The Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners met in regular session on
Present: Commissioners: Don Cooper, Scott Shackleton, Richard Timmer,
Bernard
LaJoie, Jim Moore and
Chairman Earl Kay
Absent: Commissioner Ted Postula
Also Present: Sheriff Jeff Moran, Kelly Beaune, Assistant
to the Controller, Shane Beaune, Sydney Beaune, Frank Blisset, Don Holt, Cliff
Carr, Dirk Heckman, Dona and Chris McLean, Karen Senkus, Cindy Merkel and Diane
Cork, County Clerk
It was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Cooper, 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 Timmer, to approve the
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Karen Senkus, speaker for a
local community group, addressed the board giving them information on the
fourth Monday in September being proclaimed family day. Ms. Senkus asked the board for their support.
Chris McLean read the
following statement:
“Don and I have come here
again to encourage this commission to continue to work for improvements in
mental health services at Hiawatha Behavioral Health.
In June, I mentioned how
Chippewa county provides over 66% of the client base and funding at HBH yet we
have only 33% representation on the board.
From records provided by HBH,
we found during HBH’s last fiscal year that Chippewa County HBH board members
representing 66% of the client base and 33% of the board membership received
only 28% of the payouts made to HBH board members. Mackinac County HBH board members represent a
19% client base and received 26% of the payouts; while Schoolcraft County HBH
members representing less than 15% of the client base receive 46% of HBH board
payouts.
We also found one HBH
Schoolcraft member was absent 4 times in that period, yet he received lump sum
payments that total more than any Chippewa or Mackinac Board member who never
missed a meeting.
Not one Schoolcraft HBH board
member was paid less than $4000, while not one Chippewa or Mackinac HBH board
member received such rewards.
Since June, the HBH board
elected new officers. Schoolcraft
membership hold 2 offices, Chair and secretary.
Mackinac has two, Treasurer and Vice Chair. Chippewa has none.
Of the six main HBH sub
committees; three are chaired by Schoolcraft members, two are chaired by
Mackinac members and one chair is held by a Chippewa member.
Lat Thursday, we received another
call from a desperate
It seems a member of his
family was to be released from court ordered treatment the next day. He and other family members had spoken to the
hospital several times abut the patient’s progress and stability. They were given various reports. From their own observations, their loved one
was still too ill to be released.
Our caller just didn’t know
where to turn. He wondered who made the
decisions about length of care, how he would manage to work, care for his
family and care for his desperately ill loved one.
Yesterday, we were told the
patient hadn’t been released yet and the family had gotten even further run
around about treatment and care.
Some things still haven’t
changed in the 54 months since our daughter’s death. Family members, even with guardianship, are
kept confused about client care and progress, discharge dates, placement, and
funding.
HBH has learned to talk the
talk and look good on paper, but I believe they are still a self serving
agency.
Please listen when someone
asks for help and please continue to expect HBH to provide appropriate services
for our residents rather than buildings, cars and bonuses in this time of
budget cuts and belt tightening.”
CONTROLLER’S REPORT
– Informational purposes only, no action required
OLD BUSINESS –
None
STANDING 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 – July 13, 2005
Committee discussion centered
on security issues for Probate Court.
No action necessary.
It was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the Building, Grounds and
Jail Committee report as given. On a
voice vote, the motion carried.
Transportation – Ted Postula
– No meeting
Legislative and Natural
Resources – Richard Timmer – No meeting
Computer – Don Cooper – No
meeting
Finance, Claims and Accounts
– Richard Timmer – August 4, 2005
Under Sheriff Savoie stated
that for the past several years they have been experiencing intermediate
malfunctions with their electronic equipment (jail digital video recorders,
fire alarms, etc.) located in the server room, adjacent to the garage.
They have identified the
source and according to the current vendor, the maximum humidity level allowed
for the equipment to function properly is 80%.
The current vendor evaluated the situation and recommended installation
of a ductless split cooling system that will control the room temperature year
round and protect the equipment properly.
It was moved by Commissioner
Kay, supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to recommend the Sheriff’s
Department attempt to get more estimates for installation of a ductless split
cooling system and present the figures to the Commissioners before the regular
County Board meeting on August 8, 2005
Sheriff Moran appeared before
the full board with two additional estimates received from Don Earl Heating in
the amount of $2,650 and Baril Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. in the
amount of $2,858. An additional estimate
was presented at the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee meeting from
Elliott Heating & Cooling, Inc. in the amount of $2,995. Elliott’s proposal included a one year parts
and labor warranty, permits and wall brackets.
Discussion followed.
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to accept the proposal from Don
Earl Heating & Cooling Inc. in the amount of $2,650 contingent upon this
figure including a one year parts and labor warranty and it still falls within
the category of low bid. On a voice
vote, the motion carried.
OES/9-1-1 Director Tim McKee
updated the Committee on the Homeland Security Grant allocation for 2004 in the
amount of $526,739. He stated the
committee had prepared four specific projects for which the grant would be
used. Some major purchases have already
been made and reimbursement has been received.
Mr. McKee presented the Committee with a specific detection equipment
list that has been identified as needed in the emergency response trailer. The list included the best possible price on
each item from various vendors. Mr.
McKee asked for approval to expend $15,543.50 through the various vendors to
obtain the list equipment.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend approval of the
expenditure of $15,543.50 from the Homeland Security Grant allocation to
purchase equipment needed in the emergency response trailer. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Edison Sault Electric Company
requested permission from the Committee to enter upon County owned property
(easement) located near the Animal Shelter to run power lines to VanSloten’s
gravel pit located in Section 24, T47N, R1W, Soo Township between I-75 and
H-63. In the event the Chippewa county
Board of Commissioners or the Chippewa County Road Commission requests that
Edison Sault Electric Company re-locate their facilities in the vicinity of the
access drive to VanSloten’s pit, the customer (VanSloten Enterprises, Inc.)
will be liable for any and all costs associated with said re-location.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend approval of a
Right-of-Way Easement and documentation be signed to allow construction of an
underground power line to service the gravel pit owned by VanSloten
Enterprises, Inc. On a voice vote, the
motion carried.
The monthly claims and
accounts report was presented.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend the approval of general
fund claims totaling $138,963.60, other fund claims of $291,947.19, payroll of
$341,193.04 and health department claims of $452,533.55, total claims of
$1,224,637.38, vouchers 38651 through 38785 and G-1 through G-187. On a voice vote the motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner
Kay, seconded by Commissioner Moore, to enter into a closed session to discuss
pending litigation, pursuant to Section 8(c) the Open Meetings Act, Act 267,
P.A. 1976, as amended, being MCL 15.268c.
A roll call vote was taken as follows:
Postula-Yes, Shackleton-Yes, Moore-Yes, Kay-Yes, Timmer-Yes. Motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner
Moore, seconded by Commissioner Kay, to resume the open session meeting to the
Finance Committee. A roll call vote was
taken as follows: Postula-Yes, Shackleton-Yes,
Moore-Yes, Kay-Yes, Timmer-Yes. Motion
carried.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to recommend payment of wages to the
two (2) assistant prosecutors for the scheduled furlough days in 2004. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
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 meeting as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion
carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by Commissioner
Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to adopt the following resolution
number 05-14:
CHIPPEWA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AND CHIPPEWA COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.
SUPPORT FAMILY DAY
WHEREAS, the
use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol and nicotine constitute the
Greatest threats to the well-being of America ’s children;
WHEREAS, surveys
conducted by the National Center on Addition and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia
University have consistently found that the more often children and teenagers eat dinner with their families the less
likely they are to
smoke, drink and use illegal drugs;
WHEREm
likely than the average teenager to use illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes;
WHEREAS, teenagers
who almost always eat dinner with their families are 31 percent less likely than the average teenager to use
illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes;
WHEREAS, the
correlation between family dinners and reduced risk for teen substance abuse are well documented;
WHEREAS, parental
influence is known to be one of the most crucial factors in determining
the likelihood of substance abuse by teenagers;
WHEREAS, family
dinners have long constituted a substantial pillar of family life in America:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners proclaim the
fourth Monday in September as FAMILY DAY- A
Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children and urge all citizens to recognize and participate in its
observance.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners: Cooper, Shackleton,
Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes.
The motion carried 6-0.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to adopt the following proposition
number 05-15:
CHIPPEWA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AND CHIPPEWA COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION
SUPPORT ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
PROPOSITIN
WHEREAS, the
Chippewa County Road Commission currently receives one mill of the voted millage in Chippewa
County , and
WHEREAS, this
one mill of voted millage expires in December 2006, and
WHEREAS, the
population increase and development occurring in the rural areas of Chippewa County is
requiring increased maintenance and upgrading of the Local Road system, and
WHEREAS, the
Chippewa County Road Commission is required to maintain 1,300 miles of roadway under their
jurisdiction, and will not be able to provide matching
funds for the increased state and federal revenues, adequate staffing levels and purchase
necessary equipment;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners
supports the Chippewa County Road Commission request to place a millage renewal request for one (1) mill for
five (5) years on a special election
as follows:
ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR PROPOSITION
RENEWAL
FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Shall the previously voted
increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX,
Section 6 of the Michigan
Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within CHIPPEWA COUNTY by RENEWED as follows: 1 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a
period of FIVE years, being 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,
and 2011, inclusive, for the
purpose of providing funds for REPAIR AND MAINTENACE
OF ROADS WITH
CHIPPEWA COUNTY AND STREETS WITHIN THE CITY OF SAULT
STE.
MARIE AND VILLAGE OF DETOUR, and shall the County of Chippewa levy such
renewal for said purposes
thereby raising in the first year an estimated $930,000?
Discussion was held on the
date of the election and combining this issue with another scheduled election
so the cost could be shared.
On a roll call vote,
Commissioners Cooper, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. Commissioner Shackleton voted no. The motion carried 5-1.
Chairman Kay presented
Sheriff Moran with a certificate for being voted the best police officer by the
readers of the Evening News.
Having no further business,
it was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to
adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion
carried and the Board did adjourn at 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk Earl Kay,
Chairman