Approved 2/20/08
FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 11, 2008
Minutes
Members Present: Mark Grebner, Curtis Hertel, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Victor Celentino, Andy Schor, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Teri Morton, Mary Sabaj, Sue Pigg, Dr. Sienko and Randy Bell
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grebner at 6:01 p.m. in Conference Room A of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the January 16, 2008 Minutes
The Minutes were approved as submitted. Absent: Comm. Schor
Additions to the Agenda
4. Commission Andy Schor – Resolution Authorizing an Appropriation from the 2008 Contingency Fund for Expanding Access to Health Care
No action was taken on this item at the Human Services Committee meeting on February 4, 2008. This item will be placed on their agenda for March 3, 2008.
7b. Resolution was amended by Law Enforcement Committee.
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Ingham County Economic Development Corporation
a. Resolution Approving a Revised Brownfield Plan for Redevelopment of Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority Properties in Accordance with the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act
2. Health Department
a. Resolution to Authorize Service Contracts with Licensed Dentists for 2008
b. Resolution to Authorize a Second Year Grant from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services for the Compassion Capital Demonstration Program
c. Resolution to Accept an Additional Ryan White Part B Grant Award from the Michigan Department of Community Health to Expand HIV Care Services
3. Ingham County MSU Extension – Resolution to Establish Two Part-Time Temporary Recycling Workers in Partnership with the Mason High School Community-Based Instruction and MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Programs
7a. Controller’s Office - Resolution to Reorganize Central Services
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schor
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schor
6. Community Corrections Advisory Board – Resolution Authorizing the Community Corrections Advisory Board to Continue Staff Consultants Services in 2008
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ADVISORY BOARD TO CONTINUE STAFF CONSULTANTS SERVICES IN 2008.
Comm. Dougan asked why the employee is not a County employee. Ms. Sabaj explained that when this individual started with the County, the County did not want to add another full time employee due to financial concerns.
(Board Chairperson Thomas arrived at 6:04 p.m.)
Mr. Myers stated the County has two employees through the same agency. The employees have retirement plans through their previous employers. Ms. Morton stated it would cost more to have the employees as full time County employees.
Comm. Dougan requested that staff seek a better deal with the agency before this Committee approves the Resolution. Board Chairperson Thomas stated he would be comfortable waiting until the next meeting to continue this discussion.
(Comm. Schor arrived at 6:09 p.m.)
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO TABLE THIS RESOLTION UNTIL THIS COMMITTEE’S NEXT MEETING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Appointments: Equalization Subcommittee
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO REAPPOINT COMM. CELENTINO AND COMM. DOUGAN TO THE EQUALIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Ingham County Economic Development Corporation
b. Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Ingham County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Brownfield Plan for Shaw’s on Newton LLC and Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE INGHAM COUNTY BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BROWNFIELD PLAN FOR SHAW’S ON NEWTON LLC AND INGHAM COUNTY LAND BANK FAST TRACK AUTHORITY.
Chairperson Grebner stated his concern that the developer is being allowed to capture costs for extending the utilities to the property. Comm. Schor stated he has the same concern. He then asked if State dollars are involved in this matter. Ms Pigg stated State funds are used in agenda item 1a, not this item.
Comm. Hertel asked for the current value of the property. Ms. Pigg stated the initial cost of the property is $267,536. The final taxable value is projected to be $20,908,722. Comm. Hertel asked how likely it is that this property would be developed without this agreement. Ms. Pigg stated the likelihood is very small.
Comm. Hertel stated the developer will bring a mixed used to the area. Ms. Pigg stated the developer’s plans have not been approved by Meridian Township as of this date. Comm. Hertel stated he understands Chairperson Grebner’s concerns; however, the property is unlikely to be used for other purposes. The plan will bring in more single family homes. Mr. White presented a very impressive plan to the Land Bank Authority.
Chairperson Grebner asked if the developer would proceed with his plans if he did not receive the remediation funds. He then stated his concern that anyone building something new can find tax breaks for items they would normally have to fund. Comm. Hertel stated this particular property is not attractive without the improvements. Comm. Dougan stated this property has sat for a long time without any development. Mr. White is a very conscientious developer.
Mr. Myers stated his Office considered the value of the property and that it has been undeveloped for many years. Developing this property would generate additional revenue for the County. Mr. Myers also stated he can appreciate Chairperson Grebner’s position, but this development will be positive for the County.
Board Chairperson Thomas asked Chairperson Grebner if he has any suggestions of where the line should be drawn with respect to tax breaks. Chairperson Grebner stated he would draw the line at paying developers for facilities that are needed to develop the property. Comm. Hertel stated his line is with staff. If the County as a whole is benefiting from this development, it should proceed. This matter has been reviewed by the County’s EDC. Chairperson Grebner stated the Board of Commissioners should communicate its policies to staff.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the County should proceed with this matter if the plan is going to improve the property. This plan has been reviewed by very knowledgeable people. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she would hate to hamper the lead the County has in this area.
Chairperson Grebner clarified that his concerns with this matter are not developer specific.
Comm. Schor asked if there is a negotiation when the plan is being developed. Ms. Pigg stated this is not a staff proposal. The proposal is from the County’s Brownfield Development Board. Plans are traditionally calculated on the developer’s plans. Comm. Schor stated he would speak with the Brownfield staff to determine if the County’s Brownfield Development Authority is using our policies.
Comm. Dougan stated it is very appropriate for the County to establish policy guidance. It’s sometimes difficult to do this when a plan comes to us in a fairly complete form. Comm. Dougan stated it’s easier for the County to establish policies for the more frequent occurrences. There may be some unique policies for this specific issue.
Board Chairperson Thomas stated the Board has passed County policies for the Brownfield Development Authority and the Economic Development Corporation. The Board would work with staff and these entities if changes are to be made to the current policies.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Grebner voting NO.
5. Ingham County Park & Recreation Commission – 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 (Tabled at last meeting)
(Comm. Dougan left the meeting at 6:34 p.m. for a MAC meeting.)
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, 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.
Chairperson Grebner stated this request is blurring our established policy on this matter. The County dredged Lake Lansing in 1978 which made the area desirable. He stated the County should not pay any more than a homeowner would based on the same amount of property. Chairperson Grebner further stated he strongly supported the creation of the special assessment district.
Chairperson Grebner stated the County is exempt from the assessment. Approving this request would be breaking away from the idea that we don’t owe any additional money for the public use of this Lake. The public pays for the use of the Lake. Chairperson Grebner further explained that the request is for a donation. If this is the case, the County can determine the amount of the donation. This donation may be wiped out in a tough financial year. He stated he is not in favor of increasing the current appropriation.
MOTION CARRIED with Comms. Grebner and Schor voting NO. Absent: Comm. Dougan
7. Controller’s Office
b. Resolution Authorizing a Contract Amendment with M/A-COM, Inc. for a Simulcast Site Enhancement to the Public Safety Wireless Voice Communication System
MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH M/A-COM, INC. FOR A SIMULCAST SITE ENHANCEMENT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY WIRELESS VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.
Comm. Hertel stated he does not want to give M/A-COM (Company) any more money. He then stated his hope that the County will hear from the Department of Information and Technology. Comm. Celentino stated the Law Enforcement Committee was not happy this matter either. One of the Committee members did mention that this is the last straw. The Committee recommended that the County receive information regarding alternative plans in case the current plan fails.
Board Chairperson Thomas stated Senator Whitmer asked him to meet with her to discuss the State Police system. He stated he spoke to her regarding the difficulties of moving to the State system at this time.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she will vote against this matter as we should not give the Company any more money. The Company should fix this problem. If we entertain other vendors, it may encourage the Company to resolve the problems.
Mr. Myers stated his Office is very frustrated with this matter. He stated he is pleased with the recent negotiations with the Company. The County will not be charged in 2009 and 2010 for the specific maintenance costs.
Comm. Schor stated the Resolution gives the Company until July 1, 2008 to resolve the problems. He asked if the County has to wait this long. Mr. Myers stated it will take time for the Company to build, install and test the equipment. This process cannot start until the Board approves this Resolution. Board Chairperson Thomas stated he assumes that staff will ensure that our part in this process is completed as quickly as possible. Mr. Myers indicated this will happen.
Comm. Hertel stated there may be ways to maximize the potential here regarding the State system. Mr. Myers stated the Lansing Fire Department is very pleased with the new system. The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office and Meridian Township are also pleased with the system. The Company just has to fix the southwest portion of the system for everyone to be happy.
Chairperson Grebner stated it is not unusual to have problems with large projects of this nature. The system is not a total failure. He then reminded the Commissioners that when the County started to acquire a new system, it was going to use the State’s system. It was discovered there were tremendous costs associated with this system. The County decided not to use the State’s system.
Chairperson Grebner stated he is willing to talk with the State regarding their system; however, the State was unwilling to share their towers with the County.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Weatherwax-Grant voting NO. Absent: Comm. Dougan
9. Board Referral – Letter and Resolution from Ingham Intermediate School District Regarding 2008 Summer Tax Collection
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
Public Comment: None
Announcements: None
The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff