Approved 2/11/08
FINANCE COMMITTEE
January 16, 2008
Minutes
Members Present: Mark Grebner, Curtis Hertel, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Victor Celentino, Andy Schor and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: Steve Dougan
Others Present: Teri Morton, Matthew Myers, Dave Stoker, Doak Bloss, Robert Smith, Dr. Sienko, Eric Schertzing and Penny Gardner
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grebner at 6:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the December 5, 2007 Minutes
The December 5, 2007 Minutes were approved as submitted. Absent: Comm. Dougan
Additions to the Agenda
5a. This Resolution was not approved by the County Services Committee. It failed with a 3-3 vote.
5b. The County Services Committee pulled this item from the agenda.
Resolution Authorizing Offering Other Qualified Adult Benefits to Managerial/Confidential Employees – This item was pulled from tonight’s agenda.
Limited Public Comment
Mr. Bloss, Health Department, stated he is one of the four employees who receive same sex health benefits from the County. His family is his partner and they have lived in Lansing for 15 years. Once they received the health benefits, Mr. Bloss stated he didn’t feel like a second class citizen. He thanked the Committee for its fair values and equity. Mr. Bloss further stated he realizes the County is facing a legal situation regarding this issue. He expressed his hope that the current benefits can be continued until a replacement plan is found.
Ms. Gardner, Lansing Association of Human Rights, stated she is proud that the County has taken the initiative in the past to provide domestic partner health insurance. The insurance should be offered in the name of fairness and equality. Ms. Gardner asked the County to continue its efforts to find a way to continue offering the health benefits.
Comm. Schor asked how the County should weigh the necessity of offering these benefits against the decision of the Court of Appeals and potential legal action. Ms. Gardner stated she hopes the County has the courage to fight for this benefit. Comm. Schor stated courage includes fighting for tax payers dollars.
Ms. Stratton, Michigan Nurses Association, stated she is interested in cost containment. She is also interested in finding a fair solution to this problem. It would be good to find an innovative way to cover the employees with domestic partners.
MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Ingham County Treasurer
a. Resolution to Authorize Treasurer to Purchase HUD Foreclosed Property in the Name of the County for Deposit into the Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority Inventory
b. Resolution to Provide Additional Funding for Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention
2. Health Department
a. Resolution to Authorize a 2007-2008 Moving Our Community Toward Health Grant
b. Resolution to Authorize a 2007-2008 Agreement with the City of Lansing
c. Resolution to Authorize Amendment #1 to the 2007-2008 Comprehensive Planning, Budgeting and Contracting Agreement with the Michigan Department of Community Health
3. Local Emergency Planning Committee – Resolution to Release Funds for a Siren Education Project for Use by the City of Lansing Emergency Management Division
4. Parks Department
a. Resolution to Pursue an Agreement with the Potter Park Zoological Society
b. Resolution Authorizing a Fund Transfer to the Potter Park Zoological Society
6. Controller’s Office
a. Resolution to Amend the Ingham County Final 911 Service Plan
b. Resolution to Adopt a Monthly 911 Surcharge within Ingham County
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPROTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APRPOVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Financial Services/Insurance Department
a. Resolution to Terminate Domestic Partner Coverage
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO TERMINATE DOMESTIC PARTNER COVERAGE.
Chairperson Grebner stated the County Services Committee changed the February 28, 2008 date in the Resolution to March 31, 2008. The Resolution failed in that Committee with a three to three vote.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked how the County Services Committee arrived at the February 28 date. Mr. Myers explained it was an arbitrary date. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated her concern that 90 days may not be sufficient to resolve this matter.
Chairperson Grebner asked if the County could adopt an agreement with the unions to hold the effected employees harmless. Mr. Stoker stated this is a legal as well as a union decision to extend the bargaining time for the expected changes. The unions will be invited to meet with staff to discuss this matter. Mr. Stoker further stated the unionized employees cannot change the coverage until the unions meet with staff.
Chairperson Grebner stated the County will end the benefits and adopt new benefits. Comm. Celentino asked if the County could be legally protected if it has a deadline. Mr. Stoker stated the cut off date would be helpful. It would demonstrate the County is easing into a change. Mr. Myers stated he is confident that the change can be completed in a couple of months. The termination date could be April 30, 2008. Chairperson Grebner stated if the process stalls, the County could take action to continue the health benefits until a date certain.
Comm. Schor stated he intended to change the March 31 date to April 30, 2008, or until such time as a replacement is in place. He then stated he does not intend to go beyond the April 30 date. Comm. Hertel asked why the Committee is discussing another date if another program may be available in a few weeks. Mr. Myers explained the County Attorney wants a date in order to protect the County against legal action.
Comm. Hertel stated the employees currently receiving the benefit should continue to do so until a replacement program is in place. He then stated the Board of Commissioners is not happy about the legal situation. The County does not want to take health benefits away from its employees.
Board Chairperson Thomas stated at least 13 members of the Board of Commissioners strongly support the idea behind the benefit. He then asked Mr. Stoker if the County would be on stronger footing with the harmless language or by ending the policy now. Mr. Stoker stated the County would be more solid with a date certain. The sooner the better.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant offered to change the date to July 31, 2008. As an employer, we have an obligation to provide a reasonable amount of time to find a new product and for the employees to understand the new product.
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO AMEND THE DATE IN THE THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED PARAGRAPH BY CHANGING IT FROM FEBRUARY 28, 2008 TO JULY 31, 2008. MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Grebner voting NO. Absent: Comm. Dougan
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO ADD A WHEREAS PARAGRAPH TO THE END OF THE RESOLUTION AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO REINSTATE THE SAME SEX DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS IF THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT DETERMINES SUCH BENEFITS TO BE LAWFUL.
This motion was accepted as a Friendly Amendment.
Comm. Hertel stated he strongly understands why the Committee is taking the above actions. He then stated he would like the Committee to wait until the next County Services meeting to see if a new program is approved by them. If not, this Committee can move forward on this matter.
The Committee discussed this matter further. Mr. Myers stated a new product could be proposed to the County Services Committee at its February 19 meeting. He also stated the County Services Committee asked that this issue be discussed by the Health Coalition.
Comm. Hertel stated his concern that the County is offering the employees false hope by stating it’s trying to replace the current benefits. Mr. Myers stated Mr. Smith has talked with our insurance carriers about this issue and they are on board. A replacement program should contain the same benefits. We are not offering false hope.
Comm. Celentino stated staff could provide different options to the employees. He further stated the County wants a positive replacement and staff should have adequate time find such a replacement. Comm. Schor supported Comm. Celentino’s statements. The County will be offering false hope by not providing a date certain.
Board Chairperson Thomas stated there are a clear majority and a clear ideology on the Board of Commissioners that this benefit continues. We intend to provide a similar benefit. Board Chairperson Thomas stated he has faith in the staff. As much as he disagrees with the law, the County is bound by same.
Comm. Hertel stated he can support the Resolution with the July 31, 2008 date.
The Committee consented to the following FRIENDLY AMENDMENT:
WHEREAS, IT IS THE INTENT OF THE INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE A COMPARABLE BENEFIT TO REPLACE THE BENEFITS BEING LOST.
Comm. Hertel asked Mr. Bloss if there is any other language the Committee would add that would make him more comfortable. Mr. Bloss indicated he is fine with the language.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Dougan
4 c. Resolution Authorizing a Contract for Services Between Ingham County and the Charter Township of Meridian to Maintain the Watershed Management Plan for Lake Lansing Including the Lake Frontage Owned by Ingham County
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT FOR SERVICES BETWEEN INGHAM COUNTY AND THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MERIDIAN TO MAINTAIN THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR LAKE LANSING INCLUDING THE LAKE FRONTAGE OWNED BY INGHAM COUNTY.
Ms. Morton stated the Resolution should be changed to reflect the following:
The THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph was changed to indicate the $4,800 is to be taken from the 2008 Contingency Fund.
The third bullet under the first BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph was changed as follows: The Parks & Recreation Commission will consider annually whether to appropriate up to $10,000 to the Special Assessment District (SAD, and as part of that consideration will meet with appropriate Township and Lake Lansing Property Owners Association (LLPOA) representatives.
Chairperson Grebner stated the Lake property associations have always claimed the County should pay more for the Lake. He stated the County has an obligation because we allow the public to use the Lake. The County does not have an obligation to appropriate any money to the assessment district. Chairperson Grebner stated he has never supported contributing more to the Lake than if the County was an actual property owner.
Chairperson Grebner stated the Lake was almost a nuisance to the property owners. The County used General Fund dollars and tax dollars to improve the Lake. The adjacent property owners have benefited tremendously from the County’s actions in dredging the Lake. The County does not still owe money for the Lake.
Mr. Myers stated the County Services Committee forwarded the original request from Meridian Township to the Parks Board for review and recommendation. They came back with the $10,000 recommendation.
Chairperson Grebner stated the principal has been to date that the County will pay what a homeowner pays per foot. Mr. Myers explained the third tier of lake property homeowners are now being included in the assessment.
Comm. Hertel stated the County does benefit from the Lake. The Parks Board has reviewed this matter and recommended the County increase its appropriation to $10,000. Comm. Hertel stated the Township is also increasing its appropriation to $10,000. Mr. Myers stated the Township’s assessment is being increased but we don’t know how much
Mr. Moore stated it is his understanding that the Township is not going to include the third tier. He will verify this matter.
Comm. Schor asked if the Committee can hold this Resolution until we determine what the County should actually pay. Chairperson Grebner stated he would like to know the appropriate amount. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant agreed the amount should be determined.
The Committee continued their discussion of this matter.
MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO TABLE THIS RESOLUTION UNTIL ITS NEXT MEETING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Dougan
7. Board Referrals
a. City of Lansing Economic Development Corporation, Notice of a Public Hearing Regarding the Establishment of a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone, No. 22 Kalamazoo Corridor
b. City of Lansing EDC Notice of a Public Hearing Regarding the Approval of a New Personal Property Exemption for Barnes Aerospace at 5300 Aurelius Road:
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Public Comment: None
Announcements: None
The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff