FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

 

July 5, 2007

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Thursday, July 5, 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:                         Marilyn McDonald, Sharon Kennedy, Diane Cork, Jim Lucas, Derek Myerscough, Don McLean, Chris McLean and Kelly Beaune, Recorder.

 

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

Chairman Timmer called for additions or deletions to the agenda. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, seconded by Commissioner LaJoie, to amend the agenda by adding #2-9 Caribou Lake Association Buoy permit.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the agenda as amended.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED. 

 

Correspondence and Information Items:

The Committee received the monthly Treasurer’s report, monthly travel report, MAC 2007 Annual Summer conference information and a letter from the City regarding the City/County Building appraisal.  Commissioner Cooper questioned the Chippewa County Health Departments travel not being forwarded to the Commissioners.

 

Agenda Items – Passport Agency

County Clerk Diane Cork, informed the Committee of correspondence received from the Passport Agency that the County can no longer issue a birth certificate and process a passport for the same individual effective immediately.  To apply for a passport for a locally born individual, they must apply for a State issued birth certificate or go to the local Post Office for processing of their passport application.  Ms. Cork wanted to let the Committee know this could mean a significant decrease in the County Clerk revenue any where from $12,000 to $15,000.  Ms. Cork will keep the Committee informed.

 

 

 

 

 

Approvals - Sale and use of vehicles

The Committee reviewed a Notice of Receiving Bids on seven County owned vehicles and was notified of a request from the Chippewa County Health Department wanting to use the Chevy S-10 previously being used by the Animal Shelter.  Approval to place the ad, as well as, disbursement of each vehicle to the highest bidder was requested.  A copy of the ad will be sent to Weller Auto Body, who previously purchased a totaled (burnt up) vehicle from the County.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the notice for received bids for the seven vehicles, to allow the Health Department use of the Chevy S-10, if still necessary and to provide a copy of the notice to Weller Auto Body.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Lease for Marine & Snowmobile Department

The Committee reviewed a lease for storage of the Marine and Snowmobile Department’s equipment.  The Committee questioned the size of the space, as well as, competitive bids.  It was requested that either Sheriff Moran or Undersheriff Savoie attend Monday nights meeting to answer questions.  

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the lease, upon clarification from the Sheriff’s Department.   On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.  (4 –1 Commissioner Cooper voting nay)

 

Anti Virus software purchase

The Committee received and reviewed a quote from DSTech (Delcomp), for the purchase of the Kaspersky Antivirus.  The Information Systems Department has reviewed this option, as well as, several independent antivirus testing organization comparison results.  The Department after review have suggested that the County purchase, which will cover 3 years of licensing for $1980 or $18/pc. of the Kaspersky Antivirus.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the purchase of Kaspersky Antivirus that will cover 3 years of licensing for a price not to exceed $1980 from DSTech.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Disburse 2% Funds to Community Foundation

The Committee received and reviewed copies of the disbursement voucher, as well as, the check from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for $5,000 from the 2007 spring cycle for the Community Foundation.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the pass through of $5,000 to the Community Foundation from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 2007 spring cycle.   On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

MSU out-of-state travel

The Committee reviewed an out-of-state travel request from the MSU Co-op Extension Office, which the travel had already taken place.  MSU Director Jim Lucas informed the Committee of a grant received from Turfgrass, which allowed for four local operators to go see the research farm; the request did not include mileage, only lodging and meals. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the travel request as presented, with the expenses not to exceed $250.00.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

MSU purchase request

MSU Director Jim Lucas addressed the Committee regarding a request for purchase; the monies to be used are from 2002 requested 2% funds, which have been setting in a special fund; that has a balance of $7,093.07.  The proposal to upgrade hardware is in support of 4-H activities; which was the original intent for the use of these funds.  With a possibility of a one-time match from MSU that could pay up to 45% of any new technology purchases, based on matching funds. The purchases will include three computers with monitors, a projector, a GPS unit and a Laptop computer; total projected cost of $5,478.80, of which the possible reduction of $2,465.46 based on approval of marching funds from MSU.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the purchases as presented at a price not to exceed $5,478.80, monies to be spent from special fund dollars received from 2% request from 2002.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

UPTRA allocation

The Committee reviewed the request and invoice from Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association for an investment allocation of $550.00, which has been paid in the previous years.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Moore, to approve the payment of $550 to UPTRA for Chippewa County’s annual investment allocation.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED. 

 

Tax Rate request L-4029

The Committee reviewed the 2007 Tax Rate Request form L-4029 that was previously discussed but not approved.  Equalization Director Sharon Kennedy who answered questions regarding the levied millages sought approval of form L-4029.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the 2007 Tax Rate Request form L-4029 as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Caribou Lake Association – buoy permit

The Committee discussed a previously presented request from the Caribou Lake Association to have the County pull a DNR permit to place buoys on Caribou Lake.  The Caribou Lake Association has previously placed the buoys, and is still willing to do the work; the question is that of liability.  The County Risk Management Manager has been contacted, as well as, the DNR for their input.  Since Caribou Lake is an inland lake, a permit is mandatory for buoy placement, which falls back to the local government entity. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the request to pull the permit for placement of buoys on Caribou Lake by the Caribou Lake Association and authorize signature.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED. (4-1 Commissioner Moore voting nay)

 

Workshop – Administrator classified advertise

The Committee received the classified advertisement for the Chippewa County Administrator/CFO; a deadline for applications is still undetermined as we are waiting for the MAC newspaper deadline. 

 

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 $237,828.55, other fund claims of $168,120.55, payroll of $374,941.47 and health department claims of $548,075.53, total claims of $1,328,966.10, vouchers 01 through 151 and F-1 through F-163.

 

Committee and Chairman’s Comments

Committee comments included a request by Commissioner Cooper; to reinstate the previous practice of receiving the Chippewa County Health Departments travel information.  Commissioner Kay discussed the information he received from an ATV meeting he attended; and how people are now going to get their four-wheeler’s street-legal.  Concluding the Committee comments, Commissioner LaJoie brought up the Chippewa County Health Department contract that needs to be approval by the Board of Commissioners. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioners Moore, to approve to amend the agenda for the Monday, July 9, 2007 regular session to include a closed session to discuss Chippewa County Health Department Teamsters contract.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Adjourn

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

 

 

Chairperson Timmer declared the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________          __________________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder                                      Richard Timmer, Chairperson