Approved 2/22/06
FINANCE
February 8, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Marc Thomas, Curtis Hertel, Mark Grebner, Lisa Dedden, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Teri Younger, John Neilsen, Jack Restuccia, Bruce Bragg, Rick Terrill, Bob Moore and other
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Thomas at 6:05 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the January 18, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 18 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Dedden and Weatherwax-Grant
Additions to the Agenda
6. Resolution (Version 2) Amended by the County Services Committee
11a. Resolution Tabled by the County Services Committee until their February 21, 2006 meeting.
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1a. Controller’s Office – Jail Water Tank – Emergency Purchase
3. Probate Court – Resolution Requesting Contingency Funds to Assist in Meeting Case Management Demands during an Extended Leave of Absence
4. Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) – Resolution Authorizing the First Amendment to the Agreement with a the Capital Area Transportation Authority Dated January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010
5. Health Department
a. Resolution to Amend Resolution #05-305 and the Authorization to Contract with MSU for Environmental Health Services
b. Resolution to Authorize Service Contracts with Licensed Dentists for 2006
c. Resolution to Authorize a Change in Status of the Human Services Grant Coordinator Position in the Health Department
8. Fair Board – Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Proposal and Entering into a Contract for the Purpose of Providing and Installing Insulation and Painting of the Main Pavilion at the Ingham County Fairgrounds
9. Parks & Recreation Commission – Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of up to $20,000 from the Lake Lansing Trail Appropriation to be used for a Recreation Needs Assessment to Update the Ingham County Parks Master Plan
10. Financial Services Department – Resolution to Increase the Financial Reporting Threshold for Fixed Assets from $1,000 to $5,000
11b. Human Resources Department – Resolution Approving the FOP/Corrections Collective Bargaining Agreement
(Comm. Dedden arrived at 6:06 p.m.)
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Weatherwax-Grant
1b. Controller’s Office – Resolution Authorizing a Contract Amendment for the 911 Center Consolidation Consultant Services with Plante & Moran, PLLC
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR THE 911 CENTER CONSOLIDATION CONSULTANT SERVICES WITH PLANTE & MORAN, PLL.
Comm. Dougan asked if Plante & Moran had issued any preliminary findings. He also requested the consultant’s report address issues such as the identity of alternate sites and back up scenario in case of an emergency. Mr. Neilsen explained the Steering Committee met during the second week of December 2005 and determined that additional information would be needed. Discussions have been placed on hold during the transition at the City of Lansing. Mr. Neilsen stated he did not think a request for alternative sites had been requested. A back up plan will be a part of the final report.
(Comm. Weatherwax-Grant arrived at 6:10 p.m.)
Comm. Grebner stated he doesn’t want this to become a part of a possible agreement to assume the operation and administration of the 911 Center. Mr. Neilsen stated Comm. Grebner’s concerns are understood. Comm. Grebner stated the two main concerns involve the interest of the County to take over the 911 Center and if so, how would the Center operate. These are two very different questions. The advice from the consultant should be specifically addressed to the County, not the other entities. Mr. Neilsen stated the County should develop a business plan if it decides to assume the operation of the 911 Center. Once that plan is developed, a determination as to how to run the Center can be made. Mr. Neilsen further stated the Cities of Lansing and East Lansing are major players in this issue.
Comm. Grebner expressed his concern that if the Cities are included in the plan, they would be a part of the negotiation for the operation of the Center. The consultant should answer to the County and then the County will have discussions with the Cities. Lansing and East Lansing should be included in the process as consumers of the 911 services.
Chairperson Thomas asked what the consultant will address. Comm. Dougan agreed the consultant should report only to the County. Chairperson Thomas indicated it is the consensus of this Committee that the County is in charge of this plan. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the County should share the consultant findings with the Cities. The Committee agreed with this statement. Chairperson Thomas stated Mr. Neilsen will share such information with the Cities.
Comm. Grebner stated the issues of responsibility for the 911 Center and the consolidation are two separate issues. If the County assumes the responsibility for the Center, it would inherit the specific contracts and the current Center employees would become employees of the County.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Sheriff’s Office – Resolution to Extend the Canteen Inmate Commissary Contract for One Year
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE CANTEEN INMATE COMMISSARY CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR.
Comm. Dedden noted an RFP has not been issued for this contract since 2000. She then asked if this is a sole-source vendor. Mr. Neilsen stated the Sheriff’s Office and the Purchasing Department requested the one year extension. The Office had never expressed any concerns with this vendor. Comm. Dedden asked if the vendor is a local firm. Ms. Younger stated the vendor’s local office is in Cold Water.
In response to Comm. Dougan, Mr. Neilsen stated there is one County employee who is paid through this contract. Chairperson Thomas asked if a competitive bid process would be initiated at the end of this extension. Mr. Neilsen stated he wasn’t sure why the Office requested the extension. Chairperson Thomas requested his question be addressed for the next Board meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Facilities Department – Resolution Setting Penalties for Parking Violations at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse/Grady Porter Building – Version #2
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SETTING PENALTIES FOR PARKING VIOLATIONS AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL COURTHOUSE/GRADY PORTER BUILDING – VERSION #2 AS AMENDED BY THE COUNTY SERVICES COMMITTEE.
Comm. Hertel expressed his appreciation to the County Services Committee for incorporating his proposed amendment into the Resolution. The amendment is important for the protection of the handi-cap spaces. He also stated his concern that the fines were too high.
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION BY CHANGING THE $100 SECOND OFFENSE COST TO $50 PLUS COSTS; AND, TO CHANGE THE $200 THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE COST TO $100 PLUS COSTS.
Chairperson Celentino explained the County Services Committee probably did not address the fines because they didn’t have a strong feeling about them. That Committee was aware of this Committee’s concerns. Chairperson Thomas asked if the County Services Committee would approve of this proposed amendment. Chairperson Celentino indicated he did not believe the County Services Committee would take issue with the amendment.
Chairperson Thomas asked if the proposed change to the fines would create any administrative concerns for the Facilities’ Department. Mr. Terrill stated the changes would not affect his Department.
MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED with Comm. Grebner voting NO.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she has had the opportunity recently to observe the use of the lot over a period of a few days. She noticed the concern regarding the unauthorized use of the lot. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she was pleased that the Facilities Department took the initiative in addressing this problem.
Comm. Dougan asked if the signs are clearly posted. Mr. Terrill stated new signs will be posted on the lot prior to the enforcement of the ordinance. Comm. Dougan then asked about the appeal process. Mr. Terrill stated a person would follow the normal appeal process for ordinance violations according to the issuing jurisdiction. The issue of who will issue tickets should be addressed for the Board meeting. Comm. Dougan also stated the appeal process should be clearly printed on the tickets. Mr. Terrill stated a contact number will be included on the warning notice. Comm. Hertel stated this issue is addressed in the Resolution.
Mr. Terrill informed the Committee that the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office may deputize two staff members of the Facilities Department to allow them to issue tickets. Chairperson Thomas requested the details regarding this issue also be supplied at the next Board meeting. He also suggested Mr. Terrill could email the information to the Commissioners prior to the Board meeting if possible.
MAIN MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY as amended.
7. County Services Committee – Resolution Amending Resolution #04-045 to Increase the Number of Members Serving on the Ingham County Fair Board
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION #04-045 TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS SERVING ON THE INGHAM COUNTY FAIR BOARD.
Chairperson Celentino informed the Committee that Comm. DeLeon offered an amendment during the County Services Committee to increase the Fair Board membership from 11 to 14. That motion failed with Comms. Severino, Nolan and Vickers voting “no.”
Comm. Dougan stated eleven members are sufficient to carry out the work of the Fair Board. Mr. Neilsen stated it was the consensus of the Fair Board to remain at eleven members. The Fair Board did not take a formal vote on the matter.
In response to Comm. Dedden, Chairperson Celentino reminded her of the reason the Board of Commissioners is considering an expansion of the Fair Board. This matter was addressed in December 2005. It was the consensus of the 2005 County Services Committee to increase the ethnic and geographic diversity of the Fair Board.
Comm. Grebner explained the Fair Board repeatedly requests term limit waivers to reappoint existing members. Approving the requests limits the Board of Commissioners’ ability to address the diversity concerns.
Chairperson Thomas stated he is not convinced the membership should be increased since we repeatedly reappoint existing members. The Board of Commissioners should fill vacancies on the Fair Board without a need to expand the membership.
Comm. Hertel stated his position that a working board could be more productive with additional members. Comm. Dedden agreed with Comm. Grebner that new members should be appointed to the Fair Board. The additional per diems for additional members would be appropriated from the Fair Board’s budget, not the County’s General Fund; therefore, she will support the motion to increase the membership.
Comm. Dougan suggested the term limits be staggered for the new additional members. Mr. Neilsen stated staff would review the current composition of the Fair Board and determine the appropriate terms. Chairperson Thomas stated this information should be available at the Board meeting.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Dougan voting NO.
12. Finance Committee – Discussion Item: Long Term Financial Challenges for Ingham County
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that this item was placed on the agenda based on his previous discussions with Chairperson Thomas. The four identified budget concerns are:
(1) End of Revenue Sharing Reserve Fund – Risk of State not Restoring Source
(2) End of In-Kind Medical Services from the Sale of Ingham Medical
(3) Unfunded Liability of Retiree Health Care
(4) Decreasing Taxing Capacity Due to Headlee Rollback
These items are detailed in the agenda packet. Each item includes a description of the problem, the magnitude of the problem and options to handle or resolve the problems.
Ms. Younger stated the End of In-Kind Medical Services from the Sale of Ingham Medical is the most urgent issue. The County has hired a consultant to review jail medical expenses to determine if an opportunity exists to control these costs. A report is expected in the near future. Comm. Dougan asked if the previous closure of a Post has helped the situation. Ms. Younger explained the inmates in that Post were contracted; therefore, the closure would not help this problem.
Comm. Grebner agreed this issue should be addressed urgently. This problem is significant due to a shift in policies and practices which control costs. Inmates’ medical issues have not changed. Ms. Younger expressed her concern that costs will continue to increase. Mr. Neilsen explained that costs were contained at the same time a study was conducted five years ago.
Comm. Hertel asked if there has been a dramatic change since the recent death of an inmate. Ms. Younger stated that information will be included in the consultant’s report.
Chairperson Thomas suggested the Committee develop a five-year plan to address the concerns. He then asked how the Committee wants to communicate the specific concerns with County staff. Comm. Hertel suggested staff be invited to meetings which address concerns affecting their departments. Comm. Dougan suggested work sessions on the concerns be conducted at Board Leadership meetings.
Chairperson Thomas asked how the Committee would like to incorporate these discussions into the yearly budget process. Comm. Grebner stated the best forum for the discussions is this Committee. Chairperson Thomas suggested the liaison committees be included in the discussions when necessary.
Chairperson Thomas asked if the Committee was interested in developing a five-year plan. Comm. Dougan stated he would be interested in this issue. Comm. Hertel expressed his hope that the jail medical issue will not be a five year problem.
Ms. Younger stated the second area of concern regards the End of the Revenue Sharing Fund. The third concern is the Headlee Rollback. Chairperson Thomas stated the Law Enforcement Committee will review the jail medical problem. Comm. Dougan expressed his concern regarding retiree health insurance. Mr. Neilsen stated this issue is being explored. Ms. Younger stated three options for dealing with this concern are outlined in the agenda information.
Comm. Grebner suggested this Committee address the Headlee Rollback issue next. He also suggested that staff check with the County Attorney regarding the Rollback schedule.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff