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 Minutes Archive |
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Board of
Commissioners Minutes
CALHOUN COUNTY
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
March 4, 2004
The Regular Session of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
convened at 7:01 p.m., Thursday, March 4, 2004 in the Commissioners'
Meeting Room, County Building, Marshall, Michigan.
Roll Call: Present: Comrs. Austin, Ivey, Miller, Segal and
Strowbridge. Excused: Comr. Moore. Temporarily Excused: Comr. Frederick
(Arrived at 7:10 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. Miller, supported by Comr. Segal, adopt the
following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approve
the March 4, 2004 agenda and addendum, as amended, to include a Closed
Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation with the
Board’s General Counsel.”
Voice Vote: Motion CARRIED
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
“Motion by Comr. Strowbridge, supported by Comr. Miller, adopt the
following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approve
the February 5, 2004 minutes as presented.”
Voice Vote: Motion CARRIED
CITIZENS’ TIME:
Mr. Gardy Berezonsky, Battle Creek resident, advised that he attended
the Road Commission meeting Wednesday at which the Road Commission
discussed selling six to eight parcels of county-owned land and placing
another parcel out for bid for a total approximate worth of $2 Million
and placing the proceeds in the Road Commission’s budget. Mr. Berezonsky
questioned the Road Commission’s authority to sell county-owned land;
further, inquired why such sale proceeds would not be placed within the
County General Fund or be used to fund the county parks.
Mr. Jerry Keller, Battle Creek resident, questioned why no one wishes
to comment regarding whether someone has left county employment, and
inquired whether that person had been paid to leave.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Res. 37-2004
“Motion by Comr. Segal, supported by Comr. Miller, adopt the
following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
approve the following March 4, 2004 Consent Agenda as presented:
A. Petitions, Communications, Reports:
(1) Notice of a public hearing scheduled for February 17, 2004
regarding an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate Application
for Michigan Paperboard received from Battle Creek City. (Received
and placed on file, with a copy remitted to Equalization Director
Richard Gruber)
(2) Notice received from the State Tax Commission advising that
the personal property component of Industrial Facilities Exemption
Certificate No. 1998-405 for C.A. Picard Inc., and the real and
personal property components of Industrial Facilities Exemption
Certificate No. 1996-722 for Component Solutions Inc. have been
revoked. (Received and placed on file, with a copy remitted to
Equalization Director Richard Gruber)
B. Resolutions:
(1) Emergency Telephone District Board Appointment
{a} Wendee Woods (Alternate for Greg Purcell)”
Voice Vote: Motion CARRIED
COMMITTEE/WORKSHOP REPORTS:
Emergency Telephone District Board
Comr. Strowbridge reported that the Emergency Telephone District
Board and its Funding Sub-Committee have met twice and that activity is
picking up. Both the Board and the Committee have now gone to two
meetings per month and have made a number of decisions upon
recommendations that shall come before the Board of Commissioners within
the next eight weeks.
PETITIONS AND NEW BUSINESS:
County Administrator/Controller’s Report
FY 2003 State Homeland Security Part II Training Grant Agreement
and FY 2004 Office of Emergency Management Budget Amendment
County Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell advised that another
homeland security grant in the amount of $100,087.33 has been awarded to
the Office of Emergency Management, and requested Mr. Babcock explain
how the funds shall be utilized.
Emergency Services Director Gregory Babcock advised that the grant
was awarded as a result of completing the state-wide threat and needs
assessment which revealed that there is a shortfall in terrorism
awareness training. The principle goal of the grant is to provide such
training to all the emergency management first responders and related
departments/jurisdictions within the county. Mr. Babcock stated that the
first step shall be to have a planning conference to determine the needs
and then to pursue the necessary training.
Res. 38-2004
“Motion by Comr. Segal, supported by Comr. Miller, adopt the
following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
approve the 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program Part II
Training Grant Agreement between the Michigan Department of State
Police, Emergency Management Division, and Calhoun County in the
amount of $100,087.33 for the period of March 1, 2004 through February
28, 2005, and authorize the Board Chairman to execute said Agreement
on behalf of Calhoun County; further, approve the following FY 2004
Office of Emergency Management budget amendment:
50200 Federal Grants $100,087.33
80100 Contractual Services $ 25,000.00
70900 Overtime $ 10,000.00
87300 Training $ 50,000.00
79500 Miscellaneous $ 15,087.33
Comr. Ivey disclosed that, although Kellogg Community College is
not a direct recipient of any of the grant funds, the College shall be
involved in the training; therefore, that he shall abstain from voting
on the issue.
Roll call vote: Yes - 5 (Comrs. Segal, Strowbridge, Austin,
Frederick and Miller) Excused - 1 (Comr. Moore) Abstain - 1 (Comr.
Ivey) Motion CARRIED
Calhoun County I-69 Heritage Route Designation
Mr. Purcell stated that the resolution presented shall designate I-69
as a historic route corridor. Mr. Purcell stated that he is very
familiar with the area and concurs with the Road Commission that this is
an excellent designation.
Res. 39-2004
“Motion by Comr. Strowbridge, supported by Comr. Miller, resolved
by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners adopt the following:
WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), pursuant
to the Heritage Route Act of 1993 (P.A. 69 of 1993), is empowered to
designate scenic, recreational and historic highways in the state; and
WHEREAS, the public highway known as I-69 in Branch and Calhoun
Counties serves as a major southern Michigan gateway introducing
motorists to the scenic and natural qualities of the region’s clear
water, woods and wetlands while recognizing its agricultural heritage
and recreational amenities and passes through an area of significant
regional importance; and
WHEREAS, a study has been completed which assesses the quality and
documents the character and features of the I-69 corridor, and makes
management recommendations; and
WHEREAS, it is intended that the study will be included in the
application to MDOT in order to nominate I-69 as a heritage route.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Calhoun County Board of
Commissioners enthusiastically supports the nomination of I-69 as a
heritage route; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Calhoun County Board of
Commissioners hereby requests and encourages MDOT to designate I-69 as
a heritage route; and
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Calhoun County Board of
Commissioners thereby requests and encourages MDOT staff, County and
Township staff, county citizens and project organizers to assist in
the preparation of the required documents; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Calhoun County Board of
Commissioners hereby commits itself to support within its
jurisdiction, ability and discretion the I-69 Scenic Corridor
Management Plan dated February 2002 and the I-69 Heritage Route
Management Team.”
Comr. Strowbridge stated that I-69 runs through his district and
that he had discussion regarding its designation with Convis Township
Supervisor Michael Boyce who helped develop the resolution of support.
Comr. Strowbridge congratulated the committee who worked on preparing
the designation.
Comr. Segal inquired regarding the projects that shall be pursued.
Asst. County Administrator Wendee Woods responded “Recreational and
tourist type functions.”
Mr. Purcell added that there shall be signage and literature to
advise people of the areas.
Comr. Frederick advised that the designation came to the
Metropolitan Planning Commission who believes that the designation is
really needed and would be advantageous in promoting tourism to this
area.
Roll call vote: Yes - 6 (Comrs. Segal, Strowbridge, Austin,
Frederick, Ivey and Miller) Excused - 1 (Comr. Moore) Motion CARRIED
Revised Employees’ Short-Term Disability Plan
Ms. Woods advised that on January 1 a new contract with a new
administrator went into effect. Ms. Woods stated that the Plan is very
difficult for employees to understand, therefore, a summary plan
description was developed to put the descriptions into layman terms.
Res. 40-2004
“Motion by Comr. Segal, supported by Comr. Miller, resolved by the
Calhoun County Board of Commissioners adopt the following:
WHEREAS, Calhoun County (County) adopted and established an
Employee Health Benefit Plan to make short-term disability benefits
available to its employees; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the Plan for applicable laws and
regulations, and also to add new plan provisions; and
WHEREAS, the County desires to incorporate said amendment into the
text of this restated Plan document, with the intention that this Plan
document shall supersede and replace the previous Plan document.
NOW, THEREFORE, the County has caused this restated Plan document
to be executed. The terms of this restated Plan are effective on
January 1, 2004, unless otherwise noted in the Plan.”
Ms. Woods advised that the documents will be placed on the intranet
for the employees to access and review, rather than printing all the
copies of the document.
Roll call vote: Yes - 6 (Comrs. Strowbridge, Austin, Frederick,
Ivey, Miller and Segal) Excused - 1 (Comr. Moore) Motion CARRIED
Interim Lead Property Appraiser Agreement
Mr. Purcell stated that with the appointment of Mr. Gruber as
Equalization Director, it is no longer appropriate to pay Ms. Cortright
the Equalization Director salary, and advised that Ms. Woods shall
address the Letter of Understanding presented.
Ms. Woods stated that with an Equalization Director not in the office
on a daily basis, Ms. Cortright shall have the additional
responsibilities of overseeing the day to day operations and shall serve
in a supervisory capacity, therefore, Administration requests that Ms.
Cortright’s salary be increased to that of a Lead Property Appraiser
from March 4, 2004 to June 30, 2004 until the staffing needs of the
Department are established.
Res. 41-2004
“Motion by Comr. Strowbridge, supported by Comr. Miller, adopt the
following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
approve the Interim Lead Property Appraiser Agreement with Jean
Cortright as presented, effective March 4, 2004.”
Roll call vote: Yes - 6 (Comrs. Austin, Frederick, Ivey, Miller,
Segal and Strowbridge) Excused - 1 (Comr. Moore) Motion CARRIED
CLAIMS PAYABLE LISTINGS:
Res. 42-2004
“Motion by Comr. Miller, supported by Comr. Segal, adopt the
following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
approve payment of the list of claims against the county in the total
amount of $537,214.82 for the week of February 17, 2004; further,
approve payment of the lists of claims against the county in the total
amounts of $37,009.49 and $757,194.89 for the week of February 24,
2004.”
Roll call vote: Yes - 6 (Comrs. Frederick, Ivey, Miller, Segal,
Strowbridge and Austin) Excused - 1 (Comr. Moore) Motion CARRIED
CLOSED SESSION:
Res. 43-2004
“Motion by Comr. Miller, supported by Comr. Frederick, adopt the
following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners meet
in Closed Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation
with the Board’s General Counsel.”
Voice Vote: Motion CARRIED
The Board met in Closed Session commencing at 7:25 p.m. until 8:05
p.m. with General Counsel Nancy Mullett, Chief Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney Daniel Buscher, County Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell,
Asst. County Administrator Wendee Woods and Deputy Clerk Mary Lou
Barrett present.
OPEN SESSION AND RECESS:
The Board reconvened into Open Session and recessed at 8:05 p.m. at
the call of the Chair.
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Several photos included in this 
