Approved 6/20/07
FINANCE COMMITTEE
June 6, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Victor Celentino, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Mark Grebner, Curtis Hertel, Todd Tennis, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Teri Morton, Rick Terrill, Jim Hudgins, Bob Moore, Eric Schertzing, John Jacobs and Stuart Dunnings
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Celentino at 6:03 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the May 16, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO APPROVE THE MAY 16 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Tennis
Additions to the Agenda
4b. Amendment from the County Services Committee
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
2b. Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – Resolution Authorizing the Ingham County Board Chairperson to Sign Domestic Violence Grant Applications
3. Ingham County Treasurer – Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Forfeiture/
Foreclosure Coordination Position in the County Treasurer’s Office
5. Facilities Department – Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Contract with M. One Limited, Inc. DBA: Mark 1 Restoration Services for Exterior Weatherproofing and Restoration at the Human Services Facility
6. Health Department – Resolution to Authorize a Public Health Nursing Letter of Understanding with the Ingham Intermediate School District
7. Ingham County Human Resources – Resolution Establishing the Employees of Teamsters Local 580 and UAW Local 2256 as a Division within the MERS Defined Benefit Program
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Operations Division: Resolution to Enter into an Agreement with the City of Lansing as the Fiduciary for the FY
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LANSING AS THE FIDUCIARY FOR THE FY2006 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT/LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORISM PREVENTION GRANT.
Comm. Dougan asked if the 2007 date is correct in the Resolution. Ms. Morton stated she believes the date is correct; however, she will verify same.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Ingham County Parks
a. Resolution Authorizing the 2007 Potter Park and Potter Park Zoo Budget
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE 2007 POTTER PARK AND POTTER PARK ZOO BUDGET.
Comm. Dougan offered the same observations he shared with the County Services Committee. He wants to make sure staff is aware of the decreasing Millage as future Zoo budgets are developed. Comm. Dougan expressed an additional concern that the administrative costs are not reflected in the budget. The County should be aware of the administrative costs associated with the Park and the Zoo.
Mr. Moore explained the five-year plan will take Comm. Dougan’s concerns into account. Comm. Grebner stated he was pleased the Zoo Millage amount was reduced in order to recognize fiscal discipline.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Resolution Authorizing Parking, Admission and Shelter Fees for Potter Park and Potter Park Zoo
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARKING, ADMISSION AND SHELTER FEES FOR POTTER PARK AND POTTER PARK ZOO.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item. Comm. Hertel asked if the City had a separate family pass. Mr. Moore stated they did but only sold 20 or 30 per year. The Zoological Society pass allows entrance into other zoos across the state.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she assured her constituents the County would maintain the free day at the Zoo. Mr. Moore stated the issue of a free Zoo day will be referred to the Zoo Board for consideration and recommendation to the County Services Committee. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant strongly encouraged the Zoo Board to recommend maintaining the free Zoo day.
Comm. Hertel asked why the free entrance for long term health care participants is being eliminated. Mr. Moore explained it is difficult to identify those individuals. Some of the groups who currently enter the Zoo free will now have to pay in order to make the admittance process easier. This issue can be reviewed by the newly created Zoo Board.
Comm. Tennis suggested the Parks Department review any state acts which pertain to preschool children in regard to their status as recognized schools.
Mr. Moore stated he would take this Committee’s concerns to the Zoo Board for discussion and recommendation. Comm. Dougan stated he would like the Parks Board to seek private sponsorship for the free Zoo days.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2a. Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – Resolution Authorizing the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to Enter into a Contract to Evaluate In-Take Procedures
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT TO EVALUATE IN-TAKE PROCEDURES.
Comm. Dougan stated he has a general concern about the County hiring any recently retired employees on a contractual basis. He explained that his concern has nothing to do with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office specifically. Mr. Dunnings stated the position will be effective until September 30, 2007. He then explained the need for the contractual position.
Comm. Dougan stated he understands Mr. Dunnings’ position; however, he hopes the position will not be extended beyond the September 30, 2007 date. Mr. Dunnings stated he will not request an extension for this position. He further stated he may request to hire Ms. LeDuc on a contractual basis when she retires to assist with some large upcoming cases.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Ingham County Commissioner Todd Tennis – Resolution Supporting State Revenue Enhancements
MOVED BY COMM. TENNIS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING STATE REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS.
Comm. Tennis explained that he drafted this Resolution in response to the latest information indicating the State is looking at a structural deficit and will be for many years. He stated he has personally asked the delegation at the Capitol to resolve this deficit. Comm. Tennis expressed his hope that this Committee will approve his Resolution.
Board Chairperson Thomas stated he researched the emails received from some of the Commissioners. Comm. Schor suggested some possible revisions to the Resolution in his email regarding this matter. Board Chairperson Thomas reviewed the information contained in Comm. Schor’s email. The revisions are reflected in the following amendments.
WHEREAS, INGHAM COUNTY IS HOME TO THOUSANDS OF STATE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE THREATENED WITH LAY OFF’S SHOULD THE STATE BUDGET SITUATION NOT IMPROVE.
The Committee accepted this language as a Friendly Amendment to the Resolution.
Chairperson Celentino asked if it is necessary to forward copies of the Resolution to everyone listed in the Resolution. The Committee discussed this issue. Comm. Hertel suggested copies of the Resolution be sent to the following:
BIFR: that a copy of this resolution be sent to all Ingham County legislators, chairs of both houses and senate caucuses, members of the appropriations committees of the house and senate, MAC and the Governor’s Office to show our support . . .
The above was accepted as a Friendly Amendment to the Resolution.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant suggested the following amendment to the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph:
Add the following language at the end:
. . . thereby protecting funds for vital County services including k-12 education, higher education, fire protection grants, health care and local governmental services.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant’s suggestion was accepted as a Friendly Amendment to the Resolution.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Dougan voting NO.
Public Comment: None
Announcements: None
The meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff