MEETING MINUTES
A regular meeting of the
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Legislative and Natural Resources
Committee was held on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at the Chippewa County
Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Chairperson Richard Timmer called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with
a quorum present.
MEMBERS
PRESENT: Richard
Timmer, Chairman and Earl Kay
MEMBERS
ABSENT: Scott
Shackleton
OTHERS PRESENT: Judge
Michael MacDonald, Prosecutor Brian Peppler and Kelly Beaune, Recorder
Chairman Timmer called for additions or deletions to
the agenda. It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Timmer to
approve the agenda as presented. On a
voice vote, the motion carried.
No public comment.
Indigent Defense Court
On-Site Visit
Judge
Michael MacDonald addressed the Committee regarding an upcoming Court on-site
visit by the National Legal Aid and Defense Association (NLALA) and a recent
court case which was overturned due to attorney/client privileges which were
lacking in this Wayne County case.
Discussion included information on the Civil Rights Union, our Public
Defenders Office and the problems with conflict of interest cases, and the
importance of protecting the attorney/client privileges in the Chippewa County
Court system. The on-site visit will be
held on June 6th, and Judge MacDonald asked that a member of County
Board of Commissioners be available.
County Ordinances
Prosecutor
Brian Peppler addressed the Committee regarding a recent review of the
following Chippewa County Ordinances: 97-1 Reimbursement to Chippewa County for
Legal Services Extended to Indigent Criminal Defendants; 97-4 County Jail
Contraband and 94-2 Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence of
Alcoholic Beverages and/or Controlled Substances – Liable for Costs of
Prosecution. The County needs to take
appropriate action to properly re-enact Ordinances 97-1 and 94-2; with
amendments to Ordinance 97-4 as provided by Prosecutor Peppler. A public hearing for all three ordinances
will be advertised. (Copies attached)
It was moved by Commissioner
Kay, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to take appropriate action to re-enact
Ordinance 97-1 Reimbursement to Chippewa County for Legal Services Extended to
Indigent Criminal Defendants and 94-2 Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the
Influence of Alcoholic Beverages and/or Controlled Substances – Liable for
Costs of Prosecution and to amend 97-4 County Jail Contraband as presented by
Prosecutor Peppler. On a voice vote,
the motion CARRIED.
Building Department
Building
Inspector Jay Predmore addressed the Committee regarding demolition guidelines
that have been establish by the Building Inspector’s Office, as well as,
discussion on the insurance code regarding demolition, which should be
established by each Township to cover liability issues.
Chippewa County Conservation
District
A
request of support from the Chippewa East Mackinac Conservation District Board
of Directors was reviewed by the Committee, so the funding for the local
Conservation District to not be eliminated.
The Committee also reviewed an income statement provided for the Soil
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program from 6/1/2006 through 4/11/2007.
It was moved by Commissioner
Kay, Supported by Commissioner Timmer, to send to the full Board and support
the resolution to fully restore the budgeted funding for the State’s
Conservation Districts. On a voice
vote, the motion CARRIED.
Benefits, Compensation &
Code of Ethics
The
Committee reviewed the working draft of the draft Commissioners Benefits and
Compensation policy and Code of Ethics.
Included in the packet was a copy of Ingham County’s Ethic policies,
which is twenty-six pages, as well as, the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s draft
Code of Ethics and Conduct.
It was moved by Commissioner
Kay, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to forward copies of the draft Code of
Ethics and County Commissioners Benefits and Compensation policy to the Finance
Committee for review. On a voice vote,
the motion CARRIED.
MAC Legislative Update and
Other
The
Committee reviewed the updated dated April 20, 2007; the Committee also
reviewed an article regarding ORV riders in northern Michigan.
The
Committee discussed repealing the Controller’s Act, establishing a budget for
an Administrator position including wages, fringes and travel.
It was moved by Commissioner
Kay, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to forward budget figures and to repeal
the Controller’s Act to the Finance Committee for review. On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.
Committee and/or Chairman
Comments
None
Adjourn
Commissioner Kay, supported
by Commissioner Timmer, moved to adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote the motion CARRIED.
Chairman
Timmer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:44 a.m.
_______________________________ ______________________________________
Kelly
J. Beaune, Recorder Richard Timmer, Chairman