Approved 10/6/05

COUNTY SERVICE

October 6, 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, Eric Schertzing, Bob Moore, Bruce Bragg

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Celentino at 7:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

 

Approval of the September 20, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 20 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Copedge and Severino

 

Comm. DeLeon informed the Committee that Comm. Copedge is currently at an EOC meeting.  He will be joining this meeting once that meeting concludes.

 

Additions to the Agenda

5a.       Resolution to Amend Resolution #05-093 “Resolution Establishing the Ingham County Parks and Recreation Commission Under Public Act 261 of 1965”

             - This item was pulled from tonight’s agenda.

8.         Resolution Proclaiming September 15 – October 15, 2005 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Ingham County

 

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

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

 

2.         Health Department – Resolution to Authorize Staffing Changes in the Adult Health, Sparrow and St. Lawrence Community Health Centers

 

3.         Parks Department – Resolution Supporting the Establishment of the Heart of Michigan Trails and Greenways Partnership

 

5b.       Board of Commissioners – Resolution Congratulating HOM-TV on the Event of their 25th Anniversary and Designating the Week of October 16-22, 2005 as “HOM-TV Week” in Ingham County

 

8.         Resolution Proclaiming September 15 – October 15, 2005 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Ingham County

 

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

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent Comm. Severino

 

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Severino

 

1.         Boards/Commissions Presentations

            a.         Land Bank Authority Appointments

 

Mr. Schertzing explained the make up of the Land Bank Authority.  Four people are to be appointed to the Authority in the following manner:  one person for a one year appointment; one person for a two year appointment; one person for a three year appointment; and one person for a four year term.

 

Mr. Schertzing stated he has confirmed Comms. Schor and Hertel for positions on the Authority.  Their terms have not been determined.  He then proposed that the Authority should meet one hour prior to County Services meetings. 

 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding the terms of the appointments.  Mr. Schertzing explained two of the appointees would each represent the interests of one of the following:  the City of Lansing and other local units of government.  Mr. Ambrose explained the Commissioners would be appointed to the Authority as individuals, not as Commissioners. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS:

            COMM. COPEDGE               ONE-YEAR TERM

            COMM. SCHOR                    TWO-YEAR TERM

            COMM.  DELEON                 THREE-YEAR TERM – City of Lansing

            COMM. HERTEL                   FOUR YEAR TERM   - Other Local units of govt.  

 

Mr. Schertzing informed the Committee that the County Attorney has advised the Authority would take effect as of November 1, 2005.

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm.  Severino         

 

b.         Environmental Affairs Interview

 

The Committee interviewed Daniel Feinberg for a position on the Environmental Affairs Commission.

 

(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:14 p.m.)

 

The Committee did not take action on this item.

 

4.         Human Resources Department – Informational Item – Benefit Program and Cost Analysis

 

Mr. Hailey explained that the adoption of Benefit Program E will increase 2% for each year of retirement allowance since the last date Benefit E was adopted (01/01/94) for retirees in their respective divisions.  Adoption of this Benefit does allow for a “flexible” Benefit E.  “Flexible” Benefit E allows a person to specify a percentage adjustment factor or a fixed dollar increase for (a) all retirees or; (b) for each retirement allowance for the number of years specified by the governing body.  Adoption of this Benefit would also increase the County’s liability by $8.8 million.  Benefit E is a very expensive plan for the County to assume. 

 

Mr. Hailey stated his office receives calls from retirees about this issue at this time of the year each year.   Mr. Ambrose stated MERS also reminds the County that this Benefit is available.  The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item.  Comm. Vickers stated he would like to consider a number of options.  Chairperson Grebner explained that this is a bargaining process.  Retirees want more than the previous amount they negotiated.  The Board must consider where this issue falls on its list of priorities.  Before retirement, the respective unions negotiated a retirement package. 

 

Comm. Vickers stated the cost of living has increased since the retirement packages were negotiated.  Chairperson Grebner agreed that this is an important discussion item.  Comm. Vickers stated the request is too late for the 2006 budget process.  The request could be considered in the 2007 budget process. 

 

Comm. Severino asked if the retirees receive health insurance.  Mr. Hailey explained they do, and the cost of the insurance package is shared between the County and the retirees.  The County has an ongoing arrangement to try to keep health care costs down for the County and its employees.  Mr. Ambrose explained that retirees are treated as current employees regarding cost sharing. 

 

Mr. Ambrose explained there is an E2 Rider to the Benefit E retirement package.  The E2 Rider builds in an automatic escalation in benefits based on the cost of living.  Some bargaining units have this plan.  The Committee must look at this issue in context of the budget.  The issue should be placed on the table for analysis by County staff.  Comm. DeLeon stated the Committee should consider the reality of the factors affecting the retirees.

 

It was the consensus of this Committee to deal with this issue in the 2007 budget cycle.

 

5c.       Board of Commissioners – Information on Commissioner Compensation and Compensation of Other Boards and Commissions

 

Mr. Ambrose explained the issue of stipends came up relative to the Fair Board’s reorganization.   This Committee said at that time it would review this issue.  Compensation for County Commissioners must be set before the beginning of the next term.  Therefore, any changes to current compensation must be done before the end of 2005 if it is to take effect for the 2006-2007 term.  The Board of Commissioners sets compensation for the Road Commission.  Road Commissioners currently receive a salary and a per diem. 

 

The Board has authorized a stipend for certain Fair Board officers as well as a per diem for all its members.  A similar situation exists for certain Parks Board officers and the Parks Board.  The Board has authorized per diems for several boards.  Generally those boards have substantial governance or oversight responsibilities.  Advisory boards and commissions generally do not receive per diems.  Such advisory boards or commissions include the EOC, the Historical Committee and the Environmental Affairs Committee.

 

Statute permits some county-wide officials to collect certain fees and to receive a per diem for service on boards to which they are statutorily appointed (such as the Plat Board or the Elections Committee).  However, the compensation for county-wide officials is based on the county-wide officials forgoing such fees and per diems.

 

Resolution #02-287 establishes the BOC’s compensation, mileage and travel reimbursement through 2006.  This Committee should focus on years 2007 and 2008.  Chairperson Grebner explained the Board’s compensation rate is at the same rate as for employees. 

 

Chairperson Celentino suggested staff bring back to this Committee numbers regarding what specific increases would look like.  Comm. Schor stated this may be an appropriate caucus discussion.  The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item.

 

Comm. DeLeon suggested that compensations for each board or commission be raised to the BOC level, except where limited by state statute.  Also, the extra stipend for Fair Board officers should be removed. 

 

Mr. Ambrose stated he would draft a resolution for this Committee’s consideration.  Chairperson Celentino asked that a separate Resolution be prepared to address the Road Commission.

 

6.         Controller’s Office

            a.         Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2005 Ingham County Budget

 

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2005 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

b.         Informational Item – Lansing Area Public Purchasing Group/Fourth Annual Lansing Diversity Matchmaker

 

The Committee received this information.

 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff