PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

 

January 12, 2006

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Personnel Committee was held on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Chairperson Bernie LaJoie called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:        Bernie LaJoie, Chairman, Earl Kay and Ted Postula (4:38 pm)

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:         None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:            Brian Peppler, Prosecuting Attorney; Kelly Beaune, Recorder

 

Additions/Deletions to the Agenda

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

 

Public Comments

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

 

Information Items

No additional items were received.

 

Agenda Items: Prosecuting Attorney

Prosecutor Brian Peppler addressed the Committee regarding staffing needs for the Prosecutor’s Office.  Mr. Peppler supplied additional information that was requested by the Board.  Discussion included increasing staff to 40 hours per week, at a cost of $47,387 for a full year.  A grant through the Crime Victim Commission allows for $4,800 wage expense, for a part-time clerical position; this would be a temporary position not to exceed the $4,800 limit.  The third item of discussion was a request to fund an assistant prosecutor position.    The Committee also discussed the statistics on where and what type of criminal acts are taking place in the County,  as well as, the PAAM study, indicating the need for staffing level increases.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to fill the grant position, through the Crime Victim Commission, that will have no effect on the County’s general fund.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to send the request for temporarily increasing the staff hours to 40 hours to the February Finance Committee.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Further discussion included reconvening the Judicial Committee, and to include the Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement to discuss various topics, issues and possible problems.   

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Postula, to send the request to hire an Assistant Prosecutor to the February Finance Committee.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

MSU Extension

A Memorandum of Agreement for the County’s 4-H position was reviewed by the Committee; the agreement shall not exceed $20,600 for fiscal year January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006, with additional monies provided by Bay Mills Indian Community.  The FY06 budget did provide for this request.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Kay, to approve the Memorandum of Agreement not to exceed $20,600, and to have the Chair execute the agreement.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Retiree Health Care

Clarification was requested by the Controller’s Office regarding the changing Blue Cross Blue Shield benefits to be the same as the current non-union personnel, as it was not directly addressed by the Board of Commissioners.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to approve the changes to the all retirees Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage to be the same as current non-union personnel.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

A memo received from Friend of the Court Thelma Bosbous, was reviewed by the Committee regarding temporary assignment during a short term disability leave per Article 17 (e).  The Committee thanked Ms. Bosbous for keeping them informed.

 

The Committee scheduled their next meeting for Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 4:30 pm, as Judge Lambros and Public Defender Church were not available for today’s meeting.

 

Committee Comments

No additional comments

 

Chairman’s Comments

Chairman LaJoie brought up the Assistant to the Controller position, requesting a salary change for additional work that has been done and to continue until an Administrator is hired.  As prior practice of the Board, an additional $1,000 per month compensation is approved retroactively.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner Kay, to follow prior practice and approve compensation of $1,000 per month to the Assistant to the Controller retroactively from October 2004 to present.  On a voice vote the motion CARRIED.

 

Adjourn

Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Postula, moved it to adjourn the meeting.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Chairman LaJoie declared the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

 

____________________________________                            ____________________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder                                                                   Bernard LaJoie, Chairman