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: Frank Blissett, Chris and Don McLean, Julie
Timmer, Tina Ojala, 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
Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Don McLean read the following
statement:
“At the April meeting of
Hiawatha Behavioral Health we sat in amazement as the board discussed if the
agency should require it’s various committee’s to follow the Michigan Open
Meetings Act. The discussion centered on
a presentation by their
During the discussion various
board members indicated their committees have been making decisions and
screening information and that they felt the way to remedy the situation was to
simply comply with the OMA.
The lawyer kept insisting
that HBH was not required to follow the OMA but should instead adopt some
additions to their policies that would open the committee meetings and allow
discretionary public input.
A motion to adopt the new
guidelines while continuing to work to make the agency fully compliant to the
OMA failed on a 6-6 vote with all Chippewa County and two Mackinac County
representatives voting yes and all Schoolcraft County and the other two
Mackinac County members voting no.
The board then voted
unanimously to simply adopt the lawyer proposed additions to their policies and
open their committee meetings and allow public input under certain
circumstances.
These new rules create a
situation where my wife and I could travel to a committee meeting in Manistique
and as the meeting starts the committee chair could decide to not allow public
comment or the committee could vote to close the meeting to the public and all
that we could do is drive back to the Sault.
HBH says they have nothing to
hide yet instead of simply adopting the universally accepted rules and
procedures of the OMA they will continue to spend tax dollars for their lawyer
to “reinvent the wheel” developing new rules just for HBH.
Their lawyer then presented a
new defamation policy he had developed.
This policy is aimed at people and newspapers making statements or
printing information about HBH. The
lawyer would investigate these statements and possibly file lawsuits against
the individuals or newspapers.
Again HBH claims they have
nothing to hide yet they are developing a new set of policies in an attempt to
scare people so they won’t talk about HBH for fear of being sued.
As we see it this is simply
another management smoke screen and a move by the lawyer to run up more hours
of legal fees as he develops new rules for committee meetings and investigates
statements to see if the agency has been defames.
In our dealings with HBH we
have learned that it is all about the money.
Instead of simply making the agency more accountable and responsive to
the public needs the management continues to keep public business shrouded in
unnecessary secrecy under the guise of required confidentiality. This is done as they continue to squander
taxpayer money intended for patient care on Christmas bonuses, college tuition,
an SUV for the CEO’s personal use, staff recognition luncheons etc.
We again ask you continue
your efforts to bring about change in HBH to improve service to Chippewa County
residents who make up 68% of the cliental but have only 33% of the vote.”
CONTROLLER’S REPORT -
Informational only-no actions were necessary
Commissioner Cooper referred
to a letter received by Jim Shogren, Veterans Affairs Counselor, from the Dept.
of Veteran’s Affairs indicating that 4,489 veterans reside in Chippewa County,
with VA expenditures totaling $9,139,000.00.
Out of this total, Chippewa County Veterans and their families received
$5,346,000.00 in Compensation and Pension benefits, $524,000.00 for benefits
and training for disabled veterans, and $268,000.00 for insurance and
indemnities.
OLD BUSINESS: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel – Bernard LaJoie –
No meeting
Equalization and
Apportionment – Jim Moore – No meeting
Health and Social Services –
Ted Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds and Jail –
Earl Kay – April 14, 2005
The committee received
follow-up information regarding the work station for the Courthouse Annex
Building, by using our own CPU the price savings for purchase and installation
would be $500.00, the new total price would be $2,400.00, monies to be taken
from the 101-890-701.000 contingencies fund; started FY2005 with $10,000.00.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the purchase and
installation of the building graphics and work station, from ACC Planned
Services, in the amount of $2,400.00 from fund 101-890-701.000
Contingencies. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
The Committee continued to
discuss security issues with the County’s buildings, specifically District
Court issues, of a new lockable door with keyless entry for the office of the
District Court Administrator, Probation Officer and Court Recorder. The Building Inspector’s Office obtained a quote
for the required door, and options for the keyless entry were reviewed. The committee opted to purchase one keyless
entry system to see if it is going to work.
The Committee also discussed installation of metal detectors, the costs
involved, including the equipment and personnel needed to operate it.
It was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to approve the purchase of one (1)
Grinnel Door and frame in the amount of $383.06, and to purchase and install
one keyless entry system from Alert Electronics in the amount of $650.00, from
the Contingency Fund 101-890-701.000.
Commissioner Cooper asked why
the monies were being taken from the Contingency Fund and not the Repair and
Maintenance line item. Chairman Kay will
check with Kelly Beaune to see what fund would be more appropriate.
On the motion, all
Commissioners voted in the affirmative.
The motion carried unanimously.
The Committee received
information regarding a computer based panic button and notification system,
called AlertTracker, which would cost approximately $999 plus shipping. The system has been checked by our
Information Systems personnel and director McKee of Central Dispatch for
compliance, with no objections from either.
The company is also checking into the use of remote transmitters for the
Judges’ benches. The Committee also
discussed adopting a new ordinance for the County regarding random searches,
and prevention of persons with CCW permits to enter open meetings at the County
Building. An assessment of security by Michigan
Municipal Risk Management Authority is expected the week of May 23rd,
with recommendations to follow regarding security issues.
Discussion was held on guns
being brought into County Buildings.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the purchase of the
AlertTracker, panic button and notification system, for the software price of
$999, to be paid out of 101-885-701.000.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the report of the
Building, Grounds and Jail Committee report as given. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Transportation – Ted Postula
– No meeting
Legislative and Natural
Resources – Richard Timmer – No meeting
Computer – Don Cooper – No
meeting
Audit – Richard Timmer –
April 21, 2005
Auditor Phil Wolfe presented
and reviewed documents included in the annual audit report and explained the
purpose of each. He reviewed the
independent auditor’s opinion.
Mr. Wolf presented and
reviewed the general fund balance sheet, a number of graphs, his Report to
Management and the meaning of each section of the report. The Committee discussed issues concerning the
FY2004 Audit and the direction that need to be taken regarding the Controller’s
and Finance Director’s position. Mr.
Wolf gave the Committee three options 1) leave as is, 2) hire a part time
consultant to tie out the general ledger and the bank statements or 3) hire a
Finance Director. Discussion continued
regarding each option. The County is
only maintaining a 1% rainy day fund, when it should be carry approximately a
10% rainy day fund, last years actions were only short term fixes and we had no
capitol outlay.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the FY2004 Audit report as
presented and have a copy sent to the Bayliss Public Library, copies available
in the Clerk’s Office, and on the County’s homepage.
Commissioner Cooper pointed
out that the County, in the FY2004 report, had four reportable conditions and
several things in the management letter.
One item that appeared previously in the management letter is now a
reportable condition, that being the Friend of the Court Trust Account. Commissioner Cooper thought that this matter
had been cleared up. Commissioner Timmer
will look into the situation.
On the motion, all
Commissioners voted in the affirmative.
The motion carried unanimously.
Having no further action
items, it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to
accept the report of the Audit Committee as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Finance, Claims and Accounts
– Richard Timmer – May 3, 2005
The Chippewa County Health
Department received a grant which will require travel for training.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the travel request, at no
expense to the County. On a voice vote,
the motion carried with Commissioner Cooper voting no.
Tim McKee, 9-1-1 Director,
presented two proposals for the expenditure of funds from our Homeland Security
Grant allocation.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the expenditure of
$12,694.19 for the equipment identified in the grant. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the purchase proposal for
800 MHz radio equipment at a cost of $165,775.00. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Director McKee presented the
title III, Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources funds. This year the projects identified will
include Geographic Information system (GIS) software upgrades and mapping
improvements for Chippewa County , in a project through Info Geographic, Inc.
along with requests for assistance from the various townships.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the project as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The Title IV-D Co-op
Reimbursement has been adjusted by the State of Michigan. The amended amount is a decrease of
$2,152.00.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to accept the reduction in the
contract with the Chairman’s signature and to show a reduction in the
department budget. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
One proposal for Workmen’s
Compensation was received. John Katona,
Agent for Accident Fund Insurance Company presented a proposal effective
6/1/05. Randy Pingatore of
Madigan/Pingatore was invited to explain his position. He presented the Commissioners with an agent
agreement, asking that he be appointed agent for Chippewa County. He explained that his company was locked out
of presenting a proposal because Mr. Katona was the agent of record for
Chippewa County.
Discussion was held on Agent
of Record.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to authorize Madigan/Pingatore as
agent of record for Chippewa County . On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
A letter was received from
Chief Murray, City Police Chief. The
letter outlined the terms for the hiring of Chippewa County ’s Animal Control
officer part-time.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to accept the proposal for access to
equipment while working for the City.
The fee schedule for mileage to be $.40.5 cents per mile, the city would
provide an identification badge and a letter would be submitted to authorize
Jennifer Schoenmann to perform euthanasia in Chippewa County. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Prudential representative,
Joe Hilliard, met with employees and explained that Prudential will no longer
carry a deferred compensation program for small groups. The County has approximately 17 employees in
the program. They have been given the
chance to roll over to Security Benefit Group.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to have the necessary paperwork signed
by the Chairman to allow this transfer.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to receive and accept bids for the
Chevrolet Impala formerly used as a Sheriff Patrol vehicle. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Bids were received for the
new boiler water feed for the Annex Building.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to award the low bid of $1,914.00 to
Baril Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, Inc. for the purchase and installation of
One Bell & Gossett Model 30VBFS-B boiler feed tank with pump and required
fittings. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Motion made by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend approval of general fund
claims totaling $130,598.88, other fund claims of $115,964.98, payroll of
$512,718.03 and Health Dept. claims of $418,544.83, total claim of $1,177,826.72,
vouchers 38154 through 38154 and D-1 through D-144. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to accept the settlement agreement for
Mary Marsh, former employee of the Public Defender’s Office, as presented in
the closed session of the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee meeting. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Having no further action
items, it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie,
to accept the report of the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee meeting as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner Cooper to adopt the following Resolution number 05-05
as follows:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MICHIGAN HOUSE AND
SENATE BILLS
PROTECTING THE MICHIGAN VETERANS TRUST
FUND
WHEREAS, Senate
Bill 80 (tied barred with SB81) and House Bill 400 (tie barred with HB 4002) will, if passed,
establish an undergraduate tuition waiver program for children of certain deceased or disabled members of
the United States armed forces
and repeals MCL 35.111-35.112, the Education for Children of Certain Veterans Act, and certain sections
of MCL 35.601a et seq., the Michigan Veterans Trust
Fund Act; and
WHEREAS, Michigan
Veterans Trust Fund provides assistance to Michigan veterans, their unremarried widows
and dependants (persons legally entitled to look to the veteran for his or her support) on the basic need,
including the prescribing of the necessary
forms and the making of reports and accounting; and
WHEREAS, the
Michigan Veterans Trust fund also provides funding for college tuition grants for children of disabled or
deceased veterans; however, the trust fund is now
losing money and cannot fund both the financial assistance for needy veterans and the
college tuition grants for their children; and
WHEREAS, the
primary purpose of the Veterans Trust Fund is to provide immediate assistance to needy Michigan
veterans; House Bill 4001 and Senate Bill 80 will create an undergraduate tuition waiver program
for children of veterans to be funded
by another source and not the Veterans Trust Fund; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners on this
9th day of May, 2005 that it unconditionally supports the passage of
House Bills 4001 and 4002 and Senate Bills 80 and 81 which will establish a new
undergraduate tuition grant program for children of certain veterans and keep
the
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund
a viable source of funding for our veterans in need;
and be it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Michigan
Legislature.
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 by
Commissioner Moore, to adopt the following Resolution number 05-06 as follows:
RES0LUTION IN OPPOSITION TO
NEW PASSPORT INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, the
Department of State and Homeland Security announced the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to
secure and expedite travel. The
Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative will require all U.S. citizens, Canadians, citizens of the British Overseas Territory
of Bermuda, and citizens of Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure
document to enter or re-enter the U.S. by January
1, 2008; and
WHEREAS, currently
U.S. citizens, and some citizens of other countries in the Western Hemisphere are not
required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the U.S. when traveling within the
Western Hemisphere. The Intelligence
Reform and Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2004, signed into law on December 17, 2004, mandated that the Secretary of Homeland
Security, in consultation with the Secretary
of State, develop and implement a plan
to require U.S. citizens and foreign
nationals to present a passport, or other secure document when entering the United States; and
WHEREAS, to
provide vital information to the general public, the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) and State (DOS) are issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the
plan to the public and requesting input and/or comment
on the suggested documents and possible alternative documents that can meet the statutory
requirements. A more formal rulemaking
will be issued later
this year following review of those comments to implement the first phase of the initiative. This rulemaking will take into account
comments received from the
advanced notice a well as soliciting further comments on the rulemaking itself; and
WHEREAS, implementation
of the new passport initiative would result in financial harm to the tourism industry of Chippewa County
and the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, the
change would impede the promotion of the twin Sault’s, and cross border commerce, not only to
businesses, but to the general public as well.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
1. That
the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners respectfully opposes the new passport initiative.
2. That
the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners acknowledges the need to
strengthen border security in the Western Hemisphere.
On a roll call vote: Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes.
The motion carried 7-0.
Moved by Commissioner Cooper,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve Resolution number 05-07 as follows:
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE
APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
ACT FUNDS
WHEREAS, the Eastern Upper Peninsula Employment and
Training Consortium consisting
of the Counties of Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac, has submitted a proposed Application for
State of Michigan Community Corrections Act Funds
for Fiscal Year 2006: 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 2006, 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.
On a roll call vote: Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
Timmer LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes.
The motion carried 7-0.
The Committee in charge of
the sesquicentennial has asked if tours of the courthouse would be available in
August (1st weekend in August).
It was noted that arrangements could be made.
Commissioner LaJoie brought
before the Board a Resolution supporting UPCAP as a “Single Point of Entry” for
long-term care services.
It was agreed that more
deliberation was needed on this particular subject.
Having no further business,
it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to
adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion
carried and the Board did adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk
Earl Kay, Chairman