The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Chippewa County Courthouse.

Present: Commissioners Don Cooper, Scott Shackleton (7:05 p.m.), Bernard LaJoie, Jim Moore, Richard Timmer and Chairman Earl Kay

Absent: Commissioner Ted Postula

Also Present: Scott Brand, Evening News, Frank Blissett, Will Karr, Kelly Beaune, Assistant to the Controller, Tim McKee, OES/9-1-1 Director and Diane Cork, County Clerk

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner to amend the agenda to include Public Comments. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

Tim McKee, OES/9-1-1 Director, addressed the County Board stating that there are many miles of snowmobile trails in Chippewa County, some that cross from Chippewa County into Mackinac or Luce and back. Many people from out of our area ride our trails and have no idea where they are when reporting a crash or other incident. The GPS can be utilized when a report is received through a wireless device, but have spotty wireless coverage in some areas and cannot rely on that method as not all reports are received through wireless calls.

Three different methods of identifying emergency locations have been investigated. The best approach is taking advantage of a system known as the U.S. National Grid system. This system or MGRS on a handheld GPS unit will identify the two letter and four digit number which will not only make sense to the many snowmobilers who us a GPS unit when snowmobiling, but it will also make sense to the responding agencies and the dispatch centers.

This method has been presented to the EUP Snowmobile Council and have gained their support of the process along with the Sault and Newberry DNR unit supervisors as well as the Sheriff Departments in Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties. There is verbal support but no funding commitments from these agencies.

The process of identifying the sign locations by providing the groomers with handheld GPS units to mark the emergency locator sign locations has begun. A map will be created showing where signs showed be placed and the snowmobile clubs and groomer operators have committed to posting the signs. There are also some funing commitments from the Sault Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sault Snowmobile Association, Snow Chasers Snowmobile Club and the Mike Bertram Memorial Snowmobile Run.

Pricing for the signs has been sought and the best price is from Scenic Signs in Wisconsin in the amount of $3.00 per sign. It is estimated that 750 points in Chippewa County should be marked with two signs at each point. It is estimated that $4,500 will be needed for this project. There will be additional costs for upkeep.

Mr. McKee requested the County Board allocate $4,500 for this project from the General Fund with monies placed back in the General Fund with donations and Title III Grant funds.

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to set up a Special Revenue Fund with funds to be used for the GPS locator signs. On a voice vote the motion carried with Commissioner Moore voting no.

ADMINISTRATOR'S POSITION:

Discussion was held on the process of obtaining the final two candidates for the Administrators position. It was agreed that both top two candidates would do a good job those being Christy Ryan from Lansing and Joe Bixler from Port Huron. The term of a contract was discussed along with the range of pay.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to set the salary figure at $54,000 with benefits and a 3/6 month evaluation. Discussion followed.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to amend the previous motion to read to set the salary at grade 16 with benefits to start after 90 days. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to offer this position and package to Joe Bixler. On a roll call vote, Commissioners Timmer, LaJoie and Kay voted Yes. Commissioners Cooper, Shackleton and Moore voted No. Motion failed.

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to offer the Administrator position and package to Christy Ryan. On a roll call vote, Commissioners Cooper, Shackleton and Moore voted Yes. Commissioners Timmer, LaJoie and Kay voted No. Motion failed.

Two HBH Board vacancies will expire on March 31, 2006. These two seats are commissioner seats and will be appointed at the February 2006 Board meeting.

One E.D.C. Board vacancy will expire on March 31, 2006. This seat is appointed by the County Board Chairman and will be brought up at the February 2006 County Board meeting.

Having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion carried and they Board did adjourn at 7:56 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane S. Cork, Clerk Earl Kay, Chairman