Amended 10/2/07
September 18, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Debbie DeLeon, Deb Nolan, Dale Copedge, Tim Soule, Mike Severino, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Matthew Myers, Tony Lindsey, John Sturk, Paula Johnson, Sally Auer, Randy Schafer, Marcus Cheatham, Steven Dunnings, Jim Hudgins, Rick Terrill, Daniel Feinberg, Raymond Rustem, Tara Harrison, Kyle Coke, Steve Kinnonz, Aaron Stevens, Alan Panter and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 7:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the August 21, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 21 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Minutes were amended to reflect the following:
Page 5, third paragraph: “Parks Millage” was changed to “Zoo Millage.”
Page 5, first motion: “Park Millage” was changed to “Zoo Millage.”
Additions to the Agenda
8. Human Resources – ICEA Union Grievance – This item was removed from the agenda per the request of the Human Resources Director. The grievance was resolved.
Limited Public Comment
Comm. Schafer addressed the Committee regarding agenda item 9. He then stated he received a telephone call this afternoon from Ms. Wierman, Leslie resident. Ms. Wierman tried to make a payment at the Treasurer’s Office to halt the foreclosure process on her home. The Office refused Ms. Wierman’s payment. Comm. Schafer provided the information on this matter to Mr. Myers for further inquiry.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3. Treasurer – Resolution to Change a Position Title in the Ingham County Treasurer’s Office
4. Economic Development
a. Resolution Supporting Acceptance of the Comprehensive Development Strategy Update to the Annual Review Report for 2007-1010
b.
Resolution Approving a Tax Sharing Agreement with the City of
5. Parks and Recreation Commission
a.
Resolution Authorizing Construction of Three Substantial Vestibules for the
Lions, Tigers and Snow Leopards at
b. Resolution Authorizing the Replacement of the Two Existing Zoo Security Positions with Zookeeper/Security Positions
c.
Resolution Authorizing the Replacement of the Boiler in the
6. Health Department – Resolution to Authorize an Agreement with the Shiawassee Regional Education Services District
10.
a. Resolution Honoring James Apostol
b. Resolution Honoring Harold Hailey
c. Resolution Honoring Pamela J. Sievers
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Severino stated he received an email from a local high school teacher. The teacher wanted to know why the cut off age for free entrance to the Zoo for students is 16 years of age. Mr. Harrison, Potter Park Zoo, stated she could not address this matter. She further stated she would pass this concern to Mr. Moore. Chairperson Thomas stated this Committee did not specify an age when it changed the student policy a few months ago.
Ms. Harrison informed the Committee that the Potter Park Zoo received full accreditation on Sunday. The accreditation will be in effect for five years.
1. Interviews
a. Agricultural Preservation Board
The Committee interviewed Fred Pallotini for a position on the Agricultural Preservation Board.
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF FRED PALLOTINI TO THE TOWNSHIP REPRESENTATIVE POSITION ON THE AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Parks and Recreation Committee
The Committee interviewed the following applicants for a position on the Parks and Recreation Committee:
Dan Feinberg Jonathon Schelke
John Sturk Ray Rustem
Steven Dunnings
Mr. Dunnings stated he was also interested in serving on the Equal Opportunity Committee.
2. Discussion – Lansing Township DDA – East Towne Village, Update on the Project and Future Development (this item was pulled from the August 21, 2007 Committee Agenda)
7.
Financial Services –
Mr. Restuccia explained that the 2006 audit resulted in a mutual failure to meet expectations. The audit firm’s expectations were inconsistent with the Department’s prior audit experience. The services provided and the quality of the finished product was not commensurate with our expectations.
Mr. Myers stated he met with the Treasurer and Mr. Johnston when the audit process was completed. During that meeting, Mr. Johnston indicated if the County continued with Abraham & Gaffney, he would request to use a separate vendor for auditing purposes. Mr. Restuccia stated he has not heard from the Road Commission regarding their position on this matter.
Chairperson Thomas stated he supports the Controller’s recommendation in this matter. He then stated Mr. Restuccia’s comments regarding the audit process were accurate. Chairperson Thomas stated he attended a meeting with Financial Services and the auditor and there were issues on both sides that were disconcerting.
Mr. Myers explained the Resolution would allow the County to contract with Rehmann Robson.
Chairperson Thomas asked Mr. Restuccia what happened that indicated his office could not work with the current vendor. Mr. Restuccia explained that inappropriate material was included in the final audit document. The information is for the Board of Commissioners and grantor agencies, it is not to be placed on the internet.
Mr. Myers stated he attended the same audit meeting as Chairperson Thomas. He explained that he believed the main purpose of the meeting for the vendor was to request an increase in pay due to an increased work load. The request was denied. If this contract was to continue beyond the first year, the County would entertain a request for an increase.
This discussion continued. Comm. Dougan asked the Chair to allow representatives from Abraham & Gaffney to address the Committee at this time. Chairperson DeLeon stated she would grant the request; however, the Committee will not debate this matter as the contract has already been terminated.
Mr. Panter, Abraham & Gaffney, stated he believes his company met the standards of auditing. During the auditing process, there was a lot of miscommunication on both sides. Mr. Panter further explained there have been significant changes to the auditing standards and changes will continue. He stated he hoped the concerns could have been resolved so that both parties could move into 2008.
Chairperson DeLeon thanked Mr. Panter for his comments.
Comm. Severino stated this Committee was not aware of any concerns with the auditing firm until this evening. Comm. Copedge suggested that future concerns be documented to avoid this problem with all County contracts.
Comm. Nolan supported the above statements. She then stated this Committee asked Mr. Terrill to report to this Committee on the maintenance contracts. Comm. Nolan stated the same should be expected of the auditing contract. This Committee should be advised of any concerns along the way before they lead to contract termination.
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO
APPROVE THE RESOLUTION REPLACING
9.
Commissioner Randy Schafer – Resolution Combining the Offices of the
Comm. Schafer thanked the Committee for considering his Resolution this evening. He explained that the Resolution has nothing to do with Ms. Johnson or Mr. Bryanton. Combining the two offices would save the County approximately $106,000 per year. Approving this Resolution will show the County residents that the Board of Commissioners is willing to combine the offices to save money. Comm. Schafer stated he will continue to look for other ways to save the County money.
Mr. Myers stated he provided the cost savings information at it relates to the two elected positions. He then explained the Controller’s Office undertook this study several years ago and it was recommended at that time to maintain the two separate offices. The study revealed that combining the two offices would not be financially cost effective due to training issues.
Ms. Johnson stated her Office provides governmental services
to the County residents. Her Office brings in more revenue than most
other County departments. It is not clear whether combining the two
offices will save money. Most
Comm. Copedge asked if combining the two offices would require additional staff to ensure the services to the public do not suffer. Ms. Johnson stated she believes additional staff would be needed.
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE
THE RESOLUTION COMBINING THE OFFICES OF THE
Chairperson Thomas asked if the Controller believes there is a need to do an additional study regarding the combination of the two offices. Mr. Myers stated the previous study was conducted approximately six years ago.
Comm. Dougan stated both offices already have support staff. He then stated he supports the concept of combining the two offices. Comm. Dougan stated the date in the Resolution should be changed from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2009.
Comm. Nolan thanked Comm. Schafer on his efforts to save the County money. She then stated the current arrangement has served the County well. Chairperson DeLeon echoed Comm. Nolan’s statements.
MOTION FAILED with Comms. Dougan and Severino voting YES.
11. Budget Hearings – Continued from September 4, 2007 Meeting
a.
Mr. Myers stated the Controller’s Recommended Budgets for
the
Mr. Myers distributed copies of a September 18, 2007 and an August 21, 2007 letter to the Committee. The letters were received from Mr. Cohl’s office. Mr. Myers explained that Mr. Cohl has advised him that the August 21 letter only waived the requirement of the two-third vote. It did not waive the 30 day notice. The September 18 letter indicated Mr. Cohl’s office will waive the notice and lengthen it to 60 days.
Mr. Myers stated he did not have any additional information to share with the Committee. Chairperson DeLeon stated it was the hope of this Committee that an arrangement would have been worked out between the Controller’s Office and Mr. Cohl’s office. The recommendation from that process was that this Committee should approve the budget for legal services. Chairperson Thomas stated the Committee is in a position to forward the budget to the Finance Committee without the details of an arrangement for legal services. The ad hoc committee will work out those details.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the financial aspects of the Controller’s proposal for legal services.
Comm. Nolan stated the County has been remiss in not renewing the contract for legal services on an annual basis. She then asked who is responsible for hiring and firing attorneys. Comm. Nolan suggested the attorneys be under the direction of the Board of Commissioners. The process needs to be clarified.
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO MOVE THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET AMOUNT FOR LEGAL SERVICES TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Human Resources
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO FORWARD THE CONTROLLER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR HUMAN RESOURCES TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Severino asked for a deadline for a report on the proposal for legal services. Comm. Nolan stated this Committee should vote on the proposal. Chairperson DeLeon stated this Committee will vote on the recommendation. Mr. Myers also stated this Committee will vote on his proposal.
Chairperson Thomas stated there is an interest on behalf of the ad hoc committee that the Controller and Mr. Cohl be allowed to work out an agreement. Chairperson DeLeon and Comm. Nolan stated they would like to see the proposal at this Committee’s October 2 meeting. Mr. Cohl stated he will do his best to reach an agreement with the Controller.
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO TABLE THE VOTE ON THE CONTRACT TERMINATION UNTIL THIS COMMITTEE’S OCTOBER 2, 2007 MEETING. MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Soule voting NO.
Chairperson Thomas stated he does not agree with the above motion.
12. Board Referrals
a.
Resolution from
b.
Resolution from
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements
The Committee returned to agenda item one.
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF RAY RUSTEM TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. COPEDGE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF STEVEN DUNNINGS TO THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Lindsey informed the Committee that he has been appointed as interim Human Resources Director. He will assume this position upon Mr. Hailey’s retirement from the County. Mr. Lindsey further stated he sees this position as an opportunity for positive changes within the County. He then thanked the Committee for its confidence and support in his abilities.
Comm. Copedge stated the Equal Opportunity Commission is very pleased with the information it received from Mr. Lindsey. He then stated Mr. Lindsey has been a jewel to the Commission.
The Committee thanked Mr. Myers for his efforts on the 2008 Budget.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff