Board of Commissioners Room – Courthouse
The Ingham County Board of
Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the above time and place. The meeting was called to order at
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Dallas Henney led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance and a few moments of silence were observed for meditation.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Moved by Commissioner Lynch,
supported by Commissioner Grebner to approve the Minutes of the
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Swope reported that
there was a substitute resolution for agenda item no. 20 – Resolution in
support of Capital Area Michigan Works! Grant Application to the Michigan
Department of Labor and Economic Growth for a Regional Skill
Commissioner Swope reported that there was a substitute resolution for agenda item no. 32 – Resolution to Adopt a Revised Equal Opportunity Employment Plan. The substitute was accepted by the Chair.
Commissioner Schor requested the addition of a late resolution requesting an amendment to the Dog Law of 1919. This was accepted by Chairperson Celentino and added as agenda item no. 54.
Commissioner Nevin requested the addition of a late resolution to authorize funding of up to $20,000 for free water testing and blood testing for low income families at risk of lead contamination. This was accepted by Chairperson Celentino and added as agenda item no. 55.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
Letter from Pinebrook Manor Apartments giving notice of intent to prepay the mortgage loan. Received and placed on file.
Memo from Commissioner Schor, tendering his resignation from the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Steering Committee. Received and placed on file.
Notice of hearing from
Letter and resolution from
Letter from the Otsego County
Board of Commissioners regarding the funding dispute between Otsego, Crawford
and Kalkaska counties and the 46th Circuit Trial Court. Referred to the
Letter from the U.S. Department
of the Interior, offering congratulations on the re-dedication of
Letter from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, forwarding the Air Quality Division’s pending New Source Review Application Report. Received and placed on file.
Letter from the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services announcing a public hearing on proposed rules to reduce insurance base rates and to ban the use of credit scoring, Referred to the Law Enforcement Committee.
Letter from the Michigan Department of Corrections, forwarding the final audit report of the Ingham County Jail Reimbursement Program. Referred to the Law Enforcement Committee.
Letter from Alpena County
Expressing opposition to the passage of Senate Bill 217 in its present
form. Referred to the
Resolution from
Resolution from
Resolution from
Letter and resolution from
Resolution from
2003 Annual Report of the
Letter from Debbie Alexander,
President of CARC (Capital Area Rail Council) regarding membership
representation on the Greater Lansing Passenger Rail Council. Referred to the
Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission’s Financial Audit for fiscal year 2002/2003. Received and placed on file.
Letter from Cohl, Stoker, Toskey
& McGlinchey regarding Otsego County Commissioner Lee Olsen’s letter dated
LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT:
Steve Brewer addressed the Board about his continuing concerns with not receiving medical treatment from the Ingham County Health Department.
Brian Smith, from
Christine Timmon, from
Ms. McPatrick, from
Ody Norkin, from Okemos, addressed the Board regarding the Airport Authority Board.
CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA:
Moved by Commissioner Schafer, supported by Commissioner Holman to adopt a consent agenda consisting of all items except 23, 25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 54 and 55. Motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Absent: Commissioner Minter. Items voted on separately are so noted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS:
The following resolution was introduced by the County Services Committee:
RESOLUTION MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO THE
RESOLUTION #04-205
WHEREAS, vacancies exist on the Ingham County Youth Commission; and
WHEREAS, the County Services Committee interviewed youth interested in serving on this Committee:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby makes the following appointments to the Ingham County Youth Commission:
Paul Wilson,
to a term expiring
Renee Snodgrass, 1907 Persimmon Path, Holt, 48842
to a term expiring
Nays: None Absent: Swope Approved
Adopted as part of the consent agenda.
The following resolution was introduced by the County Services Committee:
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF JULY AS A
RESOLUTION #04-206
WHEREAS Michigan is one of the nation=s most diverse agricultural states growing over 100 commercial crops, second only to California in variety; and
WHEREAS for nearly 100 years, hardworking farm worker men and women have helped cultivate our soil, work our land, and sustain and grow Michigan=s agricultural economy and the state=s urban and rural areas; and
WHEREAS Michigan 6th leading user of migrant and seasonal labor in the country, involved in the production and harvest of over 45 crops whose estimated state total field value is $2.5 billion; and
WHEREAS the Michigan=s economy gained $34 million in Federal government transfer payments for programs to service the migrant and seasonal farm worker population in the state; and
WHEREAS, 264
WHEREAS, migrant farm workers
spend about half of their season=s
earnings in rural and urban communities across
WHEREAS, the weekly earnings of all Michigan farm workers and of migrant farm workers equal 69% and 57% respectively of the earnings of U.S. wage and salary workers; and
WHEREAS, farm workers are excluded from many state and federal labor laws, work in one of the most hazardous industries, and suffer some of the worst working and living conditions of any group of workers in the state; and
WHEREAS, for over half a century migrant farm workers have been making Ingham County their home and have become productive members of our communities and neighborhoods; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby designates the month of July as
AMichigan Farm Worker Appreciation Month@ in
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the
Board appreciates the contributions
Nays: None Absent: None Approved
Adopted as part of the consent agenda.
The following resolution was introduced by the County Services Committee:
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CAPITAL AREA
RESOLUTION #04-207
WHEREAS, Capital Area
WHEREAS, Regional Skill Alliances are an organization of firms in a single industry and partners (e.g., community colleges, economic development organizations) dedicated to resolving one or more workforce development issues faced by the industry; and
WHEREAS, the industry and
partners are brought together by a “convener” to organize activities and
resources focused on the problem(s); and Capital Area Michigan Works! would
serve as a Regional Skill Alliance convener for the
WHEREAS, Regional Skill Alliances will focus on worker shortages, skill shortages, training mismatches, recruitment, and retention; and
WHEREAS, Capital Area
WHEREAS, the Manufacturing Council is in place, and a study of manufacturing has been completed; and several workforce development issues have been identified, including hiring-efficiency concerns, basic skill gaps, and the adequacy of the supply of workers completing post-high school training; and
WHEREAS, in the area of health care, serious workforce development issues have already been identified, including worker shortages in some occupations and high turnover in others and depending on support by the industry, Capital Area Michigan Works! will try to convene this industry as well as partners and form a Health Care Council and Regional Skill Alliance during the next 12 months; and
WHEREAS, Capital Area
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby supports the Capital Area Michigan Works! Application for a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth for a Regional Skill Alliance project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board agrees to participate by working with the Manufacturing Council, as the local Manufacturing Regional Skill Alliance works collective to address the human resource needs of the Capital Area manufacturing sector and in offering potential solutions as they become fully identified with emphasis on improving hiring efficiencies by ensuring new entrants have the basic skills required by the jobs they seek; enhancing the basic skills of incumbent workers, including those with limited English skills, especially in firms with a long-established workforce; and assessing the adequacy of the post-high school training supply of workers in the region in meeting the needs of area manufacturing employers.
Nays: None Absent: None Approved
Adopted as part of the consent agenda.
The following resolution was introduced
by the County Services Committee:
RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING “FAMILY DAY” IN
RESOLUTION #04-208
WHEREAS, the use of illegal drugs
and the abuse of alcohol and nicotine constitute the greatest threats to the
well-being of
WHEREAS, surveys conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University have consistently found that the more often children and teenagers eat dinner with their families the less likely they are to smoke, drink and use illegal drugs; and
WHEREAS, teenagers who virtually never eat dinner with their families are 72 percent more likely than the average teenager to use illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, teenagers who almost always eat dinner with their families are 31 percent less likely than the average teenager to use illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, the correlation between family dinners and the reduced risk for teen substance abuse are well documented; and
WHEREEAS, parental influence is known to be one of the most crucial factors in determining the likelihood of substance abuse by teenagers; and
WHEREAS, family dinners have long
constituted a substantial pillar of family life in
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board urges all citizens to recognize and participate in the observance of “Family Day”.
Nays: None Absent: None Approved
Adopted as part of the consent agenda.
The following resolution was introduced by the County Services
Committee:
RESOLUTION
HONORING JOHN ANDRESEN
RESOLUTION
#04-209
WHEREAS, John Andresen began his career with
Ingham County in March, 1978 and currently serves as the Director of the
Facilities Department; and
WHEREAS, during his years of service with
Ingham County, John has been involved with
numerous building projects, such as the renovation of the former Auto
Owners Building into county office
space, now known as the Grady J. Porter Building, relocating employees from the
old Samuel Ingham Building into the new location; and
WHEREAS, he played an important part in the
construction of the new Ingham County Jail, 55th District Court,
Drain Commissioner=s Office, Multipurpose Building and office
building at the Fair, Library Annex,
Courthouse Annex, Courthouse Restoration
Project, C.
WHEREAS, John also worked diligently on the
construction of the Ingham County Youth Center and the Human Services Building,
along with several renovations and additions to the facility to incorporate the
need for expanding Ingham County services and housing other agencies; and
WHEREAS, most recently, John played a vital
role in the construction of the Veterans Memorial Courthouse, renovation of the
Grady J. Porter Building and the expansion of the kitchen at the Ingham County
Jail; and
WHEREAS, under John’s leadership, the
WHEREAS, with a fondness for native
plants, John would pay particular
attention to the varieties of trees, plants and shrubs planted on grounds,
resulting in beautiful, manicured County campuses; and
WHEREAS, John also served as a member of the
Ingham County Energy Commission, and most recently the Environmental Affairs
Committee; and
WHEREAS, after more than twenty-six years of
service with
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham
County Board of Commissioners hereby honors John Andresen for his many years of
dedicated service to the
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of
Commissioners extends its best wishes to John and hopes for continued success in
his future endeavors.
Nays: None Absent: None Approved
Adopted as part of the consent agenda.
The
following resolution was introduced by the
RESOLUTION
ADOPTING THE
RESOLUTION #04-210
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS, Ingham County’s farmland also contributes significantly to the open space and natural resource benefits of the County, including rural character, scenic beauty, cultural heritage, hunting and other recreational opportunities, and to the environmental benefits of the County, including watershed protection and wildlife habitat, all of which increases the overall quality of life and makes the County an attractive place to live and work; and
WHEREAS, because farmland is an invaluable economic, natural and aesthetic resource, the County should make an effort to maintain farmland in a substantially undeveloped state to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture, and to create a long-term business environment for agriculture in the County; and
WHEREAS, the fact that farmland has a greater market value for future development than for agriculture, encourages the speculative purchase of farmland at high prices for future development, which often results in the sale of farmland and its removal from agricultural use; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of Michigan and Ingham County to protect, preserve and enhance farmland, as evidenced by the Township Master Plans, the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act, the State Agricultural Preservation Fund, the Conservation and Historic Preservation Easement Act, portions of the County Zoning Act, and other state statutes and local policies; and
WHEREAS, Ingham County desires to provide for the effective long-term protection and preservation of farmland in Ingham County from the pressure of increasing residential and commercial development; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of farmland development rights by the County, and the placement of agricultural conservation easements, is a mechanism for the protection and preservation of farmland, in order to maintain a long-term business environment for agriculture in Ingham County, to preserve the rural character and scenic attributes of the County, to enhance important environmental benefits, and to maintain the quality of life for County residents; and
WHEREAS, the County Zoning Act authorizes a County to enact an Ordinance for the purchase of development rights, and the placement of agricultural conservation easements.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ordinance shall take effect when notice of its adoption is published in a newspaper of general circulation in the County.
Nays: Severino Absent: None Approved
FINANCE: Yeas: Lynch, Grebner, Dedden De Leon, Thomas
Nays: None Absent: Minter Approved
Moved by Commissioner Swope, supported by Commissioner Lynch to adopt the resolution.
Moved by Commissioner Severino, supported by Commissioner Nevin to amend item #24, the Farmland Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance Section 5: “Eligibility for Application:” to add a letter “F”, as follows: “An Ingham County Commissioner is not eligible to submit an application for their own property during their term of office.”
Motion to amend carried, with Commissioners Schor, De Leon, Thomas, Swope and Holman voting no, all others voting yes. Absent: Commissioner Minter.
Moved by Commissioner Schafer, supported by Commissioner Lynch to delete Section: 12 “Farmland Preservation Fund” number C. After some discussion, Commissioner Schafer withdrew the motion.
Motion to adopt the resolution, as amended, carried on a unanimous roll call vote. Absent: Commissioner Minter.
Adopted by
Ordinance No. 2004-01
AN ORDINANCE creating the Ingham County
Farmland Preservation Program, which protects farmland by acquiring development
rights voluntarily offered by property owners; authorizes the cash purchase
and/or installment purchases of such development rights; places an agricultural
conservation easement on the property which restricts future development; and
provides the standards and procedures for the purchase of development rights
and the placement of agricultural conservation easements.
THE PEOPLE OF THE
Section 1: Declaration of PurposeSection 1: Declaration of Purpose
A. Economic importance of farmland and
agriculture.
B. Importance
of other non-agricultural attributes of farmland. In addition to its economic benefits,
C. The
extent of development and farmland loss.
Because of
D. The
impact of farmland loss. Land
suitable for farming is an irreplaceable natural resource with soil and
topographic characteristics that have been enhanced by generations of
agricultural use. When such land is
converted to residential or other more developed uses that do not require those
special characteristics, a critical community resource is permanently lost to
the citizens of
invaluable
economic, natural and aesthetic resource,
E. State
and local policies. It is the policy
of the State of
F. Value
of development rights. Generally,
farmland has a greater market value for future residential development than for
farming. The features of good farmland,
such as perkable soils and open space views, are also the features desired for
residential home sites. This fact encourages
the speculative purchase of farmland at high prices for future residential
development, regardless of the current zoning of such lands. Farmland which has a greater development
potential and market value than its agricultural value does not attract
sustained agricultural investment, and eventually is sold to non-farmers and removed
from agricultural use.
G. Purpose
of the program. It is the purpose of
the Ingham County Farmland Preservation Program and this Purchase of
Development Rights Ordinance to protect farmland in order to maintain a
long-term business environment for agriculture in Ingham County, to preserve
the rural character and scenic attributes of Ingham County, to enhance
important environmental benefits, and to maintain the quality of life of Ingham
County residents.
H. Mechanism
to achieve purpose. The purchase of
development rights and the placement of an agricultural conservation easement
on farmland through the Ingham County Farmland Preservation Program as provided
for in this Ordinance is a public purpose of