. Director Lucas also requested
that a Commission member be appointed to help with the selection of the 4-H
Program Assistant.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the two memorandums of Agreements
between the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners and Michigan State
University as presented.
The Committee was presented the 2005
Survey and Remonumentation Grant Offer for Chippewa County to be approved for
acceptance and signature.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to authorize signature for the 2005 Survey
and Remonumentation Grant. On a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Diane Cork submitted a Grant
Application to authorize her as the Grant Manager for Chippewa County regarding
the purchase of a precinct tabulator at no charge to the County.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to authorize Clerk Diane Cork as Grant
Manager for the upcoming Phase of Voting System Purchase. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
A request to increase the Petty Cash
Fund for the Clerk’s Office was presented to the Committee.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the increase as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Monthly claims and accounts report
was presented to the Committee.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend the approval of general fund
claims totaling $101,327.18, other fund claims of $115,710.86, payroll of
$305,368.56 and health department claims of $801,587.90, total claims of
$1,323,994.50, vouchers 37457 through 37798 and A-1 through A-63. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
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.
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper,
supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
IN APPRECIATION AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION
FOR THE
HIGHEST HONOR IN SCOUNTING
-EAGLE
SCOUNT-MATTHEW S. McLEOD
WHEREAS, the Eagle Scout award is the
highest rank in Boy Scouting, achieved by just
4% of all young men who enter the Boy Scouts; and
WHEREAS, Matthew
McLeod has earned 26 merit badges since joining Boy Scouts troop 105 in 1996 at the age of 9,
and has demonstrated the values, integrity and
honesty
promoted by the Boy Scout organization; and
WHEREAS, for his Eagle service project,
Matthew McLeod chose to give back to his community
by building a pavilion at Project Playground, which will benefit all citizens of Chippewa County in the years
to come; and
WHEREAS, Matthew McLeod is receiving this
high award on February 12, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Matthew McLeod is the first Eagle
Scout to receive the award in the new Presbyterian
Church; and
WHEREAS, Matthew McLeod has achieved this
highest honor while overcoming major health
obstacles and facing them with courage and dedication, while working for the betterment of the
Citizens of Chippewa County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
That
the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners respectfully dedicates this document to honor Matthew S.
McLeod and record its pride in his achievements with
the Boy Scout Program.
That
the Chippewa County Board of Commissioner extends their best wishes to Matthew S. McLeod for many years of
continued success.
On a roll call vote: Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes.
The motion carried unanimously.
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:
It was suggested by Commissioner
Shackleton that a meeting be set up with the townships and the City to discuss
the animal control operation.
Commissioner Cooper requested that
figures be available for review as to the cost of operating the shelter and
revenues coming in to be available for the meeting.
Discussion was held on recent events
at the Chippewa County Correctional Facility.
Chairman Kay will ask Sheriff Moran for a report to be presented to the
Board.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, to enter into a closed session to discuss a
grievance proceeding, pursuant to Section 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:
Postula – Yes, Shackleton – Yes, Cooper – Yes, Timmer – Yes, LaJoie –
Yes, Moore – Yes and Kay – Yes. The motion
carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner Timmer, to return to the open meeting of the
Board. On a roll call vote: Postula – Yes, Cooper – Yes, Shackleton –
Yes, Timmer – Yes, LaJoie – Yes, Moore – Yes, Kay – Yes. The motion carried.
Having no further business, it was
moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to
adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously. and the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk
Earl Kay, Chairman