Approved 7/19/04
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
June 14, 2004
Members Present: Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Andy Schor, Mike Severino, John Nevin and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Tina Weatherwax-Grant
Others Present: John Neilsen, Bruce Bragg, Gary Heilig, Joe Lessard, Randy Marwede, Jim Wilson, Kay Lancour, Robin Pangi, Susan O'Shea, Dr. Sienko and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hertel at 7:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the June 7, 2004 Minutes
The June 7 Minutes were approved as submitted. Absent Comms.: Dedden, Weatherwax-Grant and Severino
Additions to the Addition
7a. Update - Emerald Ash Borer
7b. Update - West Nile Virus
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Lancour, Department of Agriculture, addressed the Committee regarding the Emerald Ash Borer. She informed the Committee that federal funds are available for the inventory, removal and replacement of some trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer.
The Committee interviewed Dr. Maurice Reizen and Cindi Alwood for vacancies on the Board of Health.
The Committee did not take action on this item.
Mr. Neilsen clarified the financial implications contained in the Staff Review sheet in the agenda packet. The City of Lansing and Ingham County have a 50/50 cost sharing agreement regarding this position.
Mr. Lessard explained the history of the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition staffing needs. The Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency had been contracted to provide these services and they have elected to terminate these services as of September 30, 2003. A similar position was created by Resolution #03-292 to support the YVPC and to extend the position arrangement into January of 2004.
Mr. Lessard stated the YVPC Leadership has requested the County to establish a means to continue to provide program support services to the Coalition by creating a temporary, part-time Project Coordinator position (non-classified) for the remainder of the 2004 calendar year by using a part-time staff position.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NEVIN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT LINE ITEM IN THE INGHAM COUNTY MSU EXTENSION 2004 BUDGET TO CREATE A PART TIME PROJECT COORDINATOR TO PROVIDE COORDINATING AND PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE INGHAM COUNTY/CITY OF LANSING YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION COALITION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms.: Weatherwax-Grant, Dedden and Severino
Ms. O'Shea displayed illustrations of the proposed expansion of the Medical Care Facility (Facility). The proposed project consists of a one-story, 13,000 square foot, 32-skilled nursing bed addition. This addition will be complete with all necessary dining, activity and therapy areas. Semi-private rooms will be arranged toe-to-toe fashion with full height partitions separating the beds. Each resident will have a well defined private area with his/her own window. Outside each bedroom will be a defined living area which is shared by eight residents. Current infrastructure would allow for minimal additional costs, since several areas such as laundry, dietary and housekeeping are already in place. Ms. O'Shea further explained there would be a need to add approximately 23 full-time equivalents to be recruited from the Ingham County labor market.
(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:19 p.m.)
Construction of the new addition (including furnishings) will cost approximately $78,125 per bed or $2,500,000 for the total project cost. The project will be fully funded by the Facility's depreciation reserves and would take approximately 12 months to complete.
The Committee held a discussion regarding the Facility's services. Comm. Schor expressed a concern from a constituent regarding the proposed expansion. Ms. O'Shea stated information letters regarding the expansion were sent to approximately 100 residents near the Facility. One meeting has been held with the Meridian Township Assistant Planner. The Planner informed the Facility that it would not need to conduct a traffic study at this time. Public meetings will be held with Meridian Township in the near future.
Comm. Schor questioned Ms. O'Shea regarding the Facility's reserve funds. Ms. O'Shea explained the funds have built up over the years. The census has been strong and this allows the Facility to contribute more monies to the reserves. Mr. Neilsen stated the Facility has not requested County funding for approximately 2.5 years.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NEVIN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXPANSION OF THE INGHAM COUNTY MEDICAL CARE FACILITY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms.: Dedden and Weatherwax-Grant
Comm. Schor commended the Health Department for its hiring practices.
MOVED BY COMM. NEVIN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO CHANGE CLASSIFICATION OF A VACANT NURSE POSITION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms.: Dedden and Weatherwax-Grant
Mr. Marwede explained that this Resolution expresses support for Michigan House bills 5865 and 5866 which deletes outdated sections of the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Act, and repeals Public Act 245 of 1935 to enact the new Children of Veterans Tuition Act providing a Tuition waiver program to be administered by the Michigan Higher Education Authority beginning in 2004-2005.
Public Act 245 of 1935 was established to provide education tuition assistance for the orphans of Michigan military service persons killed in war, and was later expanded to include children of veterans who died subsequently from a service-connected disability, and those with a total disability incurred in time of war or peace.
In 1965, administrative oversight of the education tuition assistance program was transferred to the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. In 1994 General Fund monies were no longer supplied to fund PA 245 of 1935, shifting tuition payments to come from revenues of the Trust Fund. This limits available funding for the Emergency Grant Assistance Program, the Trust Fund's primary obligation.
Mr. Neilsen explained that funding for the Veterans Trust Fund is currently supplied through state grants and is administered by the state. The County has no responsibility for administering this revenue , but it is put in a County trust fund by law. This would have no impact on the County's General Fund.
These Bills were passed by the House on June 3, 2004. Benefits and eligibility as proposed in the new legislation vary only slightly from those in PA 245.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MICHIGAN HOUSE BILLS 5865 AND 5866. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms.: Dedden and Weatherwax-Grant
Mr. Neilsen stated the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA), Department of Community Health, requires the Tri-County Office on Aging to request approval of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners by July 19, 2004. If the BOC does not respond by that date, the Office on Aging will consider its request approved.
Comm. Schor stated he personally thinks this Committee should approve the Office's request.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NEVIN, TO APPROVE THE DRAFT RESOLUTION IN THE AGENDA PACKET.
Mr. Neilsen stated he would provide all Commissioners with information regarding this matter prior to the Board meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms.: Dedden and Weatherwax-Grant
Mr. Heilig, MSU Extension, distributed informational folders to the Committee for their review during his update. He stated funding for this issue has been delayed for the South Lansing area. The Extension should receive $525,000 to address the Emerald Ash Borer. The County should receive $10,000 to $20,000 to assist in educating the public regarding the Borer. These funds must be used by January 1, 2005.
The Ingham County Parks Department will receive an Inventory Grant (50% City of Lansing and 50% Ingham County). These funds may be matched with in-kind services. The inventory funds will also be used to enhance technical skills and to provide urban assistance among a number of other items. Mr. Heilig stated he was informed by Mr. Moore that he is not sure how the Parks Department would use the funds as he has not had sufficient time to review the appropriate information.
(Comm. Dedden arrived at 7:55 p.m.)
Mr. Heilig stated Emerald Ash Borer information is sent from the MSU Extension with all information requests. The Extension has received a proposal from the Clinton Trail Tree Farm to examine the trees and woodlands in certain Ingham County Parks. A letter from the Farm was distributed to the Committee.
Ms. Lancour stated Burchfield Park is full of Ash Trees. She also explained that Meridian Township did not violate the quarantine because they purchased Ash Trees before the quarantine was in effect.
Ms. Lancour explained the inventory/management and community forestry State grants shall be for a total budget of up to $20,000 each with a local match consisting of up to $10,000 each (up to $5,000 cash with the remaining $5,000 from in-kind services). Chairperson Hertel stated the County's funding portion would have to come from the County's 2005 Contingency Fund.
Comm. Dedden asked if County residents would be eligible to receive individual funding to replant infected trees on their private properties. Ms. Lancour stated this type of funding is not available. She suggested that residents contact their local municipalities regarding this matter. Ms. Lancour also suggested that residents can contact the Ingham Conservation District to obtain trees for replanting needs.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNTY SERVICES COMMITTEE APPROVE THE STEWARDSHIP AND REPLANTING GRANTS AT THE COUNTY COST OF $5,000 FOR EACH GRANT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Weatherwax-Grant
The informational folder distributed in the above item also contained information regarding the West Nile Virus.
Mr. Heilig stated Ingham County reported its first West Nile Virus (Virus) positive bird on June 10, 2004. The dead bird was discovered in Delhi Township. As of June 10, this County was one of 10 counties scattered across the State with a total of 25 Virus positive birds this year. No human cases of the Virus have been reported in Michigan this year.
The Environmental Protection Agency has recommended three potential avenues for risk deduction: education, larvicide and adulticide (in that order). The County Health Department has focused its energy and resources on education and information dissemination.
Dr. Sienko presented a power-point-presentation regarding the Virus. A majority of people with the Virus have no symptoms, have very mild symptoms or they are immune to the Virus. Dr. Sienko reviewed the clinical presentation of the Virus in humans. Very serious cases can result in death. The presentation also included proactive measures people can take to guard against the Virus. We have to be very aggressive with the older population regarding proactive measures.
Ms. Pangi stated the most important proactive measure is public education. She also explained that the County has not elected to spray for mosquitos because a very small percentage of people will actually experience a very serious case of the Virus.
Chairperson Hertel thanked staff for the information presented this evening. He will ensure that all Commissioners receive the information regarding this item.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff