Amended 2/27/06
HUMAN SERVICES
February 6, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Mark Grebner, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Andy Schor, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Dean Sienko, Bob Glandon, Susan O’Shea, Frank Fear, Donna Hufnagel, Mary Mardorf, Mary Ettinger and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grebner at 7:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the January 23, 2006 Minutes
The Minutes were approved as submitted.
Additions to the Agenda: None
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) – Resolution Authorizing the First Amendment to the Agreement with the Capital Area Transportation Authority Dated January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010
3. Health Department
b. Resolution to Authorize Service Contracts with Licensed Dentists for 2006
c. Resolution to Authorize a Change in Status of the Human Services Grant Coordinator Position in the Health Department
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Discussion - Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) Millage
Chairperson Grebner stated he would propose a CATA Millage increase in August of this year. If the increase fails, CATA services will decrease due to a decrease in State funding. He would propose an increase from .40 to .80 mills to continue funding a transportation system to be used primarily by elderly and disabled persons in this County.
The Committee held a very brief discussion regarding this matter.
2. Greater Lansing Food Bank, Frank Fear, President – Presentation on Lansing Area Emergency Food System
Mr. Fear explained the primary function of the Food Bank is to raise funds. The Food Bank works with the Ingham County Health Department, the Mid-Michigan Chapter (American Red Cross) and the Capital Area United Way to assist in meeting the emergency food needs of the community. Funds raised by the Food Bank are distributed to 40 agencies and 20 food pantries within the community. The Health Department coordinates the referral and pantry system and also provides in-kind support to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
On January 11, 2006 the Capital Area Food Security Coalition was established “to advance understanding and enable measurable progress on shared issues and objectives.” The Coalition was authorized by the governing bodies of constituent organizations in the system for an 18-month trial period. Mr. Fear stated the Coalition would address the following issues immediately:
· Leveraging system resources
· Improving service delivery (and the network)
· Enhancing Community Relations and marketing
· Improving operations
· Improving food sourcing
· Improving monitoring capacity
· Expanding/changing our hunger paradigm.
One of the first charges of the Coalition was to make this presentation this evening. Mr. Fear thanked the Committee for its continued support of the Greater Lansing Food Bank. The County plays a vital role as a window to other area agencies.
Ms. Mardorf explained the needs of the Food Bank services increase during vacations, holidays and the summer season. She also expressed her appreciation to this Committee for its support in meeting the needs of the community.
Comm. Schor asked if the Food Bank works with the Tri-County Office on Aging. Ms. Mardorf stated the Office is a tremendous resource for senior citizens.
4. Ingham County Department of Human Services Board/Human Services Committee – Discussion on the Process of Selecting Legal Counsel for the Medical Care Facility
Ms. Hufnagel explained the Ingham County Department of Human Services Board and the Human Services Committee have established a committee to search for Legal Counsel for the Medical Care Facility (Facility). Ms. O’Shea has recommended criteria for use in this search. She has also provided the names of eleven firms which serve other medical care facilities.
An RFP has been issued. Proposal must be submitted by February 17, 2006. At this time, the search committee will review the proposals and make a recommendation.
Chairperson Grebner asked if the Facility has considered the County Attorney’s Office. Ms. Hufnagel stated that firm is not currently on the list. Chairperson Grebner stated he did not believe there would be a conflict of interest if the Facility contracted with the County Attorney’s Office.
Comm. Dedden stated this issue has been discussed over the past three to four years. She stated Mr. Cohl’s Office had indicated they would be interested in representing the Facility. The FIA Board’s role in the hiring of new counsel has also been discussed.
Chairperson Grebner stated Ingham County has an extremely beneficial arrangement with its County Attorney. The Facility could possibly make a similar arrangement with the Attorney’s Office.
Comm. Severino stated since the Facility is a separate body from the County, it is not the County’s responsibility to assist in the search for new counsel. Ms. Ettinger stated it would be beneficial to have an Ingham County firm represent the Facility. Comm. Severino asked if the RFP restricted firms to Ingham County firms. Ms. O’Shea explained the RFP did not restrict the location of the vendor. Ms. Ettinger stated the Facility wants to contract with a firm located in this County.
Comm. Hertel stated Ingham County has a policy which assists local vendors. Chairperson Grebner stated the Purchasing Department’s policy could be used as a formula by the Facility. Mr. Neilsen stated the Controller’s Office has suggested the Purchasing Department assist the Facility with this issue.
Chairperson Grebner encouraged the Facility to use a similar approach to the County’s Ethics Policy in its search for new counsel. He explained the Board of Commissioners does not select vendors because it is practically impossible to take political concerns into consideration when selecting a vendor. The Board of Commissioners reviews staffs’ proposals. Chairperson Grebner strongly recommended the Facility Board request vendor recommendations from Ms. O’Shea and her staff.
Comm. Bahar-Cook suggested the County include its Ethics Policy in future appointee orientations. Comm. Hertel agreed with Comm. Bahar-Cook’s suggestion. He then recommended the County establish a policy which would dictate that appointees empowered to enter into contracts receive information regarding the Ethics Policy. Comm. Schor suggested this matter be addressed at this Committee’s next meeting.
Comm. Severino stated he would be interested in knowing if the Board of Commissioners has any formal authority to tell the Facility would it should do regarding its search for new counsel. Chairperson Grebner stated the Board has general oversight authority.
Ms. O’Shea informed the Committee the Facility’s new building would open this March. She distributed brochures to the Committee regarding the new rehabilitative services to be offered in the new building.
3a. Health Department – Resolution to Amend Resolution #05-305 and the Authorization to Contract with MSU for Environmental Health Services
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLTUION TO AMEND RESOLUTION #05-305 AND THE AUTHORIZATION TO CONTRACT WITH MSU FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
Dr. Sienko explained Resolution #05-305 authorized a new three-year agreement whereby MSU would, among other things, receive any license fees collected as a result of the services provided, less any amount belonging to the State of Michigan and $50 per license to be retained by the County. The University objected to the County’s retaining a $50 fee per license by the contract.
The Bureau of Environmental Health has determined it would cost the County much more to administer the inspection and enforcement services to the MSU Campus than the value of the license fees generated. The Health Department is willing to support the MSU demand that it receive the full amount of any license fee generated as a result of the services provided pursuant to the contract, less any amounts belonging to the State of Michigan. To date, the Health Department did not collect any license fees per the resolution. This current arrangement will continue under the amended resolution.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Board of Commissioners – Ingham Regional Medical Center Board Appointment
Mr. Neilsen explained the Board of Commissioners and the Ingham Regional Medical Center are to each appoint two members to a nominating committee. This IRMC Division Trust Nomination Committee then submits to the IRMC Board of Trustees the names of three nominees for the IRMC Board of Trustees vacancy or asks for more nominees until they get an acceptable nominee.
Mr. Neilsen stated he called Mr. Litos, IRMC, regarding this procedure. He agreed the procedure is correct; however, they inadvertently did not follow the procedure. IRMC feels the procedure is cumbersome. Mr. Neilsen stated IRMC is hoping the County will waive the procedure as it did in 2003.
Mr. Neilsen explained this Committee must determine if it wants to follow the established procedure as outlined above, or if it wants to interview Dr. Richard and waive this requirement if it is satisfied.
The Committee consented to interview the applicant and then determine how to proceed in the future. Chairperson Grebner requested staff to ask the County Attorney if there is an easier way to formalize the appointment process.
6. Board Referral – Letter from Barry-Eaton District Health Department Thanking Ingham County and Bruce Bragg for Providing Physician Services to the Agency Since 1996
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff