The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met on
Present: Commissioners
Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Scott Shackleton, Richard Timmer, Bernard LaJoie, Jim
Moore and Chairman Earl Kay
Also Present: Don and
Chris McLean, Scott Brand, Evening News, Derek Myerscough,
Welch, Will Karr, Frank Blissett, Ken Willis, Bud Willis, Kelly Beaune,
Acting Controller, and Diane Cork,
A moment of silence was held for the four victims of an
airplane crash that took place today at Kincheloe, MI.
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 Postula, supported by
Commissioner Timmer, to approve the County Board minutes of July 10, 2006 as
prepared by the Clerk. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ken Willis addressed the Board with concerns involving the
services provided by Jim Dunn, Attorney, for the Chippewa County Road
Commission. Mr. Willis thought the
service fees were too high and the County Board should question what services
are actually provided.
Derek Myerscough, Sugar Island Supervisor, thanked Kelly
Beaune for drafting a resolution in support of Sugar Island Townships continued
investigation and clean-up of the channel between Sugar Island and Sault Ste.
Marie, Ontario Canada and also commented about appointing a Special Prosecuting
Attorney to look into filing criminal charges.
Michele Walk spoke to the Commission about the proposed
North Huron Scenic Pathway. The draft
goals are to partnership with neighboring communities by 2006 to develop a
contiguous non-motorized network between St. Ignace and Drummond Island by
2010. Ms. Walk will return after the
pre-engineering study has been completed.
Chris McLean spoke to the Commissioners re: Hiawatha Behavioral Health suicides
CONTROLLER’S REPORT –
Kelly Beaune, Acting Controller – Information purposes only. No action items necessary.
OLD BUSINESS: None
STANDING COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
Personnel – Bernard LaJoie – July 20, 2006
The Committee received a memo indicating two new hires for the
Sheriff’s Department that will fill vacancies open due to retirements. Each new Correction Officer was part-time
with Chippewa County before this promotion to full-time.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to recommend the approval of full time employee Patrick
Collins and Jennifer Corbin, as Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department Correction
Officers, full-time hire date of June 18, 2006.
On a voice vote, the motion carried with Commissioner Cooper voting no.
The Committee also received a request to increase the pay
grade of Tether Officer Jerry Cook to Grade 7, as he replaced Allen Allen in
that position. Mr. Cook is currently
overseeing 23 inmates on tether and 13 inmates on work release.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to approve the request as presented from Sheriff Jeff
Moran and to pay Tether Officer Cook at the Grade 7 level. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The Committee received notice that the part-time animal
Control Officer would like to change his regular shift, which are fours hours
both on Friday and Saturday; to preferably eight hours on Saturday.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by
Commissioner Timmer, to approve an additional four hour part-time shift at the
Shelter, so that Animal Control Officers hours will still be Tuesday thru
Friday, four hours and an eight hour shift on Saturday. Daily log responses and CAD logs will be
monitored to ensure the longer shift is needed on Saturday. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Having completed the report, it was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the report of the Personnel
Committee 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 – July 27, 2006
The Committee was updated on the recent break-in at the
shelter which resulted in the donation and installation by the U.S. Coast Guard
of a safe. The total loss was
approximately $450.00. During a recent
visit of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Robinson recommended screens be
placed in all windows so that the shelter can be aired out on a daily bases.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to seek and go with the low bid to place screens on the
windows at the Shelter and to include a screen for the garage door. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The Committee was made aware of the current
repair/re-grouting needed in brick and an additional rail expansion, in the
handicapped ramp area. The replacement
of cracked double paned windows was brought back up to the Committee for a
previously sought bid.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to seek and go with the low bid for relay stone work and
rail expansion. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to approve the report of the Building, Grounds and Jail
Committee as presented. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
Transportation – Ted Postula – July 13, 2006
No action items to consider.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to approve the report of the Transportation Committee as
presented. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Legislative & Natural Resources – Richard Timmer – No
meeting
Computer – Don Cooper- No meeting
Finance, Claims and Accounts – Richard Timmer – August 10,
2006
The Committee received and reviewed a request to purchase
Fire and EMS Agency Pager/Receivers through the 2004 State Homeland Security
Grant funds. Bids were received and
reviewed prior to this meeting with the recommendation to purchase 60 pagers
from EL-Com Services who submitted the lowest bid.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the request to purchase 60 pager/receivers from
the 2004 State Homeland Security Grant Program with the expense not to exceed
$22,000.00. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
The Committee received a request from the Sheriff’s
Department to purchase and install a hot water heater in the old juvenile
section of the Correctional Facility, as inmates need to have access to the hot
water. Bids were sought, with the low
bid from Jody Mayer Plumbing & Heating of $1,355.25.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner
Moore, to approve the bid from Jody Mayer Plumbing & Heating of $1,355.25
to install a new hot water heater in the old juvenile section of the
Correctional Facility. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
The committee reviewed a request to open a credit account
with Tractor Supply Company being primarily used by the Chippewa County Animal
Control Shelter.
It was noted that a limit of three names will be on the
account with a monetary limit of $1,000.00.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to authorize the request to open a credit account with
Tractor Supply Company. On a voice vote,
the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee reviewed a request for a letter of support from
the Bay Mills Indian Community regarding placing 110 acres of land into trust
with the federal government.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to authorize the Chair’s signature in support of the Bay
Mills Indian Community to place 110 acres into trust with the Federal
government.
On discussion:
Commissioner Shackleton stated the property was going to be used as a
business venture and there was no reason for the property to be placed in
trust.
On a voice vote, the motion carried with Commissioner
Shackleton voting no.
A motion from the Personnel Committee meeting of July 20,
2006 was reviewed by the Committee. The
Personnel Committee received a letter requesting additional clarification on
Policy 211. Current AFSCME President
Susan Wilds went over the past history of the policy, and the Unions attempt to
correct the disparity of treatment to Sandra Kempf, requesting that she be
compensated for her reclassification in October of 2001. Policy 211 was approved by the Board on
December 22, 2003, approximately two years after Ms. Kempf’s
reclassification. A motion passed the
Personnel Committee to forward this request to the Finance Committee with the
figures for consideration. The amount
owing to Ms. Kempf is $2,520.44.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to approve the payment of $2,520.44 to Sandra Kempf to
correct the disparity in Policy 211. On
a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee was updated on previous budget adjustments,
and received a current fund analysis.
The Committee was also requested to approve the following budget
adjustments:
Date Fund Activity Account R/E Budget Amendment Amended
Budget
81-4-06 101 631 701 E 85,009.00
4,010.00 89,019.00
8-14-06 101 865 701 E 135,000.00 58,000.00 193,000.00
8-14-06 101 981 701 E 34,800.00 24,500.00 59,300.00
8-14-06 101 301 979 E 3,500.00 463.00 3,963.00
8-14-06 101 648 701 E 15,500.00 9,500.00 25,000.00
8-14-06 211 0 979.1 E 0.00 600,000.00 600,000.00
696,473.00 970,282.00
8-14-06 101 0.00 58,000.00 58,000.00
8-14-06 211 0 506.1 R 0.00 600,000.00
600,000.00
8-14-06 101 0 676,301 R 86,030.00 463.00 86,493.00
658,463.00 744,493.00
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the budget amendments as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The claims and accounts report were presented. The Committee also received both revenue and
expenditure budget summary reports.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling
$301,632.13, other fund claims of $462,817.37, payroll of $365,360.79 and
health department claims of $461,110.77, total claims of $1,590,921.06,
vouchers 41132 through 41447 and G-1 through G-207. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Having concluded the report, it was moved by Commissioner Timmer,
supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the report of the Finance, Claims
and Accounts Committee as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
A vacancy currently exists on the Hiawathaland Library
Board. It was decided by the Board to
follow policy and advertise this vacancy before an appointment is made.
It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by
Commissioner Timmer, to adopt the following Resolution No. 06-03 as follows:
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SUGAR ISLAND TOWNSHIP
CONTINUED INVESTIGATION AND CLEAN-UP OF
THE CHANNEL BETWEEN SUGAR ISLAND AND SAULT STE. MARIE,
ONTARIO EAST END TREATMENT PLANT
WHEREAS, continued
allegations have been made currently and with historical discharge of contaminated sewage
has resulted in thick layers of contaminated sediment
on the north side of Sugar Island, Michigan which is a threat to human health and safety to
residents of the island and all people living along the shore-line, and all who
use that section of St. Mary’s River for swimming, recreation and enjoyment of the
river; and
WHERAS, the large
volumes of contaminated sediment can adversely impact not only the residents of this area but
also the natural resources, tourism for local planning activities, and because of differences in
regulatory definitions between United
States and Canadian law, can result in inadvertent disposal of wastes in
Michiga nwaterways that are not
permitted; and
WHEREAS, the
continued discharge of contaminated sewage is not acceptable and correction of this situation is
vital to maintaining a healthy local economy which
is threatened by the discharges; and
WHEREAS, the
citizens of Chippewa County and its visitors to the area wish t oencourage the
continued investigation by the U.S. Federal Government and our elected State and Federal
Representatives and the EPA to formally request the involvement, commitment, funding, and remedial
action by the Canadian Government, Health Canada and
Environment Canada; and
WHEREAS, it is
clear that the only remedy sure to withstand legal challenge where discharge of contaminated sewage is
concerned is one based on authority granted
to states by Congress.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, as follows:
1. That the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners supports Sugar Island
Township and
its citizens with continued efforts to produce a contamination
sediment
remediation plan which will adequately identify and remediate the
contamination
in the International Waters of the St. Mary’s River, specifically
the north
shore of Sugar Island.
2. That the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners does hereby request that our
Senators and
Representatives in the State and Congress, along with the admin-
istrations of
Governor Jennifer Granholm and President George W. Bush, thoroughly
investigate the
current and historical data of contaminated sewage discharges in the
International
Water of the St. Mary’s River, and take all necessary actions to
eliminate this
unfair and unhealthy assault on our communities.
3. That the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners respectfully call upon the
Governments of
Ontario and Canada to take the necessary actions to complete a
detailed
accounting of the alleged discharge of contaminated sewage, and to take the
necessary steps
to rectify the problem in a proper, safe manner including a plan for
clean up and
removal of the contaminated sediment resulting from the operation of
primary sewage
treatment at the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada’s East End
Sewage
Treatment Plant.
4. That a copy of
this Resolution be forwarded to President George W. Bush, Governor
Jennifer Granholm,
U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak, U.S. Senators Carl Levin and
Debbie
Stabenow, Michigan Senator Jason Allen, Michigan Representative Gary
McDowell and
the Sugar Island Township officials.
On a roll call vote:
Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay
voted yes. The motion carried 7-0.
It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by
Commissioner Timmer, to adopt the Organ and Tissue Procurement Agreement
Between Gift of Life Michigan and Midwest Eye-Banks and Chippewa County. On a
roll call vote: Commissioners Postula,
Cooper, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay voted yes. The motion carried 7-0.
Tim McKee, OES/9-1-1 Director, addressed the Board. Mr. McKee stated that there was a failure of
the back-up system on August 11, 2006 that records all the conversations at
9-1-1. In speaking with Chairman Kay,
Mr. McKee was instructed to get three quotes.
A figure of $55,000.00 has already been budgeted for 2006.
The low bid from Grand Traverse Mobile Communications, was
accepted in the amount of $32,344.00. This radio system interfaces with
Windows. It should take approximately
one week to receive the equipment.
Having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to adjourn. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk
Earl Kay, Chairman