FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

 

April 6, 2006

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Thursday, April 6, 2006 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, Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Bernie LaJoie, and James Moore

OTHER

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:       Earl Kay and Scott Shackleton

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:                       None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:                         Tina Ojala, Marilyn McDonald,  Tim McKee, Sue Short,  Derek Myerscough, Elizabeth Earns, Sheila Miller, Donn Riley, CAA; Tracy & Jenna Holt, Laura Aikens, Superior Health Support Systems’ Jeannie Thompson, CAA; Eugene Ross, Rudyard Township and Kelly Beaune, Recorder.

 

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

Chairman Timmer called for additions or deletions to the agenda. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, seconded by Commissioner Moore, to approve the agenda as presented and to move into the Circuit Courtroom.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Correspondence and Information Items:

The Committee received the monthly Treasurer’s report, monthly travel report, meeting notices from UPACC and UP Jail Task Force and information from Peoples Energy Services.

 

Presentation: Superior Health Support Systems

Laura Aikens of Superior Health Support Systems gave the Committee a brief review of Sunset Manor since Superior Health Support Systems undertook the operations and the improvements to the facility.  The group is seeking a letter of support to seek funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to rehabilitate the Sunset Manor Facility.  Discussion clarified, this request has no debt obligations, and that the letter should indicate the support of the full Board of Commissioners.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the request of a letter of support to the Superior Health Support Systems to seek funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Senior Citizens Nutrition Program

Donn Riley of C-L-M Community Action Agency addressed the Committee regarding the Senior Nutrition Program, and its projected budget deficit.  He reviewed the number of meals served, including the home delivered meals program, including the breakdown by County. Chippewa County accounts for 65% of the congregation meals and 51% of the home delivered meals.  Mr. Riley reviewed the recommendations of the CAA Board to begin the process of the closure of Rudyard and Sugar Island Senior Centers, including the difficulty of reopening a center after it has been closed.  Review of the agency’s funding was discussed at length, including possible increased County appropriations, township additional supplements to the program, establishing a millage, fund raisers and requesting United Way monies for the first time.  Funding from the federal and state levels have been flat for several years, and a change in Chippewa County’s 2004 appropriation were influential in this projected budget deficit.

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, to transfer $20,000 from the DTRF to help the Senior Nutrition Program – the motion died from lack of support.

 

Discussion continued.  Eugene Ross, Rudyard Township Supervisor addressed the Board briefly reiterating the benefits of the program stating it is like a family, those that attend the meals.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve an additional $30,000 appropriation for FY2006, contingent upon the final audit.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to amend the motion to approve an additional $30,000 appropriation for FY2006 to the Senior Nutrition Program with no contingent.

 

On a voice vote, the amended motion was CARRIED.

 

On a voice vote, the original motion was CARRIED.

 

Agenda Items – Bid Approvals

The Committee reviewed the bid summary for the purchase of a snow machine and trailer for the Sheriff’s Department.  Two bids were received and met bid requirements, Northstar Motor Sports bid of $7,420.00 was the low bid.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the low bid from Northstar Motor Sports of $7,420 to purchase the snow machine and trailer as specified in the bid.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Annex Brick Restoration

The Committee reviewed two bids received to remove, replace, wash, prep and paint the two northern most westside elevations of the Courthouse Annex.  Discussion of the original bid was brought up and questioned as to why the building was painted.

 

**Clarification from Northern Restoration & waterproofing was sought, Richard Vanderlay, President, expressed their preference is to NOT paint, but at the time of the original bid the County wanted to paint the building, so that the many different colored bricks would match.  He would also recommend that the repair be painted to match, as the cost of stripping would exceed the cost of painting.  He advised that we check an eve edge, as it appears that water is coming off the roof, causing the current problem.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, to table the awarding of the bid until clarification is sought.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

 

Health Department Copier

The Committee reviewed two bids received for the purchase, installation and maintenance for a copier meeting the bids specification set by the Chippewa County Health Department.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to accept the low bid from National Office Supply of $13,849 and to forward the recommendation to the Health Department.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

The Committee reviewed the bid summary for the purchase of personal protective equipment for the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department with $40,000 being dedicated from 2006 State Homeland Security Grant Program and the balance being paid for by the City of Sault Ste. Marie.  The bid award was previously approved by both the OES Board and the City Board of Commissioners.  Commissioner Cooper questioned the bid specifications, Director Tim McKee, explained that great caution had gone into the specifications, and because Westshore Fire met all criteria set forth in the RFQ they should receive the bid.   

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the bid from Westshore Fire in the amount of $74,293.50 to purchase SCBA Ap50 4500 psi self contained breathing apparatuses.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Title III, Michigan DNR Funds

Director Tim McKee reviewed the requirements for use of Title III monies, with the County opting to commit these funds to search, rescue and emergency services, as well as, fire prevention and County planning.     The Committee received several different projects funding totaling $50,973.27, which Director McKee recommends approval of.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to approve the requests for Title III Michigan DNR funds expenditures not to exceed $50,973.27.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

2% Funding Pass Through requests

The Committee received two 2% funding requests to be authorized one for the School Health Clinic (CCHD) and another from Chippewa County Animal Control Shelter Humane Education Program.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the authorization for the chairman to sign both the School Health Clinic and the CCACS Humane Education 2% requests.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Out-of-State Travel

The Committee reviewed a request from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department seeking approval for travel to Longmont, Colorado for Allen Allen  to attend a MMRMA sponsored training “Administering the Small Jail” with no travel, lodging, meals or registration expenses.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the travel as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

 

Dues and Appointments

The Committee received notice from the Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council regarding $300.00 in dues and confirmation of the County’s appointee and alternate.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the payment of $300.00 in due and to confirm Richard Timmer, Appointee and Earl Kay, Alternate to the UP RC & D Council.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Motions from Building & Grounds Committee

Motions from the March 31, 2006 Building and Grounds Committee were discussed by the Committee, the first motion being offered from Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to seek and forward engineering figures from Wigen, Tincknell, Meyer and Associates.   Discussion ensued, regarding the District Court Renovation/Expansion.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Moore, to seek the engineering figures from Wigen, Tincknell, Meyer & Associates.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED. (4-1 Commissioner Cooper voting nay)

 

The second motion from the Building and Grounds Committee, offered by Commissioner Timmer, and supported by Commissioner Postula, to purchase the City portion of the City/County Building and to forward a letter to the City Manager Spencer Nebel indicating the same.  This motion was discussed briefly.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to negotiate to buy the City/County building.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Claims and Accounts

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 $145,662.34, other fund claims of $176,191.96, payroll of $539,179.42 and health department claims of $437,313.93, total claims of $1,298,347.65, vouchers 40256 through 40450 and C-1 through C-161.

 

**The payroll amount should have been $536,867.76, with total claims of $1,296,035.99.

 

Committee and Chairman’s Comments

Neither the Committee nor the Chairman had any additional comments.

 

Adjourn

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

Chairperson Timmer declared the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

 

__________________________________          __________________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder                                       Richard Timmer, Chairperson