Approved 7/17/07

 

 

COUNTY SERVICES

June 19, 2007

Minutes

 

 

Members Present:         Debbie DeLeon, Deb Nolan, Dale Copedge, Tim Soule, Mike Severino and Steve Dougan

 

Members Absent:         None

 

Others Present:             Matthew Myers, Harold Hailey, Janeil Valentine, Jaeson Fournier, Tony Lindsey, Doug Stover, Mary Ruttan, Maureen McDonough, Timothy Basore, Kevin Hile, Stacy Messina, Brian Klebba, Raymond Rustem, Bob Moore, Ed Gillespie, Susan Pigg, Dalen Agnew, Tara Harrison, Gerry Brady, Donna Rummel, Robert Van Kirk and Rami Janoudi

 

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

 

Approval of the June 5, 2007 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE JUNE 5, 2005 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Additions to the Agenda

10b.     Resolution Authorizing an Adjustment to the 2007 Capital Improvement Budget for Ingham County Fairgrounds

1.         Resolution Making Appointments to the Potter Park Zoo Board

7b.       Recommendation to Start a Dentist at Step 5 – Item pulled from the Agenda.

 

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

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

 

4.         Ingham County Agricultural Preservation Board – Resolution Accepting a Donation from the Monsanto Company to the Brownfield Plan for Redevelopment of Ingham County Land Bank Authority Properties

 

5.         Ingham County Economic Development Corporation and MSU Extension – Resolution Approving a Brownfield Plan for Redevelopment of Ingham County Land Bank Authority Properties

 

6.         Equalization Department – Resolution to Hire an Intern in the Equalization/Tax Mapping Department

 

7.         Health Department

a.         Request for Starting Salary for Deputy Health Officer – Nursing Services and Special Programs

c.         Resolution to Authorize the Establishment of a Community Health Representative II Position within the Healthy Smiles Unit of the Health Department

 

9.         Purchasing Department – Resolution Authorizing a Contract Extension with DBI Business Interiors

 

10.       Controller’s Office

a.         Resolution to Authorize the Transition from Project Sentry by the End of 2007

            b.         Recommendation to Start a Dentist at Step 5 – Item pulled from the Agenda.

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

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

 

1.         Interviews and Appointments – Potter Park Zoo Board

 

The Committee interviewed the following applicants for positions on the Potter Park Zoo Board:

 

Raymond Rustem                     Ed Gillespie                              Dalen Agnew

Stacy Messina                          John Revitte                              Maureen McDonough

Kevin Hile                                Tim Basore

 

Chairperson DeLeon expressed this Committee’s appreciation to the applicants for applying for positions on the Zoo Board.

 

Comm. Nolan requested that this Committee consider appointing four applicants until the remaining two applicants have been interviewed. The Committee discussed the issue of how many Commissioners should serve on the Zoo Board.  The Committee consented to limit the number of Ingham County Commissioners serving on the Zoo Board to two.

 

The Committee expressed their preferences for appointments.   Mr. Myers stated the resolution could be redrafted to indicate this Committee’s top three candidates as well as the names of the two Commissioners. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENTS OF ED GILLESPIE, DALEN AGNEW AND MAUREEN MCDONOUGH TO THE POTTER PARK ZOO BOARD.

 

The applicants not selected this evening will be notified there are two remaining openings on the Zoo Board.

 

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO APPOINT TIM BASORE TO THE POTTER PARK ZOO BOARD. 

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 

 

2.         Presentation – Ingham County Youth Commission, Donna Rummel, Coordinator

 

Chairperson DeLeon stated she has read the Report and she is very impressed with the Youth Commission.   

 

Mr. VanKirk and Mr. Janoudi reviewed various aspects of the Youth Commission’s Report which was contained in the agenda material.  The Youth Commissioners also addressed questions of this Committee. 

 

Comm. Nolan expressed her appreciation for the efforts and dedication of the Youth Commission.  She also expressed her appreciation to Ms. Rummel for her efforts on behalf of the Youth Commission.

 

3.         Ingham County Treasurer

 

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEMS:

 

a.         Resolution Making Limited Tax Pledge for Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority Series 2007A Note

 

b.         Resolution Making Limited Tax Pledge for Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority Series 2007B Note

 

            c.         Resolution to Utilize the County’s Option to Acquire Tax Foreclosed Property

 

d.         Resolution to Transfer Acquired Tax Reverted Properties to the Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority

 

Comm. Dougan addressed the four items together.  Ms. Ruttan explained the financial implications of the Resolutions as requested by Comm. Dougan.  He asked if the Land Bank constructs new homes within neighborhoods, that they be uniform with the homes in the neighborhoods.  Ms. Ruttan explained the Land Bank is very sensitive to neighborhood issues. 

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

1.         Potter Park Zoo Board - Continued

 

Chairperson DeLeon stated the Zoological Society’s appointee to the Zoo Board lives outside Ingham County.  She then asked if this Committee has a concern about this matter.  Mr. Myers stated he understands it is the policy of this Board that people who serve on County Boards reside in Ingham County. 

 

Comm. Nolan asked if other members of the Zoological Society live in Ingham County and would be willing to serve on the Zoo Board.  Mr. Brady stated a number of the members live within the County. 

 

Comm. Copedge asked if this will set a precedent.  Mr. Myers stated the agreement with the City does not address this matter.  The County’s policy applies to this matter.  The Society may select a person but that person must live in Ingham County.  Comm. Copedge stated the members of the Zoo Board should live in the County.

 

Comm. Soule stated he does not believe this matter would violate the County’s policy.  Comm. Nolan stated she feels strongly the Zoo Board members should be Ingham County residents as they are funding the Zoo. 

 

Comm. Severino suggested staff ask the County Attorney to review this issue.    Mr. Myers stated he will speak with the County Attorney on Wednesday.  That information will be available for the next caucus meeting.

 

This discussion was deferred to caucus.

 

8.         Human Resources Department – Resolution Establishing the Position of Zoo Veterinary Medical Technician

 

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE POSITION OF ZOO VETERINARY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN. 

 

Mr. Myers explained the Zoo Budget does not include this position.  Chairperson DeLeon asked Mr. Brady if he has an opinion on this position and its necessity for Zoo accreditation. 

 

Chairperson DeLeon asked Mr. Brady if he has an opinion on this position and its necessity for AZA accreditation.   Mr. Brady stated the position would enhance Zoo operations and would assist in receiving accreditation.  He further stated the accreditation process would give a better indication as to the necessity of this position.    

 

Comm. Nolan expressed her concern about how this matter was pushed forward.   The County has an employment process in place whereby staff makes recommendations for positions. The recommendations are forwarded to this Committee for consideration.  Comm. Nolan stated she is concerned that this process was violated. 

 

Mr. Moore stated the Resolution only establishes the position.  He does not know at this time if the vet tech is needed for accreditation. If it is needed, the County will be ready to respond.  Mr. Moore then stated he believes this position may rank 12th out of 50 priority items. 

 

Comm. Copedge asked if an MSU intern is being considered for the position.  Mr. Hailey stated it will be a full time position.  Mr. Myers stated the position is not being added to the budget at this time.  The Resolution just creates the position.  It may or may not be filled.

 

Comm. Severino stated this process does not seem to be consistent with the County’s normal hiring process.  He encouraged the Zoo to respect the County’s employment process. Chairperson DeLeon stated she began the discussion regarding the vet tech position.  The Zoo did not make the position request.  The position should be available so that immediate action can be taken to fill the position if that is the determination of the accreditation process.  Chairperson DeLeon explained that she is trying to be proactive in this matter. 

 

Comm. Severino stated he appreciates Chairperson DeLeon’s comments.  He then stated it seems speculative that this one item was selected out of a large list of possible needs.  Chairperson DeLeon stated she is only considering the AZA accreditation.  Comm. Severino stated the Zoo staff should consider the County’s budget process when determining needs.

 

Comm. Copedge stated the Resolution establishes the position; it doesn’t authorize the filling of the position.  Establishing the position now will place the County in a proactive position if the position is deemed necessary through the accreditation process. 

 

Comm. Nolan stated she understands the Resolution only establishes the position.  The County has a strong policy for the establishment of positions.  The process should be maintained unless there is an emergency.

 

Chairperson DeLeon stated the Zoo Board would be making the recommendation to the Parks Board and the normal process will be followed. 

 

Comm. Soule asked how establishing this position will benefit the Zoo in the accreditation process.  Mr. Brady stated the establishment of the position will be considered by the accreditation team.  Establishing the position will show the team that the Park has a vision for meeting the need.  The team will credit the Zoo for the establishment of the position and will require a report on this matter once the position has been filled.  The emergency need for this position will not be known until the accreditation process has been completed.

 

MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Nolan voting NO.

 

11.       Board Referrals

a.         Letter from the Community Mental Health Authority with an Offer to Purchase the CMH Facility on Jolly Road

 

Mr. Myers stated the Building Authority should review this request.  After a brief discussion, the matter was referred to the Ingham County Building Authority. 

 

b.         Letter from the Capital Region Airport Authority Certifying their 2007/2008 Millage Levy

 

Mr. Myers addressed this matter.  He suggested the Authority appear before this Committee.  Chairperson DeLeon stated Lansing Township was to appear before this Committee regarding the DDA issue. 

 

The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.

 

Public Comment:          None

 

Announcements

Mr. Myers updated the Committee regarding the Zoo negotiations.  Staff is making good progress and an agreement should be in place by July 1, 2007.  Mr. Klebba stated referrals have been made for maintenance workers.  Progress is also being made on the zoo keeper positions. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff