The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Chippewa County Courthouse, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

 

Present:  Commissioners Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Scott Shackleton, Richard Timmer, Bernard LaJoie, Jim Moore and Earl Kay

 

Also Present:  Don McLean, Jeff Henry, Derek Myerscough, Bud Willis, Mary Hagan,

                       Pat Matazinskas, Joe Matazinskas, Joyce Miller, James Miller, Robert

                       Hogan, John Willis, Louis Kurtis, Frank Blissett, John Pitko, Jesse Knoll,

                       Jack Pitko, Julie Timmer, Marilyn McDonald, County Treasurer, Kelly

                       Beaune, Acting Controller and Diane Cork, County Clerk

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, 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 LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the minutes of July 9, 2007 as prepared by the Clerk.  Commissioner Timmer asked that the word “contract” be added to the last paragraph of Page 3 where it states “warranty of the previously approved contract to replace the roof by Henry J. Ware, Inc. is not voided. With that addition, the motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 

Derek Myerscough, Sugar Island Township Supervisor, inquired as to the qualifications of the position of County Administrator and if a Political Science degree would be considered.

 

Don McLean talked about HBH surplus monies, suicides, and the remodeling of the Schoolcraft building.

 

CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Kelly Beaune – Informational purposes only

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to reconsider the permit for buoy placement on Caribou Lake. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to pull the permit on Caribou Lake.  On discussion:  Commissioner Timmer stated he would support the motion, but would like verbiage that this does not obligate the County, car due blanche, to marking other structures on other waterways and that this be done by the local people at the physical location and that an agreement be drawn up between the County Board and the Caribou Lake Association that they would place the buoys and that the only obligation of the County Board would be to pull the permit.

 

Commissioner Shackleton stated his reasons why he was not going to vote for this motion.  He thought it was a good thing, but felt that the State of Michigan should be taking care of this issue because this is a State lake.  Secondly, if the County was going to pull the permit, then the County Government is assuming the liability and responsibility of what that permit says and the County should go perform that job.  The County’s attorney has written a recommendation that we are exposing our County government and the citizens of this County to liability by doing it and Risk Management has stated don’t do it.

 

Commissioner Postula stated the County should do it and the DNR should change the law.

 

Commissioner Moore informed the Board that back in 1978, the County paid to have a damn placed on the lake so people could boat on the lake.  The County assumed liability when the damn was put in and after the sunset of that law it was up to the County to make the rules for the damn.

 

On the call of the motion, all Commissioners except Commissioner Shackleton voted yes.  The motion carried 6-1.

 

Commissioner Cooper inquired about the Commissioners salaries and benefit increases that was supposed to be reviewed by a lawyer.

 

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Personnel – Bernard LaJoie – 7-25-07

 

The Committee received notification from Treasurer Marilyn McDonald that she will be filling the vacancy of Deputy Treasurer with Violet Patton who will be starting on August 7, 2007.

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to concur with the recommendation of Treasurer McDonald to hire Violet Patton to fill the Deputy Treasurer vacancy effective August 7, 2007.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

The Committee received and reviewed a memo from Sharon Kennedy, Register of Deeds and Equalization Director, informing the Committee that Vicki Gage, Deputy Treasurer has submitted a request to fill the position being vacated by Deputy Register of Deeds Liz Michalski on August 20, 2007.

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to concur with the recommendation of transfer of Vicki Gate from the Treasurers Office to the Register of Deeds Office effective August 20, 2007.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

Having completed his report, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the report as given.  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 – No meeting

Transportation – Ted Postula – No meeting

Legislative & Natural Resources – Richard Timmer – 7-26-07

 

The Committee reviewed a memo from Chief Public Defender Elizabeth Church regarding a wording change to Ordinance 07-02 “Reimbursement to Chippewa County for Legal Services Extended to Indigent Criminal Defendants”.  Discussion followed on Defendants who have been acquitted.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to forward the recently re-approved Ordinances to the Judges for their review and opinions.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

The Committee reviewed letters from Trout Lake Township and Citizens Roger and Tammy Gady regarding the recent Independence Day weekend, with regards to the lack of access to the Village of Trout Lake.  A meeting has been requested by the Trout Lake Township Board for the week of August 20th to work with the Department of Natural Resources regarding working with the Township to educate the community on the correct rules for ORV vehicles and to help design better access routes for the guests of this highly dependant tourist area.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, if said meeting is scheduled; Committee members will be willing to attend and support the Township to resolve the issues as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

Having completed the report, it was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the report as given.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

Computer - Don Cooper – No meeting

Finance, Claims & Accounts – Richard Timmer – 8-9-07

 

The Committee reviewed copies of the Inter-Local Funding Agreement that needs to be approved between Houghton County, as fiduciary for the 2006 Region 8 Security Grant Program, and Chippewa County as Grantee.  The purpose of this Agreement is to provide federal pass-through funds to the Homeland Security Region 8 Board through the Sub-grantee for preventing, deterring, responding to and recovering from Incidents of National Significance, including threats and incidents of terrorism.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the Inter-Local Funding Agreement for Region 8 Security Grant Program and to authorize the Chair’s signature.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

The Committee reviewed the October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008 Agreement between the Department of Human Services and the Prosecuting Attorney, net budget of $95,431.00, total reimbursement Contract amount $62,984.00 which is a 66% reimbursement.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Postula, to authorize Chair signature for the Agreement between the Department of Human Services and the Chippewa County Prosecuting Attorney to make all IV-D services available to all eligible persons.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

The Committee reviewed a travel request from the Sheriff’s Department to approve travel to Houston, Texas for Detective/Sergeant Bitnar to attend a Cedar Grant Seminar regarding equipment, with the only cost being meals that are not provided by the Grant.  The total estimated expense is $100.00.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the out-of-state travel request for Detective/Sergeant Bitnar to attend the Cedar Grant Seminar.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

The Committee received and reviewed a fax from Benefits for Life representative Tracey Besola, requesting that the County needs to decline to participate in any Benefits for Life programs, so that County employees will know who to contact as to why Chippewa County choose not to participate.  The Committee was informed of certain employees refusing to meet with the program representative, which according to the Benefits for Life programs the County must have 100% participation, or the program can not be offered.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to elect to waive participation in the Benefits for Life programs, because it is an all or none type program, the County is not interested.  By waiving participation, the County understands that employees will NOT have access to the State of Michigan Benefits for Life programs.  On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

The Committee reviewed the Fund Balance amendments to equal Audit report and revenue and expenditure adjustments after six month review with Chuck Leonhardt, as follows:

 

Chippewa County

 

 

 

 

Budget Amendments

 

 

 

 

August 9, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original Budget

Amended Budget

Change

  FUND BALANCES

 

 

 

101-000-390-000

Fund Balance

0.00

2,263,199.26

2,263,199.26

145-000-390-000

Fund Balance

22,200.00

8,118.58

-14,081.42

147-000-390-000

Fund Balance

47.69

76.74

29.05

152-000-390-000

Fund Balance

1,557.00

10,207.40

8,650.40

154-000-390-000

Fund Balance

 

1,964.34

1,964.34

155-000-390-000

Fund Balance

 

25.00

25.00

166-000-390-000

Fund Balance

1,215.00

540.00

-675.00

201-000-390-000

Fund Balance

1,150,003.99

1,144,153.54

-5,850.45

210-000-390-000

Fund Balance

225,039.30

236,563.97

11,524.67

211-000-390-000

Fund Balance

197,577.96

254,297.51

56,719.55

212-000-390-000

Fund Balance

40,564.72

6,388.86

-34,175.86

213-000-390-000

Fund Balance

 

2,730.00

2,730.00

215-000-390-000

Fund Balance

16,223.22

26,763.22

10,540.00

216-000-390-000

Fund Balance

4,685.00

5,250.00

565.00

221-000-390-000

Fund Balance

1,841,505.82

1,070,672.77

-770,833.05

225-000-390-000

Fund Balance

90.59

395,303.50

395,212.91

229-000-390-000

Fund Balance

42,556.55

376.98

-42,179.57

230-000-390-000

Fund Balance

296,865.72

291,726.39

-5,139.33

232-000-390-000

Fund Balance

50,288.50

35,727.74

-14,560.76

256-000-390-000

Fund Balance

45,629.73

44,254.51

-1,375.22

259-000-390-000

Fund Balance

9,099.00

8,815.21

-283.79

262-000-390-000

Fund Balance

25,448.81

24,703.00

-745.81

263-000-390-000

Fund Balance

4,679.27

3,244.71

-1,434.56

264-000-390-000

Fund Balance

-0.06

8,425.05

8,425.11

266-000-390-000

Fund Balance

14,782.12

14,575.33

-206.79

268-000-390-000

Fund Balance

9,643.06

15,193.06

5,550.00

269-000-390-000

Fund Balance

4,057.40

4,571.79

514.39

270-000-390-000

Fund Balance

0.00

1,253.30

1,253.30

277-000-390-000

Fund Balance

0.00

-0.20

-0.20

284-000-390-000

Fund Balance

0.00

0.06

0.06

285-000-390-000

Fund Balance

5,029.50

7,187.99

2,158.49

286-000-390-000

Fund Balance

122.87

1,951.76

1,828.89

291-000-390-000

Fund Balance

37,542.73

29,160.76

-8,381.97

294-000-390-000

Fund Balance

2,569.12

1,040.10

-1,529.02

295-000-390-000

Fund Balance

2,598,416.98

3,628,588.99

1,030,172.01

363-000-390-000

Fund Balance

3,460.00

21,264.13

17,804.13

366-000-390-000

Fund Balance

0.00

918,068.57

918,068.57

368-000-390-000

Fund Balance

0.00

245,679.42

245,679.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chippewa County

 

 

 

 

Budget Amendments

 

 

 

 

August 9, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original Budget

Amended Budget

Change

  REVENUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101-000-445-000

Interest from Taxes

6,000.00

12,900.00

6,900.00

101-000-544-000

District Court DUIL Case

8,000.00

13,800.00

5,800.00

101-000-575-000

Remonumentation

167,472.00

182,472.00

15,000.00

101-000-618-000

Civil Fees Various

1,600.00

26,000.00

24,400.00

101-000-676-000

Reimbursements

0.00

5,000.00

5,000.00

101-000-676-142

FOC Reimb Internet Banking

0.00

2,500.00

2,500.00

101-000-543-343

State Sources ORV

15,500.00

20,350.00

4,850.00

101-000-699-145

Transfer From Circuit Court

0.00

10,000.00

10,000.00

101-000-699-216

Transfer from Community Service

2,000.00

0.00

-2,000.00

101-000-699-294

Transfer from Veterans Trust

0.00

1,140.00

1,140.00

166-000-490-000

Services Marriage Licenses

0.00

4,000.00

4,000.00

213-000-543-000

State Sources

0.00

5,000.00

5,000.00

215-000-141-600

Title IV - D

0.00

9,500.00

9,500.00

215-000-141-601

Support Judgment

0.00

1,500.00

1,500.00

216-000-401-000

Revenue

0.00

500.00

500.00

232-000-699-101

Transfer to General Fund

10,000.00

3,500.00

-6,500.00

255-000-445-000

Interest

0.00

3,000.00

3,000.00

259-000-676-302

Salvage Vehicle Inspection

0.00

3,000.00

3,000.00

285-000-675-300

Grant Revenue

0.00

5,000.00

5,000.00

287-000-699-101

Transfer to General Fund

0.00

20,110.00

20,110.00

295-000-665-000

Interest

0.00

100,000.00

100,000.00

363-000-584-000

Contribution Local Unit

0.00

3,460.00

3,460.00

363-000-665-000

Interest Income

0.00

300.00

300.00

366-000-402-000

Ad Valorem Taxes

330,525.00

0.00

-330,525.00

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENDITURES