LEGISLATIVE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

April 30th, 2008

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Legislative and Natural Resources Committee was held on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Chairperson Richard Timmer called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:      Richard Timmer, Chairman, Earl Kay and Scott Shackleton

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:        None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:          Treasurer Marilyn McDonald, Administrator Jim German

 

Additions/Deletions to the Agenda

None

 

Public Comments

No public comments were offered.

 

Agenda Items

 

Land Bank

 

A discussion ensued over a proposed Land Bank for Chippewa County.  Treasurer McDonald expressed reservations as the County has no land to put into it and that it is usually for Counties that have a great deal of condemned and abandoned property.  Commissioner Kay thought it may be good to have a Land Bank

if a need ever arises.  Commissioner Shackleton questioned what type of maintenance or upkeep would be needed if there were no property to put into it.  The Commissioners thought the idea may be good if it may be a benefit for Brownfield  re development and for business development.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to adopt a resolution that Chippewa County “intends to establish a Land Bank.” On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Historical District Commission

The committee reviewed the guidelines for Chippewa County to become a certified local government under The State Historical Preservation Office requirements.  Now that the County has a Historical District Ordinance the next step is to establish a Historical District Commission.

 

 

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Kay, to approve the establishment of a Historical District Commission, on a voice vote the motion CARRIED.

 

Resolution for Bill Thorne

The Committee reviewed a proposed Resolution honoring Bill Thorne for his many years of service to Chippewa County as a public radio announcer.

  

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Shackleton, to approve the proposed resolution. On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Request from the County Road Commission

The Committee reviewed a request from the County Road Commission to obtain an allowance of $45.00 per meeting for not more than two meeting per day.  A discussion took place on what steps the Road Commission had taken in regards to the Special Road Commission meeting on March 19th, 2008.  At that meeting the Commission had asked that the Road Commission change its purchasing policy to address State Law and to communicate more effectively with local business owners to negate any negative perception, conflicts of interest or impartiality issues with local businesses.  It was also suggested at the March 19th meeting that the Road Commission establish and get word to the public about how they go about local purchasing, what items they purchase from where, and the justification for doing so.  Administrator German was asked to draft a letter to the Road Commission and ask them for a response on how they have acted upon these recommendations.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Shackleton to table the request from the Road Commission and have Mr. German send a letter to the Road Commission asking them for a response on the March 19th recommendations.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Information Items

 

1.        MDEQ Air quality permits were discussed.

2.        A letter from Congressman’s Stupak Office was discussed for an appropriation for an upgrade to District Court.

3.        MAC updates were made available

4.        A letter from Northcare on the amount of funding Chippewa County was to receive from the liquor tax was reviewed.

5.        A resolution from Kalkaska County on the reasonable use of common water was discussed.

6.        A letter was reviewed from Senator Cameron Brown on supplemental appropriations for local funding for cost associated with the primary was reviewed.

 

Committee and/or Chairman Comments

None

 

Adjourn

Commissioner Shackleton, supported by Commissioner Kay, moved to adjourn the meeting.  On a voice vote the motion CARRIED.

 

Chairman Timmer declared the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________                        ______________________________________

Jim German, Administrator                                                 Richard Timmer, Chairman