Approved 3/16/04
COUNTY SERVICES
Members Present: Chris Swope, Marc Thomas, Debbie DeLeon, Curtis Hertel and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Mike Severino and John Nevin
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, Bob Moore, Donna Rummel, Paul Kindel, Val Droght, Christine Timmons, John Veenstra, Stacy Sheridan, Dallas Hennesy and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Swope at 7:07 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 17, 2004 and February 3, 2004 Closed Session Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 17 AND FEBRUARY 3 CLOSED SESSION MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Nevin
Additions to the Agenda
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons informed the Committee of the State and Federal regulations which deal with non-discrimination. She stated a person's sexual orientation is not a protected class.
Mr. Veenstra expressed his support for agenda item number two. He then expressed his concern that the County not pay an excessive price for the development rights. This program is a good way to establish a green belt around the urban areas in this community.
Mr. Kindel expressed his concerns regarding the proposed extension of the River Trail. The County should consider the costs and neighborhood concerns when dealing with this proposed extension.
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3c. Parks Board - Resolution Authorizing an Application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant to Develop a Spray Water Playground at Hawk Island County Park
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Nevin
The Committee interviewed the following individuals for a position on the Equal Opportunity Committee:
Mychael Dianne Palmer
Jenita Moore
Dale Copedge
Comm. DeLeon stated the three candidates are wonderful and there is only one vacancy on the EOC. She expressed her hope that County Services can work to ensure the County does not lose the interest of the three applicants. A possible suggestion would be to have alternates for some Commissions.
The Committee interviewed Ashley Starr for a vacancy on the Ingham County Youth Commission.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF ASHLEY STARR TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Nevin
Ms. Sheridan stated the PDR Work Group (Group) has worked on the issue of purchasing development rights for the past two years. This effort has involved a lot of time and many discussions with people related to this issue. Most of the Townships within this County have expressed their interest in this Program. The Lansing City Council passed a resolution supporting farmland preservation.
Ms. Sheridan then reviewed the Selection Criteria and the Administration of the Program. The Selection Criteria is the process used to determine which farms will be preserved under this Program. Administration of the Program involves a seven-member board which reviews the applications and scores them according to the Selection Criteria.
Ms. Sheridan explained that farms in this Program would only be restricted from actions which threaten the agricultural aspect of the farm. Areas of potential growth are not considered for the Program. Only large pieces (40 acres) or contiguous pieces of agricultural land will be considered for preservation.
The next step in the Program's process is to hold focus group meetings. Once these meetings have taken place, the Program will be rolled out. The Group will also present the Board of Commissioners with an ordinance for their consideration. This ordinance will not obligate the County to any funding of this Program. The Program receives funding from the State and Federal governments. The funding mechanism involves a 25% land owner donation. The 25% is based on a property's appraisal.
In response to Comm. Hertel, Ms. Sheridan stated conversion fees are applied at the State level. Comm. Hertel stated he understands the Program will require a nominal fee from a land owner who sells his property for the purpose of community growth. Comm. Hertel commended the Group for their efforts on this matter.
The Committee discussed this item further. Ms. Sheridan stated the Group hopes to finish the focus groups in March and to submit the ordinance language to the Board of Commissioners in April. This Committee will be informed of the dates for the focus group meetings.
Comm. Hertel asked when tickets would be issued to park visitors for after-hours violations. Mr. Moore stated tickets would be issued one and a half hours after sunset.
Mr. Moore provided the Committee with the proposed amendments from the Parks Board. Those changes are as follows:
Section 3. Park Hours
A. All parks under the jurisdiction of the County shall be open at one half hour before sunrise for pedestrian access, 8:00 a.m. for vehicle access, and close one half hour after sunset UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED OR unless permission has been granted by the County or its designated representative.
(When the statement "unless otherwise posted" is removed from Section 3A there is no simple method for making an exception to the rule as it relates to the Lake Lansing North Boat Launch. The County Attorney suggests that any exceptions should be clarified in the text of the Rules, or the "unless otherwise posted" provision should be restored.)
Section 4. Conduct on Park Property
No person shall introduce an exotic species into County Park lands and waters, except as authorized by the Parks Board. Exotic species are defined as "All species of plants and animals not native to Michigan.
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION MODIFYING THE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE INGHAM COUNTY PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS AS AMENDED BY THE PARKS BOARD. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION TO THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR A NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND GRANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIVER TRAIL-SOUTH.
Comm. Hertel asked about the concerns expressed during Limited Public Comment regarding the proposed extension of the River Trail. Mr. Moore explained that this Resolution only applies to the River Trail-South. The concerns being expressed concern a proposed extension of the east portion of the River Trail. This area will not be extended for one to two years. Mr. Moore further stated the Parks Board will have to consider issues such as costs, neighborhood concerns and other important issues before any extension is made to the east portion of the Trail.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Severino and Nevin
This Item was received and placed on file.
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons expressed her concerns regarding the EOC interviews and the issue of discrimination. She also addressed her continuing concern regarding medical fraud.
Mr. Veenstra thanked the Committee for passing the Park Rules and Regulations. He stated he still has some concerns regarding a few articles in the Rules and Regulations. Mr. Veenstra addressed those articles.
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff