Approved 5/15/06

HUMAN SERVICES

May 1, 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, Bruce Bragg, Dean Sienko, Randy Marwede, Gary Packingham, Laura Peterson and Nancy Bujold

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 April 17, 2006 Minutes

The Minutes were approved as submitted.

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

2.         Health Department

a.         Resolution to Authorize a Child Care Provider Training Agreement with the Michigan 4C Association

            c.         Resolution to Authorize a Call Center Agreement with Peckham, Inc.

            d.         Information – Potential Clinical Site at Lansing Community College

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

1.         Presentation – Gary Packingham, Vice President, Community Health Ventures, Inc. – Ingham County Advantage, Market Affects

Mr. Packingham, Community Health Ventures, Inc. (CHV), stated CHV provides its services to 35 communities in 35 states.  CHV helps with marketing health plans within communities.  It established a call center in Ingham County to target businesses.  Mr. Packingham distributed copies of Projected Leads – New Sales/Enrollment Projections to the Committee for their review.  Of the 4,336 projected new business leads, 2,655 of those leads had insurance; 532 of the businesses weren’t interested; 486 were not qualified; and, 664 of the businesses were interested leads.   Mr. Packingham then reviewed the Call Center Prospects for Non-Participation by Interested Businesses.  Of the 156 businesses surveyed in Ingham County, 25 had 1099 employees; 24 had other insurance; 20 thought the premiums were too high; and, 49 had too few W-2 employees.  Other businesses did not participate for various reasons such as their employees earned more than $12 per hour, no reason was given, business owner was a sole proprietor, etc.  Every County surveyed by CHV experienced non-participation for similar reasons.

Small business expenses are already too high for the owners to consider adding expenses.  Businesses have to consider their level of investment and time.  Also the product could be tweaked to attract larger business groups which have more options. 

Mr. Packingham stated he has made recommendations to the Ingham Health Plan Board for their consideration.  An ad hoc committee of that Board was established to review the recommendations.

Comm. Bahar-Cook questioned Mr. Packingham regarding his data figures.  Mr. Packingham stated some of the data may not include recent numbers since the report was generated in April.   Comm. Severino expressed his surprise that Mr. Packingham’s data indicates that 2/3 of the people surveyed had health insurance.  Mr. Packingham explained the data indicates that 2/3 of the businesses surveyed with under 20 employees have health insurance plans for their employees.  Large franchises don’t qualify for the health plan.  Comm. Severino stated the County does not have the authority to mandate that large businesses have to provide health insurance for their employees. 

Comm. Severino suggested that CHV look at the 1099 employees.  Mr. Packingham stated those employees would love to have health insurance.  They are an economically vulnerable group.   Comm. Dedden asked if the ad hoc committee would review the reasons why business owners decided not to enroll in the health insurance plan.  Comm. Severino stated Mr. Packingham is the expert to the IHP Board.  He can share his advice with this Committee regarding the how the County can improve its current health insurance system.

Comm. Schor asked that Mr. Packingham send this Committee a copy of his recommendations.  Mr. Packingham stated he would forward the recommendations to Mr. Bragg.  This discussion continued.  Mr. Packingham stated the goal of the CHV is to increase Plan B enrollment through December 2006.

Chairperson Grebner stated the advertisements should indicate that they are sponsored or supported by Ingham County government.  This would send a strong message to the residents that this is a legitimate plan.  Ms. Peterson agreed with Chairperson Grebner’s suggestion.

2b.       Health Department – Resolution to Authorize the Carry Forward of 2005 Funds and to Adjusts the 2006 Health Department and the General Fund Budgets

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CARRY FORWARD OF 2005 FUNDS AND TO ADJUST THE 2006 HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE GENERAL FUND BUDGETS. 

Comm. Dedden addressed Mr. Bragg’s April 24, 2006 memorandum to this Committee.  She stated the $200,000 cost to support the upgrading of the information infrastructure is high.  Mr. Bragg explained the cost is an investment in capital.  The County will make the initial investment and then will recoup the costs over time.

Comm. Schor addressed the $1.3 million in revenue to be carried forward from the 2005 Health Funds Closing balance to the 2006 budget for specific purposes.  He asked if this is a normal procedure.  Mr. Neilsen explained this is an unusual situation as well as a one-time event.  This is a legitimate arrangement. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.         Ingham County Department of Veterans Affairs Committee – The Ingham County Department of Veterans Affairs Committee Second Recommendation Regarding the Chapter 37 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Request

Chairperson Grebner asked for an update regarding this matter.  Comm. Schor stated this Committee approved the funding request contingent on the approval of the Veterans Affairs Committee.  The Veterans Affairs Committee did not recommend approval of the funding request. 

Ms. Thompson, Veterans Affairs Committee, stated she spoke with a representative of Chapter 37 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart regarding the request.  She then stated her belief, and the VA Committee’s belief, that approving this request would set a precedent.  The VA Committee has several concerns regarding the funding request.  The VA Committee could possibly support the request if it was made once every five years. 

Ms. Thompson further stated, as veteran, that she wants the veterans recognized; however, the VA Committee needs more guidance regarding funding requests.  Chairperson Grebner stated the VA Committee has made its recommendation to this Committee.  The Board of Commissioners speaks through their resolutions.  This Committee should follow that recommendation.  Comm. Hertel stated this matter had been referred to the VA Committee for their expertise and recommendation.  Comm. Hertel asked if the County has $2,000 to spend in this manner. 

Comm. Schor commended the Veterans Affairs Committee for their recommendation.  Comm. Bahar-Cook stated the organization did not expect to have the event in Ingham County this year.  This was unexpected for them also.

Comm. Severino stated the Committee should review the statute pertaining to this type of funding to determine how often a military organization can request funding and the dollar amount a county can approve for such requests.  Chairperson Grebner stated, after a review of the statute, the County is allowed to appropriate a total of $5,000 per year. 

Comm. Severino stated this Committee should develop funding guidelines for the Veterans Affairs Committee.  Mr. Marwede could survey other counties which operate under the specific state statute.  Chairperson Grebner suggested the VA Committee could develop its own guidelines. 

Comm. Schor stated his preference that these requests should be made through the normal budget process.  Chairperson Grebner explained the normal budget process almost never works in this situation. 

The Committee upheld the Veterans Affairs Committee’s recommendation.

4.         Controller’s Office

a.         Resolution to Approve the City of Mason to be Included as a Participating Municipality in the Capital Area District Library

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE CITY OF  MASON TO BE INCLUDED AS A PARTICIPATING MUNICIPALITY IN THE CAPITAL AREA DISTRICT LIBRARY. 

Ms. Bujold, Capital Area District Library Board, stated she was not thrilled with the reason the City of Mason wants to participate in CADL.  She then stated she does understand this Committee’s decision.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            b.         Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2006 Ingham County Budget

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2006 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET. 

Comm. Schor stated the adjustments contain an allocation for the Purple Heart.  Mr. Neilsen stated that matter would be resolved in the next budget adjustment. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

c.         Resolution Establishing Areas of Priority Emphasis Guiding 2007 Activities and Budget Process

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AREAS OF PRIORITY EMPHASIS GUIDING 2007 ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET PROCESS.

Mr. Neilsen stated the 2006 priorities included the neighborhood network centers and the lead task force.  These items are not listed as priorities in the current resolution.  The Committee discussed this matter and determined the items should be included in the current Resolution. 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE:

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THE INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK CENTERS.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE:

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS TO PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS TO HUMAN HEALTH.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Comm. Bahar-Cook stated she supports providing recreational and fitness opportunities for our residents at County parks.  Comm. Schor explained that matter would be handled by the County Services Committee.  He stated he would inform that Committee of Comm. Bahar-Cook’s position on this issue. 

MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff