Approved 9/21/04
COUNTY SERVICES
August 17, 2004
Minutes
Members Present: Chris Swope, Marc Thomas, Debbie DeLeon, Curtis Hertel, Mike Severino, John Nevin and Board Chairperson Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Harold Hailey, Jared Cypher, Rodney Taylor, Bob Moore, Joe Lessard, Mr. Traxler, Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, Dave Donovan, Ms. Solomon-Jozwiak, Christine Timmon and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Swope at 7:00 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the July 20, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE JULY 20 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comm. Severino
Additions to the Agenda
4. Substitute Resolution
8b. Item pulled from the agenda
10. Financing Energy Conservation Improvements – Information
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmon spoke regarding her opposition to same-sex marriages and domestic partner insurance.
MOVED BY COMM. NEVIN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
4. Ingham County MSU Extension – Substitute Resolution to Authorize Ingham County MSU Extension to Accept a $10,000 Grant from Michigan State University to Provide Additional Educational and Technical Assistance to Residents on the Management and Control of Emerald Ash Borer
5b. MIS Department – Resolution Authorizing Participation in the Mid-Michigan Information Technology Master Mutual Aid Agreement
6. Parks Department
a. Resolution Authorizing the Termination of the Contract between the Pepsi Bottling Group and the Ingham County Parks Department
b. Resolution Authorizing an Appropriation from the Equipment Revolving Fund to Purchase an Additional Passenger Van
7. Register of Deeds – Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Four Document Image Scanners
8a. Human Resources Department – Resolution Approving the ICEA/Public Nurse Collective Bargaining Agreement
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
1. Presentation – Living Wage Ordinance – Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, Catholic Social Services of Lansing/St. Vincent Home, Inc.
Ms. Williams-Hecksel stated Catholic Social Services of Lansing/St. Vincent Home, Inc. (CSS) would like to reopen the dialogue between this Committee and CSS regarding the extension of the Living Wage Ordinance waiver. The current waiver request is being made due to a shift in CSS funding.
Ms. Williams-Hecksel explained that three-quarters of CSS’s revenues are generated through government grants and fees. The agency must rely on philanthropic dollars in the amount of $1.3 million this year to fund the remainder of services. This subsidy is expected to increase to $2 million in 2005. Over the last five years, CSS has experienced no increases in government grants or fees to fund the increasing costs of program services.
CSS philosophically supports the intent of the Ingham County Living Wage ordinance. The agency continuously works to improve the wages and working conditions of its workforce. Ms. Williams-Hecksel explained that compliance with this mandate presents a number of challenges for CSS.
Agreeing to unilateral wage increases, without any increase in funding or consideration of the characteristics of the workforce, will inevitably lead to a decreased capacity to continue providing the same level of services to this community. Additional philanthropic support available within this community is limited. In addition to decreased United Way support and limited foundation funding, all non-profits in our community are faced with greater competition for the same donor dollars.
CSS must make sound business decisions that do not jeopardize the future financial health and capacity of this organization. Ms. Williams-Hecksel stated it would be irresponsible of CSS to not request a waiver extension.
(Comm. Severino arrived at approximately 7:30 p.m.)
CSS would incur a net cost of $85,000 to meet the requirements of the Living Wage Ordinance in 2004. Approximately $55,000 would be needed to meet the requirements in 2005. Ms. Williams-Hecksel stated CSS would like to continue to move toward the shared goal of implementing the Ordinance.
Ms. Williams-Hecksel described the nature of employment of those employees receiving a salary below the living wage. Many of those employees work very few hours for CSS. Chairperson Swope stated he did not intend for the Ordinance to apply to employees who work very few hours.
Chairperson Swope suggested that CSS phase in the Living Wage Ordinance while the County works to further narrow the exemptions to the Ordinance. This discussion continued. Comm. DeLeon asked if CSS has made state representatives aware of its financial situation. Ms. Williams-Hecksel stated CSS is working with the appropriate representatives regarding this issue.
Comm. Severino questioned the County’s legal authority to place conditions on state funding. He then suggested that CSS could operate under the Ordinance for its Refugee Services. Ms. Williams-Hecksel stated CSS could not make long-term commitments at this time. However, it will continue to commit resources toward meeting the Ordinance requirements.
Comm. DeLeon asked if CSS addressed the Living Wage Ordinance in its newly drafted four-year strategy. Ms. Williams-Hecksel stated CSS is developing an action plan to meet the Ordinance requirements. It is the hope of CSS to implement the plan by the end of this year. Comm. DeLeon suggested the Controller’s Office review CSS’s action plan and determine if it is working toward meeting the requirements. If so, the County could grant a waiver extension.
Comm. Hertel stated the County should focus on the eight full-time employees at CSS. It should then try to determine exemptions to address the other employees. This would be a starting point. Comm. Hertel stated he would be willing to support the waiver request at this time.
Board Chairperson Celentino stated the Controller’s Office and the Board or County Services Chair should dialogue with CSS further and then forward their recommendation to this Committee by the end of October 2004.
Comm. Thomas stated it would be helpful to have a chart which demonstrates which CSS employees work for which contract and which employees work for the County. He further stated he appreciates the fact that CSS is willing to work with the County to achieve the common goal.
5a. MIS Department – Resolution to Purchase a Backup Generator to Support Servers Located at the Hilliard Building
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO PURCHASE AS BACKUP GENERATOR TO SUPPORT SERVICES LOCATED AT THE HILLIARD BUILDING.
Comm. DeLeon asked how the determination was made to take funds from the contingency fund. Mr. Taylor explained that Mr. Ambrose and Ms. Younger recommended that this request be placed before the Committee for consideration. He also stated that he hopes the proposals will indicate a lower cost. The proposals are due this Wednesday.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. DeLeon voting NO.
2. Capital Area Rail Council – Appointments
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF KAZUYA FUJITA TO A TWO-YEAR TERM; COMM. GREBNER TO A ONE-YEAR TERM; AND MICHAEL MCKEE TO A TWO-YEAR TERM ON THE CAPITAL AREA RAIL COUNCIL. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. DeLeon asked that staff draft a resolution indicating the recommended appointments.
3. Fair Board – Resolution Authorizing an Addition to the Crest View Horse Tack Shop at the Ingham County Fairgrounds
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ADDITION TO THE CREST VIEW HORSE TACK SHOP AT THE INGHAM COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.
Mr. Hailey explained that once the addition has been constructed, the vendor will assume the actual utility costs for the existing building, in addition to and in lieu of the flat payment of $50 monthly as provided in the current lease.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8b. Human Resources Department – Resolution Approving the ICEA/Public Health Nurse Collective Bargaining Agreement
This item was pulled from the agenda.
10. Resolution Authorizing Installment Purchase Agreement (Energy Conservation Improvements)
Mr. Hailey stated he received the results of the energy conservation study this afternoon. Information relating to that study is included in the information which was distributed to the Committee. Trane has indicated they will guarantee a first-year savings of $143,215 in energy costs.
Comm. Nevin expressed his concern that the information is vague and that the energy costs will be high. He stated he would be uncomfortable moving ahead with this project at this time without additional information.
Comm. DeLeon agreed with Comm. Nevin’s concerns. Comm. Hertel stated it would be reasonable of this Committee to request a presentation by Trane representatives.
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INSTALLMENT PURCHASE AGREEMENT UNTIL THERE HAS BEEN FURTHER DISCUSSION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmon expressed her appreciation for the discussion in agenda item one. She then spoke regarding her ongoing concerns regarding same-sex marriages.
Comm. Hertel stated it has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with Chairperson Swope on this Committee. He also expressed his appreciation of Chairperson Swope’s work and patience.
The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff