The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 8, 2006 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: Don and Chris McLean, Debbie Sirk, Frank Blissett, Stephanie Rintamaki, Joe Paczkowski, Sharon Kennedy, Register of Deeds/Equalization

Director, Marilyn McDonald, County Treasurer, Kelly Beaune, Acting

County Controller, Cynthia Morley, Will Karr and Diane Cork, County

Clerk

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, 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 Postula, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the regular County Board minutes of April 10, 2006, the Public Hearing of April 13, 2006 and the Special County Board meeting of April 20, 2006 as prepared by the Clerk. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Chris McLean read a prepared statement re: Hiawatha Behavioral Health

CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Kelly Beaune – Informational purposes only – no action items necessary

OLD BUSINESS: None

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Personnel – Bernard LaJoie – 4-18-06

Treasurer Marilyn McDonald forwarded a request to be approved for a part-time employee to scan all the old tax rolls, which are taking up space in the vault. Former Employee Carol Symyneshen has been contacted to work approximately 18 hours a week until the seven years of information can be scanned. The cost of this part-time employee will come out of the Delinquent Administration Fund that can only be spent on delinquent support.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend the approval of part-time employee Carol Symyneshen in the County Treasurer’s Office, to complete the job of scanning the delinquent books. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee was presented a listing of personnel affected by Policy 211, for review, based on previous Board action regarding internal promotions. Currently there are three employees whose wages would be affected if the policy were waived, or put back to the November 15, 2005 date, that the policy did not follow. Employee 516 would be owed retro for approximately 45 days, as this employee went to the five year rate as of 1/1/2006: Employee 78 would be placed on the grid according to her original hire date and Employee 144 would also be placed on the pay grid according to their hire date.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to waive policy 211, as of November 15, 2005, and to adjust the wages of employees 516 (Jack Horka), 78 (Catherine Maleport) and 144 (Cynthia Morley) retroactively. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Friend of the Court, Thelma Bosbous, forwarded a letter to the Committee regarding the recent notification of resignation of a part-time clerk, who works under the CRP contract and the Medical Contract. The Friend of the Court requested not to place an ad in the Evening News regarding this vacancy because of the complications of training and being bombarded with applications. It was also requested that this same part-time position become full-time as of October 1, 2006, in accordance with the federal contract fiscal year.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to not hire the part-time position without first advertising and that the person hired is to be authorized by the Circuit Court Judge and/or the Personnel Committee. The full-time status will be looked at, at a later date. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Having no further action items, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to approve the meeting minutes of the Personnel Committee as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Equalization – 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 – 4-11-2006

The report was for informational purposes only and no action items were required.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to accept the report of the Legislative and Natural Resource Committee as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried

Computer – Don Cooper – No meeting

Finance, Claims and Accounts – Richard Timmer – 5-4-2006

Auditor Phil Wolfe presented and reviewed documents included in the annual audit report, the independent auditor’s opinion, and general fund balance sheet, a number of graphs, his Report to Management and the meaning of each section of the report. The Committee discussed issues concerning the FY2005 Audit. Mr. Wolfe briefly discussed changes to the audit report that will be implemented to comply with the requirements adopted by the Government Accounting Standards Board 45 (GASB). Discussion also included setting up policies regarding self insurance fund and for nonprofit expenditures.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the FY2005 audit report as presented, and have a copy sent to the Bayliss Public Library, and to have the document posted to the County web page. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee reviewed the ballot wording for the Pegged Millage and Recycling Program Proposition millage renewals.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the ballot wording as presented from the Tax Allocation Board and the Recycling Committee. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee reviewed and compared the fee schedule from the Chippewa Conservation District for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation permits who were seeking approval for the new rates.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the fee schedule as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff Moran forwarded documentation regarding faulty body armor vests, which resulted in a class action law suit and settlement for Chippewa County in the amount of $8,030.00. This award will be used to replace the faulty body armor; bids were attached to the information. A requested budget adjustment will need approval in the amount of the settlement.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the budget amendment increasing revenue 101-301-676.301 and expense 101-301-745.000 equally by $8,030.00. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. It was noted that the low bid was from C.M.P. Distributors, who received the state bid.

The Committee received a 2% funding request to be authorized for Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society to help pay for a barrier-free access ramp for the U.S. Weather Bureau at the Soo Locks.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the authorization for the Chairman to sign the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society 2% request. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee reviewed a request from the Eastern UP Community Corrections Advisory Board seeking approval for the FY2007 Grant Application.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the EUP Community Correction FY2007 Grant Application as presented for signature. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

County employees currently have the option of purchasing additional coverage’s through AFLAC, with our open enrollment being in June. A request has been forwarded to add vision and dental options to our current Flex One Cafeteria Plan.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to approve the options of additional coverage through the AFLAC Cafeteria Plan to include vision and dental. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

The Committee reviewed a proposal for lawn mowing at the Chippewa County Animal Control Shelter, as the County does not have the means to transport the tractor to and from the shelter.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the proposal from Matheny Lawn Service, to mow 3660 Mackinaw Trail, for $35.00 each time. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

A notice was forwarded by Sheriff Moran regarding additional monies being available for the Secondary Road Patrol in the amount of $3,530, along with a contract adjustment request to be approved.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the contract adjustment and have the additional $3,530 placed in the automotive (gas) line item. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

A motion from the April 7, 2006 Equalization Committee was discussed by the Committee to increase staff hours through the end of the year to 40 hours per week.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the increase in hours to 40 per week for the Equalization Department through December 31, 2006, hours to be used on an as needed basis. Discussion followed. On a voice vote, the motion carried with Commissioner LaJoie voting no.

A proposed FY2007 budget schedule was presented to the Committee for discussion and comment.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the FY2007 budget schedule as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

A mini-grant was sought through the Crime Victims Rights Week, with the monies split evenly among the counties and to be used for particular pre-approved Crime Victim Rights activities.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to increase revenue in 101-000-572.000 and expenditure 101-231-727.000 by $402.32 each to cover the mini-grant received. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend the approval of general funds claims totaling $126,866.51, other fund claims of $138,666.66, payroll of $364,362.43 and health department claims of $436,560.13, for total claims of $1,066,455.73, vouchers 40451 through 40652 and D-1 through D-192. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to pass a resolution to support Bill Thorne for the Michigan Broadcasters Hall of Fame. On a roll call vote, Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay vote yes. The motion carried 7-0.

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

NEW BUSINESS:

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to recommend that the County go on record with a letter to the employees of Chippewa County for their help in controlling their budgetary expenses for last year and helping the County come in with a much larger than expected fund balance. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the Workshop Session minutes of April 12 and April 19, 2006 as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, , supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the resignation of Richard Beadle from the Hiawatha Behavioral Board effective immediately. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Postula, to follow County policies in advertising for the opening on the Hiawatha Behavioral Board, Building Authority and any other board, commission or agency. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Discussion was held on setting up a meeting between the County of Chippewa and the City of Sault Ste. Marie, to discuss the Jail expansion and the possibility of the County purchasing the City portion of the City-County Building.

Having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion carried and the Board did adjourn at 7:44 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane S. Cork, Clerk Earl Kay, Chairman