The Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners met in regular session on
Present: Commissioners Ted Postula, Don Cooper, Scott
Shackleton, Richard Timmer, Bernard LaJoie, Jim Moore and Chairman Earl Kay
Also Present: Jesse Knoll, Marvin Willis, Derek Myerscough,
Don McLean, Chris McLean, Tim McKee, 9-1-1/OES Director, Paul Warrick, Frank
Blissett, Scott Brand, Evening News, Jim German, Jeff Moran, Sheriff, 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
Postula, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to approve the County Board minutes
of December 31, 2007 (Special meeting), January 2, 2008 (Organizational
meeting) and January 22, 2008 (Special meeting) as presented with the
correction to the minutes of January 22, 2008, last page, last paragraph which
reads “having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie,
supported by Commissioner LaJoie” which should read “having no further
business, it was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner
Moore”. With this correction, the motion
carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
It was noted by Chairman Kay,
that public comments was left off the agenda for the special meeting of January
22, 2008 he apologized for the same and asked that if anyone had public
comments and attended that meeting and would like to speak at this time being
Derek Myerscough, Jesse Knoll or Don McLean could come forward.
Jesse Knoll made a comment that
an individual in the audience, that being an employee of DeVere Construction,
was not given an opportunity to comment.
Chairman Kay explained that the issue that was raised had already been
addressed during the interview session.
Chairman Kay also explained that
during the Administrator’s interview session, the public was not given the
opportunity to speak and he apologized.
Legal counsel informed the Board that it was a public meeting, even
though there was no call to order, roll call or minutes taken, public comments
should have been accepted. Again,
Chairman Kay asked if anyone that was in attendance at the interview session
would like to comment now, come forward.
There were no comments.
Derek Myerscough – buying of
vehicles at EUP Transpo Authority
Jesse Knoll – inconvenience of
Don McLean – asked about status
of Resolution that
CONTROLLER’S REPORT – Kelly
Beaune, Acting Controller – informational purposes only
OLD BUSINESS:
Applicants for Hiawatha Behavioral Health Board
It was moved by Commissioner
Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Cooper, to accept the nominations of
Angela Carr, Ronald L. Meister and Derek Myerscough as candidates for the
vacancy on the Hiawatha Behavioral Health Board. On a voice vote, the motion carried with
Commissioner LaJoie voting no.
Commissioners Benefits & Compensation
It was moved by Commissioner
Moore, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to accept the Commissioner Benefits
& Compensation Policy as follows:
Effective January 1, 2007, it
shall be the policy of Chippewa County that Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners are elected officials with full-time benefits, and shall not be allowed to accumulate
vacation days, sick days, or any paid leaves of absences.
Chippewa County Board of
Commissioner shall receive a monthly salary and a $45.00 per meeting, maximum
of two per day, eligibility based on Committee appointment or on a special
agenda representing the County. Travel
expenses directly related to official County business shall be reimbursable in
a manner consistent with policy #410.
The employer agrees to pay the
premium for hospitalization and medical insurance coverage for a single
subscriber, two person and family coverage for
Chippewa County Commissioners who elect to participate in the group insurance
plan; coverage shall be equal to the active employees. Employees electing sponsored dependent and/or
family continuation coverage are responsible for payment of the premium costs
for this additional coverage.
As with other County employees,
Commissions declining health care insurance, who opt out of the County’s health
insurance shall, as an incentive, be eligible to receive compensation in lieu
of health care insurance. It may be paid
to the Commissioner in a separate check and upon verification the employee is
covered by another health insurance program.
This election shall be made on an annual basis and shall be effective for
that full year. In the event that an
employee loses coverage under the alternative source, they shall be returned to coverage under the County’s plan
as soon as possible. Spouses of eligible
employees shall not be eligible for this benefit.
If a Commissioner has similar
insurance through an employer or spouse he/she is expected to maintain that
current coverage instead of opting for the County coverage.
On discussion: Commissioner Cooper offered the following
amendment; “
Commissioner Shackleton
supported the motion.
Continued discussion was held on
full-time employee, the intent of the wording and eligible health care.
On the amendment as proposed by
Commissioner Cooper, on a voice vote Commissioners Postula, Timmer, LaJoie,
Moore and Kay voted no. Commissioners
Cooper and Shackleton voted yes. The
motion failed 2-5.
On the original motion as
presented, on a voice vote all Commissioners voted yes except for Commissioner
Cooper who voted no. The motion carried
6-1.
It was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to adopt the following Fraud Policy as
follows:
The County as the Employer is responsible for the
detection and prevention of fraud, misappropriations, theft and other
inappropriate conduct. Fraud is defined
as the intentional, false representation or concealment of a material fact for
the purpose of inducing another to act upon it to his or her injury.
All employees of the County will be familiar with the
types of improprieties that might occur within his or her area of
responsibility, and be alert for any indication of irregularity. An employee who discovers or suspects
fraudulent activity will contact their supervisor, a law enforcement agency,
Actions constituting fraud:
The term defalcation, misappropriation, and other fiscal
wrongdoings refer to, but are not limited to:
The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners is responsible
for the administration, revision, interpretation, and application of this
policy. The policy will be reviewed annually and revised as needed.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner LaJoie, to adopt the Bylaws and Rules of Procedure. (On file in
County Controllers Office)
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Administrator
Interviews
It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by
Commissioner Timmer, that each Commissioner narrow down the applicants to their
two (2) leading candidates, follow up as to references and do second
interviews.
Discussion was held on salary and how to proceed with the
process. On a voice vote, the motion
carried and the picks are as follows:
Shackleton – Searight, Severson
Cooper – Searight, Severson
Posutla – Skinner, German
Timmer – Searight, German
LaJoie – Searight, German
Moore – Severson, German
Kay – German, Rokita
Jim German received 5 votes, and Searight received 4
votes. These two (2) candidates will be
contacted for a second interview session.
Commissioner Cooper asked about the status of the Public
Defenders also working for the Tribe. He thought this issue had been rectified
and an agreement had been reached. This matter will be looked in to.
STANDING
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel – Bernard LaJoie – No meeting
Equalization & Apportionment – Jim Moore – No meeting
Health & Social Services – Ted Postula – No meeting
Building, Grounds, & Jail – Earl Kay –
The Committee reviewed new proposals to remove and
replace the condensate receiver tank in the Courthouse Annex. The replacement tank will be a 50-gallon
steel tank, instead of the current 30-gallon unit, which has acquired a pinhole
leak that cannot be fixed.
It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by
Commissioner Timmer, to approve the proposal from ACC Planned Service, in the
amount of $2,189.00 plus estimated freight charges of $200.00, and utilizing
the existing pump. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
The Committee reviewed a previous proposal to provide and
install eight (8) Courthouse windows that are cracked; the previous cost for
material and labor was $2,896.04; rental of a Hi-Lift will be required to
complete the project.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to re-bid the eight (8) window replacements needed in the
Courthouse, including the Hi-Lift rental in the proposal, and to send the bids
to the Finance committee for approval with the project being paid out of fund
balance. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Commissioner Cooper inquired as to how effective the
Central Supply store was.
Having no further action items, it was moved by
Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner Timmer, to approve the Building,
Grounds & Jail Committee report as given.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Building,
Grounds, & Jail -
Informational purposes only, no action items
necessary. The City/County Building –
Purchase Agreement will be addressed in the Finance, Claims and Accounts
Committee meeting report.
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to accept the Committee meeting report as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Building,
Grounds, & Jail -
Informational purposes only, no action items
necessary. The Gundlach Champion &
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to accept the Committee meeting report as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Transportation – Ted Postula – No meeting
Legislative & Natural Resources – Richard Timmer –
The Committee reviewed a letter from the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Bureau, as well as, members of the
Committee attended a meeting the previous day with the Chippewa East Mackinac Conservation
District to receive an update on the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control
Program. There were three items that
need to be addressed for the program; 1) site inspection frequency: 2) updates
the County’s soil erosion sedimentation control resolution and 3) address the
sites found to be in non-compliance by completing the appropriate follow-up
actions. Items one and three will be addressed by the Chippewa East Mackinac
Conservation District; item two is Resolution 08-02, (Under New Business items)
which will correctly designate Chippewa East Mackinac Conservation District as
the county enforcing agency responsible for administering and enforcing Part
91, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, of the Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner LaJoie, to approve and forward Resolution 08-02 Soil Erosion
Control Enforcement Agency to the full Board of Commissioners for its
authorization. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously,
It was noted that under other items in this committee
report, Veteran’s Relief Fund should be corrected to read Veteran’s Service
Fund.
Having no further action items, it was moved by
Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to accept the report as
given. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
Legislative
& Natural Resources –
The Committee reviewed the appropriation FY09 request
forms which need to be returned by February 29th to Congressman
Stupak’s office. Prior requests
including the jail expansion, District Court renovation, the Sheriff’s
Department equipment request were reviewed and discussion included the need to
have a grant writer on staff with the County.
A previous I-75 road closure gates project was discussed and details
will be sought from the Road Commission and Office of Emergency Services. The Committee established that the facility’s
needs of the County should be first priority.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to approve requests be updated and forwarded for the
County’s facilities needs, the Sheriff’s Department equipment request and a
renewed request for the I-75 gate closure project. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Having completed the report, it was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to accept the report of the
Legislative and Natural Resources Committee meeting as presented. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
Computer Committee – Don Cooper – No meeting
Finance, Claims & Accounts – Richard Timmer –
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to approve and authorize Chairman’s signature for
professional agreements with Northwoods Land Surveying covering 51 corners at
$61,200; Meridian consultants covering 39 corners at $46,800; the
Administration contract for $8,800 and five (5) peer review contracts covering
approximately 80 hours and $3,700. On a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Committee reviewed a request for out of state travel
by OES Director Tim McKee, who has been invited by the USCG to participate in
an Area Maritime Security Committee Conference in
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to approve the out of state travel request for Tim McKee,
to attend the Area Maritime Security Committee Conference in
The Committee reviewed the 2008 UPCAP Services, Inc. dues
billing, and briefly discussed the serviced provided by UPCAP.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to approve the payment of $1,200 for the 2008 UPCAP
Services dues. On a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
The Committee received and reviewed the 2008 County dues
request from Michigan Association of County.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to approve payment of the 2008
The Committee was provided with a request from the Chippewa
County Road Commission requesting the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’
share in the cost of ordering 10,000 new maps for FY08.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner
Moore, to approve an allocation and budget amendment from the County’s FY08
fund balance of $5,000 to the Chippewa County Road Commission to cover one half
of the cost for 10,000 maps-with the stipulation that one half of the maps be
delivered to the County. On a voice
vote, the motion carried with Commissioner Cooper voting no.
The Committee received a 2% funding request documentation
requesting
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Cooper, to approve and authorize signature for the 2% funding
request for the Area Community Hockey Assistance program. On a voice vote, the motion carried with
Commissioner Timmer voting no.
The Committee reviewed the request for bids for fourteen
(14) Desktop computers and a request for proposals for Automated Software Patch
Management Solution. The Information Systems
personnel provided a breakdown of the computers to be replaced, one error being
noted on the front counter District Court computer which was purchased in 2003
not 2007. The request for proposals for
the Automated Software Patch Management Solution was briefly discussed also, as
grant monies will be sought to cover this expenditure, the deadline for
proposal submission will be adjusted to meet grant deadlines.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to approve the release of the 14 Desktop Computer Bid and
the proposal for the Automated Software Patch Management Solution. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The Committee reviewed three quotes to replace the
existing Ricoh FT3213 copy machine; Sault Printing offered a Ricoh MP 161 (16
pages-per-minute) copies at a price of $1,100.
National Office offered two options for replacement; a Muratec MFX 1450D
at $1,450 and a MFX 1330D (13 pages-per-minute) for $999.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to purchase the Ricoh MP 161 (16 pages-per-minute) copier
from Sault Printing Company at the price of $1,100.00. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
The Committee reviewed documentation provided from previous
meetings, along with the recommendation of the Building & Grounds Committee
to fund to the Jail Expansion with the DTRF based on assumptions and
calculations provided by Chuck Leonhardt, as well as, a schedule of paying off
the old and new debt by 2017. The new
debt will be paid back to the DTYRF with interest. Discussion followed including providing a
resolution providing clarification and verification of repayment schedule.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Postula, to approve the jail expansion funding option of borrowing
from the DTRF, and providing a resolution of repayment verification, upon the
final GMP.
On discussion:
Commissioner Shackleton stated he was not yet convinced that the right
thing to do for the County is to invest a lot of money to go further into the
jail business of housing Federal prisoners.
Commissioner Cooper can’t justify spending that kind of
money to build a jail that will perhaps just break even and not even pay the
debt service.
Commissioner Postula thought there will always be a need
for the space.
Commissioner LaJoie stated more and more people are going
to jail.
On the motion, on a voice vote, the motion carried with
Commissioners Cooper and Shackleton voting no.
The Committee reviewed an updated purchase agreement for
the purchase of the City’s portion of interest in the City/County Building. The purchase agreement reflected the changes
previously requested by the Building & Grounds Committee, along with other
Commissioners who were present at the Committee meeting.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by Commissioner
Moore, to approve the purchase agreement in the amount of $750,000 to purchase
the City’s portion of the City/County Building located at 325 Court Street, Sault
Ste. Marie,
The monthly claims and accounts reports were presented.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner LaJoie, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling
$370,351.59, other fund claims of $231,627.73, payroll of $401,204.10 and
health department claims of $615,051.48, for total claims of $1,849,862.63,
vouchers 1237 through 1489 and A-1 through A-266. On a voice vote, the motion carried
unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, supported by
Commissioner Moore, to approve and authorize the GELC labor contract with
Central Dispatch and
Having completed the report, it was moved by Commissioner
Timmer, supported by Commissioner Moore, to accept the report of the Finance,
Claims and Accounts Committee report as given.
On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution 08-02
– Soil Erosion Control Enforcement Agency
It was moved by Commissioner Moore, supported by
Commissioner Cooper, to recommend adoption of the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 08-02
RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE
SOIL EROSION CONTROL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
WHEREAS, Part 91, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, of the Natural
Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (Part 91),
was passed by the state legislature, this law and rules promulgated under this
law are incorporated by reference in this resolution; and
WHEREAS, Part 91 requires that the
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chippewa East Mackinac
Conservation District is hereby designated the County Enforcing Agency
responsible for administering and enforcing Part 91 and the rules promulgated
under Part 91.
A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN AS FOLLOWS
AYES: Commissioners
Postula, Cooper,
Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay
NAYS: None
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Resolution 08-03
IGT Authorizing (Medical Care Access Coalition)
The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner
LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Postula:
IGT AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION
WHEREAS,
Chippewa County Commission is committed to supporting programs that
provide access to appropriate health care services for low-income residents of all
fifteen (15) Upper Peninsula Counties;
WHEREAS, the Federal government has approved Michigan’s
Medicaid State Plan Amendment TN No. 05-13, effective June 1, 2006, which
creates an “Indigent Care Agreements Pool” for hospitals qualifying for
Medicaid Disproportionate Share (“DSH”) payments to receive DSH payments under
the Indigent Care Agreements Pool so long as: (a) the hospital has an Indigent
Care Agreement with a local health care entity, such as Medical Care Access
Coalition; and (b) the Indigent Care Agreement stipulates that direct or
indirect health care services be provided to low-income patients with special
needs who are not covered under other public or private health care programs;
WHEREAS, Medical Care Access Coalition purposes
include promoting, organizing, managing and administering programs to create a
system for providing or arranging and paying for health care services in a cost
effective manner for persons unable to pay for such health care services;
WHEREAS, Medical Care Access Coalition has entered
into an Indigent Care Agreement with Keweenaw
Memorial Medical Center, Portage Health, Grandview Hospital, Bell Hospital,
Marquette General Health System, and Chippewa War Memorial Hospital,
requiring Medical Care Access Coalition to directly or indirectly
operate a program of arranging and paying for health care to low-income
individuals with special needs who are not covered under other public or
private health care programs and who are unable to pay for such services;
WHEREAS, both the Federal government and the State of
Michigan participate in the financing of the Indigent Care Agreements Pool,
with the Federal government matching the State’s portion pursuant to the
Federal medical assistance percentage formula;
WHEREAS, certain intergovernmental transfers of public
funds from
A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN AS
FOLLOWS:
AYES: Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton,
Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay
NAYS: None
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Resolution 08-04
The following Resolution 08-04 was
offered by Commissioner Moore, supported by Commissioner LaJoie:
RESOLUTION 08-04
JAMES TERRIAN, M.D.
LET IT BE KNOWN, that it is with great pride that the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners join together with the employees
and residents of Chippewa County, to express their wishes of good health and
happiness upon his retirement and as he prepares for the new and exciting
experiences that lie ahead.
JAMES TERRIAN, M.D. has served the citizens of
JAMES TERRIAN, M.D. has brought recognition to himself,
the community and the
IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE, therefore, upon his retirement from
A ROLL CALL
VOTE WAS TAKEN AS FOLLOWS:
AYES: Commissioners
Postula, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore and Kay
NAYS: Commissioner
Cooper
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Resolution 08-06
The following Resolution 08-06 was offered by
Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Commissioner Timmer as follows:
RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE
FINAL 911 SERVICE PLAN
WHEREAS, under the Emergency 9-1-1 Service Enabling
Act (P.A. 32 of 1986, as amended), the Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners approved the final 911 service plan on March 12, 2001 to benefit
the citizens of Chippewa County by providing a uniform and well known emergency
telephone number; and
WHEREAS, the Chippewa County Board
of Commissioners continues to believe that 911 service will benefit the
citizens of
WHEREAS, the State of
WHEREAS,
Chippewa County has deemed it necessary to collect county-based 9-1-1 funds
from communications service providers as allowed under Public Act 164 of 2007 to defray the
costs of being ready to process, and of actually processing 9-1-1 calls placed
within Chippewa County; and
WHEREAS, Public Act 164 of 2007 allows for
limited amendments to be made to the Chippewa County 9-1-1 Plan through
resolution by County Board of Commissioners;
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners hereby
adopts this amendment to
A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN AS FOLLOWS:
AYES: Commissioners Postula, Cooper, Shackleton, Timmer, LaJoie, Moore
and Kay
NAYS: None
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
Discussion was held concerning issues discussed at the recent
MAC Conference. A Workshop will be set
up that would have topics such as grant service funding projects, land banks,
wind energy, etc.
Having no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Moore,
supported by Commissioner LaJoie, to adjourn.
On a voice vote, the motion carried and the Board did adjourn at
Respectfully submitted,
Diane S. Cork, Clerk Earl
Kay, Chairman