Amended 4/3/07
COUNTY SERVICES
March 20, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Debbie DeLeon, Todd Tennis, Dale Copedge, Deb Nolan, Mike Severino, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Matthew Myers, Jared Cypher, Harold Hailey, John Neilsen, Jack Restuccia, Rich McNulty, Brian Collins, Bob Moore, Shirley Rodgers, Joseph Guenther, John Midgley, Kathryn Hoves, Calvin Jones, Larry Smith, Debbie Miller, Paul Pratt, Pat Lindemann and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 7:05 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Additions to the Agenda
2. Fair Board – Substitute Resolution Approving Thomas Edman
9. EOC – Resolution to Modify the Current Hiring Process under the Equal Opportunity Employment Plan – Pulled from the Agenda
4b. Additional Information
8. Late – Resolution to Approve a Deficit Elimination Plan for the Drain GIS Study Fund
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3. Parks Department
a. Resolution to Adopt the Ingham County Parks Facility Master Plan
b. Resolution Reauthorizing an Application to the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources for a Land and water Conservation Fund Grant to Develop a Snow Tubing Hill at Hawk Island County Park
6a. Human Resources – Resolution Reclassifying the Board Coordinator Position to the Managerial 11 Classification
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Limited Public Comment
Debbie Miller,Vice Chair of the Ingham County Fair Board, stated she was present to officially recommend Thomas Edman as Manager of the Fair. She then explained the selection process. The Fair Board commends Mr. Myers and the Commissioners who participated in this process.
Comm. Nolan asked why William Matt is no longer recommended. Mr. Myers stated Mr. Matt was offered the Fair Manager position; however, Mr. Matt turned down the offer. Mr. Edman was next on the selection list.
2. Fair Board - Substitute Resolution Approving the Appointment of Thomas Edman as the Manager of the Ingham County Fair
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF THOMAS EDMAN AS THE MANAGER OF THE INGHAM COUNTY FAIR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Interviews
a. Housing Commission
The Committee interviewed the following individuals for a position on the Housing Commission:
Jim McEvoy
Darling Garcia
Keven Kiefer
b. Equal Opportunity Committee
The Committee interviewed the following applicants for a position on the Equal Opportunity Committee:
Darling Garcia and Linda Walker-Cole
(Comm. Dougan left the meeting at 7:29 p.m.)
3. Zoo Agreement with the City of Lansing
MOVED BY COMM.NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO A CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LANSING FOR THE LEASE AND OPERATION OF THE POTTER PARK ZOO AND POTTER PARK.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item. Mr. McNulty stated the Lansing City Council and Mayor Bernero are supportive of the Agreement as written. He then highlighted various aspects of the Agreement and addressed questions from the Committee.
Comm. Severino commended the County Attorney’s Office, Commissioners and the Controller’s Office on their efforts in this matter. He then expressed his concern that this matter was placed on the agenda as a late item. Mr. McNulty explained the reason for this being a late item. Comm. Severino stated he understood the explanation.
Chairperson DeLeon addressed maintenance and repairs. This Committee should receive any repair and purchase requests until the County assumes the lease of the Zoo.
Mr. Myers commended Mr. Neilsen for his efforts on behalf of this issue.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Dougan
4. Road Commission
a. Report on 2007 Budget
Copies of the Ingham County Road Commission 2007 Approved Budget were distributed to the Committee. Mr. Smith reviewed information contained in the Budget. Questions of the Committee were addressed by Mr. Smith, Ms. Hoves, Mr. Midgley and Ms. Rodgers.
8. Drain Office – Resolution to Approve a Deficit Elimination Plan for the Drain GIS Study Fund
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A DEFICIT ELIMINATION PLAN FOR THE DRAIN GIS STUDY FUND.
Chairperson DeLeon stated the Commissioner who wanted this item pulled from the Consent Agenda has left the meeting. Chairperson Thomas stated the Commissioner’s
concern regarded the item being presented late. He then suggested if an item comes up late, it should be placed on the agenda as an informational item. The Committee would take action on the item at its next meeting.
Comm. Nolan asked who would receive the special assessment funds. Mr. Lindemann stated the Road Commission will receive those funds. He then addressed various questions from the Committee.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding drain projects. Chairperson DeLeon stated she will ask Lansing Township to appear before this Committee to report on how they plan to use the County funds captured under our DDA agreement.
Mr. Cypher apologized for this item being placed on the agenda late. It was overlooked.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Dougan
4b. Road Commission - Discussion on Increasing the Number of Members Serving on the Ingham County Road Commission
Chairperson DeLeon stated the Committee needs to review the pros and cons of adding members to the Road Commission. Comm. Tennis stated the County currently has three impressive members. He then stated he believes a larger commission would not function as efficiently as the current Commission. Chairperson Thomas agreed. Comm. Severino stated the current members work well together.
Ms. Rodgers stated the current members work together cohesively. She suggested the Committee try to find a person who will work with the current members if they choose to increase membership. She then stated there is pending legislation which would allow road commissions to be eliminated and their business would then be handled by Boards of Commissioners.
Mr. Smith asked that this Committee include the Road Commission in future discussions regarding this matter.
Comm. Tennis requested information regarding the extra costs associated with adding members to the Road Commission.
This discussion continued. Ms. Rodgers stated the Road Commission is willing to provide a presentation to this Committee regarding current and future road projects.
Chairperson DeLeon asked how the Committee would like to handle this issue. Comm. Tennis suggested a draft resolution be placed on a future agenda. Mr. Cypher stated this Committee may act on the resolution the same evening as the required Public Hearing.
Comm. Nolan suggested this issue be reviewed by the Democratic caucus. Comm. Severino stated this Committee should consider the qualifications of new members. Chairperson Thomas suggested staff draft qualification guidelines for future Road Commission interviews. He asked Mr. Myers to work with Ms. Bennett to determine a date for a Board Leadership meeting.
Chairperson Deleon stated the Road Commission should be invited to the discussions regarding the possible increase in Road Commissioners.
6b. Human Resources – Information – MAP/Sheriff Deputies 312 Arbitration Award
Mr. Hailey updated the Committee regarding the arbitration process. The County received a favorable decision from the Arbitrator. This agreement expires in December 2007. Mr. Myers further explained why this was such a long process. The County offered the union more than the arbitrator approved.
7. Board Referrals
a. Resolution from Windsor Charter Township Approving the Plan to Move all Elections Back to the Township
b. Notice of Public Hearing form the Charter Township of Meridian Regarding the Special Use Permit #07021
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Public Comment: None
Announcements
Chairperson DeLeon apologized to the Committee for the numerous changes to the agenda.
The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff