Approved 4/18/06
COUNTY SERVICES
April 4, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Andy Schor, Debbie DeLeon, Dianne Holman, Dale Copedge, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Don Vickers
Others Present: Jared Cypher, Harold Hailey, Rick Terrill and Eric Schertzing
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 7:04 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the March 21, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE MARCH 21 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Vickers and Severino
Additions to the Agenda
2. Item pulled from the Agenda.
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
7. Human Resources Department – Resolution Approving the ICEA Public Health Nurses Bargaining Agreement
8. Board of Commissioners – Resolution in Honor of the 2006 State Arbor Day Celebration
Comm. DeLeon addressed agenda item number seven. She stated great progress is being made with the unions regarding the holidays, specifically Columbus Day and Cesar Chavez Day.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Vickers and Severino
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Vickers and Severino
1. Boards/Commissions Presentation – Environmental Affairs Commission Interview
The Committee interviewed Julie Lynn Gibbons for a position on the Environmental Affairs Commission.
(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:16 p.m.)
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO RECOMMEND APPOINTING JULIE LYNN GIBBONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Vickers
Comm. DeLeon stated the citizen appointees’ terms on the Environmental Affairs Commission expire December 31, 2007. She asked that staff check into this matter; and, she also asked if Ms. Gibbons’ term could expire in 2008 instead of 2007. Mr. Cypher will look into these issues.
2. Community Corrections Advisory Board – Resolution to Authorize a Re-organization at Project Sentry and Amending the 2006 Budget
This item was pulled from the agenda because the Law Enforcement Committee has not voted on the Resolution.
3. Treasurer – Resolution Making a Limited Tax Pledge to Support Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority Notes
Mr. Schertzing explained this Resolution would authorize a limited tax pledge to support the County’s Land Bank Fast Track Authority Notes. The Resolution would also rescind and replace Resolution #06-0066. Mr. Schertzing explained the Limited Tax Pledge Resolution is a specific pledge which replaces the more general pledge made in Resolution #06-006. A two-year variable, five-year instrument has been negotiated.
The Land Bank Board has adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of its Series 2006 Note in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 from Citizens Bank. The principal of and interest on the Note shall be due in full on May 1, 2011. If the revenues of the Authority are not sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the Note, payment of the principal and interest will be the first obligation of the County from its general funds.
Mr. Schertzing addressed questions from the Committee at this time. He stated Citizens Bank is very interested in this venture. Additional banking institutions are expected to express their interest in this program in the future. Comm. Severino asked how staffing costs would be paid. Mr. Schertzing explained if the cash flow is sufficient, they would be used to pay the staff costs, as well the maintenance, acquisition and rehabilitation of properties. Comm. Severino expressed his appreciation for Mr. Schertzing’s explanation.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION MAKING A LIMITED TAX PLEDGE TO SUPPORT INGHAM COUNTY LAND BANK FAST TRACK AUTHORITY NOTES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Vickers
5. Facilities Department – Resolution Adopting Ordinance and Establishing Penalties for Parking Violations in County Parking Lots
Chairperson Schor stated this Resolution follows-up the parking ordinance for the Veterans Memorial Courthouse/Grady Porter Building parking lot.
Mr. Terrill, Facilities Department, stated the fines and fees are consistent with those established for the VMC/GP Building parking lot, including those for the disabled persons’ parking spaces. Mr. Terrill also stated there are no current parking problems at the other County-owned parking lots.
Comm. DeLeon asked if signs will be posted at the affected lots regarding the new ordinance. Mr. Terrill stated appropriate signs will be posted once the Ordinance is adopted by the Board of Commissioners.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING ORDINANCE AND ESTABLISHING PAENALTIES FOR PARKING VIOLATIONS IN COUNTY PARKING LOTS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Vickers
4. Sheriff’s Office – Resolution to Adopt the State of Michigan, Department of History, Arts and Libraries, Records Management – Records Retention and Disposal Schedule #11 – Law Enforcement Agencies by the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, ARTS AND LIBRARIES, RECORDS MANAGEMENT – RECORDS RETENTION AND DISPOSAL SCHEDULE #11 – LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES BY THE INGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE.
Comm. DeLeon asked why this Resolution was not placed on the Law Enforcement Committee agenda. Mr. Cypher explained his office received this information for placement on the County Services’ agenda. He further stated his thought that this matter deals more with record keeping than with law enforcement. Mr. Cypher stated he would mention this matter to Mr. Neilsen.
Comm. Holman asked for clarification regarding the process for maintaining records under Schedule 11. Mr. Cypher stated Schedule 11 is a very large document. He would provide this information upon request from Commissioners.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Vickers
6. Health Department
a. Resolution to Reorganize the Office for Young Children
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO REORGANIZE THE OFFICE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.
Comm. DeLeon stated the staff changes are not clear in the Resolution or the Staff Review information. Mr. Hailey explained the Director’s position will be eliminated; and, those responsibilities will be assigned to the Health Plan Management Bureau Director. The three OYC Training Coordinator positions would be reclassified to Program Coordinators – Health. The cost of the reclassifications is approximately $15,000. The elimination of the Director position will save approximately $65,000.
Comm. DeLeon asked if the Health Plan Management Bureau Director’s salary would increase. Mr. Hailey stated he did not know if Mr. Bragg is sure about this issue. Comm. DeLeon stated she was not sure about the complete structure of the OYC. Mr. Hailey explained the OYC would still operate under the requirements of the grant. The proposed changes should not create any concerns regarding the grant. Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern that the identity of the OYC will be lost due to the reorganization.
Chairperson Schor stated this item could be tabled until this Committee’s next meeting to allow time for the Committee’s concerns to be addressed Comm. DeLeon asked about the union’s position on the proposed reorganization. Mr. Hailey stated he was not aware if the union had been informed of the proposal. Comm. DeLeon stated the unions should always be notified of any proposed changes which affect union-represented staff.
Chairperson Celentino stated the OYC conducted a self-analysis in the past. This analysis possibly resulted in the proposed reorganization. He further stated staff has been informed numerous times that the appropriate unions should be notified of personnel changes. Mr. Bragg attended the Human Services Committee meeting Monday evening and addressed this item. At that meeting he indicated the proposed reorganization is a result of past issues.
Mr. Hailey stated he notified staff that he was not sure if the union had been notified of this proposed reorganization. He has not heard back regarding this concern. Comm. Severino stated it should be the responsibility of the department heads to notify the appropriate unions of proposed changes.
Comm. DeLeon asked if it’s fair to move the three positions into the same position with the same level of pay. Comm. Copedge asked if there is a policy regarding union notification of personnel changes. Mr. Hailey stated union contracts address this issue.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION TO REORGANIZE THE OFFICE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Vickers
b. Recommendation to Start Physician at Step 3
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION TO START PHYSICIAN AT STEP 3.
Comm. DeLeon asked for the salary for Step 3 and the salary of the previous physician. Mr. Hailey consulted his records and then informed Comm. DeLeon that the salary for Step 3 is $137,322. He stated he would have to consult his records further to determine how long the current position has been vacant. The funds for this position are included in the Health Department’s 2006 budget.
Chairperson Schor asked that staff obtain the answers to the above questions and to provide those answers to this Committee via email prior to the next Board meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Vickers
9. County Services Committee
a. Discussion Item – Draft Resolution to Establish a Policy on the County Orientation of County Appointees to Certain Boards, Commissions and Committees
Chairperson Schor explained this Draft Resolution was created in response to this Committee’s concern that County appointees to certain boards, commissions and committees be made aware of the County’s ethics policy. Chairperson Celentino stated this Committee has heard several comments from appointees that they were never provided with a copy of the County’s ethic’s policy.
Mr. Cypher informed the Committee that the agenda includes a memorandum from Comm. Holman regarding the process used for making appointments to boards and commissions. Her memorandum requests a review of this process.
Mr. Cypher explained the draft Resolution would require that appointees to certain boards, commissions and committees receive a copy of and abide by the County ethics policy. The directors of the Ingham County Fair Board and the Ingham County Parks Board would be required to conduct orientations with County appointees on County ethics, purchasing and other appropriate policies. Non-County appointed directors of other boards, commissions and committees would be urged to do the same.
Comm. DeLeon stated the appointees should also receive a copy of the County’s Living Wage Policy. Comm. Severino asked if the County is empowered to require that statutory positions abide by the County’s ethics policy. Chairperson Schor stated those appointees can be provided with the policies; however, we cannot require them to abide by the policies. Comm. Severino expressed his concern that these appointees do not have to abide by our policies and that the County cannot remove them for violating the policies.
Comm. DeLeon suggested the second BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED (bold) paragraph in the draft Resolution be removed. She then stated her belief that several of the committees at issue have inaccurate information. She asked that staff review the information and to also check the County’s website to ensure that the information is correct. The inaccurate information refers to when the committees meet. Mr. Cypher will look into this matter.
Chairperson Schor stated the Committee would vote on this Resolution at its next meeting.
Comm. Holman addressed her March 16 memorandum to this Committee. She requested this Committee to at least address the first item in her memorandum regarding the development of specific questions to ask of applicants during their interviews.
Comm. Copedge asked if background checks are made on applicants. Chairperson Schor stated the Concealed Weapons Board conducts there statutory requirements.
Chairperson Celentino suggested the liaison Committees be asked to develop specific questions for applicants interviewed at their meetings. Chairperson Schor stated his concern that it would be very difficult to determine all appropriate questions to ask of applicants. He then agreed with Chairperson Celentino’s suggestion. It is up to the liaison Committee’s to develop applicant questions. Comm. DeLeon stated there may be certain questions which should be asked of each applicant. Comm. Severino stated the application form does ask the applicants if they have been convicted of a felony.
Comm. Severino stated he appreciated Comm. Holman’s suggestions in her memorandum. He then stated there are other factors involved in the decision making process. The Committee continued their discussion of this item.
Chairperson Schor stated staff would draft a memorandum to each of the liaison Committees asking them to determine if specific questions should be asked of applicants outside of the normal process. This item will be placed on a future agenda for further discussion.
b. Resolution Affirming the Benefits of Equal Opportunity
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE BENEFITS OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.
Chairperson Schor stated Comm. Bahar-Cook requested this item be placed on this agenda. Comm. Severino stated he would vote in support of this Resolution. He further stated it would be interesting to see if the County residents agree with this Resolution.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Vickers
10. Controller’s Office - Introduction of 2007 Strategic Planning Information Report – Information from County Offices, Departments and the Courts Regarding 2007 Strategic Planning and Budget Process. This Report includes background information, activity indicators and performance measures.
Mr. Cypher distributed copies of the 2007 Strategic Planning Information Report to the Committee for their use during the upcoming budget discussions. This Committee will review a draft 2007 priority resolution at the next meeting.
Announcements
Comm. Holman informed the Committee that she would be participating in the Adopt a River Day on Saturday, April 22, 2006. She invited the Commissioners to assist her on this day if possible.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff