Amended 10/17/06
COUNTY SERVICES
October 3, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Andy Schor, Debbie DeLeon, Dianne Holman, Dale Copedge, Mike Severino, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jared Cypher, Harold Hailey, Ed Dore, Rick Terrill, Dr. Sienko, Bruce Johnston, Donna Rummel, Rodney Taylor and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 7:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the September 19, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 19 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3. Housing Commission – Resolution Authorizing a Lease Agreement with Cingular Wireless to Construct a 130’ Stealth Flag Pole on Housing Commission Designated Property
4. Health Department – Resolution to Authorize a 2006-2007 Federal Abstinence Grant program Grant
5. Management Information Systems
a. Resolution Authorizing a Contract with AT&T for Local and Long Distance Telephone Service
b. Overnight Travel
6. Facilities
a. Resolution Requesting Contingency Funds to Purchase Five LifePak Defibrillators
b. Resolution Authorizing the Purchase and Installation of an Emergency Generator at the Ingham County Jail and the Transfer of Funds to Complete the Project
7. Board of Commissioners – Resolution of Support to Designate the Old US 27 Highway a Historic Route
8. Controller/Administrator’s Office – Third Quarter 2006 Budget Adjustments and Contingency Fund Update and Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2006 Ingham County Budget
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Presentations
a. Youth Commission Interviews
The Committee interviewed Keliah Davis and Khadijah Ellis for positions on the Ingham County Youth Commission.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENTS OF KELIAH DAVIS AND KHADIJAH ELLIS TO THE INGHAM COUNTY YOUTH COMMISSION AND TO REAPPOINT MORGAN QUINNEY TO THE INGHAM COUNTY YOUTH COMMISSION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Equal Opportunity Committee Interviews
The Committee interviewed A’Lynne Robinson for a position on the Equal Opportunity Committee.
MOVED BY COMM. COPEDGE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF A’LYNNE ROBINSON TO THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Fair Board – Resolution Adopting the Revised By-Laws of the Ingham County Fair Board
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE REVISED BY-LAWS OF THE INGHAM COUNTY FAIR BOARD.
Chairperson Schor asked if many people speak during public comment at the Fair Board meetings. Comm. Vickers stated the public was very involved in the meetings prior to his time on the Fair Board. Chairperson Schor then asked if the Fair Board will be flexible with the three minute time limit on public comment. Comm. Vickers stated the Fair Board will be flexible. The Fair Board changed the public comment time limit in order to be consistent with other County boards.
Comm. Holman requested clarification regarding the written report that is required of the Executive Director at each meeting. She stated that seems excessive. Comm. Vickers explained the Fair Board meets once per month. The Director provides a three to five minute report on what has been happening at the Fair grounds since the last meeting.
Chairperson Schor stated there is a grammatical error in Article 2; Section 7; subsection 2. The term “from” should be deleted.
In response to Comm. DeLeon, Comm. Vickers explained that item seven of the same Article and Section remains in the By-Laws as a reminder to the people that they should follow County policies. Comm. DeLeon stated this Committee recently approved a resolution which details what is expected of its appointees to all the County boards and commissions. Chairperson Schor concurred and asked that staff review those duties to determine if they should be included in the By-Laws.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5b. Management Information Systems – Overnight Travel
(This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.)
Chairperson Schor asked if the overnight travel request was to be approved by this Committee prior to the travel. Mr. Taylor stated he was supposed to seek this Committee’s pre-approval; however, he inadvertently violated the County’s policy regarding travel.
Mr. Taylor further explained that the employee was going to drive to the conference each day from his home. After further investigation, he discovered that it would be cheaper for him to drive to the conference and stay overnight.
5c. Management Information Systems – Wireless Update
Mr. Taylor explained that he continues to pursue the Countywide Wireless solution due the amount of interest expressed in the matter. He then stated he hosted a meeting on this issue, along with Ms. Pigg, on September 13 and 14. The exploratory meetings were held with community leaders to determine their concerns, issues and desires related to the County pursuing a Countywide wireless solution.
Between the two meetings, approximately 30 people attended from cities, townships, villages, downtown development authorities and school districts. Mr. Taylor explained the primary goal of the meetings was to obtain feedback from the local communities. He then stated the comments were extremely positive. It appears there is a lot of desire to move forward. Ms. Pigg will compile the feedback from the meetings and make them available.
Mr. Taylor stated he is also planning to release a survey to citizens to gather more information. This will be a pared down version of the 2003 Red Team survey and will help to gather additional information about the state of interest of internet access in the County. Once these steps are completed, Mr. Taylor stated he would come back to this Committee. The goal at that time will be to formally decide whether we should move forward with the Countywide wireless initiative.
Chairperson Schor thanked Mr. Taylor for his work on this issue. He then asked if the Committee will receive the results of the Red Team survey. Mr. Taylor stated this Committee will receive the results. Chairperson Schor also asked if any of the local jurisdictions are providing the wireless service. Mr. Taylor stated Williamston and Williamstown Township believe the County could provide the wireless service at a cheaper rate than their jurisdictions. The City of Lansing is conducting its own investigation into this issue while watching what this County does. Aurelius Township is paying a vendor to provide the service to a portion of the Township.
Comm. Copedge asked about the costs that may be associated with the service. Mr. Taylor stated the service may cost the residents $20.00 per month. Aurelius Township charges its residents $30 to $40 per month for the service.
Mr. Dore stated he is glad that Mr. Taylor is approaching this issue carefully. Mr. Taylor explained this issue boils down to a business model. Comm. Severino asked if the County could compete with the levels of speed currently available to the residents. Mr. Taylor explained that networks which are currently being installed are faster than dial up systems. If the County moves forward with this service, the speed will depend on the selected vendor. He further stated the County would have to offer a speed that is competitive with the current market.
Comm. Holman expressed her concern that the County may promote a monopoly by providing wireless service. Mr. Taylor stated the County will have to determine if it wants to pursue the service.
Announcements
The Committee will meet on its scheduled date (election night) for a light agenda. Comm. Vickers stated he may not be present for the meeting.
Chairperson Schor informed the Committee that he presented this Committee’s position regarding the search for a new Health Director to the Human Services Committee. The Human Services Committee will be responsible for conducting the interview process. The Commissioners are invited to attend the interviews, as well as a member of the Equal Opportunity Committee. This will be an open process.
Chairperson Schor stated he would like to address the Committee regarding two Fair Board issues. The first issue involves the handling of complaints. He stated a complaint regarding the Fair should be handled like any other constituent complaint.
Comm. Severino stated he doesn’t want to dismiss the seriousness of this issue. He then stated his concern that this Committee was not informed of the recent complaint. Chairperson Schor explained that he has made it clear to staff that when there is an issue involving a Board of Commissioners’ appointee, the Board should be informed. The actual incident and the process are two different issues.
Comm. Vickers agreed with Chairperson Schor and Comm. Severino’s position on the matter. He then stated the ultimate goal was that Under Sheriff Myers was satisfied with the resolution of the complaint. The Fair Board member involved in the complaint is remorseful.
Chairperson Schor informed the Committee that the Fair Board has recommended the termination of the Executive Director. This Committee will discuss this recommendation at its next meeting. Mr. Hailey stated the County Attorney has advised that if this Committee wishes to discuss the recommendation in closed session, it should consult him first.
Mr. Dore stated the County Attorney is reviewing the Board of Commissioners’ responsibility regarding this issue. The Committee held a general discussion regarding this matter. Chairperson Schor stated he would address the full Board regarding this matter. He then stated this Committee should receive copies of evaluations of its appointees. Staff should look into this matter.
Comm. Copedge thanked staff for assisting him with his email problem. He then informed the Committee that Jackson County removed its appointee to the Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission. The individual has been attending the Mid-South meetings and recording the proceedings. Comm. Copedge further stated the individual has indicated he would attend a Board of Commissioners’ meeting.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff