Approved 4/17/06

HUMAN SERVICES

April 3, 2006

Minutes

 

Members Present:         Mark Grebner, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Lisa Dedden, Andy Schor, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino

 

Members Absent:         Curtis Hertel

 

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Bruce Bragg, Randy Marwede, Jim Wilson, Tim Perrone, Steve Dougan and Nena Bondarenko

 

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 March 20, 2006 Minutes

The Minutes were approved as amended.  Absent:  Comms. Hertel and Severino

 

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

1.         Interviews – Veterans Affairs Committee

 

The Committee interviewed the following individuals for a position on the Veterans Affairs Committee:

            Lee Canady

            Norvell Harris

            William McCurdy

 

(The Committee made its appointment recommendation at the end of this meeting.)

 

3.         The Ingham County Veterans Affairs Committee – Recommendation on the Request for County Funding to Support the 71st Convention of the Military Order of the Purple Heart

 

Mr. Neilsen explained that this Committee established a policy in 2005 “that any future requests for funds from Veterans Organizations under State statute will be referred to the Veterans Affairs Committee for their review and recommendation to the County.”   This policy was established in response to the May 2005 resolution which authorized up to a total of $2,000 for the actual costs of the 70th Convention of Chapter 37 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart held in Ingham County. 

 

In accordance with the 2005 policy, the Veterans Affairs Committee met on March 21, 2006 to review the February 17, 2006 communication from Mr. Corts regarding the 71st Convention which is to be held in Ingham County.  The Veterans Affairs Commission voted unanimously not to recommend the appropriation of County funding for the 71st Convention.  Mr. Neilsen stated the Veterans Affairs Commission’s March 22, 2006 communication outlining their recommendation is included in the agenda packet. 

 

Mr. Corts explained the funding request was made to help defray the costs of the 71st Convention.  The Chapter realizes the County’s position that if it approves this request, it would be obligated to approve all other such requests.  Mr. Corts then stated he understands that very few Veterans Affairs organizations come before this Committee requesting funding.  He also stated he did not understand how approving this request would create problems for the County in the future. 

 

Chairperson Grebner stated the County has received approximately four funding requests from Veterans organizations in the past 30 years.  He further stated he did not think the Veterans Affairs Committee would turn down the current funding request. 

 

Comm. Schor stated he expressed two concerns in 2005 regarding Chapter 37’s funding request.  In 2005, he had suggested the Veterans organization (Chapter 37) request future funding through the County’s normal budget process.  Comm. Schor stated he supported the 2005 funding request because it was an unavoidable last minute request. 

 

Mr. Corts explained his organization was not aware the 71st Convention would be held in Ingham County in time for the 2006 budget process.  Comm. Schor stated Mr. Corts had also indicated in 2005 that it would be unusual for a convention to be held in the same location for two years straight.  Mr. Pretto stated another convention could be scheduled for the Lansing area in the future.  He then stated his hope that a convention would not be scheduled in this area next year.

 

Chairperson Celentino asked for the expected attendance of the 71st Convention.  Mr. Corts stated 100 to 125 people are expected for the May 2005 Convention.   Chairperson Celentino stated he did not believe that approving this funding request would result in increases requests from other veterans’ organizations. 

 

Comm. Dedden asked if other Counties provided funding assistance for the Conventions.  Mr. Pretto stated the funding sources vary from year to year.  Comm. Dedden expressed her surprise at the Veterans Affairs Commission’s recommendation.  Mr. Corts explained that he was informed by the VA Commission of their concern regarding an increase in funding requests. 

 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked for clarification regarding the expected attendance from Ingham County residents.  Mr. Corts stated the vast majority of the attendees would be from outside this County. 

 

Mr. Marwede, Director, Veterans Affairs, stated the Veterans Affairs Commission is concerned that a precedent would be set by approving the current funding request.  Comm. Severino asked if the Veterans Affairs Commission’s recommendation was unanimous.  Mr. Marwede stated the recommendation was unanimous.  Comm. Severino stated he would be willing to support a funding appropriation equal to the 2005 amount, $2,000.  He then stated representatives of the Veterans Affairs Commission should be present to explain any future recommendations regarding funding for Veterans’ organizations. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO TO RECOMMEND FUNDING THE 71ST CONVENTION OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000 (FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND).  MOTION DIED due to lack of support.

 

Chairperson Grebner stated he would like to give the Veterans Affairs Commission a sense of control regarding their recommendations. He doesn’t want to disregard their recommendations.  He suggested the Committee approve $2,000 from the 2006 Contingency Fund for Chapter 37’s funding request, contingent on approval of the Veterans Affairs Commission. 

 

Comm. Schor expressed his concern that Ingham County should continue to subsidize events affecting a majority of the State.  He also stated the Community Agency process has been scaled back due to budget concerns.

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATING $1,000 FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND TO THE 71ST CONVENTION OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART.

 

Comm. Dedden suggested that Comm. Schor’s motion be substituted as follows:

 

MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO SUBSTITUTE THE PREVIOUS MOTION WITH A MOTION TO APPROPRIATE $2,000 FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND FOR THE 71ST CONVENTION OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART, CONTINGENT UPON THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE’S REVIEW OF THE REQUEST WITH ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION FROM THIS COMMITTEE. 

 

Comm. Dedden further stated the Veterans Affairs Commission should be informed that this Committee is supportive of funding requests which would be appropriate uses of County funds.   Comm. Schor stated any future requests under State statute should continue to be referred to the Veterans Affairs Commission.  This Committee should accept or deny the Commission’s current recommendation. 

 

MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schor voting NO.  Absent:  Comm. Hertel

 

Comm. Schor asked the Veterans Affairs Commission to notify the County as soon as possible for any future funding requests. 

 

Mr. Pretto stated he would inform the State Veterans Affairs organization of the County’s budget process.  This matter will be brought up at the next Commander meeting. 

 

Mr. Neilsen stated Mr. Marwede’s March 22, 2006 memorandum to his office indicates there are several congressionally chartered veteran organizations throughout the State.  A majority of these organizations hold two conferences per year. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE ABOVE MOTION.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm.  Hertel

 

Mr. Neilsen stated he would draft a resolution which expresses the intent of this Committee.

 

2.         Health Department

            a.         Resolution to Reorganize the Office for Young Children

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO REORGANIZE THE OFFICE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. 

 

Comm. Dedden requested clarification regarding the proposed savings resulting from the reorganization.  Mr. Bragg explained three staff members would receive approximately $5,000 per year salary increases.  The current Director position would also be eliminated.  

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm.  Hertel

 

b.         Update on Proposed Ingham County Health Department Regulation Amending the Sanitary Code by Adding Chapter VII, Regulations for the Inspection of Onsite Water and Sewage Disposal Systems at the Time of Property Transfer

 

Draft Regulations were supplied to the Commissioners for their review during this update.  Mr. Bragg stated the red language in the Draft reflects suggested changes from this Committee’s previous meeting.    The first WHEREAS was changed to include “and/or waste water supply systems to . . .”  The Committee suggested the term “waste” be changed to “on-site.” 

 

The Public Hearing is scheduled for April 17, 2006.  Section 701.5 states actual inspections shall not begin before June 9, 2006.  Section 703.2 m) was significantly changed to reflect the wishes of this Committee. 

 

Section 703.5.5 was added to indicate “Certified Inspectors will not be allowed to perform system repairs for either well or septic systems.”  This pertains to systems which are inspected by the person wishing to repair the systems.  Section 703.7 f) was amended regarding the demonstration of professional incompetence. 

 

Mr. Bragg stated any recommended changes from this meeting will be incorporated into the final draft. 

 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked who would be responsible for the follow-up inspection costs.  Mr. Bragg explained the follow-up inspection would extend the validity of the original inspection.  In response to Comm. Severino, Mr. Bragg explained the hourly fee schedule.  Chairperson Grebner suggested that staff clarify the intent of the Proposed Fee Schedule. 

 

The Committee held a lengthy discussion regarding who should actually be notified of a need for a follow-up inspection.  Ms. Bondarenko, Realtor, expressed her concern regarding this issue.  Mr. Perrone, County Attorney, explained the inspection applicant would be notified of the need for a follow-up inspection.  Ms. Bondarenko explained that Realtors often apply for necessary inspections on behalf of their clients. 

 

Ms. Bondarenko asked who would be responsible for following through on the specifics of the proposed Regulation.  Mr. Bragg stated the seller would be responsible.  He further stated a Realtor is acting as an agent on behalf of the seller.  Ms. Bondarenko stated she has many concerns regarding the proposed Regulation. 

 

Mr. Perrone stated he would address Comm. Dedden’s concerns regarding Section 703.2 (Evaluation). 

 

Comm. Severino stated it is very possible the Regulation will be in effect before any people are trained to conduct inspections.  Mr. Bragg stated people are currently involved in the training programs in anticipation of the adoption of the Regulation.  Mr. Wilson stated inspectors have applied to participate in the training sessions. 

 

Comm. Schor stated he would like to know the number of people applying for the training sessions.  This information should be made available prior to the Public Hearing. 

 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if this is expected to be a revenue-neutral program.  Mr. Bragg stated the proposed fees should cover the costs of implementing the Regulation.  Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if the Drain Commissioner would be notified of any problems encountered during property inspections.  Mr. Bragg explained the Environmental Health Department works closely with the Drain Office.  Mr. Perrone explained the proposed Regulation would be in addition to the existing Sanitary Code.

 

Mr. Wilson stated the final Draft will be placed on the County’s website.   Mr. Perrone stated local newspapers will notify the public of the adoption of the proposed Regulation.  Chairperson Grebner suggested the Health Department contact local newspapers regarding the issuance of a press release.   Comm. Schor stated a letter to the Editor would be helpful. 

 

4.         Controller’s Office - Introduction of 2007 Strategic Planning Information Report – Information from County Offices, Departments and the Courts Regarding 2007 Strategic Planning and Budget Process.  This Report includes background information, activity indicators and performance measures.

 

Mr. Neilsen distributed copies of the Report to the Commissioners.  This Committee’s summary is contained on pages 80 through 82 of the Report.  Department concerns are included on pages 80 through 139.  Discussions regarding this Committee’s 2007 Priorities will take place during the next two meetings.  The Committee will adopt a resolution setting its 2007 priorities following those meetings. 

 

Comm. Schor asked that Mr. Neilsen inform the Commissioners of the dates for the Department head meetings. 

 

1.         Veterans Affairs Committee - Continued

 

MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF NORVELL HARRIS TO THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Hertel

 

Comm. Severino asked that the entire Committee be informed of appointment recommendations made during caucus meetings. 

 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff