LEGISLATIVE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

November 2, 2006

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Legislative and Natural Resources Committee was held on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Chairperson Richard Timmer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:      Richard Timmer, Chairman, Scott Shackleton and Earl Kay

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:        None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:          Tim McKee, Diane Meyer, Pat Carr, Jeff Moran, Kelly Beaune, Recorder

 

 

Additions/Deletions to the Agenda

Chairman Timmer called for additions or deletions to the agenda.  It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Shackleton to approve the agenda as presented.   On a voice vote, the motion carried.

 

Public Comments

Chairman Timmer called for public comments.  No public comments were offered.

 

 

Three Lakes Group Sierra Club

Ms. Diane Meyer on behalf of Three Lakes Group Sierra Club addressed the Committee regarding the U.S. Coast Guard Safety Zone Project, proposed under Homeland Security to establish 34 permanent live fire training zones on all of the Great Lakes; this includes Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior.  Ms. Meyer sought the support for a resolution seeking assurances from the U.S. Coast Guard to provide safety and  limitations on the firing of live ammunition to protect the public, fisherman, fish, wildlife, migratory birds and the waters and watershed of all the Great Lakes, in particular Lake Superior and Whitefish Bay. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Kay, to forward a resolution to the Finance Committee, opposing certain aspects of the U.S. Coast Guard Safety Zone Project.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Soil Conservation District

Pat Carr with the Chippewa County Soil Conservation District thanked the Committee for a previous letter of support for the St. Mary’s River Watershed Project which the Conservation District was awarded a $50,000.00 grant.  Mr. Carr also sought a County liaison to be placed on the Technical Committee of this project.  Mr. Kay volunteered to attend the meeting.  Mr. Carr also went over the District’s Income graph for FY2007.

 

Rotation Wrecker

Discussion began with the legal opinion received from Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler, which states that “there is no conflict or violation of the constitution or statute.”  The Michigan Sheriff’s Association also researched the question on behalf of Sheriff Moran, Terry Jungel, Executive Director, found nothing on wrecker ownership/operation.  The Committee felt that legally due diligence had been completed by the County, with the opinion that was sought and reviewed.  The Committee was then addressed by Jeff Moran, who owns and operates Superior Towing; he told the Committee that all County policies and the laws from the Michigan Public Service Commission will be followed by his business.  Director Tim McKee presented the Committee with the latest revised copy of the proposed draft Wrecker Services Policy and Procedure for follow-up and discussion.  Director Tim McKee requested authorization to work with the agencies and the wrecker services in Chippewa County.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Kay, authorizing Tim McKee to meet with law enforcement and the wreckers’ services, to prepare the Wrecker Services Policy and Procedure to be approved at the December 2006 meeting.   On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

ORV Ordinance

Information from the DNR law Division and the Attorney General’s Office were reviewed by the Committee regarding the County’s previously passed Off-Road Vehicle Ordinance.  The Ag’s opinion dated April 26, 2006 clearly states that “a county may not adopt an ordinance that designates virtually all of its roads as access routes.  Instead, a county is only authorized to designate access routes consistent with the purpose of the stature – to provide for access to a specific DNR-approved trail, route, or area as an exception to the general rule against ORV use upon a public highway, street, or public right-of-way.  Discussion followed.  A letter will be sent to Michigan Association of Counties’ seeking guidance and direction to maintain our Ordinance.

 

UPTRA Board (Informational only)

A self nomination for the Board of Directors of the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association for District 1 (Mackinac & Chippewa & Luce) was received by the Committee.

 

MAC Resolutions (Informational only)

The Committee received three resolutions passed on October 13, 2006 by the Michigan Association of Counties Board of Directors.

  • Support for Senate Bill 1360 regarding the optional issuing of bonds to pay for retiree health care obligations.
  • Urging the Governor and Legislature to more strongly enforce Michigan’s Tribal Compact Agreements.
  • Oppositions to appeals filed against the United States Forest Service management plan updates for the Ottawa, Hiawatha, and Huron-Manistee National forests.

 

Other

Other items discussed included a Department of Agriculture letter received by a Mackinac Trail resident regarding manure management.  Additionally, Chairman Timmer discussed the topic of Drug/Alcohol Court being established by Chippewa County.  Grants are available to establish the Court, Mackinac and Marquette County’s have established these programs.

 

Committee and/or Chairman Comments

None

 

Adjourn

Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Kay, moved to adjourn the meeting.  On a voice vote the motion CARRIED.

 

Chairman Timmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

 

 

 

_______________________________                        ______________________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder                                                   Richard Timmer, Chairman