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Board of Commissioners MinutesCALHOUN COUNTY PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS April 3, 2008 The Regular Session of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners convened at 7:02 p.m., Thursday, April 3, 2008 in the Commissioners' Meeting Room, County Building, 315 West Green Street, Marshall, Michigan. Roll Call: Present: Comrs. Bolger, Moore, Rae, Segal, Solis and Todd. Temporarily Excused: Comr. Arnquist (Arrived at 7:11 p.m.) INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: A Moment of Silent Prayer was observed; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Comr. Bolger. APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDENDUM:
CITIZENS’ TIME: Mr. Robert Bonds, Battle Creek resident, addressed an article published in the Enquirer and News, and explained his rationale for having a vehicle towed which was blocking in employees in his parking lot. Mr. Richard Logan, Battle Creek resident, encouraged the Board to attempt to get fair taxes for the State of Michigan placed on the November 8 ballot. Two women thanked the Board for approving the smoking regulation. ELECTED/APPOINTED COUNTY OFFICIALS’ COMMENTS: Property Foreclosure Report Treasurer Ann Petredean reported that Monday was the last day to pay 2005 property taxes. Ms. Petredean advised that this year the Office foreclosed 144 parcels. Last year 131 parcels were foreclosed. Ms. Petredean stated that of the 144 foreclosures, 69 are homes and 75 are vacant lots. Ms. Petredean advised that the largest parcel is Union Steel in Albion. Ms. Petredean advised that on March 1 the Office began the foreclosure process on the 2006 unpaid taxes by forfeiting 2,085 parcels, while last year 1,756 parcels were forfeited; an increase of 330 forfeitures. Currently, the Office is reviewing the title work to ensure that everyone is notified, and then the process of knocking on doors will commence. Ms. Petredean further reported that beginning in May the Office shall contract for the required 30 year title work update, which when completed, the Office shall internally bring up to date to keep from having to pay for another 30 year title search. Ms. Petredean further reported that the Office is finishing up its settlements and getting ready to market the delinquent tax notes. Ms. Petredean advised that current projections are that delinquencies will be up approximately $1.3 to $1.5 Million more than last year, and that this year she shall have to borrow between $12 to $12.5 Million. Ms. Petredean stated that Public Act 213 of 2007 requires her to provide quarterly written reports to the Board concerning the investment of funds. Ms. Petredean advised that the investment summary shall be provided tomorrow. Introduction of Senior Services Manager Carl Gibson Comr. Solis introduced Carl Gibson. Comr. Solis stated that the county was fortunate to have a group of well qualified candidates and that three rounds of interviews were conducted. Comr. Solis advised that Mr. Gibson was the Senior Program Director at the Center for Long Term Care for the Michigan Public Health Institute in Okemos. Comr. Arnquist stated that the Board is delighted to have Mr. Gibson and welcomed him to the county. Mr. Gibson stated that he is here to assist the Board in making any changes the Board desires. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Alcohol Awareness Month Proclamation Comr. Todd read and presented the following proclamation to Substance Abuse Council Executive Director Suzanne Horsfall.
Ms. Horsfall stated that everyone has a role in the prevention of underage drinking. Sheriff Allen Byam advised that a number of town hall meetings have been conducted which were very successful. Prosecutor John Hallacy stated that this is the time for all adults to step up and talk about the impacts of alcohol. Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation Comr. Solis read and presented the following proclamation to Prosecutor Hallacy.
Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation Chairwoman Segal read and presented the following proclamation to Prosecutor Hallacy.
Prosecutor Hallacy advised that the fund raiser is April 18 at the Burnham Brook Center. Crime Victims’ Rights Week Proclamation Comr. Arnquist read and presented the following proclamation to Prosecutor Hallacy.
Prosecutor Hallacy advised that a couple of citizens shall be honoring the Cold Case Team this year and that there shall be a ceremony in the Rotunda in Lansing on Wednesday. CONSENT AGENDA:
PETITIONS AND NEW BUSINESS: County Administrator/Controller’s Report Drainage Rules and Regulations Amendment County Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell advised that Agenda Item No. 1 was removed due to some legal issues associated with the upcoming election. Mr. Purcell advised that the item shall be placed on the next Board agenda, and announced that the next Board Meeting is Tuesday, April 15. Mr. Purcell advised that amendment of the rules and regulations is for compliance with the Clean Water Act. Drain Commissioner Blaine Van Sickle advised that the Department of Environmental Quality is in the process of re-writing their rules regarding the permitting process for the Clean Water Act. Mr. Van Sickle advised that the Drain Commissioner’s Rules and Regulations currently provide that the minimum treatment volume for storm water is the first one half inch and that he wants the Board to officially approve the rule, advising that the standard will be “grand fathered” in.
Resolution Authorizing Appeal of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s Adjustment of the E 9-1-1 Telephone Surcharge Mr. Purcell advised that the Emergency Telephone District Board has met with the cities, the Area Metropolitan Services Agency (AMSA), the Sheriff Department, and State Representative Nofs regarding appealing the Michigan Public Service Commission’s denial of the county’s proposed surcharge rate. Mr. Purcell advised that the appeal must be filed by an attorney and that Atty. Mullett has a draft ready to be submitted next week. Comr. Bolger stated that the county is submitting the appeal based upon new information regarding consolidation of the dispatch centers. Comr. Bolger advised that the cities will be providing support of the appeal by resolution.
Comr. Rae inquired whether it would make the appeal stronger if AMSA were to also provide a resolution of support. Comr. Bolger discussed the short time frame for submitting the appeal. Comr. Rae stated that he is sure AMSA could conduct a special meeting to support the appeal. Comr. Bolger advised that he will contact AMSA immediately to make that request.
Exception to County Policy No. 305 - County Temporary/Seasonal Employees Asst. County Administrator Wendee Woods requested an exception to County Policy No. 305 to allow temporary Emergency Services Coordinator Durk Dunham to purchase the county’s health insurance at 100 percent of the premium’s cost.
Deputy Health Officer Position Creation Mr. Purcell advised that the proposed position is a consolidation of a Deputy Health Officer and an Environmental Health Manager position. Health Officer Dottie-Kay Bowersox advised that the position shall be a non-union, confidential position, and has been approved by the Board of Health. Ms. Bowersox advised that since June 2007 the Environmental Health Manager position has been vacant.
Comr. Todd stated that the position’s job description looks like the responsibilities of the Health Officer, and asked Ms. Bowersox if she is overworked. Ms. Bowersox responded Yes. Comr. Todd inquired whether the Department has anyone in mind that shall be hired. Ms. Bowersox responded no, advising that the position is new. Comr. Todd inquired whether there is anyone within the Department that could assume the position with training. Ms. Bowersox responded No.
Equalization Department Staffing Increase Mr. Purcell advised that the Department requires some additional assistance. Mr. Purcell pointed out that the position is part time with no benefits. Mr. Purcell requested Mr. Hippensteel also address the policy and procedures manual for the Department. Deputy Director John Hippensteel advised that the position is a part time Records Clerk that shall answer the phone, assist customers at the front counter, and perform some data input. Mr. Hippensteel advised that there is funding within the Department’s budget to cover the position for 2008, however, that for 2009 the Department shall require funding for the position. Mr. Hippensteel advised that a manual is being prepared which shall be provided to the employees that he believes shall relieve the animosity. The employees shall be given time to review the policies and procedures, and then the manual will be discussed with them.
Comr. Moore stated that in the past there had been discussion regarding “bringing up” people with skills to do the job. Comr. Moore inquired whether there is the potential of sharing the position with the Drain Commissioner’s Office. Mr. Hippensteel responded that he had that discussion with the Drain Commissioner, and that the Drain Commission currently has someone who handles those functions. Mr. Hippensteel stated that “That’s something we can look at down the road.” Chairwoman Segal inquired whether the position shall be an evaluated position. Mr. Hippensteel responded that the phone calls and people coming into the Department shall be tracked.
CITIZENS’ TIME: Mr. Creighton Burrows, Battle Creek resident, stated that he takes exception to the E 9-1-1 surcharge being assessed upon each telephone line, pointing out that a lot of people have more than one line and that he believes the county shall be collecting three times as much from every household. Mr. Burrows objected to the Geographic Information System (GIS) fly-over of the county as it is an invasion of individuals’ right to privacy. Mr. Burrows stated that Calhoun County is a municipal corporation and as such operates as a governmental entity with legal rights and responsibilities to be exercised for the benefit of the public. Mr. Burrows pointed out that a governmental unit’s duty/function, as defined by the Constitution, is for the benefit of the public. Mr. Burrows stated that the proposed GIS system and fly-over does not benefit the public at large. It benefits private developers and the governmental entity itself. Mr. Burrows further pointed out that the GIS system and fly-over does not fit the definition of a governmental duty as it is not essential to maintain the health and safety of the public at large. Mr. Burrows cited Article IV, Section IV of the U.S. Constitution, . . . The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government. A republican government is one in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated.” Mr. Burrows stated that he chooses to exercise his rights directly by not granting permission to the county to take any pictures of his land. Mr. Burrows pointed out that he cannot trespass on the privacy rights of his neighbors by taking pictures of their possessions and that neither does the county possess that power as the public has not delegated that power to the county. Mr. Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township resident, advised that he attended the last Marshall City Council meeting and offered to work at the Community Compost Center for minimum wage, and was advised that the City already hired someone at $14 per hour. Mr. Berezonsky addressed Board addendums, advising that he receives the Board agendas the Thursday before the Board meeting, however, that the addendums are not available until the afternoon of the meeting which does not allow him time to review and research the items to be addressed. Mr. Berezonsky pointed out that it appears that most of the time one department is responsible for necessitating the addendums. COMMISSIONERS’ TIME: Comr. Todd advised that he has known Mr. Bonds for a long time and was very upset when he saw the article published in the paper. Comr. Todd expressed appreciation to Mr. Bonds for advising the Board regarding the parking lot issue. “Motion by Comr. Rae, supported by Comr. Solis, adopt the following: Resolved by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners recognize the outstanding achievement of the Albion High School Basketball Team for making it to the quarter finals.” Chairwoman Segal inquired whether the recognition could be presented at the next Board meeting or a Board meeting in May. Comr. Rae withdrew his motion, and Comr. Solis withdrew his support of the motion. Comr. Moore reported that he attended the meeting of substance abuse prevention and treatment providers to discuss plans for moving forward in Calhoun County. Comr. Moore advised that Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services requires a decision regarding what organization shall be working of the federal programs regarding underage drinking and traffic crashes. CLAIMS PAYABLE LISTINGS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chairwoman Segal announced that the next Board meeting is Tuesday, April 15 in the Marshall County Building at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. at the call of the Chair.
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