Approved 3/2/04
COUNTY SERVICES
Members Present: Chris Swope, Marc Thomas, Debbie DeLeon, Curtis Hertel, Mike Severino and John Nevin
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, Harold Hailey, David Easterday, Doug Stover, Don Reisig, Christine Timmons, John Veenstra, Lee Hladki, Bob Selig, Ody Norkin, Ken Love, Marcia Ditchie and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Swope at 7:03 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 3, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 3 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Hertel
Additions to the Agenda
7c. Consideration of Fair Board Appointments
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons spoke regarding agenda item four. She further stated she believes a Commissioner is in violation of the Ethic's Policy. If this Commissioner does not resolve this situation, she stated she would take the appropriate actions.
(Comm. Hertel arrived at 7:06 p.m.)
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
7b. Board of Commissioners - Resolution Recognizing "Women's History Month" in Ingham County
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Orkin, Okemos Travel, stated the Lansing Area Travel Agents (Agents) voted unanimously to oppose the Airport's website, Flylansing.com and to request the discontinuation of the website. The Agents believe the website creates competition. The specific objection is to the reservation booking engine on the website.
Mr. Orkin also took issue with the website indicating it has the lowest airfares. He used a power-point presentation to illustrate this point. The website lists five reasons for people to use Flylansing.com to book their flights. Mr. Orkin stated those reasons are not true. The website is designed to only list nearby airports. However, the site did list Grand Rapids flight information.
Mr. Orkin stated the Agents believe it would make more sense for the Airport to use the vital tools in this area for flight arrangements. He further stated Agents do use more than one means of booking flight reservations. Mr. Orkin questioned the Airport's authority and rationale for developing this type of website.
Comm. Nevin stated it appears people would pay more to reserve a flight on the Airport's website. Therefore, the site is counter-productive. Mr. Orkin stated the site misleads the public. Comm. Hertel stated Mr. Orkin made many good points. Changes to the site may be warranted, but not the removal of the entire website. Comm. Hertel further stated increasing travel through the Lansing Airport increases the tax base. He also explained the Board of Commissioners does not have authority to control the Airport.
Comm. Hertel stated the Board could speak with the Airport regarding some reasonable possible changes to their website. The goal is to have a successful airport, it is not to put the Agents out of business.
Comm. Thomas agreed there are some issues to speak with the Airport about concerning their website. He asked what changes the Agents would like to see. Mr. Orkin stated the booking engine should be removed from the website. The Agents want an equal, level playing field. In response to Comm. Severino, Mr. Orkin stated the website does not give a travel customer the full picture regarding other booking sites.
Mr. Love stated the Bureau conducted vision surveys and interviews with residents and stakeholders. The results of the interviews and surveys indicated the central location, government and MSU were cited as the areas greatest assets. On average, residents were critical of Lansing and the lack of offerings. There was a strong desire for development, specifically in the downtown area. Results also indicated the community suffers from a very low self-esteem. A sense of pride should be instilled within the community.
Business and leisure visitor interviews were also conducted. Visitor perceptions mirrored the perceptions of the stakeholders and residents. Business travelers generally did not see Greater Lansing as a destination. Leisure travelers are visiting friends or relatives, or use this area as a stop over on their way to another destination. Visitors need to know there is more than what first meets the eye.
Visitor interviews with meeting planners were very positive. Planners were positive about their experience with the facilities in Lansing. Reasons cited for this positive experience were location, the ease of loading and unloading, quality facilities and friendly services. However, disappointment was expressed with the City of Lansing as a destination. Downtown lacks the vibrancy and product offerings for attendees.
Key findings in Inquiry Origin revealed that Detroit ranks as the highest inquiry market with almost 22% of total inquiries. Six of the top ten inquiry markets are found within the top ten visitor markets. This reflects good conversion. Key findings for Visitor Origin indicated Detroit DMA represents the largest visitor market with approximately 22% of the total visitors.
Mr. Love reviewed the Visitor Profile. The Profile indicated visitors:
The Bureau's Lansing Brand Strategy is to make the connection between the center of the state and the center of creativity. Creative culture can capture the range of experience for tourism purposes. It can also cast a wider net for cooperative efforts which reach beyond tourism.
At the conclusion of this presentation, Mr. Love stated the Bureau's next steps include:
In response to Comm. DeLeon, Mr. Love stated downtown Lansing is the perceived destination in the Greater Lansing area. He will provide the Committee with a breakdown of the specific destinations in the near future. He will also provide a snap shot of visitors' ultimate destinations. Comm. DeLeon asked about the focus groups used for the interview and survey process. Mr. Love explained the Bureau used business and leisure travelers. Local people were not surveyed. Comm. Thomas suggested the Bureau may want to conduct an interview and survey process with local residents. Mr. Love agreed this type of survey would be beneficial.
Comm. DeLeon inquired as to the progress of the Bureau's reorganization. Mr. Hladki stated the Bureau is in the process of reviewing its by-laws. Comm. DeLeon stated some Lansing Commissioners have expressed concerns that the Lansing Mayor has not been included as a Bureau Board member. Mr. Hladki explained the Bureau gave this issue a lot of consideration. This consideration involved a great debate for a long period of time. Comm. DeLeon stated it is critical for the Bureau to include the Lansing Mayor as one of its Board members. Mr. Love and Mr. Hladki addressed further questions from the Committee. In response to Comm. Nevin, Mr. Love explained the goal of the Visitor profile is to capture more of the current market.
Ms. Ditchie, Grants Administrator, distributed copes of the Arts Council's February 18, 2003 document regarding the Administration of Ingham County Arts and Tourism Funds to the Committee. The document included the 12-month report, copies of materials documenting use of funds and twenty-five sub-grantee reports.
The Arts Council has sent out a press release announcing the FY 2004 grant program. Applications have been sent to 32 agencies. A copy of the application packet has also been provided to each of the Ingham County Commissioners. She then stated the application deadline is February 27, 2004.
Ms. Ditchie addressed questions from the Committee at this time. Comm. DeLeon asked about the percentage of awards that are issued to minorities. She stated it does not appear that minority communities receive a fair share of the awards. Ms. Ditchie stated the Arts Council does send funding applications to minority organizations. Many of those organizations do not return the applications. Comm. DeLeon stated Lansing prides itself on being diverse. However, adequate funding is not available to market this fact. She recommended the Arts Council review this issue. Ms. Ditchie stated this review would be conducted.
Comm. Hertel suggested the Arts Council Directory should include the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. The contact number should be the Board Office. Comm. Thomas informed Ms. Ditchie that Sen. Bernero's name is misspelled in the Directory.
Comm. Severino stated the funding goal of the Arts Council is to attract people from outside our community. The funding is not only available for minority organizations.
Comm. Thomas asked about the funding criteria. Ms. Ditchie stated the criteria is stated on each application and on the Arts Council website. Mr. Ambrose stated the criteria is contained within the report. Comm. Nevin asked if the Council reviews the outcome at the end of the year. Ms. Ditchie explained organizations are required to submit a report when their event has concluded.
Mr. Reisig explained that to insure high ideals within the judicial system, a Model Code of Conduct for Court Employees (Code) was developed. A committee consisting of representatives of all three unions representing County employees, Mr. Faulds and Maureen Winslow met to discuss ethical issues and they have unanimously recommended the adoption of the Code. The Code was recommended by the Michigan Judicial Institute.
The proposed Code has also been submitted to the Ingham County Circuit and Family Court Judges for their approval. Based upon the recommendation of the discussion committee, the Courts unanimously adopted the Code. However, Mr. Reisig stated we need to clearly indicate that rights of employees of any of the unions, as well as management, will not be negatively impacted by the adoption of the Code. Representation rights will continue to exist. However, the Code will give direction and insight into basic fundamental rights and obligations of judicial employees.
Ethical violations, or violations of the Code, will not be treated as grounds for discipline for dismissal. Rather, it will be considered to be factors taken into consideration if an employee is charged with conduct which might be deemed to violate the Code, and be determined based upon the seriousness of the supportable charges.
Mr. Reisig further stated that time will be spent with each court division to discuss the Code, respond to any questions that employees might have, supply some examples of conduct, and engage them in a discussion. The Code has been very well received by the Court employees. One employee has indicated he/she signed a copy of the Code which indicated his/her support of the Code under duress. Mr. Easterday stated supervisors will review the Code with new employees shortly after being hired.
Comm. Nevin addressed Section Four of the Code regarding political activity. Mr. Reisig stated employees will be made well aware of this provision prior to the political season. Comm. Thomas asked about the procedure if an employee has violated the Code. Mr. Reisig stated the appropriate discipline process will be employed when necessary.
Comm. Severino commended the Court for developing the Code. He stated the Code would be a good model for the Board of Commissioners to refer to when its Ethic's Policy is next revised. In response to Chairperson Swope, Mr. Easterday stated he will compare Section Five-B (Performance of Duties) with the Equal Opportunity Plan language regarding 'other protected groups.' Appropriate changes will be made if necessary after this comparison.
Mr. Ambrose stated this information has been provided based on a request from some of the Commissioners. A comparison was conducted of the costs of contracts for the Community Corrections Staff Consultant and the IJIS Coordinator with the costs of comparable County Comparisons. The comparison is outlined in his February 10, 2004 memorandum to this Committee.
Basically, the current contract for the Community Corrections position pays $28.07 per hour for 1,896 hours. The contract authorizes up to $53,221 per year. The County only pays for the hours worked. Human Resources has determined that if this were a County position, it would be a P-7 in the ICEA bargaining unit. On an hourly basis, the employee would be paid $20.66 to $24.81 per hour. Including fringe benefits, the total cost to the County would range from $63,168 - $75,618.
The decision to contract for the IJIS Coordinator position resulted from an inability to find suitable applicants at the time (1996) and because it was anticipated that need for the position would not be permanent. The current contract arrangement is for $63,732. This is based on an hourly rate of $60.80 per hour for 1,040 hours. The County pays only for hours worked. The hourly contract amount has not changed since 1998.
Human Resources has determined this position would be a P-9 in the ICEA bargaining unit. On a half-time basis, the current salary range for the position would be $25,637 to $30,776, or $24.65 to $28.07 per hour. The total County costs, including fringe benefits, for a half-time employee, would range from $37,717 to $43,960. Because of paid holidays and vacation time, a half-time employee would only work 948 hours. Therefore, the County's cost would be $39.78 to $46.37 on an hourly basis.
Mr. Ambrose further explained there are circumstances where it is necessary or desirable to contract for employees. Sometimes this is the only way to secure individuals with the desired set of skills. It may also be appropriate where the duration of the need for the individual may be uncertain. In this situation, a contract approach may give the County more flexibility in discontinuing the services being provided.
It may be appropriate to develop guidelines concerning the use of individuals whose services are contracted for through third party employment agencies in order to assure that there is no conflict with County labor agreements.
Mr. Ambrose addressed questions from the Committee. In response to Comm. Thomas, he stated further recommendations regarding the two positions will be included in the budget discussions. Comm. DeLeon stated she would support the development of guidelines. Chairperson Swope agreed. However, he stated the County should not have a formal process, such as a policy. The guidelines should be considered as a decision making tool.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION #01-344 TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS.
Comm. Severino expressed his concern for the reason to recommend an increase in membership on the Fair Board. During the course of a year, the Board has had to make difficult decisions regarding the appointment of an individual to a commission. We do not change the membership number to create peace among Commissioners.
Chairperson Swope explained the recommendation has been made to ensure the Fair Board has a full contingency available during busy times of the year. This situation will be reevaluated at the end of the year. Comm. Thomas stated the Fair Board is a working board. It is appropriate to increase its membership as long as new members continue to contribute appropriately.
Comm. DeLeon explained the increased membership will create opportunities to increase the diverse membership of the Fair Board. Comm. Nevin expressed his concern for increasing the membership. He asked if this was a new policy of the Board of Commissioners. Chairperson Swope stated this issue can be reviewed at any time. It is not a new policy. Approving this Resolution would not be setting a precedent. He further stated this type of action has taken place in the past. Comm. DeLeon stated the Commissioners are obligated to provide more resources to its commissions when the opportunity arises.
MOTION CARRIED with Comms. Severino and Nevin voting NO.
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENTS OF DARRYL DIAMOND AND GUILLERMO LOPEZ TO THE FAIR BOARD. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Ambrose stated this matter has been addressed by the Board of Commissioners.
Mr. Ambrose wanted to ensure this letter was forwarded to the Road Commission. (The letter indicated the Road Commission would receive a copy of this letter.)
Mr. Ambrose stated this matter can be reviewed further during the budget process.
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements
Chairperson Swope stated the Commissioners should e-mail him with any recommendations for addressing agenda item number one.
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons spoke regarding the FIA and also spoke regarding agenda item number two - Court's Code of Conduct for Court Employees.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff