Approved 2/15/05
COUNTY SERVICES
February 1, 2005
Minutes
Members Present: Victor Celentino, Dale Copedge, Debbie DeLeon, Andy Schor, Mike Severino, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Harold Hailey, Jerry Ambrose, Janeil Valentine, Eric Schertzing, Bob Moore, Stacy Sheridan, Kirk Martin and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Celentino at 7:00 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the January 18, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 18 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Copedge
Additions to the Agenda
4. Substitute Resolution
11. Capital Region Airport Authority – Memorandum in Response to Ody Norkin’s “10 points to oppose Delta Airlines”
Limited Public Comment
Mr. Martin thanked the Committee for its consideration of his application for appointment to the Economic Development Commission. He then distributed additional information relating to his application.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
2. Parks Board – Resolution Authorizing an Appropriation to Establish an Irrigation Well at Hawk Island County Park
3. Treasurer – Resolution Supporting a Request for Technical Assistance from the Genesee Institute in Implementing a Land Bank Authority
5a. Human Resources Department – Resolution to Reorganize Staffing at the Human Resources Department
6b. Board of Commissioners – Resolution Setting a Public Hearing for the Webberville Annexation Proposal
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Copedge
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Copedge
(Comm. Copedge arrived at 7:03 p.m.)
1. Board Presentations/Appointments – Agricultural Farmland Preservation Board Interviews
The Committee interviewed the following applicants for positions on the Agricultural Preservation Board:
Carroll Wamhoff - Agricultural Gary Haynes - Agricultural
Dallas Henney - Agricultural Steven Lott - Township
Melinda George Jeffrey – Real Estate Christina Jordan-Foreman - Public
Paul Kindel - Conservation
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ABOVE APPLICANTS TO THE POSITIONS AS SPECIFIED ABOVE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Vickers thanked Stacy Sheridan for her efforts to keep people informed of this process. Chairperson Celentino also commended Ms. Sheridan for her efforts.
4. Purchasing Department – Substitute Resolution to Amend the Purchasing Policies to Include a Provision for Local Purchasing Preference
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE PURCHASING POLICIES TO INCLUDE A PROVISION FOR LOCAL PURCHASING PREFERENCE.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item. Chairperson Grebner expressed his concern that a verifiable business address be provided by all potential vendors. The address should be the physical address at which a vendor conducts business. Mr. Ambrose stated staff identifies a registered local vendor’s business address as a business within the County boundaries. This would be a verifiable physical address at which business is being conducted by the vendor.
Mr. Ambrose suggested the Committee implement the Substitute Policy and request a review of the Policy at the end of the year to determine its effectiveness. Staff would report its findings back to this Committee.
Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern regarding the eighth BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph of the Substitute Resolution. Mr. Ambrose stated the paragraph could be clarified to indicate staff would go with the lowest local vendor bid within 5% percent of the lowest responsive bid. If a tie occurs, the proposal could be re-bid. Comm. DeLeon then stated there may be more opportunities for local vendors to submit bids if the threshold was set under $15,000. Ms. Valentine stated the Purchasing Department works very hard to get proposals to the local vendors. Mr. Ambrose repeated his suggestion that the Policy be implemented as amended and then determine its effectiveness after one year.
This discussion continued. Comm. Vickers stated he is comfortable with the Substitute Resolution as written. Chairperson Celentino stated staff could submit amendments from tonight’s meeting at this Committee’s next meeting.
Commissioners Schor and Severino withdrew their motion and support to approve the Substitute Resolution.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO TABLE THIS MATTER UNTIL THIS COMMITTEE’S NEXT REGULAR MEETING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Ambrose stated staff would clarify the language regarding the local vendor business address, clarify the re-bid process and determine how a cap would work with the Policy. He will provide information on these issues at the next meeting.
Comm. DeLeon expressed her appreciation to Mr. Hudgins and Ms. Valentine for their efforts on this issue. She then expressed her concern that the Policy be comprehensive to avoid any confusion when new staff enters the Purchasing Department in the future.
6a. Board of Commissioners – Discussion Item – Formation of a Subcommittee on Board Rules
Chairperson Celentino explained his recommendation to form a subcommittee to address possible changes to the Board Rules. This process would take a great amount of Committee time. Therefore, it would be appropriate to form a subcommittee.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENTS OF COMMS. SCHOR, SEVERINO AND VICKERS TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON BOARD RULES.
Chairperson Grebner would be an ex-officio member of the subcommittee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Clinton County – Letter Regarding the Capital City Airport
Chairperson Celentino stated the Board has had ongoing discussions to persuade Eaton and Clinton Counties to participate fully in the Capital Region Airport Authority. A letter should be sent to the Authority regarding Clinton County’s letter of interest, dated January 25, 2005. Clinton County agrees that expanding the governance and funding base of the Authority should include Eaton and Clinton Counties. Chairperson Celentino then suggested the discussions be reconvened with Eaton and Clinton Counties and the City of Lansing.
Mr. Ambrose stated Clinton County’s letter of interest is a small step, but is an official step by them to participate in the Authority. Ingham County should be thankful for their interest. Mr. Ambrose then stated he was sorry Eaton County does not feel the same as Clinton County regarding this matter.
The Committee discussed this issue further. Chairperson Celentino stated the goal of this County is to gain full participation in the Authority by Eaton and Clinton Counties. The Authority would like to resolve this matter so language could be placed on a ballot in 2006.
Comm. Severino stated accepting Clinton County’s offer would place pressure on Eaton County. Chairperson Grebner stated he was very pleased to receive Clinton County’s offer for participation in the Authority.
Chairperson Celentino stated a copy of Clinton County’s letter should be sent to the Authority as well as a letter from this County seeking their input. The parties to the ongoing discussions should reconvene to discuss this issue further. The Committee consented to this action.
8. Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau – Quarterly Report
Chairperson Celentino stated the Bureau would be before this Committee in March. The Report was received and placed on file.
9. Arts Council of Greater Lansing – Grant Administrator’s Report
Mr. Ambrose stated this Report was being provided per this Committee’s request. The Arts Council will also be before this Committee in March.
The Report was received and placed on file.
10. Board Referral – Letter from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Regarding On-Site Monitoring Report for the Ingham County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) #MSC-2002-0552-HO
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
5b. Human Resources Department – Closed Session – Discussion on Labor Relations
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO ENTER INTO A CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING LABOR RELATIONS. MOTION APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: ALL YEAS.
The Committee entered a Closed Session at this time.
The Committee returned to Regular Session at this time.
Announcements
The Committee briefly discussed the possibility of changing the start time of the County Services’ meetings. After this discussion, Chairperson Celentino stated the start time would remain the same.
Public Comment: None
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff