COUNTY SERVICES

Approved 3/15/05

COUNTY SERVICES

March 1, 2005

Minutes

Members Present: Victor Celentino, Dale Copedge, Andy Schor, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner

Members Absent: Debbie DeLeon and Mike Severino

Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, Bob Moore, Lee Hladki and Bruce Johnston

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Celentino at 7:03 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the February 15, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 15 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and DeLeon

Additions to the Agenda

3. Pulled Item – Arts Council of Greater Lansing 2004 Activities Report

7a. Additional Information

8. Resolution Declaring March 31, 2005 as “Cesar E. Chavez Day” in Ingham County

Limited Public Comment: None

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1b. Housing Commission – Resolution Accepting 2004 Community Development Block Grant Funding from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in the Amount of $300,000

4. Parks Board – Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds from the ADA Playground Construction Line Item to the ADA Boardwalk Construction Line Item

5. Clerk’s Office – Resolution to Accept an Optical Scan Voting System and Related Election Management Software (EMS) from the Michigan Secretary of State

6a. Board of Commissioners – Resolution Recognizing “Women’s History Month” in Ingham County

8. Resolution Declaring March 31, 2005 as “Cesar E. Chavez Day” in Ingham County

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and DeLeon

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and DeLeon

1a. Housing Commission – Interviews

The Committee interviewed Donald Flintoff, Dennis Bean and Marjorie Buchanan for a position on the Housing Commission.

2. Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau – Presentation

Mr. Hladki updated the Committee on Bureau business. The overall bed tax in this County increased by 2.6% in 2004. However, the occupancy rate declined by .09%. Mr. Hladki explained that Team Lansing has been working hard to improve sales and marketing. The Bureau will launch a serious campaign in late spring to increase convention and business in this area.

The Bureau’s website is being revamped to create a very progressive and interactive site. The website receives 16,000 to 18,000 hits per month. Mr. Hladki stated the Bureau’s visitor’s guide is also located on the website. Efforts are also being made to increase ethnicity diversity.

Mr. Hladki stated the Bureau has serious competition with the Grand Rapid’s bureau. The Lansing Bureau anticipates some shift in business to the Grand Rapids bureau this year. The Bureau will continue to look for other ways to increase interest in this community from outside of this community.

Mr. Hladki encouraged the Commissioners to contact him with any questions or concerns regarding the Bureau. He then addressed questions from this Committee. In response to Comm. Copedge, Mr. Hladki stated the term “region” in regard to the Bureau refers to the tri-county area. Also, the M-Tech Center has just joined the Bureau. Mr. Hladki stated to Comm. Schor that he would provide this Committee with additional information regarding hotel/motel taxes. Chairperson Grebner explained the information could be obtained easily from the County Treasurer.

The Committee continued their discussion of this item. Mr. Hladki informed the Committee that Eric Hart is the new Executive Director of the Lansing Center. He should be present at a future meeting of this Committee. The Bureau will have a very strong partnership with the Lansing Center.

6b. Board of Commissioners – Update – Subcommittee on Board Rules

Comm. Schor distributed a copy of the Board Rules to the Committee which contained previous and proposed amendments. The Committee reviewed the Rules with the proposed changes, and after a lengthy discussion made further amendments. This item will appear on this Committee’s next agenda. Comm. Schor stated any further proposed amendments should be emailed to him or the Controller.

7. Controller’s Office

a. Long Term Financing for Areas of Priority Emphasis: Promoting Environmental Protection, 2005-2010

Mr. Ambrose distributed a revised memorandum of his February 21 memorandum to the Committee. He explained that Promoting Environmental Protection is not a very concrete item. It will take some resources to make headway on this priority. The revised memorandum contained the financial information regarding this item.

b. Resolution Approving a Tax Sharing Agreement with the City of Mason

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING A TAX SHARING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF MASON.

Mr. Ambrose stated the Agreement follows the County’s general policy regarding tax sharing agreements. The Board of Commissioners had directed staff to negotiate an agreement with the City of Mason. The City plans to expand the boundaries of its DDA.

Comm. Schor stated he understands the County’s policy. However, he will not support this request as the County should use its funds for the County. Comm. Schor stated he appreciates the work that went into negotiating this agreement. He further stated he will not support the Resolution due to the current financial climate.

MOTION FAILED with Comms. Schor and Copedge voting NO. Absent: Comms. Severino and DeLeon

Comm. Schor explained that he is following his previous position on this matter by not supporting the Resolution.

c. Communication from Susan Pigg Regarding Appointments to the Ingham Economic Corporation

The Communication was received and placed on file after a brief discussion.

d. Appointments to the Economic Development Corporation Board

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENTS OF KIRK MARTIN AND DARRELL PLACE (BUSINESS AND UTILITY POSITIONS) TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and DeLeon

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF CASSSANDRA GREEN (FINANCIAL INSTUTIION POSITION) TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and DeLeon

Announcements: None

Public Comment: None

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff