Amended 3/22/06

FINANCE

March 8, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:         Marc Thomas, Curtis Hertel, Mark Grebner, Lisa Dedden, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino

Members Absent:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant

Others Present:             Teri Younger, John Neilsen, David Easterday, Nervy Oliver, Mike Bryanton, Eric Schertzing, Bob Moore, Al Way, Dave Stoker, Charlene Corrigan and Mike Ryder

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 22, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 22 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Weatherwax-Grant

Additions to the Agenda

5.         Resolution to Submit to the Electorate a Special Millage Question for a Countywide Transportation System Primarily for the Disabled and Elderly

9.         Informational Item – A communication from the County Attorney regarding Fixed Millage Limitation Changes

11.       Resolution Approving the Michigan Nurses Association Collective Bargaining Agreement

Limited Public Comment:          None

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1.         Sheriff’s Office – Resolution Authorizing Ingham County to Enter into a One (1) Year Inter-Local Agreement with the  City of Lansing to Share Proceeds from the 2006 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Award

2.         911 Advisory Board – Resolution Authorizing Contracts with various Ingham County Municipalities and/or Public Safety Authorities for Communication Equipment for the Ingham  County Public Safety Radio Communications System Project

3.         Circuit Court/Family Division – Resolution to Reorganize Management Staffing of the Ingham County Circuit Court, Juvenile Division

6.         Parks & Recreation Commission – Resolution Authorizing that an Application be made to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a Natural Resource Trust Fund Grant to Develop a Non-Motorized Pathway in Meridian Township

7b.       Facilities Department – Resolution Authorizing Entering into a Contract with Wigen, Tincknell, Meyer & Associates to Prepare Specifications for Three Major Projects at the Ingham County Correctional Facility

8.         Treasurer

            a.         Resolution Authorizing 2006 Administrative Fund

            b.         2006 Borrowing Resolution (2005 Delinquent Taxes)

9a.       Controller’s Office – Resolution Establishing the 2007 Budget Calendar

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Weatherwax-Grant

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comms. Dedden and Weatherwax-Grant

(Comm. Dedden arrived at 6:06 p.m.)

5.         Commissioner Grebner - Resolution to Submit to the Electorate a Special Millage Question for a Countywide Transportation System Primarily for the Disabled and Elderly

After a brief discussion, the Committee decided to address this issue at a later date.

4.         Community Mental Health – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with the Community Mental Health Board of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties and the Lansing School District Ingham County Helping Kids Achieve Program

MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD OF CLINTON, EATON AND I NGHAM COUNTIES AND THE LANSING SCHOOL DISTRICT INGHAM COUNTY HELPING KIDS ACHIEVE PROGRAM.

Comm. Dougan asked if the same kids would benefit from this Program.  Mr. Way explained the Program would serve 25 new kids for an average of seven to eight months.  Comm. Dougan asked if CMH measures the results of this Program.  Mr. Way stated CMH does formally track the students.

Comm. Dedden thanked Mr. Way for his efforts on this Program.  Due to the collaborative efforts, the Program is able to serve more youth for the same amount of money.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

7a.       Facilities Department – Resolution Authorizing Entering into a Contract with Nelson Trane for Improvements to Air Handling Controls at the Ingham County Correctional Facility

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH NELSON TRANE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO AIR HANDLING CONTROLS AT THE INGHAM COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

Comm. Dougan asked if an RFP was issued for this contract versus a low bid concept.  Mr. Neilsen explained an RFP was issued for the main project in 2004.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

9.         Controller’s Office

            b.         Discussion – Tax Allocation Board/Separate Tax Limitations

            c.         Discussion – Potential 2006 Millage Issues

The Committee addressed items 9b and 9c during the same discussion.

Mr. Bryanton distributed copies of Filing Deadlines:  County and Local Proposals – to the Committee for their information. 

Comm. Grebner stated the County’s unused taxing capacity will end in approximately five years.  It is possible to authorize a ballot question for separate tax limitations.  The County should consider ballot questions for the voters to approve in order to replace current taxes which the County is losing over time. 

Authorizing a Separate Tax Limitation would establish a millage ceiling under which the County could operate.  Comm. Grebner stated he is not proposing a millage rate at this time. 

Chairperson Thomas stated the Board Leadership meeting agenda will include a millage discussion.  He then asked how likely it would be to place a tax limitation question on the ballot this year.  Comm. Grebner stated other alternatives may be tried first, such as a Law Enforcement millage.  A CATA line haul millage question may be placed on the 2006 ballot.

Ms. Younger stated the County would be very close to the millage ceiling in 2009.  Comm. Grebner stated the Board could decide to place the Separate Tax Limitation question on the 2008 ballot.  The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the costs of placing items on the ballot.

Chairperson Thomas asked if the Separate Tax Limitation would negatively affect general law townships.  Mr. Stoker explained the Limitation would technically apply to charter townships. 

Chairperson Thomas stated this discussion would continue during the Board Leadership meeting on March 21, 2006. 

10.       Board Referral – Letter from United States Department of Health and Human Services Regarding the Audit Report on the County

The Board Referral was received and placed on file.

11.       Human Resources Department - Resolution Approving the Michigan Nurses Association Collective Bargaining Agreement

MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MICHIGAN NURSES ASSOCIATION COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.

Comm. Dougan requested additional information regarding item two on the Staff Review Sheet.  Mr. Neilsen explained this bargaining unit has substituted Cesar Chavez Day for Columbus Day.  Ms. Younger stated staff would need to wait until all the contracts have been negotiated to determine the consensus on the holiday issue. 

(Language regarding other contracts was deleted.)

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff