Amended 11/20/01
Members Present: Mary Stid, Victor Celentino, Thomas Minter, Debbie DeLeon and
Chris Swope
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose , Harold Hailey, Mark Grebner, Bruce Bragg, Dave Stoker,
Greg Wilhelm, Paul Pratt, Charlene Stratton, Ilene Rocko, Sandy Altimer , Denise Coats, Kalene Foster, Jerry Rocko, Theresa Sitock, Margaret Keillor, Donna Willis, Ronnie Lee, Sharon Walker, Jane Southwell, Jean Sullivan, Nancy Chesney, Linda Gurkey, Dean Cross, John Gormly, Steve Penn, Richard Grant, Mr. Brown and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Stid at 7:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the October 2 Executive Session Minutes and October 16, 2001 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 2 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AND THE OCTOBER 16 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
4b. Substitute Resolution
Labor Relations Update - (Closed Session requested)
MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO ENTER INTO A CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING LABOR RELATIONS AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. MOTION APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: YEAS; Comms. Stid, Celentino, Minter, DeLeon and Swope
The Committee returned to regular session.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3b. Drain Commissioner - Resolution Authorizing Issuance of Sewage Disposal System Bonds for Sewer Improvements in Alaiedon Township
4. Economic Development Corporation
a. Resolution Establishing the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
b. Resolution to Authorize an Amendment to Resolution No. 01-220 Authorizing Entering Into a Contract with John F. Hanieski of Economic Consulting Services, LLC
5. Prosecuting Attorney
a. Resolution to Accept a Grant from the U.S. Justice Department, to Implement a Community Gun Violence Prosecution Program, and to Amend the Prosecuting Attorney's Office 2002 Budget and Position Allocation List
b. Resolution to Accept a Grant from the U.S. Justice Department for a Domestic Assault Response Team Program, to Authorize Subcontracts with Agency Partners, and to Amend the Prosecuting Attorney's Office Budget and Position Allocation List
c. Resolution to Authorize Budget Transfers Within the Prosecuting Attorney's Office
6. Parks - Resolution Accepting an Inland Fisheries Grant for the Replacement of the Heron Pond Fishing Dock at Riverbend Natural Area
7. Fair Board - Resolution Authorizing an Adjustment to the 2001 Capital Improvement Budget and Authorizing the Award of Proposal and Entering into a Contract for Electrical Work at the Ingham County Fairgrounds
8. Purchasing - Resolution Awarding a Contract to Lansing Ice & Fuel to Supply Fuel for County-owned and Operated Vehicles
9a. Board of Commissioners - Resolution Honoring James Little
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Drain Commissioner
a. Resolution to Amend the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program Fee Schedule
In response to Mr. Pratt, the Committee agreed to withdraw this item pending a consultation with the home builders.
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Stratton stated the nurses have been working without a contract for almost 1.5 years. An agreement has not been reached regarding the wage issue. The Nurse Practitioners' salary is almost three percent behind NP's in the local community. The NP's are asking for a substantial increase in their salary. Insurance rates are also increasing. Nurses will have to pay $75/month toward their health insurance. The current salary is barely sufficient to cover the current costs.
Ms. Rocko, Registered Nurse, stated she has spent 15 years of her 30 year nursing career with the County. She distributed information to the Committee from the Michigan Nurses Association for their review. Ms. Rocko read information regarding wages in other areas of the State. This information was contained in the materials submitted to the Committee.
Ms. Altimer, Nurse Practitioner, read her memorandum regarding her contract concerns to the Committee. This memorandum was distributed to the Committee.
Ms. Coats, Nurse Practitioner, stated NP's are the heartbeat of Ingham County. They provide excellent patient out-come and a high level of satisfaction. NP's are nationally certified and are recognized as expert health providers. NP's are not viewed as expert professionals within this County. The County's NP salary is 20% below the regional NP salary. Ms. Coats requested this Committee value high quality care with fair wages.
Ms. Foster stated she works in Women's Health. She sees a variety of patients needing a variety of care. Nurses within Women's Health provide an increased level of services and they request fair wages.
Mr. Rocko stated he has over 30 years experience in the health system. He related an anecdote to the Committee. He requested the nurses be paid a fair wage.
Ms. Sitock spoke regarding wages paid at other organizations. The statistics show that the County nurses are underpaid.
Ms. Keillor, Nurse Practitioner, provided statistics to the Committee regarding the County's nurses. The County has a dedicated nursing staff. However, there is an inequity in how they are compensated for the quality services they provide.
Ms. Willis, Clinical Nurse, stated the Ingham County Health Department has the best nursing staff in the State. This is a known fact. The nurses should receive fair compensation.
Ms. Lee stated County residents depend on a reliable health system. The County needs our knowledge especially in the current situation the Country is in.
Ms. Walker stated her department responds to infectious disease outbreaks within the County. She is happy to provide her expertise. However, she requests adequate compensation. She also requested support for a reclassification.
Ms. Southwell, Registered Nurse, stated she was present to support the nurses in their request for a fair and just wage. She also stated she works to keep the community educated and free from disease.
Ms. Sullivan stated the area hospitals pay their nurses a significant amount more than the County pays its nurses.
Ms. Gurkey stated she holds two positions within the County. She loves her work. Nurses in her department do not take sick time because their positions would not be covered during their absences. The County needs to hire young employees to cover for the employees who will retire in the near future.
Mr. Cross asked the Committee to value the services provided by the County Nurses. The nurses donate extra hours beyond their scheduled hours. They also use their own vehicles. Nurses do care about their patients. The County should value its nursing staff.
Mr. Wilhelm stated the nurses are facing another crises regarding their health care insurance. Some nurses will have to pay $75/month from their salary to maintain their current health coverage. This will mean the clinical nurses will lose approximately 2.1% of their 3% raise. Nurse practitioners will lose 1.5% of their scheduled raise. Increases in insurance premiums will continue for the next few years. Due to the premium increases, the wages will decrease. Increasing wages is a normal part of doing business. If the County wants to retain the nurses, it should take care of them. The nurses need direction. Mr. Wilhelm stated the matter should be resolved without having to extend the current contracts any further. Businesses increase costs to cover their increase in costs. The Commissioners should feel free to contact any of the nursing staff regarding this matter.
(Comm. Celentino left the meeting at approximately 8:30 p.m.)
Presentation - ICEA
Mr. Wilhelm addressed the Committee during Limited Public Comment.
1. Human Resources - Resolution Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Ingham County Employees' Association Covering Public Health Nurses
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE INGHAM COUNTY EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION COVERING PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Celentino
2. County Attorney - Resolution and Order of Annexation of Certain Land to the Village of Stockbridge
Mr. Stoker explained that school property straddles the boundary between the Village and the Township. The Township does not object to the Village's petition for annexation. The Committee's role is to deal with the actual annexation decision. By statute, a public hearing must be held at the full Board level. This hearing will be held next Tuesday.
Mr. Stoker stated an e-mail has been received from the developer of a mobile-home park which challenges the issue of the annexation based on the sanitary sewer matter. The Committee's decision should be based on what it feels is appropriate for the development of the area, availability of utilities, appropriateness of the land for the proposed use.
Mr. Gormly presented and explained a diagram of the school's proposal. The school would like to hook up to the sanitary sewer and the water system, etc. The Township has not opposed the annexation. It would prefer the school stay within the Township. Mr. Gormly explained the history of the trailer park.
The Committee discussed this issue. Mr. Brown explained that a survey of the community revealed the school should be located in the Village. Chairperson Grebner stated as a policy, the Board of Commissioners should encourage whole buildings to be located within single jurisdictions. In response to Comm. Minter, Mr. Brown stated the Village Council is very comfortable with the situation. The Village has a good relationship with the School District. Mr. Brown further stated there should not be any problems regarding the provision of additional services.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND ORDER OF ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN LAND TO THE VILLAGE OF STOCKBRIDGE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Celentino
9. Board of Commissioners
b. Appointments - Youth Commission; Economic Development Appointments
MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO REAPPOINT KEN TABLEMAN TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Celentino
Youth Commission - Chairperson Stid stated the Board Office should send a letter to all applicants notifying them that they do not need to be present at the Board meeting. The appointments will be made that evening.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINT OF THE FOLLOWING APPLICANTS TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION:
ROBERT VAN KIRK JARED WEIN
ALEX FREEMAN SAMANTHA SCHULTZ
JESSIKA FULGER MORGAN LINDSTROM
AMANDA WRIGHT ELLING NIELSEN-WILLIAMS
NATASHA HALL ADAM LONGWELL
MATT MORAVER-GALLAGHER
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Celentino
c. Resolution Making Appointments to the Equal Opportunity Committee
MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Celentino
10. Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau - Quarterly Activity Report
Mr. Ambrose informed the Committee that Mr. Galyon would be happy to address any questions regarding the Report at a future meeting.
The Quarterly Activity Report was received and placed on file.
11. Controller
a. Resolution Authorizing a Cost/Revenue Analysis of Services Where A User Fee is Assessed
In response to Comm. Minter, Mr. Ambrose stated fee increases have not been made as they should have been. Also, some of the fees are quite low. Practically, increases on those low fees should be made when they are significant. This practice does not work for the higher fees. Mr. Ambrose stated his recommendation is to insert fee increases into the budget calendar. This would mean the fees would be reviewed on an annual basis to determine any necessary increases.
Comm. Minter explained that incremental increases avoids large increases and costly studies to determine the increases. Mr. Ambrose explained the limitations associated with this approach. Chairperson Grebner stated substantial fees should be adjusted annually. It is hard to adjust some fees by a few cents. The Board has to be able to defend large fee increases. Comm. Minter stated fees should be reviewed as part of an ongoing process. Comm. DeLeon stated a study would also determine other potential sources of revenue. Comm. Swope agreed that it would make sense to review fees on a regular basis. The Committee continued their discussion of this item.
From the Committee's discussion, they suggested the addition of the following language to the Resolution:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a review of user fees shall be conducted as part of the annual budget process.
Mr. Ambrose stated he would add this language to the Resolution for the Finance Committee meeting.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A COST/REVENUE ANALYSIS OF SERVICES WHERE A USER FEE IS ASSESSED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Celentino
b. Communication from CADL Regarding Termination of Payroll Services Agreement
The Communication was received and placed on file.
12. Board Referrals
a. Resolution from Cass County Supporting an Amended Version of Senate Bill 63
b. Resolution from Luce County Urging State Legislators to Revisit the
Merits of Term Limits
c. Letter from the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry
Services Forwarding the Fifth Legislative Report for the State Survey and
Remonumentation Section
d. Letter from the State Department of Environmental Quality Forwarding
the Draft General Permit for Storm Water Drainage Systems in Phase II
Communities
Mr. Ambrose suggested the Committee pay particular attention to item d. He further stated he is trying to determine why counties are involved in this matter.
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements
Chairperson Stid informed the Committee the next Committee meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. with the Finance Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. the same night.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff