OSCEOLA COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MINUTES

August 21, 2007

 

Committee of the Whole was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Vice Chairman Hoaglund for the

purpose of reviewing the claims.

 

Regular committee business began at 9:15 a.m.

 

Present:  Commissioners Brock, Hoaglund, Brooks, Sikkema and Tiedt.

Also present:  Lieutenant Justin Halladay – Sheriff’s Department, Sandra Marvin – Prosecuting Attorney, Susan Vander Pol-County Coordinator, Rick Charmoli – Cadillac News, Lance Cornelius - Maintenance Supervisor, Charles Brooks – Brooks Security, Robin Fuerneisen – Nutrition Program Administrator and Kim Yost – Administrative Aide.

 

Additions or Deletions to the Agenda – The following items were added to the agenda: “Discuss Security Alarm System – Lance Cornelius and Charles Brooks,” “Main Courthouse South Wall Repair – Lance Cornelius” and “MMRMA Rap Grant and In-car Digital Camera Purchase – Justin Halladay.”

 

Motion by Commissioner Brock, supported by Commissioner Brooks to approve the agenda with the additions.  Motion carried.

 

Brief public comment:  None.

 

Employee comment:  Susan Vander Pol commented on various legislative proposals and bills being presented for consideration.  These include E911 Funding, Register of Deeds bills pertaining to social security numbers on deeds and public documents, jail sentencing guidelines and MAC’s position paper on the proposed guidelines.  Susan indicated once the Legislature approves the E911 funding bill a special Board meeting will need to be held as funding resolutions and paperwork must be submitted to the State by the September 17th deadline for our 911 Dispatch to receive funding for the new fiscal year.

 

Commissioner Hoaglund commented he wished to get the Commissioners thoughts on having the Road Commission bring in fill at the Dighton EMS property to level the property.  He just wished to bring this forth for thought.

 

Lance Cornelius commented the wording on page 5 of the Committee of the Whole minutes from August 7th state that he was asked by Commission on Aging to remove a tree and mow the lawn at the Tustin Sportsman’s Club.  He wished to let the Commissioners know this was not correct, that he had been asked if the Maintenance Department was able to do these things.       

 

Motion by Commissioner Sikkema, supported by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the Committee Minutes of August 7, 2007 with a correction to page 5 indicating Lance was asked if the Maintenance Department could remove a tree and mow at the Tustin Sportsman’s Club.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the claims submitted in the amount of $39,290.55.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

Crime Victim Rights Grant Agreement

Sandra Marvin indicated the Crime Victim Rights Grant Agreement is the same as last year.  She said staffing changes in her office did affect the grant amount, but changes were made in other areas to off set this difference keeping the grant dollar amount the same.  The Committee made the following recommendation:

 

Recommended by Commissioner Brock, supported by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the Crime Victim Rights Grant Agreement and authorize the Board Chairperson to sign the agreement.  Recommendation was unanimously supported.

 

Prosecuting Attorney Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP)

Sandra Marvin commented the CRP contract is the same as last year.  Brief discussion followed.  The Committee made the following recommendation:

 

Recommended by Commissioner Brooks, supported by Commissioner Brock to approve the Prosecuting Attorney Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP) and authorize the Board Chairperson to sign the contract.  Recommendation was unanimously supported. 

 

Friend of the Court Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP)

Brief discussion was also held on the Friend of the Court Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP) with the Committee making the following recommendation:

 

Recommended by Commissioner Brooks, supported by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the Friend of the Court Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP) and authorize the Board Chairperson to sign the contract.  Recommendation was unanimously supported.

 

MMRMA Rap Grant and In-car Digital Camera Purchase for Sheriff’s Department

Justin Halladay presented information pertaining to a 50% match grant received from MMRMA for the purchase of in-car digital cameras.  He explained what previously had been utilized in the vehicles and how these are no longer functional with other equipment that is required to be placed in vehicles.  He reviewed functions and quotes for various cameras and the reasons the cameras are needed.  Sandra Marvin also commented on the need for the cameras to aide in prosecuting cases.  Discussion was then held on funding of the purchases as no money had been budgeted for this.  Susan reviewed a couple of options, but indicated she will need to check with the County Treasurer to be sure what funds could be transferred.  Discussion was also held on the fact that the grant expires on September 8, 2007.  Justin indicated he had contacted MMRMA and was told this was not a problem, that the grant funds could be held over for a while.  Susan indicated she would contact MMRMA to see if they would do a letter of extension to allow time for research to be sure the Sheriff’s Department is getting the cameras that will work best for the department.

 

Tustin Sportsman’s Club Update

Robin Fuerneisen was in attendance to give an update on the Tustin Sportsman’s Club.  She indicated letters had been sent to renters of previously scheduled events at the Club.  The letters indicated the change in ownership and requirements pertaining to their use of the building.  Robin also handed out “Hall Rental Details” and “Lease Agreement” documents for the Committee’s review.  Susan indicated these forms need to be sent to MMRMA for their input as the County’s liability carrier.  Discussion was held on the request from MMRMA to require a liquor liability policy or homeowners’ policy that covers “off premises events” and “guest liquor liability” by the people renting the building and the need to check to be sure the policies do cover this type of liability.  Discussion was also held on maintenance at the building.  Lance asked for direction in regard to removal of a smaller spruce tree.  Robin indicated the tree looks like it has mold growing on it and it is beginning to lean.  The Committee made the following recommendation:

 

Recommended by Commissioner Brooks, supported by Commissioner Brock to approve the Maintenance Department removing a blue spruce tree located at the Commission on Aging/Tustin Sportsman’s Club Building.  Recommendation was unanimously supported.

 

Lance indicated he will start working on the list of projects at the Club Building.

  

Sale of County Vehicles

Kim Yost reviewed requests from the Sheriff’s Department and Community Corrections to sell six vehicles, five from the Sheriff’s Department and one from Community Corrections.  Discussion followed on the sale of the vehicles, scrap value, setting a minimum bid amount and advertisement wording.  The Committee made the following recommendation:

 

Recommended by Commissioner Brooks, supported by Commissioner Brock to advertise for the sale of the following vehicles, with a minimum bid amount of $400 per vehicle: 1991 Chevrolet Suburban - VIN 1GNER16K1MF133838, 1992 Dodge Ramcharger 4 x 4 – VIN 3B4GM17Y5NM547304, 1996 Dodge Stratus – 1B3EJ46C6TN235040, 1997 Ford Crown Victoria – VIN 2FALP71W5VX170471, 2000 Ford Crown Victoria – VIN 2FAFP71W6YX123046, 2004 Dodge Intrepid – VIN 2B3HD46V24H701904.  Recommendation was unanimously supported.

 

Security Alarm System

Lance Cornelius introduced Charles Brooks from Brooks Security.  Lance indicated at the last Committee meeting the Commissioners had requested he contact Brooks Security regarding issues with the current alarm system, especially with the portion of the system at the Annex Building.  Mr. Brooks indicated he had done some testing of the current system.  He explained how the system works and said the main unit of the system sends out signals to the alarm buttons located in the various offices.  When it does not receive a signal back it sets off alarms on the individual alarm button(s).  It was noted there is more of a problem in the summer then the winter with the alarms not responding to the signal because of the trees that break the signal cycle.  Mr. Brooks provided information on the Honeywell system currently in place at the Health and Services Building.  He asked for permission to do a site survey/test at the Annex, which would include setting up a similar security system as is in the Health and Services Building, to see if it would work for the Annex.  This would be done free of charge.  Mr. Brooks also presented information on a monitoring service offered by Brooks Security.  Discussion followed on the benefits to the County’s security having Brooks Security do the monitoring.  The cost for the monitoring would be $29.50 per month per location, with the possibility of a multi-location discount (Mr. Brooks indicated he would need to check on this).  Another system was also discussed, but Mr. Brooks indicated he wanted to try the Honeywell system first.  The Committee asked Mr. Brooks to proceed with the site survey/test and report his finding at a future Committee meeting.

 

Elimination of Probationary Period Policy

Susan Vander Pol commented that Michigan is an At-Will employer state, making the County an At-Will employer.  The County currently has a Probationary Period Policy that conflicts with this At-Will status.  County Counsel has recommended the policy be deleted from the County’s Policies and Procedures.  After brief discussion the Committee made the following recommendation:

 

Recommended by Commissioner Brooks, supported by Commissioner Tiedt to remove the Probationary Period Policy from the Osceola County Policies and Procedures effective upon approval of the Board of Commissioners.  Recommendation was unanimously supported.

 

 

 

 

Other Budget Amendments, Cash Transfers and Budget Amendment Report from County Treasurer.

County Treasurer Budget Amendment Reports for June 2007 and July 2007 were presented to the Committee for review.  The Committee made the following recommendation:

 

Recommended by Commissioner Brooks, supported by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the Budget Amendment Reports for June 2007 and July 2007 as presented by the County Treasurer.  Recommendation was unanimously supported.

 

Employee Comment:  Lance Cornelius handed out information provided by a vendor to repair the south wall of the Main Courthouse.  He indicated the vendor has offered to come and speak to the Committee regarding the repair.  Discussion followed.  It was mentioned if this vendor was allowed to come to Committee the invitation should also be extended to other vendors interested in providing information on the south wall repair.  The Committee indicated they would review the information provided, but did not wish to meet with anyone at this time.

 

Lance mentioned the neighbor to the south of the Main Courthouse, Teresa Woitel, has offered to donate two crimson maple trees to be planted on the edge of the Main Courthouse south parking lot.  Brief discussion followed, with the Committee requesting a thank you card be sent to Ms. Woitel for the donation.

 

Lance mentioned the driveway at the Health and Services Building is developing a sinkhole.  He wondered if the County was now responsible for this or should the vendor that did the work be contacted.  After brief discussion it was thought it had been a year or so since the work was completed and there probably are no longer any warranties in place on this.

 

Discussion was also held on road signage at the Health and Services Building.  The County is still trying to work on getting a sign in place, but there been difficulties as the County does not own any property frontage where the sign can be legally and visually placed.   

 

Susan Vander Pol gave an update on a tour of the Schumacher property she participated in last Tuesday.  She reviewed the scene at the property in reference to the number of tires and the tire fire.  Susan commented the Prosecuting Attorney has been contacted to see if she would be willing to send a letter to Mr. Schumacher putting him on notice that the County is now in possession of the property through the foreclosure process and that the County would be changing the locks on the gates.  The Prosecutor has agreed to send a letter.

 

Susan gave a brief update on the Building Inspections Department.  She commented as part of the 2008 budget process she will be requesting the department’s indirect costs be frozen at the 2007 figures.

 

Public comment:  None.

 

Moved by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brooks to adjourn at 12:05 p.m.

 

 

 

_____________________________                          _____________________________

Elmo Hoaglund, Vice Chairman                                      Kim Yost, Administrative Aide