The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, September 12, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Chippewa County Courthouse.

Present: Commissioners Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Scott Shackleton, Richard Timmer

Bernard LaJoie, Jim Moore and Chairman Earl Kay

Also Present: Scott Brand, Evening News, Frank Blissett, Marilyn McDonald, County

Treasurer, Don and Chris McLean, Holly Henderson, Anthony Venier,

Jeff Moran, Sheriff, Kelly Beaune, Assistant to the Controller, and Diane

Cork, County Clerk

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 County Board minutes of August 8, 2005 as prepared by the Clerk. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Vice-President Anthony Venier, Guardian Angels for Animals, gave the Commissioners an update on the volunteer efforts given at the Chippewa County Animal Shelter.

He stated that a new concrete expanded pad was put in with drainage as State guidelines require and new fencing is being installed. Under Dr. Robinson’s direction, Health Department and the local County Building Department, volunteers are doing the work at no cost to the County.

Don McLean read the following statement:

“It has been nearly 10 years since our daughter, Karen, had the serious mental breakdown that resulted in her return to the Sault area.

She was without insurance; and too old to be added to my insurance, so we had to turn to the local mental health agency.

Shortly after that, the local mental health agency become embroiled in turmoil due to a million dollar contract for a foster care home on the Mackinac Trail.

The turmoil resulted in the director leaving the agency.

Since then Chippewa and Mackinac Counties have become involved with Schoolcraft County as Hiawatha Behavior Health.

For five years we tried to work with the agency to get our daughter the long-term, inpatient, dual diagnosis program their own psychiatrists prescribed.

HBH management would only provide two to five week short term programs or an adult foster care home for the developmentally disabled.

Karen was mentally ill not developmentally disabled.

This frustrating process continued until Karen’s death on February 14, 2001 from untreated mental illness.

During our involvement with HBH, they started a unique risk management fund.

Funds intended for patient care were set aside until HBH had accumulated nearly a million dollars.

During this time we believe HBH also used funds intended for patient care when they built at least two foster care homes, a new office building and purchased at least two private foster care homes.

In the process HBH put at least three private foster care homes out of business.

HBH management boasted about these accomplishments.

B.J. Huffman, Bob Sayles, Richard Webber, Kevin Atkins and Karen McLean are people we know who died because HBH did not provide appropriate services during that same time period.

At last month’s HBH board meeting the CEO finally admitted he had to give the million dollar risk management fund to another agency.

The CEO also stated that agency owned foster care homes are much more expensive to operate than the privately run homes.

A middle manager reported that a private company from down state is building a foster care home similar to the one Chippewa County was involved with ten years ago.

To us, this all points to over a million dollars in management mistakes that have claimed at least five lives.

Unfortunately, there is absolutely no move to change the top management.

Something is wrong with this picture.”

CONTROLLER’S REPORT: Informational purposes only

OLD BUSINESS: None

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

PERSONNEL – Bernard LaJoie – August 10, 2005

A letter of resignation was received from Animal Control Officer Jen Schoenemann.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the resignation of Animal Control Officer Jen Schoenemann. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

A Chippewa County Animal Control Shelter Volunteer Handbook was presented to the Committee for review and approval. This handbook will guide all volunteers who give time to the sheltered animals.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the handbook as presented.

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Moore, to table the approval of the handbook until all Commissioners have a chance to review the policies and procedures. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

A request was reviewed by the Committee from Building Inspector Anthony Bosley, discussion included how the townships are split; if the splits are fair, and the soil erosion program; possibly seeing if the Health Department or the Soil Conservation district could take over the program. Mr. Predmore covers 11 townships and Mr. Bosley covers 5. As of July 1, Nr, Predmore had 168 new permits this year compared to 84 covered by Mr. Bosley.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to increase Building Inspector Jay Predmore to 40 hours per week. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was noted that the vacant Animal Control Officers position will be filled when a current Animal Shelter employee returns from maternity leave.

Having completed his report, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the Personnel Committee meeting minutes as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Equalization & Apportionment – Jim Moore – 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 and Accounts – Richard Timmer – September 8, 2005

