Approved 6/7/05
COUNTY SERVICES
May 17, 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, Eric Schertzing, Jared Cypher, Dan Reinecke, Paul Kindel, Christine Jordan-Foreman, John Gonzalez, Todd Pentecost, Carl Langham, Bryan Wieferiech and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Celentino at 7:03 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 5, 2005 Executive Session Minutes and the May 3, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 5 AND MAY 3 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
Additions to the Agenda
11. Late – Resolution Honoring Kenneth J. Cook
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3. Fair Board – Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the 2005 Capital Improvements Budget for Ingham County Fairgrounds
4. Parks Board – Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant to Develop a Spray Water Playground at Hawk Island County Park
6. Register of Deeds – Resolution Authorizing a Contract Amendment with Tyler Technologies, Eagle Division, Inc. to Enhance the Register of Deeds Document Recording System
8. Board of Commissioners – Resolution Honoring the Historical Commission and Centennial Subcommittee
9. Controller’s Office – Resolution Urging the Capital Region Airport Authority to Act Favorably on the Clinton County Proposal Regarding Ex-Officio Membership
11. Resolution Honoring Kenneth J. Cook
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
1. Equal Opportunity Committee – 2004 Annual Report
Mr. Reinecke reviewed the information contained in the EOC’s Annual Report. He also stated the EOC will continue to work with the Purchasing Department in an effort to increase the number of minority vendors.
(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:06 p.m.)
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO SUSPEND THE BOARD RULES TO ALLOW COMM. SEVERINO TO VOTE ON THE ABOVE MOTIONS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Severino commended Mr. Reinecke for his hard work with the EOC. Comm. Copedge commended the EOC for facilitating the requests of the County departments. Comm. DeLeon asked if the EOC reviewed the issue of promotional opportunities for minorities within the County. Mr. Reinecke stated the EOC continues to work on that issue.
Mr. Hailey stated the Human Resources Department provides the EOC with activity reports on a regular basis. These reports include information on employee movement within the County. He then stated the MIS Department must make changes to this report due to the new payroll system. The needed changes should be completed by this fall. Comm. DeLeon suggested the Human Resources Department recommend to the MIS Department that it include employee movement information in their new software.
2. Agricultural Preservation Board
a. Presentation
Comm. Hertel thanked the Agricultural Preservation Board for its assistance with the County. Mr. Kindel briefly updated the Committee on the Board’s activities. He then asked for this Committee’s approval of the Board’s Bylaws and its Request for Proposals. Mr. Kindel explained that the Board believes it will not be able to adequately implement the Farmland Preservation Ordinance without some form of technical assistance.
b. Resolution to Adopt Bylaws for the Ingham County Agricultural Preservation Board
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ADOPT BYLAWS FOR THE INGHAM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION BOARD.
In response to Comm. Severino, Mr. Kindel explained that proposed purchases of development rights would be submitted to the Board of Commissioners. Comm. Hertel stated he believes the Controller thought this matter was adequately addressed in the previously adopted resolution. Comm. Severino asked that staff review this issue prior to the next Board of Commissioners meeting.
The Committee discussed certain aspects of the Bylaws. Comm. Hertel stated the Preservation Board has not met on a regular basis recently because it has been trying to complete the purchasing process. Chairperson Celentino stated regularly scheduled meetings will resume at a later date. Changes will be made to the Bylaws at that time to reflect the new schedule.
In response to Comm. Schor’s question regarding a quorum, Ms. Forman stated a quorum of the Preservation Board is four members. Currently, the Preservation Board consists of seven members.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
c. Discussion of Ingham County Agricultural Preservation Board RFP for Technical Assistance
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Comm. Hertel explained the Preservation Board is trying to obtain State and Federal funds to assist in the implementation of the Farmland Preservation Ordinance. Mr. Cypher informed the Committee that it would only be approving the request for RFP’s this evening.
In response to Comm. Schor, Mr. Hailey explained the Controller recommended the funding for this issue come from the County’s General Fund. This matter will become a normal part of the budget process in 2006. Staff will assist in the development of the Request for Proposals.
Comm. Vickers stated Kent County passed a County-wide millage to support the purchase of development rights. Chairperson Grebner stated this County is not set up, geographically, for this type of millage. Many County residents do not see the County’s farmland in their normal daily travels. Comm. Vickers stated only a handful of people in this State work on this issue. Some of these people may be willing to provide boiler plate language for a millage. He then stated it may be possible to pass such a millage at the township level. Comm. Schor stated he hopes the Preservation Board will discuss this possibility.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Kindel stated the Preservation Board has received excellent assistance from Mr. Ambrose and Mr. Cypher.
5. Health Department – Informational Item: UAW-GM Local #602 OYC Subcontract
Chairperson Celentino stated if Commissioners have any questions about this item, they should contact Mr. Bragg.
7. Treasurer’s Office
a. Resolution to Authorize Service Contracts for the Purpose of Conducting Title Searches
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING TITLE SEARCHES.
Mr. Schertzing explained that this issue is a part of implementing the foreclosure process. Searches will be initiated soon. The Committee discussed the financial aspects of this item. Mr. Schertzing explained the Treasurer’s Office received five responses to its request. The two lowest bids were very different proposals. These two proposals meet the needs of the Office. Mr. Schertzing briefly explained the foreclosure process. He then stated the Treasurer’s Office is also exploring the idea of a Land Bank.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Resolution Authorizing a Temporary Foreclosure Prevention Assistant
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY FORECLOSURE PREVENTION ASSISTANT.
Mr. Schertzing explained the position would be in effect for approximately two months. The temporary position will provide additional work hours for the Office. Once the position has ended, staff will have to try working with the existing staff level.
Comm. Severino stated he would support this request because he has confidence in the Treasurer’s Office and knows that it will show this Committee that it has made money on this effort after a year or two.
Comm. Copedge asked how the pay level was determined for this position and why the position was filled without being posted. Mr. Hailey explained that elected officials have the opportunity to hire employees on a temporary basis.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Board Referral – Letter from the Employees of the Ingham County Road Commission Easter District Garage Regarding Health Concerns
Comm. Schor asked if the Board Office had received a response from the Road Commission regarding the May 2, 2005 email from a Road Commission (Commission) employee. Chairperson Grebner stated he received a response from the Commission and forwarded same to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners should have a copy of the response.
Mr. Gonzalez, Commission employee, expressed his hope that this Committee would investigate the safety concerns and harassment as outlined in Mr. Pentecost’s email dated May 2, 2005. He would also appreciate an investigation into the length of time the Commission took to respond to the employees’ concerns.
Comm. Schor asked if the employees followed the normal process for filing complaints with their employer. Mr. Gonzalez stated the employees did follow the recommended procedure for the filing of complaints.
Chairperson Celentino asked the employees present if they had any response to the Commission’s response, dated May 9, 2005. Mr. Pentecost, Commission employee, stated the response contained several inconsistencies. He explained that he did not decline to be seen by the Road Commission physician. The main concern of the employees’ regards the trenching of specific substances. A similar incident occurred in the recent past. Mr. Pentecost stated he does have documentation regarding his communications with the Road Commission. This information has been forwarded to the Ingham County Board Office.
Comm. Copedge stated he works for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. He further stated he has many concerns regarding the complaints of the employees. If the employees’ information is correct, the Road Commission is in direct violation of DEQ laws. Comm. Copedge asked the employees if the DEQ has investigated the issue of the trenching. Mr. Pentecost stated the MDEQ has been on-site and informed the employees to clean up the area and to not worry about same.
Comm. Vickers asked if the employees knew where the dumped sludge would end up. Mr. Pentecost stated that issue is unknown. The employees are concerned regarding the safety concerns of the continuous dumping without any culpability. Depositions from Commission employees are available regarding the hostile work environment.
Comm. Schor asked about Mr. Pentecost’s doctor appointments. Mr. Pentecost explained he made and kept an appointment with his family physician. Tests conducted through his family physician revealed some liver concerns. Mr. Pentecost’s May 2 email to the Board of Commissioner’s Office stated: “When I showed this lab report to our HR person I was sent to the company doctor on 04/18/05. To this date I cannot get an answer about testing or reports.”
Comm. DeLeon asked if the HazMat unit was asked to respond to this concern. She also asked about the employees’ union response. Mr. Pentecost explained the employees followed the Code of Conduct procedure regarding the filing of their complaints.
Chairperson Grebner suggested this Committee invite Mr. Midgley to a County Services’ meeting for a discussion regarding the employees’ concerns. This Committee is not in a position to order the Commission to appear; however, they do come before this Committee when requested to do so.
Comm. Severino stated he would be comfortable with referring to the employees as “Whistle Blowers.” The employees would be protected under the appropriate statute if referred to as “Whistle Blowers.” Comm. Vickers stated the employees wouldn’t lose anything by appearing before this Committee at the same time as the Road Commission. He then strongly advised the employees to attend the meeting when scheduled.
Chairperson Celentino stated it was the consensus of this Committee to invite both parties to the June 7, 2005 County Services meeting to address the above concerns. He then thanked the employees for bringing their concerns before the Committee this evening. Chairperson Grebner recommended the packet of employee documentation be forwarded to Mr. Midgley with his invitation.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff