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Board of Commissioners MinutesCALHOUN COUNTY The Regular Session of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners convened at 7:02 p.m., Thursday, January 15, 2004 in the Commissioners' Meeting Room, County Building, Marshall, Michigan. Roll Call: Present: Comrs. Austin, Frederick, Miller, Moore and Segal. Temporarily Excused: Comrs. Ivey and Strowbridge (Arrived at 7:05 p.m.) INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: A Moment of Personal Prayer was observed; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Comr. Segal. APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDENDUM: “Motion by Comr. Segal, supported by Comr. Moore, adopt the following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approve the January 15, 2004 agenda and addendum as presented.” Voice Vote: Motion CARRIED CITIZENS’ TIME: Mr. Jerry Keller, Battle Creek resident, inquired whether Cary Dairy Farm is located on B Drive. Chairman Austin responded that the address will be provided. Battle Creek City Commissioner Tony Walker advised that on Saturday his son, a 15 year old minor, was detained by the police and taken to the Juvenile Home where he was kept for 36 hours while the two older boys his son was with were taken to jail and released the next morning. Mr. Walker stated that his son was subjected to a drug test, some other medical tests and a psychological evaluation without his knowledge or consent. Mr. Walker stated that after some time he was finally advised that his son had to be detained until a referee could see him and that would be on Monday. Mr. Walker advised that on Monday he and his son sat down for a five minute conference call and then his son was released on bond. Mr. Walker stated that he cannot understand the purpose for his son being detained for 36 hours for a five minute conference call, and requested the Board join him in making some improvements to the justice system in Calhoun County. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Greater Battle Creek/Calhoun County Visitor and Convention Bureau Presentation Executive Director Jill Vanden Heuvel reported that the Bureau had a very successful year. Ms. Vanden Heuvel advised that the Bureau has enhanced its Awareness Program, redid all the marketing publications, and created a new golf and attractions brochure, as well as a new sporting facilities guide. Ms. Vanden Heuvel further advised that the Bureau has established numerous partnerships within the community, most recently with Kalamazoo County, which is providing additional marketing funds. Ms. Vanden Heuvel addressed the Bureau’s work with the Festival of Forks and the International Festival of Lights, and advised regarding its relationship with Travel Michigan in which it participated in Michigan Travel Ideas and welcome center promotions. Ms. Vanden Heuvel reported that the Bureau has developed a packaging program where attractions and hotels are encouraged to work together which is promoted on the Bureau’s website and on Travel Michigan’s website. County Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell thanked Ms. Vanden Heuvel for her assistance with the veterans’ convention this year. Non-Union Employees’ Salary and Benefits Survey Presentation Consultant William Rye reported that the Company reviewed the data for the eight counties used in the 2000 salary and benefits study plus added Bay, Monroe and St. Claire Counties as they have a similar population. Mr. Rye advised that he met with a committee of the County to discuss pay practices, benefits, and the jobs to be included in the study. Mr. Rye stated that overall the results of the survey show that Calhoun County’s range maximums are close to the maximums of the surveyed counties, however, that there were a few jobs that have more than a ten percent differential; e.g., those at 0.86 and those at 1.01, and recommended those positions be reviewed to determine if they are placed in the proper pay grade structure. Mr. Rye advised that there were a few jobs that had less than five matches, therefore, were not computed for a median. Mr. Rye stated that it is apparent that Calhoun County has more differences in benefits between non-union County employees and non-union Court employees than found in most counties, which is another area that should be reviewed. Mr. Rye continued that Calhoun County’s vacation schedule is somewhat more liberal than the other counties, however, that Calhoun County is at the norm for holidays. Mr. Rye advised that many public employers have phased out longevity for new employees. The Calhoun longevity plan is about in the middle of the group surveyed, although five counties provide no longevity. Mr. Rye stated that Calhoun appears competitive on its health and life insurance plans. Retirement is the area in which Calhoun County is significantly different from the other counties, which have had a defined benefit plan in place for a long period of time while Calhoun County just started its plan in 2001, and initiated it without conversion of any defined contribution plan funding. Mr. Rye pointed out that Calhoun County has a lower multiplier and higher employee contribution; therefore, Calhoun County is at a disadvantage for hiring. Mr. Rye further pointed out that the plan provides a lesser benefit than most counties. Mr. Rye advised that the Calhoun County retiree health insurance benefit provides a lesser benefit than the other counties, however, that most employers without a cap on this benefit are attempting to establish a maximum on the employer’s liability. Mr. Rye recommended the internal evaluation pieces addressed be done, and stated that he believes once every three years is an adequate time frame for the next survey assuming that job evaluation maintenance occurs on a regular basis. Comr. Moore inquired how the County can ensure it is competitive with the private sector. Mr. Rye responded that it is difficult to get the private sector to participate in the survey, however, advised that the Company conducts a state-wide comparison study of private organization non-management jobs every three years and that the County is welcome to have a copy of that study. CONSENT AGENDA:
PETITIONS AND NEW BUSINESS: County Administrator/Controller’s Report 2003 Senior Millage Service Provider Agreement Amendment Mr. Purcell advised that the amendment to the service provider agreement with the Community Action Agency (C.A.A.) is required to allow for unspent dispatch funds to be used to provide transportation services. Senior Services Director Angela Wiseley advised that during the request for proposals process C.A.A. provided a budget for both transportation and dispatch, and that at that time the Senior Millage Allocation Committee encouraged C.A.A. to work at lowering its dispatch cost to utilize as many dollars as possible for transportation. Ms. Wiseley advised that C.A.A. was able to keep their dispatch costs low and the amendment is to allow C.A.A. to utilize the remaining dispatch funding for transportation services.
Non-Union Employees’ Salary and Benefits Survey Mr. Purcell recommended the survey be accepted and referred to the Salary Survey Committee which shall come back before the Board with a recommendation in July of this year.
Circuit Court U.A.W. Employees’ Labor Agreement Mr. Purcell advised that the agreement was delayed for final action, and that the terms of the agreement have now been approved. Asst. County Administrator Wendee Woods advised that most of the provisions of the agreement are similar to those of the District Court U.A.W. Agreement.
2004 Michigan Drug Court Grant Program Agreement Mr. Purcell advised that the grant agreement in the amount of $53,000 is with the State Court Administrator’s Office and can be used to meet the local match requirements for the Byrne Grant.
CITIZENS’ TIME: Mr. Keller inquired whether the county has been losing its employees to other counties. Chairman Austin responded no. CLAIMS PAYABLE LISTINGS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Comr. Segal announced that the Greater Battle Creek Homeless Coalition shall be conducting a count of the homeless people on Friday, January 29. Comr. Segal advised that the count is required because HUD monies are determined by the number of homeless. Chairman Austin announced that services honoring Martin Luther King will be held January 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kellogg Auditorium. Comr. Moore thanked Ms. Iwan, Mr. Wilcox and Mr. Purcell for the nice article regarding Calhoun County’s energy reduction program. Comr. Frederick announced that Albion shall be having a Martin Luther King celebration from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. this Sunday at the Bethel Baptist Church; further that there shall be another celebration at Albion College at which there will be a good speaker coming in. Comr. Frederick encouraged everyone to attend the events. CLOSED SESSION:
The Board met in Closed Session commencing at 8:00 p.m. until 8:17 p.m. with General Counsel Nancy Mullett, County Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell, Assistant County Administrator Wendee Woods, Finance Director James Latham and Deputy Clerk Mary Lou Barrett present. OPEN SESSION -- RECESS: The Board met in Open Session and recessed at 8:17 p.m. at the call of the Chair.
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