Approved 6/21/05

COUNTY SERVICES

June 7, 2005

Minutes

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

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             Harold Hailey, Jerry Ambrose, Bob Moore, Rick Terrill, Donna Rummel, Lee Hladki, Eric Hart, John Midgley, Joe Guenther, Larry Smith, Tod Pentecost, Tom Doyle, Charles Hicks, Wayne Olmsby, Mike Glen, Helen Ramsey, Sheryl Fritz, Lynn Page and others

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 May 17, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE MAY 17 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Severino

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:04 p.m.)

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

3.         Health Department – Resolution to Authorize Adolescent Health – Child and Adolescent Health Center Grant Agreement with the Michigan Primary Care Association

5.         Parks Department – Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with the City of Lansing for the Maintenance and Operation of a Non-Motorized Pathway through Scott Woods Park

6.         Human Resources Department – Request to Start Employee at Step (5)/ Terri Singleton

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

1.         Youth Commission – Interviews

The Committee interviewed Adam Miller for a position on the Youth Commission.

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO RECOMMEND APPOINTMENT OF ADAM MILLER TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2.         Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau – Presentation

Mr. Hladki updated the Committee on Bureau business.  He stated the following organizations will host regional meetings in the Lansing area:  the American Red Cross, the local Red Hat Society and the Lansing Police Department.  The three events should bring approximately $1.1 million in direct spending to this area. 

Copies of the Bureau’s ‘2004 Summary regarding Meeting/Sports Planner Surveys Received’ to the Committee at the request of the Controller.  Mr. Hladki stated the Bureau will publish quarterly improvement results in key areas.  This Committee will receive other updates as needed.

Comm. Schor thanked Mr. Hladki for attending this meeting and for providing the update.  He then asked where increased hotel use would be seen.  Mr. Hladki stated the only changes that may be seen would relate to the Holiday Inn South.  Some incremental growth has been seen in the area hotel occupancy.

Comm. DeLeon commended the Bureau on the direction it is taking by forming a partnership with the Lansing Center.  The Committee continued their discussion of this item.   

Comm. Severino asked what the Bureau thought of a recent Lansing State Journal newspaper article which encouraged more use of the Oldsmobile Park.  Mr. Hart stated the article contained some good points.  He then explained that sponsorships are needed for organizations to pay to use the Park.  Encouraging further use of the Park is not a priority of the Bureau at this time.  It will consider this issue later in the year.  Mr. Hart also explained the difficulty in confirming dates for use of the Park due to the Lug Nut game schedule.  The game schedule is a priority at the Park.  

Chairperson Grebner stated his belief that most room nights are not related to area events.  The City of East Lansing is the largest contributor to room taxes.   Mr. Hladki stated obtaining “point of origin” information regarding hotel use is difficult due to the lack of inconsistent information.   Chairperson Grebner asked that the Bureau try to determine the number of room nights that are contributed to area activities and events.   Mr. Hladki stated the Bureau will hopefully have more sophisticated information in the near future.

4.         Facilities Department – Resolution to Authorize a Reorganization within the Ingham County Facilities Department

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A REORGANIZATION WITHIN THE INGHAM COUNTY FACILITIES DEPARTMENT.

Mr. Terrill, Facilities Director, explained the Facilities Department (Department) is requesting that two classifications, Building Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor and Building Maintenance Supervisor 1 be eliminated and that there be one classification of Building Maintenance Supervisor II (Level H).  This recommendation is made along with the Human Resources Department and is based on the addition of the Veterans Memorial Courthouse.  The current job description of Building Maintenance Supervisor II appears to cover all of the duties of the other two classifications and will not need any changes.

Ms. Auer, UAW representative, stated the union is opposed to this proposed reorganization.  She stated the proposal is not a reorganization, but is a reclassification.  There are distinct differences between the two actions.  Reclassifications are conducted at the end of union contracts, if appropriate.  The contract in this matter expires in December of this year.  Ms. Auer stated the union opposes this reorganization and requests that any action wait until the contract expires in December. 

Mr. Hailey agreed there are two different processes, a reorganization and a reclassification.  A restructuring of a department is an opportunity to make appropriate changes. If the positions are equalized across the board, it would be more equitable among the three campuses and would give the department head the flexibility he/she needs to manage his/her department. 

Ms. Auer explained the union is not necessarily disagreeing with the proposed change.  However, the current position is being reclassified to a higher level.   The union feels this is a backdoor approach to a reclassification. 

Mr. Larkins stated if a position is to be reorganized; the entire department should be reorganized.  Ms. Auer asked if the requested change can wait until December.  Mr. Hailey stated the Human Resources Department is responsible for making recommendations for reorganizations to the Board of Commissioners. 

Mr. Terrill explained the position at issue has been vacant for more than two months.  The need is present to provide quality service.  Comm. Schor asked why the Department wants this reorganization at this time.  Mr. Terrill explained the Department has waited the two months as required by County policy. 

Chairperson Grebner stated this process is never abstract.  He then stated the issue is directly a question of contract.  Mr. Hailey explained the contracts give this Committee authorization to make these changes.  This is not a grievable matter.

The Committee discussed this matter further.  Comm. Copedge asked why the vacant position is not filled on a temporary basis.  Comm. Schor suggested the position be filled until the contract expires.  This would then be the appropriate time for a reclassification.  In response to Comm. Severino, Mr. Hailey stated the proposed reorganization does not involve a change in salary.  Comm. Severino stated he is trying to determine if the request is actually a reorganization or a reclassification.  This determination must be made before he can make the right decision. 

Mr. Ambrose suggested this Committee table this item until it receives an opinion from the County Attorney regarding whether or not this is a request for reorganization or a request for reclassification.  He then stated the Department never intended to violate the contract.  This Committee considers many proposals for reclassifications when positions are vacant. 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO TABLE THIS MATTER UNTIL THIS COMMITTEE RECEIVES AN OPINION FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AS TO WHETHER THE REQUEST IS FOR A REORGANIZATION OR A RECLASSIFICATION.

Chairperson Grebner suggested that staff work with the affected parties to see if they can reach a consensus on this issue.  Comm. Vickers stated he feels the Department should fill the position on a temporary basis until the contract expires.

MOTION TO TABLE CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

7.         Road Commission – Discussion Item – Employees of the Ingham County Road Commission Easter District Garage Regarding Health Concerns      

Chairperson Celentino stated employees from the Eastern District Garage appeared before this Committee’s May 17 meeting to discuss concerns regarding their health.  He then explained the purpose of tonight’s discussion is to listen to both sides before the Committee determines if any action is needed. 

Mr. Midgley stated the Road Commission has changed its procedure regarding the removal of waste material.  This process is now carried out by a contract with an area licensed waste hauler.   He then explained the material at issue was tested by the Ingham County Health Department and PM Environmental, Inc.  The tests did not reveal anything other than run of the mill things.  Comm. Schor asked if the testing was performed after the clean up.  Mr. Midgley stated two testing samples were obtained prior to the clean up.  Other samples were taken from the other District Garages.  The results of all the tests were basically the same.

Mr. Guenther explained that the test results the employees received were Greek to the Road Commission.  The information was taken to an appropriate person who could make sense of the results.  Some high numbers were detected; but, the numbers were not all over the chart.  Mr. Guenther then stated some people are more susceptible to some materials than others.  To get an accurate picture of the air quality at the time of the initial dumping, the air quality would have to have been tested at the time of the dumping.  The Road Commission does not have this type of equipment. 

Mr. Guenther stated he has tried to work with the affected employees.  He then apologized to Mr. Pentecost for his issue not being addressed in a timely manner.  Mr. Guenther commended the Health Department for having the testing done by an outside source. 

Comm. Copedge asked what happened once the material was removed from the dump site.  Mr. Midgley stated the process is now done by an outside contractor.  A significant port of the affected soil has been removed.    

Mr. Smith stated that ice and snow affected the testing results.  He then apologized for not having the test conducted in a timely manner.  However, this incident has resulted in a new procedure whereby the employees will no longer be affected by any inappropriate dumping.  The employees are not to be in the area when the contractor is removing a substance from the site.  Mr. Smith further stated if he had known about these concerns earlier, he would have dealt with them earlier. 

Comm. Copedge asked if the Road Commission contacted the DEQ regarding the employees’ concerns.  Mr. Midgley stated the Road Commission did contact the DEQ.  The DEQ directed them to the Ingham County Health Department. 

Comm. Severino stated the employees also raised concerns regarding relatives at management level.  He asked if the Road Commission was comfortable with this situation.  Mr. Midgley stated he is aware of employees who are related by marriage.  This was not an issue to the Road Commission Board.  Comm. Schor asked what the Commission would do if such a relationship appeared to be a problem.  Mr. Smith stated the Commission would review the issue. 

Mr. Guenther explained that a supervisor is related to the supervisor’s boss by marriage.  This is a concern of the employees.  He then explained he has not been on the Commission long enough to evaluate this situation.

The Committee discussed the issue of employee surveys.  Mr. Smith stated the Commission was alerted to some concerns as a result of the employee surveys.  He explained the Commission has read the survey results and are trying hard to listen to the employees.  Their concerns may not always result in changes. 

Comm. Copedge strongly encouraged the Commission to contact the DEQ’s Environmental Science Division in order to obtain training for the employees.  Two or three employees should receive training.  The Ingham County Health Department and the Department of Environmental Quality are two totally different entities. 

Mr. Pentecost stated he has been retaliated against for bringing attention to the dumping issue.  He was transferred to a different garage the day after he appeared at this Committee’s May 17 meeting.  Mr. Glen stated he has seen Mr. Pentecost being provoked by his supervisor.

Comm. Schor asked the employees what they want at this point.  Mr. Pentecost stated two people at the Commission need to be investigated by an outside agency regarding the employees’ concerns.  The two people should be removed if such an investigation proves there was wrong-doing on their part.  Mr. Doyle stated the concern regarding the supervisor should be addressed immediately.  A grievance has been filed regarding the transfer of Mr. Pentecost. 

In response to Comm. Severino, Mr. Pentecost stated he did follow the appropriate procedure regarding his complaints.  Comm. Severino asked how this Committee should handle this issue.  Mr. Hailey stated he would have legal counsel review this matter.  Chairperson Grebner stated the Road Commission has responded to the employees’ concern regarding the dumping. 

Chairperson Celentino stated he appreciated the preceding discussion.  This Committee will follow up on the employees’ concerns.

Public Comment

Ms. Fritz stated the Board of Commissioners needs to look at the issue of the Road Commission not tape recording all of its public meetings.  She also expressed her concerns regarding the Okemos Road project.  The Road Commission totally dismissed the public’s concerns at the recent Public Hearing regarding the project.  It had already made up its mind prior to the Hearing; and, it did not consider the public’s concerns before voting again for the project.  Ms. Fritz requested the Board of Commissioners draft a resolution to dismiss two of the Road Commissioners. 

Ms. Page, Briarwood Homeowners Association, thanked the Board of Commissioners for sending a forceful letter to the Road Commission regarding the road project.  She also expressed her appreciation that several Commissioners attended the recent Road Commission Public Hearing.  She requested that the Road Commissioners who disregarded the public’s rights and trust be removed from the Commission. 

Announcements

Comm. Severino stated he spoke with Chairperson Celentino regarding the possibility of submitting a resolution at this Committee’s next meeting to change how Road Commissioners are appointed to their positions.  He requested feedback from this Committee prior to the next meeting. 

Comm. Vickers stated there should be set qualifications to serve on the Road Commission.  He also stated he was disappointed with how Ms. McDonald handled Comm. Nolan at the Public Hearing.  Comm. Vickers further stated he believes Ms. McDonald and Mr. Smith had their minds made up regarding the road project prior to holding a Public Hearing. 

Comm. DeLeon asked if the Road Commission followed the appropriate procedure regarding East Lansing’s concerns of the CSO issue. 

Ms. Ramsey stated the road project federal funding is good until 2008.

Chairperson Celentino stated the Commissioners would be discussing the concerns raised at tonight’s meeting. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff