Amended 6/5/07
COUNTY SERVICES
May 15, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Debbie DeLeon, Tim Soule, Dale Copedge, Deb Nolan, Mike Severino and Steve Dougan
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Matthew Myers, Harold Hailey, Tony Lindsey, Rick Terrill, Jim Hudgins, Peter Cohl, Rich McNulty, Janeil Valentine, Bob Moore and Dr. Sienko
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 7:19 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the May 1, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE MAY 1 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Minutes were amended to reflect the following:
Page Six: 5b. JEWITT changed to JEWETT
Page Six: Limited Public Comment – Housing Commission was changed to Historical
Commission
Additions to the Agenda
3. Resolution Opposing Senate Bill 220 and Letter to Michigan Legislators
4. Resolution Honoring Lucile Belen
5. Resolution Honoring Detective Mark Bowser
Limited Public Comment: None
2c. Controller’s Office – Discussion Concerning Proposition 2
Mr. Cohl stated his Office conducted extensive research regarding Proposition 2. The Proposition prohibits discrimination against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting.
Mr. Cohl reviewed the opinion, dated January 22, 2007, regarding Limited Review of the Impact of Proposition 2. He highlighted the following sections of the opinion:
Page 6, Permissible Actions, items B2 and C2
Pages 7-8, Practices Which Would Likely Be Deemed To Violate the MCRI, items 1 and 10
Pages 10-16, Application of the Above Stated “Rules” to the Resolutions, Policies, Web Pages and Requests for Proposal Language which were Subject to this Review
The Committee held a general discussion regarding the opinion. Chairperson DeLeon asked about the status of Proposition 2. Mr. Cohl explained the courts have been asked to reconsider the position on domestic partner benefits. If the Courts deny the reconsideration, the County will have to change its current practice regarding domestic partner benefits. This is the only issue being addressed by the courts at this time. Mr. Cohl also stated the Office took a straight forward approach to Proposition 2. People will eventually file lawsuits regarding the Proposition.
Mr. Myers requested clarification as to what changes, if any, the County should make in its contracts for services. Mr. McNulty explained the Purchasing Department should remove its pre-certification from the County’s website. The Board should not know the minority status, etc. of vendors until a vendor has been selected.
Comm. Copedge requested clarification regarding the benefits in the employee contracts. Mr. Cohl explained the contract language can remain the same until the courts make a decision on the domestic partner benefits issue. Comm. Copedge informed the Committee that the Equal Opportunity Committee has started its review of the changes resulting from Proposition 2. The EOC will submit their findings to this Committee in approximately one month.
The Committee discussed the Proposition’s effects on the County’s bid process. Mr. McNulty explained that it is best for the County to not be aware of a vendor’s race or ethnicity until a bid has been awarded. Chairperson DeLeon stated this Committee has not used race or ethnicity when awarding a bid. This Committee wants to know that advertising has been done a variety of venues.
Comm. Severino asked if staff has a plan for making the recommended changes. Mr. Myers stated the Purchasing and Facilities Departments will address the changes internally. Mr. Cohl stated if the Board follows the recommended changes it will be protected.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
2b. Controller’s Office - Request to Start Thomas Shewchuk at Step 3, MIS Director
3. Resolution Opposing Senate Bill 220 and Letter to Michigan Legislators
4. Resolution Honoring Lucile Belen
5. Resolution Honoring Detective Mark Bowser
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Facilities Department
a. Resolution Awarding a Contract to Dietz Janitorial Services, Inc. for Cleaning Services at the Human Services Building, the Grady Porter Building/Veterans Memorial Courthouse, and Willow Clinic/Health Department
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT TO DIETZ JANITORIAL SERVICES, INC. FOR CLEANING SERVICES AT THE HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING, THE GRADY PORTER BUILDING/VETERANS MEMORIAL COURTHOUSE, AND WILLOW CLINIC/HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Mr. Terrill explained the County has had an ongoing business relationship with Dietz for 1.5 years. The Purchasing Department has faced many challenges with Dietz. Dietz has been willing to work with Department to resolve any concerns. The quality of Dietz’s services is meeting contract requirements. Mr. Terrill further stated he believes Dietz’s services will exceed the expectations of the contract.
Comm. Dougan expressed his hope that the Department will conduct an evaluation process on a regular basis. Mr. Terrill explained his Department has formally documented the concerns with Dietz over the past 1.5 years. His Department also meets with janitorial contractors approximately two times per month.
Chairperson DeLeon stated the vendor should be informed that this Committee is looking forward to receiving a quality performance report soon. Comm. Copedge stated the evaluation should indicate if a vendor is not meeting, is meeting or is exceeding contract requirements.
Comm. Nolan requested the Purchasing Department to submit a regular report to this Committee regarding Dietz’s and Teachout’s performance so that we will be forewarned about any problems. Mr. Terrill stated he could provide that information on the two vendors. Chairperson DeLeon stated the Department should provide reports for any vendor who provides visible services to the County. Mr. Terrill stated his Department could provide those reports on a quarterly basis.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Resolution Authorizing the Modification of the Position Allocation List within the Facilities Department
MOVED BY COMM.SOULE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MODIFICATION OF THE POSITION ALLOCATION LIST WITHIN THE FACILITIES DEPARTMENT.
Comm. Dougan asked for clarification that the positions would only work at the Zoo. Mr. Terrill explained the two positions will work primarily at the Zoo; however, it may not be the same two employees every day.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item. Comm. Nolan asked if the two positions are currently filled. Mr. Terrill stated the positions have not been posted as of this date.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Controller’s Office
a. Resolution Updating Various Fees for County Services
Comm. Dougan requested a split on the Point of Sale items. Chairperson DeLeon explained the Point of Sale fees are within the Health Department’s budget and not under this Committee’s perview.
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPDATING VARIOUS FEES FOR COUNTY SERVICES. MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Severino voting NO.
Public Comment: None
Announcements
Chairperson DeLeon read the letter to the Committee from the County to the Michigan Legislators regarding Senate Bill 220. She further stated she would like see this as an open letter to the newspaper.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff