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Board of Commissioners MinutesCALHOUN COUNTY PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS March 5, 2009 The Regular Session of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners convened at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2009 in the Commissioners Meeting Room, County Building, 315 West Green Street, Marshall, Michigan. Roll Call: Present: Comrs. Camp, Gerow, Haadsma, Lee, Rae, Rocho and Todd. Staff Present: Asst. County Administrator Bradley Wilcox, Finance Director Mark Stuhldreher, County Administrator/Controller Kelli Sproule, Human Resource Manager Kim Archambault, Road Commissioner Scott Brown, Sheriff Allen Byam, Deputy Equalization Director John Hippensteel, Health Officer James Rutherford and Deputy Clerk/Board Executive Secretary Mary Lou Barrett. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Invocation was given by Reverend Kelly Hadlich of Battle Creek Friends Church; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Comr. Camp. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
CITIZENS’ COMMENTS: Mr. Rodney Rodriguez, Emmett Township resident, advised that he wanted to attend to see what the meetings are all about. Mr. Rodriguez stated that he believes more people should be involved and aware of what their elected officials are doing. Solid Waste Management Director Tiffany Eichorst advised regarding Solid Waste Management Planning Advisory Committee events; i.e., household hazardous materials collections, electronics collection, and tire and appliances collections; further, addressed fee issues at the Community Compost Center. Comr. Rocho inquired whether there is the opportunity for the school districts to drop off materials. Ms. Eichorst responded that she believes the collection is a residential collection only. Mr. John La Pietra, Marshall resident, stated that he would appreciate it if the budget adjustments, Agenda Item 12.A. (3), could be provided to the citizens. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Corporation Counsel and Freedom of Information Act Coordinator Hiring Authorization Chairman Rae reviewed the appointment process.
ELECTED/APPOINTED COUNTY OFFICIALS’ COMMENTS: Health Officer James Rutherford advised that the Board of Health met on Saturday in a four hour strategic planning session. Topics discussed were teen pregnancy, nutrition, obesity particularly among teens and young children, health indicators, and infant mortality. Mr. Rutherford advised that there were 27 infant deaths last year. This year there has been 12. Mr. Rutherford advised that he has been working with Ms. Spicer to collaborate with Albion regarding teen pregnancy. Comr. Todd questioned the cause for the infant mortality rate. Mr. Rutherford responded that approximately 25 percent of the deaths were due to suffocation as a result of unsafe sleep habits; e.g., things placed in the cribs, children in the parent’s bed. Mr. Rutherford stated that there has been a campaign of education within the communities. CONSENT AGENDA:
PETITIONS AND NEW BUSINESS: County Administrator/Controller’s Report Equalizer Internet Services Agreement County Administrator/Controller Kelli Sproule advised that the request is from the Equalization Department for provision of a website linked to the county’s whereby residents and real estate agencies may access tax information. Ms. Sproule advised that users will pay $2 per search and the county will receive twenty percent.
Comr. Camp inquired what the website shall provide that is different from what the Department offers. Deputy Equalization Director John Hippensteel responded that the same services shall be offered, however, that the information shall be provided for the entire county. Mr. Hippensteel advised that only sixteen townships presently have their own website; further, pointed out that the web based program shall free up the staff’s time. Comr. Camp inquired whether the residents shall pay the same fee whether they receive the information through the website as by coming into the Department. Mr. Hippensteel responded that the fee shall be the same, and that now residents shall be able to access the information from their home. Comr. Camp inquired whether the county could make more money by hosting the website. Mr. Hippensteel responded yes, however, advised that the cost of the website is $17,000.
Law Enforcement Services Agreement Ms. Sproule stated that the agreement is a renewal of an existing agreement which recently expired between the county and Convis Township that provides for extra patrol services by the Sheriff Department in addition to mandated services. Ms. Sproule pointed out that there is a five year renewal provision. Ms. Sproule advised that the agreement will cover the direct costs of the deputy. Ms. Sproule further advised that the agreement was reviewed by the Interim Corporation Counsel and Administration, and that they believe the financial impact is neutral to the county or slightly beneficial.
Sheriff Allen Byam advised that there is a ninety day escape clause, and that there is an opportunity to review the agreement through the budget process. Sheriff Byam advised that the Department started providing the service to the Township in 1997, and that the cost is based upon actual costs plus ten percent for the indirect costs.
FY 2008 Final Budget Adjustments Ms. Sproule advised that the adjustments are a result of year end bookkeeping in preparation of the 2008 audit, and is done annually. Finance Director Mark Stuhldreher stated that the adjustments are to align actual expenditures to the budgets for the various business units, advising that the expenditure savings are used to cover any overages. Mr. Stuhldreher advised that as an aggregate, all business units ended up within budget.
CITIZENS’ COMMENTS: Mr. La Pietra addressed his project of gathering information regarding public governing boards throughout the county, and invited anyone interested in assisting him to join him at the Marshall Public Library on Sunday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m. to determine how the project should progress. Mr. Gerry Keller, Battle Creek resident, inquired whether the money the Sheriff Department receives through the Convis Township Law Enforcement Services Agreement goes into the Department’s budget or whether the money is placed within the county’s General Fund. Chairman Rae offered to answer Mr. Keller’s question after the meeting. Mr. Gardy Berezonsky, Marengo Township resident, advised that he attends almost every Board meeting and is aware that the Board is voting upon matters that are not listed on the agenda, plus adding items during Commissioners’ Time. Mr. Berezonsky stated that items to be addressed by the Board are supposed to be listed on the agenda, not offered after the agenda is provided to the public. Mr. Rodriguez concurred with Mr. Berezonsky. COMMISSIONERS’ TIME: Comr. Camp thanked the Administrative team for their assistance and availability, and the department heads for answering the Board’s questions. Comr. Camp further thanked the community for their interest and attendance at the Board meetings. Comr. Haadsma thanked Ms. Eichorst for addressing the issue concerning the Marshall Compost Center. Comr. Haadsma advised that there was a recommendation that some of the solid yard waste should only be available for a fee. Comr. Haadsma stated that he would like to discuss this issue at a future meeting as he is concerned that other communities other than Battle Creek, Albion and Marshall do not have that option and that there will be some people not depositing the solid waste where it should be deposited. Comr. Haadsma advised that Ms. Bomba intervened in a case in which one of the housing contractors was having difficulty in receiving payment, and made sure that the contractor was paid. Comr. Haadsma commended Ms. McFarland of Community Action for her vigilance on this issue also. Chairman Rae advised that he chaired the Committee that prepared the solid waste long-range plan that was adopted, and the Compost Center issues were discussed and debated at length. Chairman Rae stated that costs for the services provided is an area that can be reviewed again. CLAIMS PAYABLE LISTING:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Comr. Rocho addressed a citizen comment from the February 5 Board Meeting regarding employee training, and advised that on the claims listing just approved there were five employees that received training. Chairman Rae announced that March 14 is the Board’s Unity and Cooperation Team Building Session. Comr. Camp invited the public to the Michigan State University Extension and 4-H fund raising dinner at the Home Grange on March 27. CLOSED SESSION:
RECESS: The meeting recessed at 7:50 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. to allow the chamber to clear. The Closed Session commenced at 8:00 p.m. and concluded at 8:26 p.m. with Assistant County Administrator Bradley Wilcox, County Administrator/Controller Kelli Sproule, Human Resources Manager Kim Archambault, Health Officer James Rutherford and Deputy Clerk/Board Executive Secretary Mary Lou Barrett present. OPEN SESSION -- I.U.O.E. Labor Agreement Ratification:
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. at the call of the Chair.
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