FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

 

June 9, 2005

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Thursday, June 9, 2005 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Chairman Timmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                     Richard Timmer, Chairman, Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Bernie LaJoie, and James Moore

OTHER

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:       Earl Kay and Scott Shackleton

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:                       None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:                         Ted Pych, Jeff Packard, Marilyn McDonald, Tina Ojala, Randy Pingatore, Steve Cannello, Thelma Bosbous, Tina Love, Dusty King, Cynthia Morley, Stephanie Rintamaki, Kathy Munson, Tim McKee, Sharon Kennedy, Kelly Beaune.

 

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

Chairman Timmer called for additions or deletions to the agenda. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to approve the agenda as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Agenda Items: CLOSED SESSION

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, Supported by Commissioner Moore, to enter into a closed session to discuss  legal  matters filed by the Prosecuting Attorney, pursuant to Section 8(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: Cooper – Yes; Postula – Yes; LaJoie – Yes; Moore – Yes; Timmer - Yes.  Motion CARRIED.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to resume the open session meeting of the Finance Committee.  A roll call vote was taken as follows: Postula – Yes; Kay – Yes; Dale – Yes.  Motion CARRIED.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend approval of the grievance settlements as discussed in closed session.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Correspondence and Information Items:

The Committee received the monthly Treasurer’s report, monthly travel report, Judge’s technology expenditures and an update on the Friend of the Court Legacy Bank Account.  

 

Agenda Items: Workers Compensation

The Committee received a presentation from Michigan Association of Counties and Citizens Management; topics discussed included an overall review of the company, when Chippewa County joined the Fund, premiums, dividends and Chippewa County’s experience modification.  Citizens Management has agreed to lower the County’s experience modification to .75 from .88 retroactive back to January 1, 2005.  Commissioner Shackleton confirmed this fact during the questions and answer portion of the presentation, the savings will hold even if we change carriers.  Randy Pingatore reiterated Madigan/Pingatore’s proposal, and explained the experience modification.  Discussion continued regarding the proposals, looking at the best case scenario’s for worker’s compensation dividend returns and the bottom line expenditures.  The Committee also discussed keeping business local.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the quote from Madigan/Pingatore with Accident Fund to provide Worker’s Compensation insurance.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Agenda Items: Friend of the Court

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 Cooper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to establish a Special Fund for the Access and Visitation Grant.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

Ms. Bosbous also presented the Committee with two budget Amendments due to the State of Michigan’s reduction to contracts CS/FOC 05-17001 and CS/MED 05-17001.  The reduction should be able to be handled through line item adjustments, along with reduction in hours on the medical contract starting in September.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, and supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to sign the contract amendments as presented.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

Agenda Items: Office of Emergency Services

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 Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, 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 was 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 Postula, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the purchase from Hedrick Associations of three Uninterruptible Power Supplies in the amount of $5,811.00.  On a voice vote the motion was 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 LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve payment of bills in the amount of $18,674 for the CERT grant.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

Agenda Item: Conservation District

As previously agreed the Committee reviewed the FY05 budget allocation request from the Conservation District.  No action was taken.

 

Agenda Item: Legal Services Agreements

The Committee was presented the three legal services agreements held by the County on behalf of the Chippewa County Probate Court and 50th Judicial Circuit Court – Juvenile Division to provide legal services for indigent defendants for approval and signature.  The contracts are dated January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the contract for signature.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

Agenda Item: Equalization – Personnel

Director Sharon Kennedy 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 was CARRIED.

 

Agenda Item: Expenditures

A request to hire Anderson Tackman Company to complete the Annual Local Unit Fiscal Report (Form F-65) was presented to the Committee.  This was report was previously completed by County staff.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to hire Anderson Tackman Company for $500.00 to complete the F-65 report.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

The Michigan Townships Association County membership dues statement was presented to the Committee for approval of the payment of $336.00.  Discussion of services received ensued.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to not pay the Michigan Townships Association dues.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

The annual billing for Fair Labor Standards Handbook was presented to the Committee. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Moore, to cancel the County’s subscription of the Fair Labor Standards Handbook.  On a voice vote the motion was 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 LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to the cancel the subscription with Gongwer News Service.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

Budget Amendments

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 Anderson Tackman’s Phil Wolf.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Postula, 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 was CARRIED.

 

A request to set up a Special Fund for the Salvage Vehicle Inspections was requested.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, 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 was CARRIED.

 

Claims and Accounts – County

The monthly claims and accounts report were presented.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, 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 was CARRIED.

Claims and Accounts – Superior Township

Claims for the Superior Township Water Project were submitted for approval.

It was moving by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the approval of claims totaling $35,244 for the Superior Township Water Project.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

Committee Comments

The Committee discussed several items including 2% Funds, the $5,000 received for Native American Education through the Chippewa County Animal Shelter, resolutions for Monday night regular Board meeting.  Additionally, the subject of an interim consultant was discussed at length. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore to approach Anderson Tackman’s Phil Wolf on recommendation and to get the rates of pay.  On a voice vote the motion was CARRIED.

 

Adjourn

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to adjourn the meeting.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Chairperson Timmer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________          __________________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder                                       Richard Timmer, Committee Chairperson