Minutes Archive

Emergency Telephone District Board Meeting Minutes

February 19, 2008

Present:	Chairman Allen L. Byam, Ken Tsuchiyama, Battle Creek Assistant City Manager, Eric Miller, Chief Albion DPS, Commissioner Jase Bolger, Greg Purcell, Calhoun County Administrator/Controller, Lt. Dale Peet, MSP., Bill Hankinson, Calhoun County Fire Chief’s Council, Tom Hardy, Alternate, Fire Chief’s Council, Jim Demarest, Emmett Township Supervisor/AMSA Representative

Also Present:	County Commissioner Greg Moore, Mike Herman, Albion City Manager, Chris Olson, Marshall City Manager, Brent Williams, Marshall City Council Member, Frank Post, Chief, Emmett Township DPS, Rob Coles, Chief, Springfield DPS, Detective Sergeant Scott MacDonald, Marshall DPS, Don Cathcart, RadioCom, Bob Kiessling, Deputy Fire Chief, City of Marshall, Jill Fish, Manager, Central Dispatch, Bob Kiessling, Deputy Fire Chief, City of Marshall, Craig Roberts, Captain Newton Township Fire Department, Tim Smith, Pennfield Township Fire Chief, Jim Zoss, Emergency Services/Homeland Security, City of Battle Creek, John Neterer, Supervisor LeRoy Township, Sgt. Chuck Christensen, MSP, Post 57, and Mark Burke

County Staff:	Mark Stuhldreher, Alyce McDonagh

Call To Order/Recognition of Quorum:
The Meeting was called to order by Chairman Allen L. Byam at 8:35 a.m., in the Law Library of the Marshall County Building, noting a quorum was in attendance. Chairman Byam welcomed everyone to the meeting. In view of the large number of individuals attending this meeting, Mr. Byam asked everyone to introduce themselves., which was done.

Agenda Review and Member Additions:
Chairman Byam advised the Committee that he was in receipt of a request from the Fire Chief’s Council to change their primary member from Bill Hankinson to Frank Post, with Tom Hardy continuing as the Alternate. Also, a request was received from the City of Marshall to name Detective Sergeant Scott MacDonald as the Primary Representative from the City of Marshall (change from Michael Olson) and Deputy Fire Chief Bob Kiessling as the alternate )change from Bret Pehrson.) Mr. Byam asked that these requests be added to the Agenda and would request a Motion which would result in a letter from the Chairman of this Board to the Chairwoman of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners, requesting these appointments as requested.

Moved by Mr. Demarest, supported by Mr. Peet that the request from the Fire Chief’s Council and the City of Marshall be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for formal appointment to this Board as requested. Voice Vote - Motion Carried.

Approval of Minutes - January 31, 2008
The Minutes of the January 31, 2008 Meeting were approved on a Motion by Mr. Demarest and supported by Mr. Tsuchiyama. Voice Vote - Motion Carried,

Financial Report:
Mr. Purcell advised the members that the reimbursements for the PSAPs have been mailed and as always, of there are any discrepancies to please let him know.

Telephone Surcharge Update:
Chairman Byam advised the members that on February 13, 2008 he traveled to St. John, Michigan with a group consisting of Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell, Commissioner Jase Bolger, Commissioner Greg Moore and met with a sub-committee of the Emergency Telephone District Board, who will be making their recommendation to the full ETDB and if it is met favorably, it will then go on to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Mr. Byam indicated that Commissioner Bolger had done an excellent job in presenting (only ten minutes was allowed) our case to the sub-committee.

Mr. Purcell commented that Mr. Bolger certainly had done a very good job and he believes the consolidation aspect of our proposal is what made our case very positive.

Commissioner Bolger advised the members that his presentation to the ETDB Sub-Committee outlined the Calhoun County request to set the monthly county-based surcharge at $.60¢ for all communication service devices that access 9-1-1, plus 2.7%.( It was noted that $.35¢of the funding is to be distributed to the current PSAPs, and $.25¢ is to be used for the planning, development and implementation of the newly consolidated dispatch center). The new center will be operated by a “Communications Authority” which will be established by an Inter-local agreement, which will have to be negotiated and approved by the governing bodies of the current PSAPs.

While not a part of our budget justification, the telephone surcharge has been the impetus for a plan to consolidate all dispatch services within Calhoun County.. Commissioner Bolger stressed that this would be the vehicle for county-wide consolidation and meetings have been taking place regularly since the first of the year. Mr. Purcell advised the Committee that the following e-mail was received from Harriet Miller-Brown on Friday, February 15th. “This notice is for counties that have filed for more than 2.7% above their 2007 revenues (ETSC 400B Applications). I have made phone contact either directly or by voice mail if the county’s request was NOT recommended for approval. If you have NOT heard from me, your ETSC 400B was recommended for approval by the Certification Subcommittee to ETSC. ( The ETSC will be meeting on Tuesday, February 19th, and then on to the MPSC in March).

Mr. Bolger stressed that we have a commitment and a desire by all parties to ahead so the Interlocal Agreement happens by July 1, 2008. Mr. Bolger stated that before and after the County Board adopted the Agreement to increase the surcharge on Thursday, February 7, 2008, the date of July 1, 2008 was discussed as a real target date. ( Mr. Bolger has indicated he will introduce a resolution to decrease the surcharge if an agreement was not in place by that time).

Commissioner Moore advised the members that the legislature is taking a good hard look at the E 911 surcharge issue, noting the senate bill will in all probability be reviewed again before this legislative session ends.

“Plan The Planning” Discussion
Mr. Bolger had asked Chairman Byam to include this item on the Agenda to get dialogue going and the process started. We are looking at a July 1 deadline and Mr. Tsuchiyama indicated we are dealing with a very tight time frame. By the end of the calendar year we will need to have the Inter-local agreement between the County and the Cities in place. There were concerns as to how many individuals should be working on this process.

Mr. Herman commented that Albion has been in discussion with Mr. Olson and Mr. Wiley concerning the issues and attempting to carve out a plan that will be saleable to each of their councils.

Mr. Olson stated that earlier the Cities of Marshall and Albion had a joint meeting at which time Lynn Harvey was brought in to facilitate the meeting regarding the proposed consolidation of the Albion and Marshall Dispatch Centers.

There was conversation regarding the formation of the Interlocal Agreement noting that this should be drafted by an Attorney and Mr. Purcell was asked if Ms. Mullett, County Civil Counsel would be available and he indicated she would be. Further, Mr. Purcell indicated that the County should also be a part of any Interlocal Agreement along with the three cities.

Lt. Dale Peet commended the group for their work thus far and noted this was a perfect example of everyone working together for the betterment of all and with the expectation that this Consolidated Dispatch will better meet everyone’s needs. Further, with regard to the agreement itself, it should be a ‘truly Independent Authority.” He offered his congratulations to everyone at the table who had a part in the decision making process to this point. Mr. Peet indicated he was truly amazed and it came as such good news that the Consolidation effort was finally back on track.

Brent Williams commented he would hate to see any entity left out and is hopeful such a balance can be crafted as we move toward a governance structure. Further, he favors the Consolidated Dispatch to be a separate department of Calhoun County Government and would hope that option might be explored further.

Mr. Tsuchiyama commented he believes the group working on the development of the Intergovernmental Authority should remain a small group.

Mr. Wiley commented they are moving ahead with the Technical side of the equasion and Mr. Herman is interested in exploring which act will work best for them and this will require input from the County Attorney. Mr. Herman and Mr. Miller have been looking at Act 57 and believe this is a good mechanism for them.

Mr. Demarest commented that as the matter progresses, he definitely wants to see AMSA at the table. Also, Commissioner Moore added his support to Mr. Demarest’s statements regarding having AMSA at the table. 3 Mr. Purcell urges a meeting be held with the employee’s of the three PSAPs sooner, rather than later to avoid the conflict.

Mr. Bolger commented that the ‘players need to be identified’ and at this juncture, it is representatives of the three Cities, AMSA and the County that will make up the ‘working group’,

Mr. Bolger urged the group to commit regularly to meeting and suggested the meeting date of Wednesday, February 27th at 4:00 p.m.. here in the Law Library of the Marshall County Building.

Member Comments: Lt. Peet commented that the initiative and undertaking was huge and again applauded the membership for their participation and commitment to this project.

Public Comments: None

Next Meeting: March 18, 2008

The Meeting was recessed to the Call of the Chair, the time being 9:55 a.m.

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