Judge Ulrich updated the committee regarding line item 870, which has exceeded its original budget limit due to a case that was appealed in his Court. Judge Ulrich requested an additional $8,000 be allocated to this line item.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve an additional $8,000 be allocated from the fund balance to line item 101-132-807.000, to cover the current charges, as well as, possible additional charges that may be incurred by the Probate & Family Circuit Court. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff Moran presented the Committee with a Law Enforcement Agreement between Whitefish Township and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department that would help both the Township and the Sheriff’s Department. The reimbursement would be $6,200 per year, covering a $10.00 per hour, 12 hours per week agreement. It was noted that this position would not cover all costs incurred to the Department, but that a savings would be reflected in other areas of the Sheriff’s Department budget.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the Law Enforcement Agreement between Whitefish Township and Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee received a request from Director Tim McKee, presented by Finance Chairman Richard Timmer, for the expenditure of funds from the County’s Homeland Security Critical Infrastructure Protection Grant. Three projects were utilized for this grant allocation: 1) Buffer Zone Protection Plan Security Equipment, $74000; 2) camera system at the International Bridge , $126,000 and 3) completing Interoperable Communications, $150,000.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve expenditures of $131,054.00 to Motorola, El-com Communications $5,990 for batteries, and $12,979.74 to Communications applied Technology. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee received a proposal for a Cost Allocation Plan and reviewed the past practice of awarding this contract. It is believed that staff in house can do this plan. The plan has been completed on a contractual basis for at least the past five years. Liske & Brusich offered a $100 per year savings if a 3-year contract was accepted, reducing the annual cost to $4,900; a one year contract would cost the County $5,000.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve a one-year contract with Liske & Brusich to complete the County’s Cost Allocation Plan for $5,000.

On discussion, Commissioner felt procedures should be followed and bids should be accepted.

On a voice vote the motion carried with Commission Cooper voting no.

Commissioner Moore presented the Committee with a request for the county to be the pass through agent for possible 2% funding from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to the Special Olympics.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the signature for the 2% Pass Through request from the Special Olympics. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Quotes were received for rope/chair ladders and modifying window guards in the basement level of the Courthouse.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to purchase the chain ladders for the 2^nd and 3^rd floors of the Courthouse, and to approve the window guard modifications. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $180,894.94, other fund claims of $322,749.82, payroll of $342,798.90 and health department claims of $396,471.80, total claims of $1,242,915.46, vouchers 38786 through 38946 and H-1 through H-190. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to accept the report of the Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Vacancies on the Chippewa County Board of Canvassers (one to be elected from the Democratic Party one to be elected from the Republican Party)

The nominees as presented by the Democratic Chairman are James German, Pam German and Leslie Dobbertin.

Commissioner Cooper nominated Leslie Dobbertin with Commissioner Shackleton supporting the nomination.

Commissioner Postula nominated James German with Commissioner Timmer supporting the nomination.

On a raising of the hand vote, Commissioners Cooper, Shackleton and LaJoie voted for Leslie Dobbertin. Commissioners Postula, Timmer, Moore and Kay voted for James German.

Mr. German was appointed to serve on the Chippewa County Board of Canvassers as the Democratic appointee for a term of six (6) years beginning November 1, 2005.

The nominees as presented by the Republican Chairman are James “Jay” Porcaro, Judy Smith and Anthony Stackpoole.

Commissioner Timmer nominated Anthony Stackpoole with Commissioner Cooper supporting the nomination.

Commissioner Postula nominated Judy Smith with Commissioner LaJoie supporting the nomination.

On a raising of the hand vote, Commissioners Postula voted for Judy Smith. Commissioners Shackleton, Cooper, Timmer, Moore, LaJoie and Kay voted for Anthony Stackpoole.

Mr. Stackpoole was appointed to serve on the Chippewa County Board of Canvassers as the Republican appointee for a term of six years to begin November 1, 2005.

Hiawathaland Library Cooperative

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to advertise for volunteers to sit on the Hiawathaland Library Cooperative Board. This term of appointment is for one year. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

UPCAP

Discussion was held on the proposed Resolution re: Supporting UPCAP as a “Single Point of Entry” For Long-Term Care Services

Commissioner Shackleton interpreted the single point of entry as a requirement to long term care services and would not allow the family to make their own arrangements. He thought that the single point of entry idea is removing the individuals and families ability to privately arrange for long term care.

Commissioner Shacklelton would like to see the County Board re-write the resolution and instead, send it to the Governor, the Long Term Care Task Force and our local Legislators saying that we oppose any change that eliminates the family’s opportunity to privately arrange for long term care.

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to send a resolution to the appropriate parties, the Governor, the Long Term Care Task Force and local Legislators saying that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners oppose any change that eliminates the families opportunity to privately arrange for long term care.

On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Truth and Taxation Public Hearing

Discussion was held on the millage rates included in the Resolution for the Public Hearing.

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, that a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing be scheduled prior to the regular County Board meeting on October 10, 2005. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

A Special County Board meeting will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the millage rates included in the Truth in Taxation Resolution.

Having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported Commissioner LaJoie, that the meeting be adjourned. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously and the Board did adjourn at 7:56 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane S. Cork, Clerk Earl Kay, Chairman