The Chippewa County Board
of Commissioners met in regular session on
Present: Commissioners Ted Postula,
Don Cooper, Scott Shackleton, Bernard LaJoie, Jim Moore and
Chairman Earl Kay
Absent: Commissioner
Richard Timmer
Also Present: Sue Short, Probate Court, Marian Jenkins,
Tina Ojala, Delores Griggs, Anne Goetz, Chad Miller,
Randy Pingatore, Scott Brand, Evening News, Eugene Pingatore, Penny Pingatore, Mary Piralli, Don and Chris McLean, Marilyn McDonald, County
Treasurer, Tim McKee,OES/9-1-1 Director, Sharon Kennedy, Equalization Director,
Kelly Beaune, Assistant to the Controller, Stephanie Rintamaki and Diane Cork, County Clerk
It was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, 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.
It was moved by
Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Postula,
to approve the
Deloris Griggs spoke on
behalf of Tri-Copc.
The organization is concerned with the clean-up of the old Tannery site
and the 40,000 cubic yards of contaminated toxic sludge that will be deposited
in the Dafter landfill that could possibly lead to
leakage and ground water contamination.
Ms. Griggs asked to be kept informed if any of the commissioners received
news dealing with the clean-up.
Chris McLean read a
statement to the
CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Kelly
Beaune
Information purposes only,
no action items required.
STANDING COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
Register of Deeds, Sharon
Kennedy, presented the Committee with an update of the Technology Fund,
including updates on adding indexed records and film conversion to digital,
since late 2004 over 7600 pages and 3500 documents have been added with
approximately 217,000 pages to scan and 100,000 documents left to be
indexed. Ms. Kennedy requested and
extension through
It was moved by
Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore,
to approve the extension of an additional five hours per week to the three full
time staff members of the Register of Deeds office until
The above being the only
action item, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the
Personnel Committee report of May 19, 2005 as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Equalization Director
Kennedy presented the 2005 County Equalization Report. She explained that the equalized values
presented in the report, as approved by the Committee in April are the basis
for calculating the County’s 2005 taxable values which are also contained in
the report The County’s 2005 final
taxable value is $850,751,607, which is a 5.99% increase over the 2004 taxable
values. It is necessary that the 2005
taxable values be reported to the State Tax Commission by the fourth Monday in
June, and Ms. Kennedy has prepared the report in accordance with that requirement.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, that the Equalization
Report and 2005 Taxable Values be accepted as presented by Equalization
Director Kennedy be adopted as reported and that all state required forms
regarding the same be completed and filed as required by statute. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Ms. Kennedy also indicated
that the County must formally adopt the millage it
expects to collect in the summer. To
that end, a draft resolution was presented to the Committee.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie,
that 1.9935 mills be collected in the summer of 2005, and that the Resolution
05-13 as presented to the Committee be presented to the
Having completed the
report, it was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to accept the report as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula,
to accept the Work Session meeting minutes of
Health and Social Services –
Ted Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds and Jail –
Earl Kay – No meeting
Transportation – Ted Postula – No meeting
Legislative and Natural
Resources – Richard Timmer – No meeting
Computer Committee – Don
Cooper – No meeting
Finance, Claims and Accounts – Richard Timmer –
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie,
to recommend approval of the grievance settlements, per the County’s attorney,
as discussed in closed session. On a
voice vote, the motion carried.
The Committee received a
presentation from Michigan Association of Counties and Citizens Management:
topics discussed included an overall review of the company, when
Randy Pingatore
reiterated Madigan/Pingatore’s proposal, and
explained the experience modification.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the quote from
Madigan/Pingatore with Accident Fund to provide
Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
Discussion followed on reductions submitted on the proposals offered by
each carrier. It was noted that a savings
would not be known until the end of the year depending on how many claims are
filed.
On the motion to approve
the quote from Madigan/Pingatore, a roll call vote
was requested by Commissioner Cooper.
The motion failed by tie
vote with Commissioners Cooper, Shackleton and Moore
voting yes. Commissioners
Kay, LaJoie and Postula
voting no.
Friend of the Court Thelma Bosbous, presented the Committee with a request to
establish a Fund for a grant “FY05 Access and Visitation”, the grant is at no
cost to the County as the 10% requirement has been donated to the County.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to establish a Special
Fund for the Access and Visitation Grant.
On a voice vote the motion carried.
Ms. Bosbous
also presented the Committee with two budget amendments due to the State of
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula,
to sign the contract amendments as presented.
On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Director Tim McKee
submitted three requests for approval to make purchases from the Homeland
Security Grant. The first request was to
approve the low bid from Carl Reich Electric of Pickford
to purchase five generators.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the bid from
Carl Reich Electric in the amount of $56,250.00 to purchase five
generators. On a voice vote, the motion
carried.
Director McKee submitted a
proposal to purchase three (3) Liebert
UPStation GXT 2U, Uninterruptible Power Supply’s
(UPS) from Hedrick Associates in the amount of $5,811.00.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie,
to approve the purchase from Hedrick Associates for three (3) Uninterruptible
Power Supplies in the amount of $5,811.00.
On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Director McKee submitted
billings to be paid for the Community Emergency Response Team Training
(CERT). The American Red Cross does the
leg work for this grant. Commissioner Shackleton asked about the recruitment video use. Commissioner Cooper indicated that the
project was not bid out, and that the purchasing policy was not followed.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula,
to approve the payment of bills in the amount of $18,674 for the CERT grant.
Commissioner Shackleton stated that among the line items on the CERT
Grant, one item was a payment to Davie Communications for a training video that
was not bid out and the project was award by the individual’s son. Commissioner Shackleton
offered an amendment to the motion, that the payment to Davie Communication be
taken out of the CERT Grant bills and be voted on separately. Commissioner Cooper supported the
motion. On a voice vote, the amendment
to the motion passed with Commissioner Postula voting
no. (amend motion)
On the motion to pay the
CERT Grant bills minus the Davie Communication line item ($5,280) Commissioners
Moore, LaJoie and Postula
voted no. Commissioners Cooper, Shackleton and Kay voted yes. The motion failed (tied) with the amendment.
It was moved by Commissioner
Moore, supported by Commissioner Lajoie, to
reconsider the motion to pay the CERT bills, minus the Davie Communication line
item. (amendment)
Discussion followed.
Chairman Kay explained that
Mr. Davie thought he had full speed ahead on spending the money and needed a
training video that was passed by the OES/9-1-1 Board that a training video be
produced with the grant money. The grant
was given to the County through OES/9-1-1 and then the Red Cross people were
asked to administer, but in doing so there was a budget established at
OES/9-1-1 and Chairman Kay thought Mr. Davie felt that he was within his
parameters of doing that.
On the motion to pay the
CERT bills, minus the
It was moved by
Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner
Moore, to pay the Davie Communication bill.
On a roll call vote, Commissioners Shackleton,
Cooper and Kay voted no. Commissioners LaJoie, Moore and Postula voted
yes. The motion failed (tied) 3-3.
The Committee was presented
the three legal services agreements held by the County on behalf of the
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the legal
services agreements for signature in the amount of $30,000 each for Charles
Palmer, Njeri Boss and Monica Lubiarz-Quigley. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Director Sharon Kennedy,
Equalization Director, requested 40 hours per week for June and July; this
change would need no additional funding, as due to the change in staffing, the
funds are available.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve 40 hours per
week for six weeks for the Equalization staff.
On a voice vote, the motion carried.
A request to hire Anderson Tackman Company to complete the Annual Local Unit Fiscal
Report (Form F-65) was presented to the Committee. This report was previously completed by
County staff.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to hire Anderson Tackman Company for $500.00 to complete the F-65
report. On a voice vote, the motion
carried.
The
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, not to pay the Michigan
Townships Association dues. On a voice
vote, the motion carried.
The annual billing for Fair
Labor Standards Handbook was presented to the Committee.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula,
to cancel the County’s subscription to the Fair Labor Standards Handbook. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
The annual billing for Gongwer News Service was presented to the Committee. Lack of use of this service was discussed.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie,
to cancel the subscription with Gongwer News
Service. On a voice vote, the motion
carried.
The Committee received a
request to establish a revenue line item for the Health Departments portion of
the liability insurance, the number would be 101-000-676.221 per Phil Wolf of
Anderson Tackman.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to establish
101-000-676.221 as a revenue reimbursement for the Health Departments portion
of the liability insurance. On a voice
vote, the motion carried.
A request to set up a
Special Fund for the Salvage Vehicle Inspections was requested.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Shackleton,
to set up a Special Fund for Salvage Vehicle Inspections and to roll over the
current balance of $2,620.00 from the General Fund. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie,
to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $201,983.97, other
fund claims of $354,209.18, payroll of $338,509.44 and health department claims
of $468,338.39, total claims of $1,363,040.98, vouchers 38279 through 38475 and
E-1 through E-220. On a voice vote, the
motion carried.
Claims for the Superior
Township Water Project were submitted for approval.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie,
to recommend the approval of claims totaling $35,244 for the Superior Township
Water Project. On a voice vote, the
motion carried.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to hire the firm of
Gillett, Halvorsen and Leonhardt
CPA (Leonhardt and Eby) as
interim consultants. On a voice vote,
the motion carried.
It was moved by
Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner
Cooper, to proceed on getting toward hiring a Controller. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Having no further action
items, it was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the report of the Finance, Claims and
Accounts Committee as presented. On a
voice vote, the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the following
Resolution Number 05-08 as follows:
RESOLUTION IN APPRECIATION AND SPECIAL
RECOGNITION
OF GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD WINNER BRENDA
BURBY
WHEREAS, the Gold Award is the highest rank in Girl Scouting,
achieved by just 6% of all young women
who enter the Girl Scouts; and
WHEREAS, Brenda Burby has earned 34
badges since joining Girl Scout Troop 373 in 1998 and has demonstrated the
values, integrity and honesty promoted by the Girl Scout organization; and
WHEREAS, for her Gold Award project, Brenda Burby chose to use her computer knowledge, organizational
skills, interest in her community and its people by working at the
WHEREAS, Brenda Burby achieved the
Gold Award on
WHEREAS, Brenda Burby is the second
Girl Scout from
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
1.
That the Chippewa
County Board of Commissioners respectfully dedicates this document to honor
Brenda Burby and records its pride in her
achievements with the Girl Scout program.
2.
That the Chippewa
County Board of Commissioners extends their best wishes to Brenda Burby for many years of continued success.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. The motion carried 6-0.
It was moved by
Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to reappoint Dale French
as the Korean War representative with a term to expire on
Eastern U.P. Regional
Planning and Development Commission received a letter of resignation from Jim Feil.
It was moved by
Commissioner Shackelton, supported by Commissioner
Moore, to appoint Peter Everson to the Eastern U.P. Regional Planning and
Development Commission to fill the unexpired term of James Feil. Said term to represent the
education sector with a term to expire
It was moved by
Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve Resolution number 05-09 as follows:
RESOLUTION
IN OPPOSITION TO SENATE BILL 268
SPECIFICALLY
THE CLOSING OF NEWBERRY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
WHEREAS, the
Senate Appropriation Sub-Committee for Corrections issued their budget plans proposing a closure to the
Newberry Correctional Facility; and
WHEREAS, Newberry
Correctional Facility is a primary employer of the area, employing more than 300 persons; and
WHEREAS, the
closure would not only effect Newberry and
WHEREAS, the
closure of Newberry Correctional Facility would be detrimental to the area; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
1. That the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners respectfully
records its opposition to the
proposal to the closure of the Newberry Correctional Facility; and
2. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Granholm, state legislators
representing the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Michigan Association of Counties, for their
consideration.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. The motion carried 6-0.
It was moved by
Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Postula,
to approve Resolution number 05-10 as follows:
U.P. AREA
AGENCY ON AGING
FY2006
ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
WHEREAS, UPCAP,
which serves as the U.P. area Agency on Aging, has developed and is operating under a Multi-Year
(FY2004-2006) Area Plan that provides funding
for programs for services to older adults in the Upper Peninsula; and
WHEREAS, the
Multi-Year Area Plan has been approved by all 15 counties of the
WHEREAS, the
U.P. Area Agency on Aging is required to submit an Annual Implementation Plan which updates
the Multi-Year Area Plan; and
WHEREAS, the
UPCAP Board of Directors has unanimously approved the proposed, updated Annual Implementation Plan;
and
WHEREAS, each
U.P. county is represented by a county official on the UPCAP Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, the
Annual Implementation Plan requires review by individual county boards.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners has
received and hereby supports the U.P. Area Agency on Aging
FY 2006 Annual Implementation Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be submitted to UPCAP and placed on file.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. The motion carried 6-0.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve Resolution
number 05-11 as follows:
CHIPPEWA
WHEREAS, the
Chippewa County Health Department, the EUP ISD and the Sault Schools have collaboratively secured a
planning grant to look at the feasibility of
locating a full-service clinical Health Care Center within a Sault Area school building; and
WHEREAS, a
student
WHEREAS, a
nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant under the direction of a licensed physician would
be available to students a minimum of 30 hours per week; and
WHEREAS, services
would include primary care for common and acute illnesses, psycho-social problems and preventive
services; and
WHEREAS, the
goal of a school-based health care center is to achieve the best possible physical,
intellectual, and emotional health of area youth by providing services which are of high quality, easy
accessibility and are readily acceptable to
all students.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners supports the
application for funding and the need for a school-based health care center to be located in
the Sault schools.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. The motion carried 6-0.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie,
to approve Resolution number 05-12 as follows:
PROPERTY
TAXES/HEADLEE AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, property
taxes are a critical revenue source for local governments; and
WHEREAS, the
Headlee Amendment, ratified in 1978, limited the
growth of property tax revenue by
controlling how a local governments’ maximum authorized millage rate
is calculated, particularly as it relates to growth on existing property; and
WHEREAS, the
Headlee Amendment requires that when growth on
existing property community wide is
greater than inflation, the local government must “roll back” its maximum authorized millage
rate so that the increase in property tax revenue caused by growth on existing property does not exceed
inflation; and
WHEREAS, Proposal A, adopted in 1994, provides that the
taxable value on each individual
property cannot increase by more than the lesser of inflation or five percent annually until a property is
sold or transferred; and
WHEREAS, the
difference between state equalized value and taxable value when a property is sold or transferred and before
taxable value is reset to state equalized is
commonly referred to as the “uncapped value” or “pop up in value”; and
WHEREAS, although
not taxed previously, the “uncapped values” were not included in legislation defining exempt property for
purpose of the Headlee roll back calculation; and
WHEREAS, the
result has been to penalize communities that have had substantial market growth in existing property
values by rolling back their millage rates; and
WHEREAS, “roll
ups” of a local government’s maximum authorized millage
rate were allowed following the Headlee Amendment 9n 1978, the implementing legislation after Proposal A
eliminated the Headlee “roll ups”; and
WHEREAS, the
overall impact of treatment of “uncapped values” and the elimination of “roll ups”
have resulted in less than inflationary increases in tax payments annually, contrary to the intent of the Headlee Amendment; and
WHEREAS, changes
to the treatment of “uncapped values” when property is sold or transferred and for the allowance of Headlee “roll ups” are necessary to alleviate some of the financial stress facing local
governments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the CHIPPEWA County Board of Commissioners supports amendments to the
General Property Tax Act as proposed
by the Michigan Municipal League that will exempt “uncapped values” created by property
transfers from the Headlee roll back calculation and that will allow Headlee
“roll ups.”
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be mailed to Governor Jennifer Granholm,
Senator Jason Allen, State Representative Gary McDowell, and Michigan
Association of Counties.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. The motion carried 6-0.
It was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve Resolution
number 05-13 as follows:
RESOLUTION
IMPOSING 2005 SUMMER PROPERTY TAX LEVY PURSUANT TO PUBLIC ACT 357 OF 2004, AND
NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION OF COUNTY ALLOCATED TAX LEVY
WHEREAS, CHIPPEWA
County is authorized under the General Property Tax Act, Public Act 206 of 1893, as amended, to levy and collect
County allocated property
taxes; and
WHEREAS, the
General Property Tax Act has been amended by Public Act 357 of 2004, being MCL 211.44a, to require all
Michigan Counties to impose a summer
tax levy, with the summer tax levies for 2005 and 2006 to be in the amount of 1/3 and 2/3, respectively,
of the total County allocated tax, with the
full amount of County allocated tax to be levied and collected as a summer tax levy in 2007;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Public Act 357 of 2004, the CHIPPEWA County allocated tax
shall be levied and collected on July
1, 2005, at the rate of 1/3 of the amount allocated after application of the “Headlee” millage reduction fraction, or 1.0035 mills; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Treasurer of each city, village and township in CHIPPEWA County is directed to
account for and deliver the 1/3 County allocated
tax collections for 2005 in accordance with the provisions of Public Act 357 of 2004; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution constitutes certification of the levy of the County allocated tax and
authorized collection of the County allocated
tax on July 1, 2005, at the rate of 1/3 of the amount allocated after application of the “Headlee” millage reduction
fraction, or 1.9935 mills; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. The motion carried 6-0.
Having no further business,
it was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion carried and
the Board did adjourn at
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk
Earl Kay, Chairman