Amended 3/4/08
COUNTY SERVICES
February 19, 2008
Minutes
Members Present: Deb Nolan, Debbie DeLeon, Dale Copedge, Tim Soule, Mark Grebner, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Matthew Myers, Tony Lindsey, Bob Smith, Sally Auer, Jim Hudgins, Jack Restuccia, Bob Moore, Tom Shewchuk, Dave Stoker and Bob Sheehan
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Nolan at 7:00 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 5, 2008 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SOULE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 5 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
Additions to the Agenda
3. Drain Commissioner – Resolution Re-Authorizing Participants in the Greater Lansing
Regional Committee on Phase II (GLRC) and Re-Appointing the Drain Commissioner or
His Designee as the County’s Representative – This item was pulled from tonight’s
Agenda.
9b. Revised Information
9c. Financial Services – Out of State Travel in Excess of $2,000
11. Resolution Congratulating Bethel Seventh-Day Adventist Church on the Event of their Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Day
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
2. Circuit Court/Family Division – Resolution to Authorize the Reorganization of the Family
Division Psychologist Position
4. Parks and Recreation Commission
a. Resolution Authorizing the Approval of Expenditures for an Outdoor Interactive Avian Exhibit Using Australian Seed Eater Birds
b. Resolution Authorizing an Application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to Develop a Fishing Dock and Expand the Boardwalk at the Burchfield Park Pond
5. Facilities Department – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Pavement Management Services, Inc. to Provide Consulting for Pavement Installation Services at the Potter Park Zoo, Human Services Building and Lake Lansing Park
7. Commissioners Tennis – Resolution Opposing any Legislation that Would Make Michigan a “Right to Work” State
8. County Services Committee
a. Resolution Declaring March 31, 2008 as “Cesar E. Chavez Day” in Ingham
County
b. Resolution Designating March, 2008 as “Certified Government Financial Manager Month” in Ingham County
9c. Financial Services – Out of State Travel in Excess of $2,000
11. Resolution Congratulating Bethel Seventh-Day Adventist Church on the Event of their Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Day
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
(Comm. Severino arrived)
1. Interviews – Women’s Commission
The Committee interviewed Joann Dowker for a position on the Women’s Commission.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF JOANN DOWKER TO THE WOMEN’S COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Parks and Recreation Commission
c. Informational – East Lansing Dog Park
Mr. Moore explained that the City of East Lansing requested funding from the County for a dog park. The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the request and determined the request did not meet the criteria for cost sharing arrangements with other governmental units.
Comm. Grebner stated the current dog park is very busy. If East Lansing develops a dog park, it will probably be well used also.
Mr. Moore stated the County has spent money to police the dog park. The Commission may discuss fees for using the park. Comm. Grebner suggested the Commission should approve a concession stand for the dog park to help cover the park’s operating costs. The Commission could also approve an annual dog park pass, similar to the County’s annual park passes.
Chairperson Nolan asked Mr. Moore for the additional costs for operating the dog park. Mr. Moore stated the annual cost should be less than $10,000.
6. MIS – Resolution Establishing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Policy for Ingham County
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) POLICY FOR INGHAM COUNTY.
Mr. Shewchuk stated he worked with Mr. Cohl to establish a policy on how to handle FOIA requests. The Policy is a set of guidelines which allows for discretion.
Comm. Grebner stated it may be more appropriate for the Board Coordinator to be the FOIA Coordinator than the Board Chairperson. Mr. Shewchuk stated the Controller is the designee. Board Chairperson Thomas concurred with Comm. Grebner’s statement. The Committee discussed this issue further. Mr. Myers explained that the FOIA requests would be addressed to the Controller.
Comm. Grebner stated the Policy should address requests that site “FOIA.” He then suggested that the County’s general policy should be that requests which cost less than $1.00 be waived. The Committee accepted this suggestion as a Friendly Amendment to the Resolution.
The Committee approved the following Friendly Amendments to the Resolution:
TBIR: 1) The Board Coordinator is the FOIA Coordinator for Ingham County.
2) Each department that receives a written request which cites FOIA will provide the requested information, unless otherwise exempt, and shall ensure the Controller’s Office receives a copy of the written request and the response letter.
4) An Ingham County employee who receives a written request which cites FOIA should immediately submit the request to their Department Head (or department Elected Official).
BIFR: the paragraph will indicate that a $1.00 fee will be waived. This will also be reflected in Attachment A-2.
Ms. Auer stated the Prosecutor’s Office receives hundreds of requests per year. She asked if those requests should be forwarded to the Board Coordinator. The forms do site “FOIA.” Comm. Grebner stated that each department may need a FOIA Coordinator. Elected officials should inform the Board Coordinator of their designees.
Board Chairperson Thomas stated he consulted with the Board Coordinator about her being the FOIA Coordinator. Ms. Bennett informed him that she is willing to be the FOIA Coordinator. She also informed him that it’s common for each department to have their own Coordinator.
Comm. Copedge asked if verbal requests will be considered FOIA requests. Comm. Grebner stated an oral request would not be considered a serious request. Comm. Copedge asked about date and time stamps for the requests. He also asked if there is a method for collecting the payment. Comm. Grebner stated some Departments probably have date and time stamps. He also stated electronic media is considered a written document under the law.
Comm. Severino asked if someone could explain how the County currently handles FOIA requests and how the proposed Policy differs from the current practice. He also asked what the lowest level of government that can have a FOIA Coordinator under the statute. Mr. Stoker stated he would look into this matter for Comm. Severino.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REWRITTEN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Controller’s Office
a. Information – Discussion Concerning the Sale of the Community Mental Health Property to Include the Property West of Community Mental Health
Mr. Myers provided the history of this request. This Committee referred CMH’s request to the Building Authority. The Building Authority reviewed the request and they are hesitant to recommend the sale of the property west of the CMH facility. They did recommend the sale of the property east of the facility. Mr. Myers stated the Authority’s recommendation is to move forward on the sale of the building and the east property.
Mr. Sheehan stated CMH would like to work with Mr. Myers regarding the sale of the property. CMH will pay for the bond counsel.
It is the sense of this Committee to sell the CMH facility and the property east of the facility.
b. Resolution Authorizing Offering Other Qualified Adult Benefits to Managerial/Confidential Employees
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING OFFERING OTHER QUALIFIED ADULT BENEFITS TO MANAGERIAL/CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES.
Mr. Myers stated he met with Mr. Stoker and Mr. Smith to put together a plan that would provide health benefits for qualified adults. Mr. Smith obtained similar data from several plans. Plans were selected which would meet the Board of Commissioner’s criteria. The County Attorney reviewed and approved the material. Adopting the plan would have little, if any, impact on the County’s budget. The Policy is restrictive enough to provide benefits to those who qualify without opening doors to additional employees.
Comm. Grebner asked if bargaining units have seen this information. Mr. Myers stated the plan was before the Health Coalition for their review. The plan was also made available to an employee who currently receives same sex health benefits. The employee believes the plan is sufficient.
Ms. Auer stated she has two concerns with the plan. The Health Coalition talked about conducting an audit on the people who receive the benefits currently to ensure they are eligible to receive the benefits. Ms. Auer further stated she does not understand the Board’s motivation to provide benefits to significant partners when it will not cover family members. Ms. Auer further stated she believes the County will circumvent the law with this plan.
Mr. Stoker stated his Office is waiting to see what the courts do with this issue. The program the County had was not legal. He further stated he believes the proposed plan is lawful. It will not be easy to qualify for the new plan. Couples have to make a strong commitment to qualify for the benefits.
Comm. Severino stated his concern about an email he received today which indicated that not all of the County’s health providers will provide insurance for heterosexual relationships. Mr. Smith stated two of the three insurance companies will not provide the qualified adult benefits. PHP is the only provider that will offer the new plan.
Comm. Copedge asked if any of the entities that are providing the new plan are being legally challenged. Mr. Stoker stated the entities are not being challenged at this time. A plaintiff would probably wait to see what happens with the Supreme Court case before filing a claim against his/her employer. Comm. Copedge asked if the County will be circumventing the law by offering the new plan. Mr. Stoker stated this is a legal policy and believes the County will be fine.
Ms. Auer stated her union’s Letter of Understanding indicates the members will have a choice between three carriers. Only one of the carriers is offering the new plan. Mr. Stoker explained that Blue Cross and MERS will not cover additional people who are of a different sex. If the County cannot offer that broad of coverage, actions will be taken to address the labor contract. Once a plan is devised, we will meet with the unions to discuss the possible effects the plan will have on the employees.
Comm. DeLeon asked if the carriers can deny the new coverage. Mr. Stoker explained that law provides that insurance companies cover specific things. They don’t have to cover related individuals. Comm. DeLeon stated that is essentially discrimination.
Ms. Gardner thanked the Committee and the County staff for their research and their efforts on this matter. Although she and her partner will not qualify for the new criteria, she does not object to the new plan.
Comm. Grebner stated his philosophy is that the County will someday offer benefits on a point system. He also stated it is difficult to determine if a person meets the criteria for domestic benefits.
Board Chairperson Thomas asked the Controller if he is recommending the approval of this Resolution. Mr. Myers stated if the Committee believes the proposal meets this Committee’s wishes, he will support the Resolution.
Comm. Soule stated any action the County takes in the affirmative is in no way meant to circumvent State law. One of the Board of Commissioner’s priorities is to provide insurance for the residents of this County. This is a high priority. Comm. Soule thanked staff for their prompt attention to this matter and for providing recommendations which meet our wishes.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Severino voting NO.
8c. County Services Committee - Resolution Supporting a United States Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Goal
MOVED BY COMM. SOULE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A UNITED STATES COOL COUNTIES CLIMATE STABILIZATION GOAL. MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Severino voting NO.
10. Board Referral – Letter from Robert E. Selig, Director of Capital City Airport, Regarding a Possible Name Change for the Airport
Chairperson Nolan stated the Airport is asking for the County’s blessing to change the name of the Airport from the Capital City Airport to Capital Region International Airport. Comm. Copedge asked if the Airport must meet specific requirements to use the term “international” in its title. Comm. Grebner stated the Airport is in the process of meeting those requirements. He also stated the proposed change will not cost much.
Chairperson Nolan stated Mr. Selig provided his email address if any of the Commissioners want to contact him regarding this matter. She then stated she will notify Mr. Selig that this Committee is not opposed to the name change.
Announcements
Comm. Copedge informed the Committee that he attended a neighborhood meeting regarding the Continuum of Care facility. He will attend another meeting tomorrow. Comm. Copedge identified individuals and groups who will receive notification of the February 25 informational meeting. To date, the neighborhoods have expressed interest in the facility. Comm. Copedge stated his hope that any available Commissioners will attend the meeting next Wednesday.
Mr. Myers stated 600 meeting notifications were mailed today.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff