Amended 3/12/07
COUNTY SERVICES
February 20, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Todd Tennis, Dale Copedge, Deb Nolan, Mike Severino, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: Debbie DeLeon
Others Present: Jared Cypher, Harold Hailey, Gilbert White, Mary Cooley and Doug Carr
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Tennis at 7:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 6, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 6, 2007 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Minutes were amended as follows:
Page 5 – Last sentence – Comm. Nolan was changed to Chairperson DeLeon
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment
Mr. White, home developer, addressed the Committee regarding agenda item 1. He stated he submitted a soil erosion permit to the Ingham County Drain Commissioner’s Office. The Office has not issued the permit or returned his many telephone calls. Mr. White requested this Committee to clarify the requirements in the erosion application. The County should also view the ordinance in a broader context so that the Office can work more efficiently.
Comm. Nolan asked Mr. White if he has reviewed the proposed ordinance. Mr. White indicated he had not reviewed the proposed ordinance. He further stated many builders have expressed the same frustration with the County.
Vice Chairperson Tennis thanked Mr. White for addressing the Committee regarding his concerns. The Committee will take his comments under advisement.
1. Drain Commissioner – Discussion of the Proposed Soil Erosion Ordinance
Mr. Lindemann reviewed the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance. The information is included in the agenda material. He then stated his main concern regarding the Ordinance is that people will want the permit approved the same day the application is submitted.
The Ordinance has been approved by the State Department of Equality. Mr. Lindemann stated his Office has 30 days to review soil erosion permit applications. Permit rejections are usually issued in approximately 15 days.
Vice Chairperson Tennis asked if the proposed Ordinance includes any significant changes from the current policy. Mr. Lindemann stated the proposed Ordinance gives the Office authority to issue civil infractions when individuals are not in compliance with the Ordinance.
The Committee held a lengthy discussion regarding this item. Comm. Copedge asked if the Office included the stake holders in the development of the Ordinance. Mr. Lindemann stated his Office will present the Ordinance to the Home Builders Association. He further stated he will not ask this Committee to approve the proposed Ordinance until it has been presented to the Association.
Mr. Lindemann addressed additional questions from the Committee. Comm. Severino stated a constituent has expressed customer service concerns to him regarding the Drain Office. Mr. Lindemann explained that all permit requests are addressed within 15 days of receipt. The State requires specific information from the builders before a permit will be issued. If requirements are not met, the application will be returned to the builder and the processing time will restart.
Mr. Pratt stated the Office has tried to address some application deficiencies in a quicker fashion. Developers are given a heads up regarding any deficiencies in the plan. Mr. Lindemann encouraged the Committee to take a positive tone to the Ordinance.
Comm. Holman asked Mr. Lindemann to address Mr. White’s concerns. Mr. Lindemann stated if developers are willing to help the Office, the Office will be more than willing to assist them through the permit process. Vice Chairperson Tennis asked Mr. Lindemann if he has considered requesting additional staff to assist with the enormous amount of work related to the permit process. Mr. Lindemann stated he will work with Mr. Hailey regarding a request for an additional deputy for his Office.
Mr. Pratt explained the Drain Office is within the 30 day time period for processing a permit request in the White matter.
Comm. Copedge stated he understands the issue of developers not submitting sufficient permit requests. He then asked if the Office has a fact sheet available for the builders. Mr. Lindemann stated developers are supplied a check list which contains the requirements to receive a permit.
Comm. Dougan stated it would be helpful for the Ordinance to clarify what is different from the current process. Mr. Lindemann stated he could provide that information to this Committee. Comm. Dougan asked about stake holders. Mr. Lindemann stated the Home Builders Association is at the top of the list of stakeholders. The main group of stakeholders includes the County residents. Mr. Lindemann further stated his Office goes out of its way to assist private contractors.
Comm. Dougan asked for a copy of the proposed fee schedule. Mr. Lindemann stated the Committee has the authority to change the fees. The Ordinance does not include additional fees.
5. Board Referral – Letter from Mary J. Patenge Regarding the Cost of the Groesbeck Drain Project
Mr. Lindemann explained his Office has not determined a price for the Project as of this date. The DDA is responsible for paying for storm drain improvements up to $4 million, including $3 million in interest. Mr. Lindemann stated he has spoken to Ms. Patenge regarding her concerns. Mr. Lindemann then described the project for the Committee.
Vice Chairperson Tennis encouraged Mr. Lindemann to notify the Committee if it can assist his Office with the DDA matter.
2. Health Department – Resolution to Authorize a Reorganization within the Bureau of Health Plan Management
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A REORGANIZATION WITHIN THE BUREAU OF HEALTH PLAN MANAGEMENT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Board Chairperson Thomas commended Ms. Peterson for the work she does on behalf of the County. Comm. Nolan asked Ms. Peterson about her job duties. Ms. Peterson explained her job duties.
3. Human Resources Department – Resolution Authorizing the Human Resources Department to Contract with the Tri-County Office on Aging to Provide Human Resources Services
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED B Y COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO CONTRACT WITH THE TRI-COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING TO PROVIDE HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES.
Comm. Dougan disclosed that he is a member of the Tri-County Office on Aging Board of Directors.
The spelling of the last name in the first WHEREAS paragraph was changed from Leham to Lehman.
The Staff Review Sheet indicated the $34,073 amount for the first contract period includes personnel, supplies, and a one-time expense for a desk chair, phone and personal computer.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item. Board Chairperson Thomas stated this issue should be addressed at the end of the budget year to determine if a half-time position is sufficient to handle the responsibilities of the contract.
The Committee approved a Friendly Amendment to include language in the Resolution indicating an annual report will be submitted to this Committee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. As amended
4. County Services Committee – Resolution Clarifying the Responsibilities of the Fair Board and Fair Manager
The Committee discussed the language contained in the second BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph of the Resolution. Comm. Severino stated he believes the language is redundant. Board Chairperson Thomas stated the language may be redundant; however, it is for the benefit of the Fair Board. Comm. Copedge stated he understands the Resolution implies that the Fair Board Manager is to delegate duties and responsibilities to the Fair Board staff. He then expressed his hope that the Fair Board members will not circumvent the Fair Board Manager’s duties.
The Committee approved a Friendly Amendment to the second BIFR paragraph of the Resolution. The amendment is as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the County
Controller/Administrator shall have day-to-day supervisory responsibility over the Fair Manager, and the Fair Manager is responsible for the implementation of Fair policies and procedures as passed by the Fair Board, and supervision of staff, and the day-to-day operation of the Ingham County Fairgrounds . . .
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AS AMENDED. Absent: Comm. DeLeon
Public Comment
Ms. Cooley stated she represents the Eyde Company. The Eyde Company has concerns regarding the Ordinance. She explained that she will work closely with the Drain Office and area developers to clarify the Ordinance.
Mr. Carr, Greater Lansing Home Builder’s Association, Executive Director, addressed agenda item one. The Association has a number of concerns regarding the Ordinance. Developers are also having problems with the Drain Office. His office and the Drain Office are working on those issues.
Mr. Carr asked this Committee to not approve the Ordinance until the Association has resolved its concerns. Vice Chairperson Tennis stated he has the same concerns regarding the vagueness of the ordinance. There should be further discussion regarding the ordinance before it is approved by this Committee.
This discussion continued. Comm. Severino stated his concern that the Drain Office requests additional positions which will be funded through the additional revenue; that has not panned out. He will keep an eye on that issue.
Board Chairperson Thomas thanked the public for attending this meeting. He then explained this is the first step in the Committee’s process regarding the proposed Ordinance. It will not consider approving the Ordinance for some time. The Committee will work with the public regarding their Ordinance concerns.
The Committee briefly discussed the public’s concern regarding retribution from the Drain Office. Comm. Severino stated many concerns can be resolved by clarifying the ordinance language. He further stated he has received many calls from constituents over his years as commissioner regarding fears of retribution from the Drain Office.
Announcements: None
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff