Approved 3/1/05
COUNTY SERVICES
February 15, 2005
Minutes
Members Present: Victor Celentino, Dale Copedge, Debbie DeLeon, Andy Schor, Mike Severino and Don Vickers
Members Absent: Board Chairperson Mark Grebner
Others Present: Harold Hailey, Jerry Ambrose, Bob Moore, Rodney Taylor, Janeil Valentine, Jim Hudgins, David Easterday, Jean McDonald, Doug Stover, Larry Smith, John Midgley, John Coleman, Kaye Bratten, Bruce Johnston and Steve Hayward
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Celentino at 7:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 1, 205 Minutes and the February 1, 2005 Executive Session Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 1 MINUTES AND THE FEBRUARY 1 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
Additions to the Agenda
4. Additional Information
11. Human Resource Department: Request for a Sixty-Day Leave of Absence
12. Human Resource Department: Compensation for New Employee Request
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Economic Development Corporation – Interviews
The Committee interviewed the following applicants for vacant positions on the Economic Development Corporation Board:
Patricia Driscoll-White Terry Arndt
Darrell Place Scott Clark
Chairperson Celentino informed the applicants that the Committee will make its appointment recommendations prior to the next Board meeting. Mr. Ambrose stated the EDC is requesting a balance of members from each category. After further discussion, the Committee made the following motions:
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF SCOTT CLARK TO THE LABOR POSITION ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF KIRK MARTIN TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the composition of the EDC. Mr. Ambrose stated staff will determine which categories on the EDC are vacant. Comm. Vickers expressed his concern that another month will pass before a vacant position is filled on the EDC Board.
COMM. SCHOR WITHDREW HIS MOTION.
MOTION DIED DUE TO LACK OF SUPPORT. Absent: Comm. Severino
Comm. DeLeon stated she agrees that further information is needed before this Committee can make appropriate appointment recommendations.
Chairperson Celentino stated this Committee will make the remaining appointments at its next regular meeting on March 1, 2005.
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3b. Housing Commission – Resolution Accepting a 2004 Community Development Block Grant Funding from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in the Amount of $243,900
5. Circuit Court – Resolution Authorizing a Change in the Circuit Court Position #CIRCRT01 Effective March 15, 2005
6. Clerk’s Office – Resolution to Authorize Application for a Grant to Purchase an Optical Scan Voting System to Comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
7. Treasurer’s Office – Resolution to Set Policy for Certain Delinquent Tax Payments
9. Board of Commissioners – Resolution Honoring June Pallottini
11. Human Resource Department - Request for a Sixty-Day Leave of Absence
12. Human Resource Department - Compensation for New Employee Request
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
4. Road Commission – Discussion Item – Cul-De-Sacs
Chairperson Celentino stated this item is before this Committee as requested by former Comm. Nevin in December 2004.
Ms. McDonald stated the biggest complaint received by the Road Commission regards snow removal on cul-de-sacs. It is very difficult to efficiently remove snow from those areas. A recent plan received from a developer contained seven cul-de-sacs. The Road Commission’s new policy asserts that cul-de-sacs are banned in new developments unless a variance is approved by the Road Commission Board. Ms. McDonald further stated the Road Commission has received only one cul-de-sac request which met the requirements for a variance.
Comm. Schor asked if the policy contained a statement as to when a variance may be issued. Ms. McDonald stated she would supply the Committee with a copy of the policy. This discussion continued.
Ms. McDonald updated the Committee regarding the Okemos Road project. This Project will commence in June of this year and will be completed prior to the start of the 2005/06 school year. She advised the Committee that if they receive any complaints regarding this Project, they should notify the Road Commission. A Public Hearing regarding the Project will be held April 7, 2005.
Chairperson Celentino thanked the Road Commission for providing the above information.
(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:43 p.m.)
2. Presentation – Kaye Bratten – NACO Membership Benefits
Ms. Bratten spoke regarding her background as it relates to NACO. She then provided the Committee with folders which contained various information regarding NACO. Ms. Bratten reviewed a pamphlet titled Ten Reasons to Join NACO. The ten reasons are:
1. Lobbying: NACo represents Counties in Washington
2. Conferences – NACo’s legislative and Annual Conferences are the best place to acquire information to make informed decisions and to network with peers.
3. Enterprise Services – such as deferred compensation, retirement and financial planning are offered
4. County News – This bi-weekly publication keeps counties updated regarding the latest developments in counties around the nation.
5. Networking with Other County Officials
6. Technical Assistance/Training/Workshops
7. Research/Information – NACo’s staff researches and provides information to counties regarding homeland security, environmental programs, welfare-to-work initiatives and a multitude of other subjects.
8. NACo Web Site/Publications – www.naco.org
9. Access to National Leaders
10. NACo Promotes County Government
Comm. Schor expressed his appreciation to Ms. Bratten for making the trip to Michigan for this presentation. He then asked various questions about NACo. Ms. Bratten responded to those questions. She stated that one way in which counties can provide input on various issues to NACo is by serving on a NACo committee. A county could also write a statement to a NACo steering committee chairperson regarding a specific issue. Information could also be given to a State official who would then provide such information to NACo. Counties can also provide information via NACo’s website. Ms. Bratten stated NACo does want to hear from the counties.
Chairperson Celentino thanked Ms. Bratten for her informative presentation.
3a. Housing Commission – Presentation
Mr. Johnston reviewed the information contained in the agenda packet. Fifty-seven homes throughout Ingham County have received grant funding since 1999. In 2003-04, ten downtown apartment buildings were renovated. Currently, all funds disbursed for homeowner rehabilitation are in the form of 0% interest loans, payable upon sale of the home, when the home is no longer being used as a single family residence or there is a transfer of title.
All funds disbursed to building owners in the rental rehabilitation program are in the form of a grant that is forgiven by MSHDA if the landlords rent to people below 80% of the county median income level for a period of at least five years. Building owners must also provide 25% of the total cost of the renovation project.
Mr. Johnson stated the housing and rental rehabilitation projects are conducted in the Mason area. The current grant which the Housing Commission is applying for would target apartments within Mason.
In response to Comm. DeLeon, Mr. Johnston stated the Housing Commission usually has a long waiting list for rehabilitation funds. If a person is not funded through one program, the Commission encourages the person to reapply for another program. In regard to Comm. DeLeon’s question regarding the ethnic breakdown of grant recipients, Mr. Johnston stated all recipients have been white. He then stated he would appreciate receiving information as to how to effectively reach out to other ethnicities. Comm. DeLeon stated she could provide such information.
8. Controller’s Office
c. Review of Lansing Township Detailed Plan
Comm. Vickers asked if Ingham County tax dollars would be used in Clinton County. Mr. Hayward stated there remains a lot of uncertainty regarding the proposed project. Ingham County tax dollars may be used in Clinton County. If this happens, Clinton County would be responsible for the maintenance of such property. Mr. Hayward addressed additional questions from the Committee regarding the proposed projects. Mr. Ambrose asked when Lansing Township would begin work on the Coleman Road project. Mr. Hayward explained that as soon as some property-owner issues have been resolved, the project will commence.
Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern that the current project list does not contain any additional information from the first list. Mr. Hayward stated the Township still does not know many of the projects’ details.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO REQUEST THAT LANSING TOWNSHIP PROVIDE WRITTEN VERIFICATION THAT INGHAM COUNTY TAX DOLLARS WILL NOT BE SPENT OUTSIDE OF THIS COUNTY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
d. Resolution Authorizing Participation in Tri-County Planning Aerial Digital Mapping Flight
Mr. Ambrose explained the Resolution requests approval to participate in the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission aerial mapping project for the region. The total cost of the mapping project is $235,000, or $78,000 per county. Clinton and Eaton counties have each appropriated $78,000 toward the project. Local jurisdictions, the State of Michigan, and several County departments have committed nearly $65,000 toward the cost of the Ingham County portion. Approximately $14,000 remains unfunded. This Committee is being requested to authorize an appropriation from the Contingency Fund in the amount of up to $20,000. Mr. Ambrose explained the increase from $14,000 to up to $20,000 was made due to the tentative nature of the project.
Mr. Taylor, MIS Department, stated verbal funding commitments have been made for the project. Some of these commitments may fall through.
Comm. Severino asked if the Drain Office was planning the same type of mapping project. Mr. Ambrose explained the Tri-County Mapping Flight will provide more extensive information. Tri-County’s project will complement the Drain Office’s project. Mr. Ambrose further stated he did not know when the Drain project would be completed. Also, there is a sense from a number of County departments that this project should move forward.
Comm. Schor expressed his concern regarding a possible duplication of projects. Mr. Coleman, Tri-County Regional Planning, explained its planned mapping project will provide the same type of information. However, the additional mapping will provide seamless imaging. He further stated local municipalities were not present during the initial discussions. Mr. Taylor stated the municipalities could be contacted prior to the County signing a contract for the project in an effort to obtain additional funding.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE TRI-COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF DIGITAL AERIAL MAPS IN COORDINATION WITH OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS.
Comm. DeLeon requested the Committee be updated regarding the effort to obtain funding from the local municipalities. Mr. Coleman stated this Committee will receive those updates.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the Drain Office’s mapping project. Comm. Vickers stated the County does need aerial maps. However, he does not know that the County needs two or three sets of maps. Mr. Ambrose explained that Mr. Stover, Equalization Department, sees a benefit of the project for his office.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
e. Resolution to Amend the Purchasing Policies to Include a Provision for Local Purchasing Preference
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE PURCHASING POLICIES TO INCLUDE A PROVISION FOR LOCAL PURCHASING PREFERENCE.
Mr. Ambrose stated the Amended Resolution was prepared in accordance with this Committee’s discussion at its previous meeting. The amendments clarify language regarding a verifiable business location and clarifies that in the event of more than one bid or proposal being received from an RLV, that the RLV with the lowest bid or proposal be given the opportunity to meet or be less than the lowest non-RLV.
The Resolution does not include a cap on the dollar amount in addition to the 5%. Since the preference opportunity being given is for the RLV to meet or be less than the low bid, the dollar amount of the variance would not seem to be critical.
Comm. Copedge expressed his concern that there should be consideration for a first-time bidder in the event of a tie between two bidders. Mr. Ambrose stated he was sorry that he did not remember a previous discussion regarding this subject. Chairperson Celentino stated he did not believe staff was given direction by this Committee to address this issue. Comm. Schor explained there are pros and cons to allowing consideration for first-time bidders. Ms. Valentine and Mr. Hudgins explained the Purchasing Department rarely receives tie bids.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
a. Long Term Financial Planning – Overview
Mr. Ambrose stated all liaison committees have received this information. He then explained that as part of planning for future years’ expenditures and priorities, staff is developing a five-year financial projection for continuing current services and for addressing areas of priority emphasis. Further discussions regarding this plan will be held during the 2006 budget process
b. Long Term Financial Planning – Parks
Mr. Ambrose stated the financial overview of the Non-Motorized Pathway Connector was provided to this Committee for its review. This information will be helpful in developing a long-term financial plan for Parks. This Connector is consistent with the priorities of the Board of Commissioners.
Announcements
Mr. Ambrose distributed the 2004 Supplier Diversity Report to the Committee for its review.
Public Comment
Mr. Clark, agenda item one, thanked the Committee for its consideration of his application to the EDC Board. He also thanked the Committee for its recommendation to appoint him to the EDC Board.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff