Amended 5/3/06
FINANCE
April 19, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Marc Thomas, Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Mark Grebner and Tina Weatherwax-Grant
Others Present: Teri Morton, Bruce Bragg, Gene Wriggelsworth, Doug Stover, Dean Sienko, Eric Schertzing and Jim Wilson
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Thomas at 6:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 5, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 5 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Grebner and Weatherwax-Grant
Additions to the Agenda
1b. County Staff has submitted a revised Point of Sale Fee Schedule.
6a. The Equalization Department has updated the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph in the Resolution. The changes are contained in the Blue Change Sheet.
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1c. Health Department – Resolution to Reorganize the Office for Young Children
6. Equalization Department
a. Resolution to Adopt the 2006 County Equalization Report as Submitted with the Accompanying Statements
b. Resolution Designating County Representatives at State Tax Commission Hearings
7. Controller’s Office – Resolution Authorizing the Opening of a Post at the Ingham County Jail, the Amendment to the MDOC Contract and Related Budget
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Grebner and Weatherwax-Grant
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Grebner and Weatherwax-Grant
5. Treasurer – Resolution Authorizing a Temporary Foreclosure Prevention Assistant
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY FORECLOSURE PREVENTION ASSISTANT.
Comm. Dougan requested clarification regarding the reimbursement costs. Ms. Morton explained FICA, workers compensation, and all other associated costs with the position will be reimbursed.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Grebner and Weatherwax-Grant
1. Health Department
a. Resolution to Amend the Ingham County Sanitary Code by Adding Chapter VII to Approve Regulations for the Inspection of Onsite Water and Sewage Disposal Systems at the Time of Property Transfer
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE INGHAM COUNTY SANITARY CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER VII TO APPROVE REGULATIONS FOR THE INSPECTION OF ONSITE WATER AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS AT THE TIME OF PROPERTY TRANSFER.
Comm. Dougan stated he would not support this Resolution because he isn’t convinced the County should be in this business. Comm. Hertel stated he commended the Health Department at the Human Services meeting for including advocacy groups in the discussion process. Just a few people were opposed to the proposal.
Comm. Hertel further stated the County is trying to solve a real problem involving the safety of our ground water. He expressed his hope that more inspections will be conducted in the near future. The time of sale is a good time to perform inspections.
Mr. Bragg stated Delhi Township requested the County implement this type of program a few years ago. Dr. Sienko stated Washtenaw County discovered septic problems in 18% of the homes inspected during the first 18 months of the program. Approximately 15% of the wells inspected were deemed inadequate during the same time period.
Chairperson Thomas asked Comm. Dougan if anything could be done to alleviate his concerns. Comm. Dougan stated he has heard concerns from people regarding the Regulation. He then apologized that he was not able to attend the Public Hearings. Comm. Dougan stated he was not in favor of requiring the inspections as part of the sales transaction. Comm. Hertel explained that many people who are aware of well and/or septic problems on their property avoid disclosing the problems at the time of sale.
The Committee consented to a Friendly Amendment to include the following Resolution in the above motion:
b. Resolution to Establish a Fee Schedule for the Point of Sale Regulation
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Dougan voting NO. Absent: Comms. Grebner and Weatherwax-Grant
2. Human Services Committee – Resolution to Submit to the Electorate a Special Millage Question for a Countywide Transportation System Primarily for the Disabled and Elderly
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORATE A SPECIAL MILLAGE QUESTION FOR A COUNTYWIDE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PRIMARILY FOR THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY.
Comm. Dedden expressed her concerns regarding the proposed special millage. Her constituents already pay an additional 2.2 mills than other County residents. The proposed millage would increase the millage for these residents at a time when many people are experiencing financial difficulties.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Dedden voting NO. Absent: Comms. Grebner and Weatherwax-Grant
3. County Services Committee – Review of Process for Making Appointments to Boards, Committees and Commissions
The Committee did not discuss this item.
4. Controller’s Office – Discussion of the 2007 Budget: Draft – Resolution Establishing Areas of Priority Emphasis Guiding 2007 Activities and Budget Process
Ms. Morton encouraged the Commissioners to email any changes or suggestions regarding the Priorities to Mr. Cypher prior to the next round of meetings.
Comm. Dougan stated he voted against the 2005 Priority Resolution; however, the Resolution has him listed as a positive vote. Ms Morton stated the website version of the Resolution is probably correct. (Note: staff has looked into this issue and has made any necessary changes.)
Ms. Morton then explained the Controller’s Office is proposing the elimination of the District Court consolidation issue. Chairperson Thomas asked if the Judiciary Committee dealt with Comm. Weatherwax-Grant’s juvenile justice idea. He then explained the Finance Committee generally deals with financial issues, and policy issues are dealt with in the appropriate liaison committees.
8. Board Referrals
a. Letter from the City of Leslie Announcing a Public Hearing for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Modern Fur Dressing, LLC
b. Letter from Leslie Public Schools Forwarding the Leslie Community Recreation Master Plan (on file in the Clerk’s Office)
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff