Amended 10/5/05
FINANCE
September 21, 2005
Minutes
Members Present: Lisa Dedden, Chris Swope, Curtis Hertel, Andy Schor, Marc Thomas, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Grebner
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, Pat Lindemann, Bruce Bragg, Paul Pratt, Doug Stover and Eric Schertzing
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dedden at 6:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the August 17, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 17 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Hertel
Additions to the Agenda
3. Amendment by the Law Enforcement Committee – September 30, 2005 changed to October 30, 2005
8c. Technical amendments to the Resolution
11c. Resolution pulled by the County Services Committee
13. Budget Update
14. Communication Regarding Budget Hearings and Friend of the Court
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Drain Commissioner – Resolution Creating Two (2) Entry Level Assistant Project Coordinators/Commercial Inspectors in the Drain Commissioner’s Office
2. Sheriff’s Office – Resolution for the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office to Accept the FY 2005 LLEBG/Byrne Annual Projects Grant
3. Emergency Operations Center – Resolution to Approve the Revised Final Michigan Department of State Police, Emergency Management Division 2004 State Homeland Security Grant/Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program Grant Budget and Related Subcontracts
4. Tri-County Metro Narcotics Squad – Furniture Request
6. Economic Development Corporation – Resolution to Exempt County Property Tax Revenues from Capture in the Meridian Township Downtown Development Authority District
5. Facilities – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with J & L Roofing Company for a Replacement Roof at the Ingham County Correctional Facility
8. Health Department
a. Referred Back to Committee from August 23, 2005 Board of Commissioners Meeting – Resolution to Amend Resolution No. 05-166 and Amend the Health Department’s Fee Schedule
b. Resolution to Authorize Contract with the Ionia County Health Department for Medical Direction and Program Consultation
c. Substitute Resolution to Authorize an Agreement with the Capital Area Community Services to Expand the Jump Start Program to Serve Early Head Start Program
d. Resolution to Authorize an Agreement with the Lansing-Mason Ambulance for Medical Examiner Transports
e. Resolution to Authorize an Amendment to the Jumpstart Agreement with the Department of Human Services
i. Resolution to Amend the Medical Direction Contract with Barry-Eaton District Health Department
j. Resolution to Authorize Three-Adolescent Health – Child and Adolescent Health Center Grant Agreements with the Michigan Primary Care Association
k. Resolution to Appoint Dennis Jurczak, M.D. and D. Bonta Hiscoe, M.D. as Deputy Medical Directors and Deputy Medical Examiners and to Authorize Employment Contracts
l. Resolution to Authorize a Contract with the Michigan Department of Human Services to Place an Out-Stationed Worker in the Health Department Registration and Enrollment Unit
9. Facilities – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with J & L Roofing Company for a Replacement Roof at the Ingham County Correctional Facility
10. MSU Cooperative Extension – Resolution for Change in Funding of the Ingham County MSU Extension Network Facilitator and Community Development Agent Position
11a. Parks Department – Resolution to Convey an Easement to Meridian Township in Order to Construct a Pedestrian Pathway at Lake Lansing Park
(Comm. Hertel arrived at 6:06 p.m.)
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Treasurer
a. Correspondence Regarding Election to Audit Homestead Exemptions
In response to Comm. Dougan, Mr. Schertzing stated most homestead denials are for property within our County. He further stated this communication was to inform the Committee of this matter.
b. Resolution Authorizing the County Treasurer to Enter into a Contract with Michigan State University Extension to Offer Financial Management Education for Ingham County Homeowners Subject to Foreclosure
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY TREASURER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION TO OFFER FINANCIAL MANAGMENT EDUCATION FOR INGHAM COUNTY HOMEOWNERS SUBJECT TO FORECLOSURE.
Comm. Dougan expressed his concern that the fringe benefits and mileage reimbursement rates are high for this position. Staff explained that this is a very low paying position; and, it happens to be eligible for a benefits package.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Equalization and Tax Mapping – Resolution Amending the County’s Enhanced Access Policy to Establish Fees for Obtaining Paper Maps and Digital Parcel Files from the Equalization Department
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE COUNTY’S ENHANCED ACCESS POLICY TO ESTABLISH FEES FOR OBTAINING PAPER MAPS AND DIGITAL PARCEL FILES FROM THE EQUALIZATION DEPARTMENT.
(Chairperson Grebner arrived at 6:13 p.m.)
Comm. Schor stated he supports the concept of this matter. Mr. Stover explained the Resolution would amend the Enhanced Access Policy to allow the Equalization Department (Department) to establish new fees. The Department now has digital parcel files and will soon also have 2005 digital photos available for access by the public. Mr. Stover stated the Department has received requests from Lansing and Stockbridge Townships for their 2005 digital files.
Mr. Ambrose explained that the Drain Office, Register of Deeds Office and the Equalization Department have different reasons for obtaining digital photos. They concentrate on specific areas when conducting their fly-overs.
Comm. Dougan expressed his concern regarding the cost of conducting the fly-overs. Mr. Stover explained the financial implications of this matter. In response to Comm. Dougan, the Committee discussed the way the rates are calculated for the fly-overs. Comm. Dougan stated he was uncomfortable with the fees to be charged to small jurisdictions. Mr. Ambrose stated the geographic data is available.
Chairperson Dedden stated there is value to the receiving entity which is separate from a jurisdictions’ geographical size. She believes the proposed rates are reasonable. Mr. Stover stated the Department could move forward with the proposed rates and then revisit this issue in the future. This discussion continued.
Mr. Ambrose stated that if sufficient revenue is generated from these fees, fly-overs will be conducted every five years. Efforts to coordinate fly-over information are made whenever feasible. The next challenge will be to use the same maps for multiple purposes.
The Committee concurred to a Friendly Amendment to strike the following language from the New Materials – Digital Provided Information: “based on geographic size.”
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Stover displayed his basic map of the County for the Committee’s information. He stated all individual parcels are now digitized. His office can start attaching data to the individual parcels.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding this matter.
8. Health Department
f. Resolution to Authorize a Dental Sealant Program
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A DENTAL SEALANT PROGRAM.
Comm. Dougan expressed his preference to see hourly wage breakdowns in future comparable items.
In response to Comm. Thomas, Mr. Bragg explained the process and the reasons for receiving a dental sealant.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(Language moved from this place to page three.)
g. Resolution to Authorize the Purchase of Dental Equipment
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF DENTAL EQUIPMENT.
In response to Comm. Dougan, Mr. Bragg stated the unspent funds would be returned to the County’s General Fund at the end of the budget period.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
h. Resolution to Authorize a 2005-2006 Agreement with the City of Lansing
MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A 2005-2006 AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LANSING.
Comm. Dougan asked why the Resolution did not contain the dollars associated with each program. Mr. Bragg explained he could provide that information; however, it would require the Health Department to come before this Committee to move funds if and when appropriate.
The Committee consented to a Friendly Amendment to add the following language: The Resolution is to be flexible to allow for negotiations for changes. Any such changes would be communicated to this Committee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Parks Department
b. Resolution Authorizing a Contract for Architectural/Engineering Services for the Splash Playground at Hawk Island County Park
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE SPLASH PLAYGROUND AT HAWK ISLAND COUNTY PARK.
In response to Comm. Dougan, Mr. Ambrose stated he would determine where the proposed firm is located prior to the next Board meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
c. Resolution Modifying Various Ingham County Park Rental Fees
Chairperson Dedden explained that the County Services Committee referred this item back to the Parks Board for further consideration of the proposed increases.
12. Board Referrals
a. Notice of Public Hearing from the Charter Township of Meridian Regarding the Proposed Downtown Development Authority
b. Notice of Public Hearings from the City of Lansing Regarding Request by the Brd Printing, Inc. for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for the Property Located at 912 W. St. Joseph
c. Notice of Public Hearing from the City of Lansing Regarding the Approval of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for Property Located at 1127 N. Cedar Street
d. Notice of Public Hearing from the City of Lansing Regarding the Approval of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for the Property Located at 1709 Thompson Street
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
13. Budget Update
Mr. Ambrose stated the liaison Committee updates have concluded.
14. Communication Regarding Budget Hearings and Friend of the Court
Mr. Ambrose explained that the FOC currently collects court costs at the time of the court action, and those funds are distributed to the County through the Court. Federal regulations have now been interpreted to require that all of the money collected in a child support enforcement action go first to pay the child support order, and only then can the court costs be actually collected.
The court has now determined that this new interpretation will result in a revenue loss of $240,000 for 2006. The Court has identified $100,000 in staffing reductions and wishes to request an additional $140,000 in general fund support.
Mr. Ambrose informed the Committee that the Judiciary Committee will meet next Tuesday evening, after the Board meeting, to discuss this matter and determine what recommendation it should make to this Committee.
Comm. Thomas stated he is interested in having this information come before the Finance Committee to be voted on separately. There was a brief discussion regarding this matter.
(Comm. Swope left the meeting at approximately 6:45 p.m.)
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff