Amended 5/19/04
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Members Present: Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Lisa Dedden, Debbie DeLeon, Marc Thomas, Thomas Minter and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, Jared Cypher, Jack Restuccia, Mike Bryanton, Tom Shields, Suzanne Eman-Jaehnig and Sharon Granger
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Lynch at 6:06 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 21, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 21 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
7a. Substitute Resolution
7b. Substitute Resolution
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. DeLeon
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. DeLeon
a. Presentation on the Proposed 2-1-1 System
Ms. Granger informed the Committee that the 2-1-1 System (System) would provide a link to those in need of health and human services. Communities throughout the nation have implemented the System with the appropriate community-based providers of social, medical, health and human services. An information and referral system does not currently exist in the greater Lansing area.
(Comm. DeLeon arrived.)
The Capital Area United Way is coordinating efforts to establish a comprehensive information and referral system. This system would be available to all tri-county residents. The Capital Area United Way and the Volunteer Center are providing $66,350 in-kind funding the first year and are committed to continuing this support for this long-term project.
Ms. Granger stated the System would ultimately provide information and referrals 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The System would provide high quality information to residents. This project started in the late 1990's. Senators Bush and Dole lead the legislation for the creation of the System.
Ms. Granger explained the advantages of a Centralized Information and Referral number for the Capital Area. The System could help take the burden off organizations which receive a large number of people contacting them for help. Currently, there is a consensus that there is a lack of coordinated and comprehensive information which is available to the residents of Lansing. Trained System specialists would provide residents with more accurate and comprehensive information.
A 'snapshot' of resident needs could be provided from the System. Statistics can be kept on the kind of services callers are requesting. This information could be used by organizations such as governmental entities, policy makers and non-profits for informed community planning and fund distribution.
Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated key partners in the effort are the Capital Area United Way, the Volunteer Center of Mid-Michigan and the Listening Ear. Organizations and individuals that have been involved to date include: The Salvation Army, City of Lansing, City of East Lansing, Community Mental Health, Lansing State Journal, Ingham County Family Independence Agency and Ingham County Judge George Economy.
Kent, Ottawa, Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties currently have this System. Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated a community- agency based 2-1-1 task force has been developed to address the implementation of the System in the tri-county area. This task force has been meeting for 1.5 years to try to encourage tri-county cooperation. Ingham County has been very receptive.
The System must be implemented for one year before it actually receives the 2-1-1 designation. However, it will actually take approximately two years to complete the 2-1-1 accreditation process. Until then, the System will use an 800 number. This number would be available to residents from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Twenty-hour service will hopefully be implemented after six to nine months.
Comm. Grebner explained that Ingham County's 911 burden is quite a bit lower than the 2-1-1 information represents. Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated, in response to Comm. Grebner, that the System will receive its fair share of nuisance calls. The System does not have to accept endless nuisance calls. Also, the System's trained specialists are well trained in handling these types of phone calls.
Comm. Grebner asked about the status of Eaton and Clinton County's participation in this matter. Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated requests have been submitted to those Counties. In response to Comm. Dedden, Ms. Granger stated if Eaton and Clinton Counties do not participate, the System will not be implemented in the tri-county area or in Ingham County alone.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INGHAM COUNTY TO CONTRACT WITH THE CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY FOR THE CAPITAL AREA HUMAN SERVICES CONNECTION/CAPITAL AREA 2-1-1 PROJECT AND AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AREAS OF PRIORITY EMPHASIS GUIDING 2005 ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET PROCESS.
Comm. Minter requested a brief reminder of the function of the Neighborhood Network Centers. Comm. Dedden explained that there are five Centers within our community which are operated through MSU Extension and the County Health Department. However, a contract with one of those Centers was not renewed and that Center is now defunct. Comm. Dedden further explained the Centers help to provide many of the County's human services. A new Center could potentially be located in the Senior Center on Miller Road.
Comm. Minter asked if the request could be stated in a more generic fashion such as 'to provide services where they are most needed..' Comm. Dedden stated this item was placed under "Specific Efforts" under the Human Services' priorities.
The Committee consented to a Friendly Amendment to relocate the Center language under item two of the Priority Resolution to item number three of the same document.
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO AMEND ITEM FOUR OF THE RESOLUTION TO READ AS: PROPOSED ALLOCATIONS FOR COMMUNITY AGENCIES SHALL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HISTORIC SPENDING PATTERNS, THE NUMBER OF AGENCIES REQUESTING FUNDING, THE ANNUAL STATEMENT OF COUNTY PRIORITIES, IMPACTS OF OTHER FUNDING SOURCES ON AGENCIES REQUESTING FUNDS, TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PROPOSED ALLOCATION HAS COUNTY-WIDE BENEFIT.
The Committee discussed this issue at length. Comm. Grebner stated the County should consider the degree to which the services are available to all County residents who need it. Comm. Minter stated he would support Comm. Thomas's proposed amendment because it is important to establish the criteria by which we are making decisions on proposals submitted to the County. A proposal should be considered it if has a County-wide benefit.
Comm. DeLeon stated she believes Comm. Grebner's language, above, fits the intent of the issue. Comm. Thomas stated there are pros and cons with both ideas. He agreed that County-funded services should have a County-wide benefit. Comm. Dedden stated there are some services which are specific to certain areas within the County. Those services also meet the County's priority of meeting basic needs.
Comm. Minter stated the question involves available services versus services with County-wide benefits. Chairperson Lynch stated a district-specific service does benefit the County. This discussion continued.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO AMEND THE MOTION TO AMEND THE MAIN MOTION CHANGE THE UNDERLINED LANGUAGE TO "AND THE DEGREE TO WHICH IT HELPS TO ENSURE THAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY WHO NEEDS IT."
Comm. Minter stated he will vote against Comm. Grebner's motion because item four of the Resolution is specific to community agencies. Mr. Ambrose explained the County could not preclude County residents from receiving County services due to geographic issues.
Comm. Grebner's Motion to Amend: CARRIED with Comm. Dedden voting NO.
Comm. Dedden stated she could support the Main Motion as amended as long as the Controller understands this Committee's intent.
Motion to Amend as Amended: CARRIED with Comms. Minter and DeLeon voting NO.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Motion to Amend as Amended: CARRIED with Comm. Dedden voting NO.
Main Motion as Amended: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION UPDATING VARIOUS FEES FOR COUNTY SERVICES.
In response to Comm. Grebner, Mr. Bryanton explained that the projected increase in passport revenue is due to a successful advertisement in the Ameritech Yellow Pages. He further explained that he would not be opposed to the recommended increases in copy fees at a later date if warranted.
Mr. Ambrose explained the additional passport revenue is unrelated to certified copy fees. Based on the Board's direction to review the fees and to make necessary adjustments on an annual basis, the Controller's Office has recommended the increase of $13 to $14 for the first copy.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION BY RAISING THE CERTIFIED COPY FEE FROM $13 TO $15 IN 2006.
Comm. Minter stated the County paid for a study and implement a methodology for reviewing and adjusting fees on an annual basis. It is easier to make incremental increases versus large increases. We should continue our policy approach. Comm. Grebner explained that his motion to raise the certified copy fee to $15 in 2006 includes the $14 increase in a sense. Comm. Dedden stated this Committee should leave the proposed increase for 2006 for the appropriate time.
Comm. Grebner stated the Clerk explained his Office has increased fees dramatically over the past few years. If the Office makes an honorable request, it should be honored. Comm. DeLeon stated she whole-heartedly agrees with Comm. Minter's assessment of this situation. Also, the Office would not be at a financial loss by not increasing the certified copy fees. It would be difficult to explain this Committee's decision to defer from its policy.
Mr. Bryanton explained that he would like to give County residents a year's pause from increases in the Clerk's Office before increasing the fees.
Motion to Amend: FAILED with Comms. DeLeon and Grebner voting YES.
Comm. Thomas stated if the Clerk is willing to work with the Board and is also willing to take a double hit next year, he is willing to go along with the $13 Certified Copy (first page) fee.
In response to Comm. Minter, Mr. Ambrose explained the fiscal impact of the Soil Box recommendation.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO RETURN THE SOIL BOX FEE TO $10.
The Committee discussed this motion. Comm. Minter stated he was persuaded by Mr. Lessard's statements in his memorandum. This is an environmental protection issue. Mr. Ambrose stated the Committee could amend the recovery percentage which is currently 100%.
Comm. Dedden stated if a resident can afford to care of his/her lawn, he/she can absorb the cost of the service. She recommended the recovery percentage remain 100%. Comm. Grebner explained that if the County amends the percentage from 100% to 80%, the County would be acknowledging the public benefit of the service and that it would continue to subsidize that service.
Motion to Amend: FAILED with Comms. Dedden, DeLeon and Grebner voting NO.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO AMEND THE SOIL BOX TARGETED PERCENTAGE FROM 100% TO 80%.
Mr. Ambrose clarified that the proposed amendment would not change the cost of the service. Comm. Dedden stated she cannot see the County subsidizing this service for a non-needy population. Comm. Minter stated a significant number of soil boxes are sold in rural areas. He also explained that many farmers utilize this service for the protection of their crops. The County should take a leap of faith and assume that this service affects the entire County.
Motion to Amend: CARRIED with Comms. Dedden and DeLeon voting NO.
Comm. Thomas expressed his concern that he feels many of the targeted percentages are off base. Mr. Ambrose stated the County set the targeted percentages. Comm. Grebner also stated this is an issue for each of the liaison committees. This issue was discussed further.
Main Motion: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Minter stated it is the role of the liaison committees to determine the targeted percentages for services related to their committees. It is hoped that each committee truly debated the percentages prior to their final determinations.
Mr. Ambrose responded to Comm. DeLeon's questions regarding priorities of the other liaison committees. Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern that the priorities impact the County's General Fund. Mr. Ambrose stated this Committee will receive a report at its next meeting regarding a possible adjustment to the General Fund.
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff