Approved 3/8/06
FINANCE
February 22, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Marc Thomas, Curtis Hertel, Mark Grebner, Lisa Dedden, Tina Weatherwax-Grant and Steve Dougan
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Teri Younger, John Neilsen, Jim Hudgins, Jamie McAloon-Lampman, Dean Sienko and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Thomas at 6:03 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 8, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 8 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
Additions to the Agenda
6a. Resolution Recognizing “Women’s History Month” in Ingham County
6b. Resolution Declaring March 31, 2006 as “Cesar E. Chavez Day” in Ingham
County
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Animal Control Department – Resolution to Authorize a Contract with Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine for Animal Control Shelter Veterinary Services
2. Circuit Court/Family Division – Community Mental Health – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with the Community Mental Health Board of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties for the Ingham Family and Youth Intervention Partnership Program
4. Human Resources Department – Resolution Reclassifying the Purchasing Director Position
5d. Health Department – Resolution to Amend Resolution #05-251 and Authorize Staffing Adjustments
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
5. Health Department
a. Resolution to Authorize an Agreement with the Capital Area Community Services to Serve Early Head Start Children through the JumpStart Program
b. Resolution to Authorize an Agreement with Capital Area Community Services to Serve Early Head Start Children through the JumpStart Program
c. Resolution to Adjust the 2006 Budget and to Accept Funds from the Capital Area United Way
Comm. Dougan expressed his concern that the Agreements in items 5a and 5b have already been in effect for some time. Mr. Neilsen explained sometimes grants and their funds do not come at the same time. Comm. Dougan asked about the costs incurred under those Agreements to this point. Mr. Nielsen explained the grants were anticipated in the Health Department’s budget.
Comm. Dougan asked for a list of the six centers relating to agenda item 5c. Dr. Sienko stated he would provide this Committee with that information prior to the next Board of Commissioner’s meeting.
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS 5A, 5B AND 5C. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
(Comm. Weatherwax-Grant arrived at 6:11 p.m.)
6. Controller’s Office – Discussion – Long Term Financial Challenges: Decreasing Taxing Capacity
Comm. Grebner stated the County’s unused taxing capacity will decrease each year. Mr. Ambrose had advised last year that it would be possible to authorize a ballot question for separate tax limitations. Clinton County successfully passed such a ballot proposal in 2004. Comm. Grebner stated the County Attorney should be consulted regarding this matter.
Mr. Neilsen stated Mr. Ambrose’ letter of June 2, 2000 detailed that theory and suggested another option for consideration. As an alternate procedure, the County could seek authorization for the amount of rollback experienced in the operating millage as a separate specially voted millage. This procedure may be undertaken by the County alone without utilization of the advisory tax limitations committee and without dealing with the township and intermediate school district tax levels. Mr. Nielsen stated the County attempted to restore the County’s taxing authority to 6.8 mills. This proposal failed in 2001.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding the options contained in the Long Term Financial Challenges for Ingham County – Decreasing Taxing Capacity Due to Headlee Rollback information. This information was included in the agenda packet. Chairperson Thomas requested clarification regarding the Tax Limitation Committee. It was noted a list of the Allocation Board members was also included in the information.
Comm. Dougan asked the County to assure that setting Separate Tax Limitations would not have an adverse effect on Charter Townships within the County. Mr. Neilsen stated that would be one question to ask of the County Attorney. Comm. Grebner stated he would work with the County Attorney and then submit additional information regarding the practical aspects of establishing an Allocation Board to this Committee’s next meeting. Chairperson Thomas stated Mr. Stoker would be invited to attend this Committee’s next meeting.
3. Parks Board – Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of up to $150,000 from the Parks 508 Fund Balance to the Parks 450 Capital Improvement Fund for the Construction of the Hawk Island Park Splashpad
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF UP TO $150,000 FROM THE PARKS 508 FUND BALANCE TO THE PARKS 450 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HAWK ISLAND PARK SPLASHPAD.
Comm. Dougan asked if the Parks Board had considered fund raising efforts to assist with the costs of this project. Chairperson Thomas stated funds for this project would not be appropriated from the County’s General Fund. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the Parks Board has investigated fund raising opportunities. A few organizations have indicated some interest. She further explained the Parks Board plans to expand the playground structure and then seek fund raising efforts for tables and canopies, etc.
Comm. Dougan expressed his appreciation for the efforts on behalf of the Parks Board regarding this project. He then suggested the Parks Board continue to seek donations.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Board Referrals
a. Notice of Public Hearing from the City of Lansing Regarding the Approval of a New Personal Property Exemption for the Property Located at 720 E. Shiawassee, Lansing
b. Letter from the City of Lansing, Department of Neighborhood, Planning and Development Announcing a Public Hearing on February 20, 2006 for Consideration of an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Property Located at 1800 N. Grand River, Lansing
c. Letter from the City of Lansing Department of Neighborhood Planning and Development, Announcing a Public Hearing on February 20, 2006 for Consideration of an Exemption on New Personal Property for Bridgewater Interiors, LLC
Announcements
Comm. Dedden expressed her appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the agencies involved in agenda item number two.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant informed the Committee that she was late to this meeting because she was at a meeting with DHS and CMH.
Comm. Dougan informed the Committee that the funds from the Walk for Warmth in Mason will benefit people in the out-County area.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff