Approved 3/7/06

COUNTY SERVICES

February 21, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:         Andy Schor, Debbie DeLeon, Dianne Holman, Dale Copedge, Mike Severino, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             Jared Cypher, Harold Hailey, Jim Hudgins, Paul Elam, Bob Moore, Dean Sienko and Larry Wilson

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 7:05 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the February 7, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 7 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Severino

Additions to the Agenda

3b.       Recommendation to Authorize a Lateral Transfer of Two Positions

7.         Presentation – Wolverine Pipeline

Limited Public Comment:          None

2.         Board of Commissioners – Discussion Item – Financial Support for the MLK Holiday Commission

Chairperson Schor apologized that he wasn’t aware that Mr. Elam was present at this Committee’s last meeting.  Mr. Elam’s item would have been moved up in the agenda to accommodate his schedule that evening. 

Mr. Elam explained the City of Lansing is requesting expanded support for the MLK Holiday Commission.  The Commission was appointed by the City of Lansing and is guided by Dr. King’s teachings and philosophy of love, tolerance and non-violence.  Mr. Elam stated the Commission is requesting $3,000 from the County to help cover the costs associated with hosting the luncheon, student scholarships, student essay winners, luncheon speakers, etc.  The Commission is requesting ongoing financial support from the County. 

(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:10 p.m.)

Chairperson Schor stated the Board has had informal discussions regarding this request.  It has determined this may be a good partnership.  Staff has recommended the Commission formally request County funding in its regular budget process. 

Comm. Severino stated the Board of Commissioners shares the goals of the MLK Commission.  He then stated the funding request should be submitted through the County’s Community Agency funding process.  A determination needs to be made that services provided through the Commission are not currently being provided through other County funded programs. 

Comm. DeLeon stated the Committee should support the Commission’s mission. 

The Committee agreed that Mr. Elam should work with Mr. Nielsen or Mr. Cypher about including the MLK Holiday Commission’s funding request in Ingham County’s budget process.

1.         Commissions\Boards Presentation – Fair Board Appointments

The Committee consented to advertise for additional applicants for the two vacant positions.  Once the interviews have completed, the Committee will determine their recommendations from the four current applicants and the new applicants.

3.         Health Department

a.         Resolution to Amend Resolution #05-251 and Authorize Staffing Adjustments

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND RESOLUTION #05-251 AND AUTHORIZE STAFFING ADJUSTMENTS. 

Comm. Copedge requested an explanation of this item.  Dr. Sienko explained the Primary Care Director has recommended a portion of the additional funding be utilized to support a new part-time Community Health Representative II (UAW TOPS D) position.  The Director also recommends that two existing part-time Community Health Representative II positions (one of them vacant) be combined into a full-time position to be filled by the incumbent. 

Comm. Holman asked what would happen with the positions if and when the grant funds are eliminated in the future.  Dr. Sienko stated there is always a risk with grant-funded positions.  The Health Department has been successful over the past several years in being able to place employees from grant-funded positions into other vacant positions for which they are qualified. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  

            b.         Recommendation to Authorize a Lateral Transfer of Two Positions

Dr. Sienko explained the State has reduced funding for hearing and vision screening of pre-school and school age children by $91,000 in FY 2005-2006.  Efforts are being made to restore the funding and several of those efforts have a good chance of succeeding; however, it appears that efforts to restore funding in the current fiscal year will not succeed.  It is important to continue the testing since approximately five percent of the kids tested fail one of the tests.  

Dr. Sienko further explained the Health Department has identified an opportunity to laterally transfer two of the Hearing and Vision Technicians into vacant Clinic Assistant/Technician I positions.  The Hearing and Vision Technician positions and the Clinic Assistant/Technician I position are all represented by the UAW TOPS unit.  The positions are also at the same salary grade level (TOPS D). 

Chairperson Schor stated transferring the two positions is contrary to the County’s normal hiring process.  Mr. Hailey explained he suggested the Health Department present this request tonight instead of laying off two current employees.  Comm. DeLeon asked if the Human Resources Department had received any communication from the union regarding this request.  Dr. Sienko and Mr. Hailey stated they had not received any communications from the union.  The union was notified of this request. 

Comm. DeLeon asked if this is an urgent request.  Dr. Sienko explained the Health Department would need time to coordinate with the area schools if the program is to continue.  Comm. Copedge stated he understood the need for this request.  He then asked if the skill sets were the same for both positions.  Dr. Sienko explained that one of the employees to be moved would need training for the new position.  He further explained the Department would have to train any new employee. 

Comm. Holman suggested the Committee wait until its next meeting to approve this item.  Waiting would give the union ample time to respond if it has concerns regarding the transfer request.  She then asked if the Health Department has developed a strategy to avoid the constant change in positions and personnel.  The changes seem to be excessive.  Dr. Sienko stated Mr. Bragg would have to address this question.  He then stated the program is very beneficial to the kids and the State funding will be restored 100% next year.  Transferring current employees also will protect the Department employees.

Comm. Severino agreed with Comm. Holman’s observation that there are continuous personnel changes in the Health Department; however, the changes are always for the improvement of the Department and its programs.  Comm. Severino suggested the Committee approve the request based on Mr. Hailey’s commitment to speak with the appropriate union.  Mr. Hailey stated he would contact the union tomorrow morning.

The Committee continued its discussion of this item.  Comm. DeLeon stated she would feel comfortable approving the request contingent on Mr. Hailey’s discussion with the union.  Mr. Hailey stated he would email this Committee once he has spoken with Mr. Larkins. 

Comm. Vickers stated, in his opinion, it is normal for positions to change in health departments.  He also stated he would support the request so that the screening program would continue. 

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE A LATERAL TRANSFER OF TWO POSITIONS CONTINGENT UPON THE HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR’S COMMUNICATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE UNION REPRESENTATIVE. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

4.         Parks Board – Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of up to $150,000 from the Parks 508 Fund Balance to the Parks 450 Capital Improvement Fund for the Construction of the Hawk Island Park Splashpad

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF UP TO $150,000 FROM THE PARKS 508 FUND BALANCE TO THE PARKS 450 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HAWK ISLAND PARK SPLASHPAD.

Comm. Vickers asked when the Splashpad project would be completed.  Mr. Moore stated the project should be completed by the first of July 2006.  Comm. Copedge requested a quick overview of the project.  Mr. Moore explained the project, without ancillary facilities, is projected to cost approximately $50,000 from the $300,000 budget.  The additional $50,000 is a result of the necessity to build a recirculation system similar to a swimming pool, rather than using a pass through system supplied by a well.

The Ingham County Parks and Recreation Commission has recommended the transfer of $150,000 within the Parks Department budget from the 508 fund balance to the 450 Fund/Hawk Island Splashpad Project.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

5.         Human Resources Department – Resolution Reclassifying the Purchasing Director Position

MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION RECLASSIFYING THE PURCHASING DIRECTOR POSITION. 

Mr. Hailey informed the Committee that information in the agenda packet should address its previous questions and concerns regarding the Reclassifying request.  He then explained the Prevailing Wage Policy has been on the books for many years but has not been monitored until recently.  The current Director has been directed to monitor that Policy.  This Policy will need continuous monitoring over time.

Mr. Hailey reviewed some of the information in the packet.  He informed the Committee the Assistant Purchasing Position is also being considered for an adjustment.

In response to Comm. Copedge, Mr. Hudgins explained contracts exceeding $10,000 are subject to the County’s Prevailing Wage Policy.  The Purchasing Department monitors those contracts to ensure the requirements of the Policy are being followed.   Comm. Copedge asked if the County’s RFP’s contain a stipulation regarding the County’s priority to expand ethnic and/or geographic diversity.  Mr. Hudgins stated he would look into that issue.

At this time, the Committee discussed issues pertaining to the County’s Prevailing Wage and Living Wage Policies.  In response to Comm. DeLeon, Mr. Hudgins stated he was sure he submitted compliance reports to this Committee in January 2005.  Chairperson Schor suggested Mr. Hudgins submit those reports to this Committee a few times per year. 

Comm. Vickers stated he understands the Reclassification request since he has reviewed the information contained in the agenda packet. 

The Committee held a brief discussion regarding staff performance evaluations.  Mr. Hailey explained there would be legal ramifications for imposing such evaluations on elected officials

Comm. DeLeon expressed her appreciation that the Purchasing Department is monitoring the Prevailing and Living Wage Policies.

(Chairperson Celentino stated he liked the spirit of the Resolution in agenda item six.  Chairperson Celentino left the meeting at this time.)

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

6.         County Services Committee – Discussion Item – Draft Resolution to Establish a Policy on the County Orientation of County Appointees to Certain Boards and Committees

This item is to be rescheduled for this Committee’s next meeting.

7.         Presentation – Wolverine Pipeline

Mr. Wilson, Wolverine Pipeline, addressed the Committee regarding Wolverine’s need to repair existing pipelines.  The existing eight inch pipeline was internally inspected in 2001 and repairs were made according to ASME/WPLCo standards.  In 2003 the US Department of Transportation OPS/PHMSA established new regulations for High Consequence Areas.  The Areas include Ingham County due to its drinking water, ground water, surface water and highly populated areas.  Mr. Wilson stated the new regulations also required setting a Baseline Assessment Plan which is to be implemented in 2008.  More stringent repair criteria and repair deadlines have been established.  A risk reduction plan for each pipeline segment has also been required. 

Based on a 2001 internal inspection of the I-96 to St. Johns segment, 25 locations will require remedial activities.  The activities may include:  replacement with an eight inch pre-hydro tested pipeline, tie in during shutdown or excavation and repair with full encirclement wrap.  A significant number of short deadline repairs will be required based on 2001 data. 

Nine remedial action sites have been identified in Ingham County.  Wolverine will work with right of way owners and will consult with the appropriate governmental entities to implement remedial activities and integrity enhancements. 

Mr. Wilson stated the repairs have been tentatively scheduled to begin in March 2006.  The pressure or amount of product flowing through the lines will not be increased due to any of the repairs.  He further explained Wolverine tried to wait on some of the repairs until the proposed line through South Lansing has been constructed.  Since that line is on hold at this time, the repairs should be conducted. 

Comm. DeLeon asked if running the internal tool every five years is adequate.  Mr. Wilson stated the term is normal within the industry.  Troublesome lines may require internal tooling more often.  Comm. DeLeon also asked if Wolverine or subcontractors would perform the repairs.  Mr. Wilson stated Wolverine employees and contractors from local unions would perform the required repairs. 

Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern regarding the proposed pipeline route through South Lansing.  This is a highly populated area.  Comm. Severino stated the litigation regarding this proposed route is waiting for a Judge’s decision.  He further stated that perhaps the new Mayor would be more responsive to residents’ concerns.  Comm. Severino then spoke briefly regarding the proposed section of line to run through Okemos.  Mr. Wilson explained that if the Judge approves the proposed route, Wolverine’s Board of Directors would have to determine if the old lines should be abandoned or if new lines should be constructed. 

Mr. Wilson further explained that if the Judge rules against Wolverine, the Company will appeal the decision.  Wolverine understands the passion behind the residents’ concerns and the decisions of local units of government.  He then stated the line at issue is approximately 30 years old.  State agencies made the determination that the South Lansing route is the best route. 

Comm. Severino expressed his appreciation to Mr. Wilson for notifying this Committee of the proposed repairs. 

Comm. Holman asked if there would be problems with the lines if the repairs are not performed at this time.  Mr. Wilson stated there should not be any problems.   Comm. Holman stated she appreciated Wolverine’s notification to this Committee and the other local governmental units of the proposed repairs. 

Chairperson Schor asked if the proposed repairs would result in increased gas prices.  Mr. Wilson explained prices could increase if the product has to be brought in by other means during the repair process. 

Comm. Vickers stated he has family in Jackson who were affected by the pipeline incident.  His relatives were treated very well by Wolverine.  Comm. Vickers further stated his experiences with Wolverine have been positive.

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff