Amended 2/06/07
COUNTY SERVICES
January 16, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Debbie De Leon, Todd Tennis, Dale Copedge, Deb Nolan, Mike Severino, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent:
Others Present: John Neilsen, Harold Hailey, Jared Cypher, David Easterday, Donna Rummel, Eric Schertzing, Stacy Sheridan, Ernest Wallick and Arthur Walker
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson De Leon at 7:00 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, Lansing.
Approval of the December 5, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. TENNIS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 5, 2006 MINUTES AS AMENDED.
Amendment, page 4, second to last paragraph, first sentence, “Chamber” should be “AT&T.”
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
6. Health Department – Resolution to Authorize a Reorganization within the Bureau of Health Plan Management – Item pulled from the Agenda
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
2. Treasurer
a. Resolution to Set Policy for Certain Delinquent Tax Payments
b. Resolution Authorizing a Temporary Foreclosure Prevention Assistant
3. Agricultural Preservation Board - Resolution Approving Selection Criteria (Scoring System) for Ranking Landowner Applications to the Ingham County Farmland Preservation Program and Authorizing the Ingham County Agricultural Preservation Board to Proceed with the 2007 Purchase of Developmental Rights Application Cycle
4. Circuit Court – General Trial Division – Resolution to Change the Classification of a Court Recorder Position in the Circuit Court – General Trial Division
5. Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – Resolution to Reorganize Staffing in the Prosecutor’s Office
7. Board of Commissioners – Resolution Recognizing “Black History/Cultural Diversity Month
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Presentations
a. Environmental Affairs Commission – 2005 Annual Report
Mr. Fienberg stated the 2006 report will be submitted in a timelier manner. He then reviewed the 2005 report.
The Committee accepted the 2005 Annual Report.
b. Youth Commission Interviews
The Committee interviewed the following applicants for positions on the Youth Commission:
Taylor Maklin-Sherrer Lisa Marie Mikasa
Annescia Dillard Viviana Arcia
Taylor Talbott
c. Equal Opportunity Committee – Proposed Modification to the Ingham County Job Selection Process
Mr. Wallick stated the Human Resources Department issued a survey in cooperation with the Equal Opportunity Commission to determine what improvements, if any, could be made to the current Job Selection Process. The survey indicated areas of improvement.
Mr. Wallick reviewed the Equal Opportunity Committee’s proposed modifications to the current Job Selection Process. The proposed modifications are attached to Mr. Wallick’s December 14, 2006 memorandum to this Committee. The proposed changes are contained in Section I (5) and Section II of the EOC’s attachment.
The Committee briefly discussed the proposed modifications.
Mr. Wallick and Mr. Bice reviewed their backgrounds at the request of Comm. Copedge. Comm. Nolan spoke of her positive working experience with Mr. Wallick. She then stated she wholeheartedly endorses the EOC’s proposed modifications.
Comm. Tennis stated he believes the proposed changes will ensure fairness in the hiring process. The process will also be clarified.
Mr. Hailey stated Departments have guidelines to follow regarding the hiring process. Department heads are currently required to select an applicant from the pool of candidates referred from the Human Resources Department.
Comm. Tennis asked if the added duties, resulting from the proposed changes, will increase staff duties within the Human Resources Department. Mr. Hailey stated the changes are doable; however, they will increase the duties for his staff. Mr. Hailey then expressed his concern that his Department cannot enforce the hiring process on elected officials, such as the courts.
Mr. Bice stated most organizations have one appointing authority. The County has a number of authorities. The hiring process is usually agreeable to all departments. The changes should not create problems if an organization has a good administration.
The Committee continued its discussion of this item. Mr. Neilsen stated the Board could encourage the Courts and other elected officials to follow the County’s hiring process.
Comm. Severino stated he appreciates the work of the EOC. Its proposed modifications to the hiring process are simple and objective. Implementing the changes will be a positive move for the County. In response to Comm. Severino, Mr. Hailey stated the elected officials are unaware of the proposed changes to the hiring process.
Chairperson DeLeon stated staff could draft a resolution to adopt the proposed changes for this Committee’s next meeting.
Chairperson DeLeon expressed her appreciation for the EOC’s prompt attention to this matter. Comm. Copedge stated the EOC did a great job of working through this process which resulted in a nice document that the County can implement.
Mr. Wallick stated the EOC appreciates Mr. Hailey’s efforts during this process.
1b. Youth Commission Interviews, Continued
The Committee interviewed Roslyn Hayes for a position on the Youth Commission.
Ms. Rummel stated which school each current Youth Commissioner attends at the request of Comm. Dougan.
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. TENNIS, TO APPOINT THE FOLLOWING APPLICANTS TO THE DETERMINED SLOTS:
TAYLOR TALBOTT TO THE 8/07 SLOT; LISA MARIE MIKASA TO THE 8/07 SLOT, ANNESCIA DILLARD TO THE 8/08 SLOT; AND VIVIANA ARCIA TO THE 8/08 SLOT.
MOVED SEVERINO TO SUBSTITUTE ROSLYN HAYES FOR TAYLOR TALBOTT
After some discussion, the Committee considered Comm. Severino’s proposed amendment a Friendly Amendment to the previous motion.
Chairperson Thomas stated this Committee should make a commitment to appoint Taylor Talbott to the next vacant slot on the Youth Commission. The Committee consented to appoint Taylor Talbott to the next vacant position on the Youth Commission.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Committee can indicate that vacancies will occur and that specific applicants will be appointed to those vacancies. Chairperson Thomas stated Taylor Talbott should be appointed to the first vacant position.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Treasurer
c. Resolution to Approve a Funding Request of the Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPRPOVE THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A FUNDING REQUEST OF THE INGHAM COUNTY LAND BANK FAST TRACK
Mr. Schertzing stated the Resolution requests additional funds to continue the Land Bank. The $50,000 would be funded from proceeds from fees and administrative costs generated from the Delinquent Tax Fund.
Comm. Severino asked if the Treasurer’s Office has reimbursed the General Fund for the original appropriation. Mr. Schertzing stated the original appropriation has been paid back on a monthly payment schedule.
Comm. Copedge stated the County is very fortunate to have Mr. Schertzing on the Land Bank Authority.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Public Comment: None
Announcements
Mr. Neilsen stated the Board gave staff direction in October regarding the lease for Potter Park. Currently, the County has not received a formal response from the City. We have given the City our last best final offer. This offer should be accepted by the City. This will be relayed to the City.
Chairperson Thomas stated the plan is to maintain the negotiating team. Mr. Neilsen stated the lease was sent to Mr. Ambrose in October 2006. It should have proceeded through the City’s internal process.
The Committee discussed this matter briefly. Chairperson DeLeon stated the County’s intent is to follow our staff’s current bargaining agreement. Any changes will be addressed during their next bargaining process. She further stated her goal to make the Zoo a regional authority.
Board Chairperson Thomas stated the Board should try to listen closely to what the employees are saying regarding their concerns. The Board should respect their concerns and pay attention to their morale. This is a difficult situation for the employees.
The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff