Minutes Archive

Emergency Telephone District Board Meeting Minutes

April 15, 2008

Committee Members:	Chairman Allen L. Byam, Bob Kiessling, Depity Fire Chief, City of Marshall (Alternate), Mark Burke, Marshall Area Fire Fighters Ambulance Authority, Frank Post, Chief, Emmett Township DPS Jase Bolger, County Commissioner, Greg Purcell, Calhoun County Administrator/Controller, Eric Miller, Chief, Albion DPS, Tom Hardy, Calhoun County Fire Chiefs Council (Alternate)

Also Present:	Rob Coles, Jill Fish, Craig Roberts, Jim Zoss, Don Cathcart

County Staff:	Nancy Mullett, Mark Stuhldreher, Alyce McDonagh

Call To Order/Recognition of Quorum:
Chairman Byam called the Meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. in the Law Library of the Marshall County Building, noting a quorum was in attendance.

Agenda Review and Member Additions:
Chairman Byam indicated that Mr. Miller had asked for an item to be added to the Agenda and asked that after the MPSC Appeal Update, the item 800 Template Discussion be added after the MPSC Appeal Item. The remainder of the Agenda was accepted as printed.

Minutes Approval:
The Minutes of the March 18, 2008 Meeting were approved on a Motion by Mr. Post and supported by Mr. Kiessling. Voice Vote - Motion carried.

Financial Report:
The Financial Report for March 2008 was received as informational. Mr. Purcell noted that there were no unusual items in the report.

MPSC Appeal
Mr. Bolger indicated that the Petition for Rehearing before the Michigan Public Service Commission has been completed and filed with the MPSC. The deadline was April 10th and the actual Petition was hand-delivered to the MPSC on April 9th. by Ms. Mullett.

Calhoun County Corporation Counsel Nancy Mullett explained the process which had taken place. Recommendation for approval by the ETSC (February 27, 2007) followed by .the denial of our request on (2/11/08) by the MPSC (for a surcharge decrease from 65¢ to 60¢) Denial based on a statute enacted 12/20/07 , and taking effect 12/21/07. Said statute states in part, “when faced with a request for a surcharge that generates revenues in excess of 2/7% of 2007 revenues, this Commission in consultation with the ETSC is required to review the request and either approve or disapprove the request.”

In our particular case, the review process consisted of Calhoun County working with and through the ETSC to review the necessary information, then send on to the MPSC. In particular, the ETSC in concert with the MPSC developed an application process, for individual county presentations and made County specific inquiries regarding documentation submitted.

After through review the ETSC deemed the evidence to be sufficient to meet the necessary and reasonable standard. At this time, Calhoun County did reference the proposed consolidation in the cover letter and case summary, however, did not elaborate on the consolidation based on advice provided by the ETSC during their pre-review of our documents. Thus, evidence of the plan for use of the surcharge to create and operate a County-wide dispatch service in Calhoun County had not been received, reviewed or considered by the MPSC in reaching their decision. (Had a comprehensive application been prepared it would have shown the basis for determining the surcharge was a plan to consolidate dispatch services in Calhoun County).

After the ETSC made their recommendation and sent it on to the MPSC, we were notified on March 11, 2008 that our request had been denied. Not only had our request been denied, but they had adjusted it significantly downward to $0.33¢.

After an analysis of available information on communications services devices in Michigan, the ETSC developed an estimate of .93 as a statewide average of the number of devices per person to enable counties to compute their 9-1-1 surcharge, based on county population. The MPSC ultimately decided that the estimated 2008 surcharge revenue for each county should be calculated using the .93 factor applied to the county population as based on the 2000 Census and multiplied by the proposed surcharge.

Of the counties applying for the surcharge, 22 were approved and 46 were denied Ms. Ms. Mullett emphasized that in her Petition for Rehearing she noted specifically that Calhoun County had utilized their best efforts to determine a surcharge that would help facilitate the creation of a Consolidated Dispatch without placing any additional burden on citizens and/or businesses. It was specifically noted that the cost of the status quo would exceed the cost of the proposed change.

It was stated clearly in the Petition that Calhoun County recognizes the need to be prudent in acting to adjust surcharge rates in order to prevent a revenue windfall to the General Fund. And, further, that the proposed consolidation would reduce expected spending over the first five years. Also highlighted was a portion of Governor Grandholm’s 2007 State of the State Message wherein she discussed the consolidation of services at local levels and stated “Consolidation of service makes sense and it saves money. And, whether it’s using a carrot or a stick, we are going to make it happen. Earlier in her speech, she commented, “It’s simple, when they show us they’re consolidating or sharing, we’ll show them the money.”

Ms. Mullett was asked if she had any idea when she might hear anything from the MPSC with her responding, she had absolutely no idea.

Mr. Bolger commented that Representative Nofs has already made preliminary contact with the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Chairman Byam complimented Ms. Mullett for a job well done in the preparation for the appeal to the MPSC as did others from the group echoed those sentiments as well. 2

Mr. Purcell expressed his appreciation to Nancy indicating she has done an exceptional job with her Request for Rehearing, as did Mr. Bolger.

Everyone knows that the reality of the situation is that we have a 50/50 chance of prevailing. It is challenging and an uphill battle to say the least. However, the clarity and creativity of the Request for Rehearing crafted by Ms. Mullett hopefully will be viewed in a favorable manner, and with Representative Nofs assisting, that cannot hurt either. Mr. Burke asked if the Governor’s Office had been contacted with Mr. Purcell responding Chairwoman Kate Segal was going to contact the Governor’s Office requesting a telephone call be made in our behalf to the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Mr. Purcell inquired as to what would be done in terms of planning during the time we are waiting for word on the Request for Appeal. Mr. Bolger advised it was his understanding from the last Workshop Meeting that further meetings would be suspended until such time as a response is received from the MPSC.

800 Template Discussion
Chairman Byam indicated that Mr. Miller to place the Template Discussion item on the Agenda this morning.

Jim Zoss reminded everyone that it was once again time for the “yearly update” on Templates Mr. Miller advised the group that his Department continues to experienced difficulties with encryption. It appears that when the radios were programmed some things were missed - Mr. Zoss indicated he ‘doesn’t know how it happened,” but they will make it right. ( All LE channels should have been “strapped” but weren’t.)

It was suggested that a Sub-Committee be appointed to review the matter and there will be a representative from each Agency on the Committee. Fire will be represented as well. Mr. Zoss will head up the Sub-Committee.

Mr. Miller advised the group that he had attended the 2008 Fire Department Instruction Conference at the Indiana Conference Center in Indianapolis earlier this month. He indicated that among the many exhibits at the convention, one of the most interesting was one that featured a radio with the technology that would allow the user to talk to everyone (multibank). He further indicated this was from a prototype from the military that has recently been released for general use. Did not have a price on the units but, expects them to be pricey.

Vice- Chair Vacancy:
Chairman Byam advised the group that there was a need to replace the former Vice-Chairman of the Emergency Telephone District Board (Mike Olson).

Motion by Mr. Post, supported by Mr. Bolger that Eric Miller be nominated to replace the former Vice-Chairman.

There being no further nominations Chairman Byam called for a vote - Support was unanimous and Eric Miller has been confirmed as the new Vice-Chair of the Emergency Telephone Services Board.

Public Comments:
None

Member Comments:
Mr. Post expressed his appreciation to Corporation Counsel Nancy Mullett for a job well done in the preparation of the Request for Rehearing before the MPSC.

Next Meeting: May 20, 2008

Adjournment:
There being no further business to discuss at this time, the Meeting was adjourned to the Call of the Chair, the time being 9:05 a.m.

Calhoun County
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Marshall, MI 49068
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