OSCEOLA COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

PUBLIC HEARING

MINUTES

AUGUST 23, 2007

 

Chairman Larry Emig called to order the Public Hearing on the structure of the Road Commission Board at 9:03 a.m. in the Courthouse in Reed City.  He explained the hearing was being held in compliance with Public Act 598 of 2006 amending PA 283.  The purpose of the public hearing is to gather public input from citizens within the County as to whether they would like to see the Road Commission changed from three to five member board.  Chairman Emig then opened the floor to members of the public for comment.

 

Laura Peterson, Burdell Township Clerk, read a letter from the Burdell Township Board, signed by all members of that Board asking the County Commission increase the size of the Road Commission Board to five members.  She also shared the MTA Policy Platform also in support of such an increase in the Road Commission Board size.

 

Marilyn Ouwinga-7724 Hibma Road-Marion, MI.  Mrs. Ouwinga urged Board members to increase the Road Commission Board to five members.  She asked the County Commission to consider dividing the County into quarters giving each quarter an elected representative.  She then felt the fifth member of the Road Commission Board could be an “at large” member from within the entire County.  She also reminded Board members that cities and villages receive separate revenue for their roads from the state.

 

Dave Erler, Richmond Township citizen, advised the Commission that as a former Township Supervisor he has attended many Road Commission meetings and after watching how they operate he strongly urges the increase from three to five members on the Road Commission Board.  He would strongly urge creating districts within the County for representation on that Board.  He felt the cost incurred to increase the number of members on this Board compared to the benefits would be money well spent even with the current financial status of the Road Commission.  He also expressed his concern over the fact they built two new facilities not that long ago.  He recognized the need for at least one new facility, but building two at the same time was excessive.

 

Mike Gasper-175 Hills Cr-Leroy.  Mr. Gasper felt the Rose Lake Forest area is on the low end of services provided by the Road Commission.  He feels more members on the Road Commission Board would mean better decisions and better services.

 

Lori Leudeman, Leroy Township Treasurer, also reminded Commissioners that the Leroy Township Board sent them a letter signed by all members of their Township Board supporting the increase of Road Commission members from three to five members.

 

Darlene Gasper, on behalf of Rose Lake Property Owners, Leroy, MI.  Ms. Gasper reported the Association has dealt with the Road Commission on many occasions and urged the Board to

 

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August 23, 2007

 

increase the size of the Road Commission Board to five members.  She believes the increase in members on this Board would create more diversity and better input.

 

Chairman Emig thanked those present for their input on the issue.  He also advised that the present law did not allow for the creation of “districts” for these seats and any increase in size would still be by the County as a whole.  Emig added that the Board will continue to discuss this issue and gather input from around the community before making any decision.

 

Don Lewis, Chairman of the Road Commission, noted that if the size of the Road Commission is increased to five members it would not necessarily mean more would be done.  In fact, the increase would mean paying two more Board members taking approximately $13,000 more away from their revenues.  He told those present that they need to remember that their expenses continue to increase, while the revenue from the State is at the same level as year 2000 and 2001.

 

Darlene Gasper spoke again to the Board.  She asked to withdraw her request for an increase in the size of the Road Commission after hearing Mr. Lewis speak.  She thought that the cost of the additional Road Commissioners would be paid for by the State, however she did not want to see anymore of their general revenues depleted for this type of expenditure.

 

Chairman Emig addressed the differences between mandated and unmandated services.  He also explained a few reasons the new legislation was adopted. 

 

Public Hearing was closed at 9:28 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OSCEOLA COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR BOARD

MINUTES

AUGUST 23, 2007

 

 

The regular Board meeting of the Osceola County Board of Commissioners was called to order by Chairman Larry Emig at 9:45 a.m.  He led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance with Commissioner Brooks offering prayer.

 

Public Comment:  Marilyn Ouwinga, from Highland Township, asked County Commissioners to contact State Representative Darwin Booher to see if a change can be made to legislation regarding the structure of County Road Commissions as soon as possible.

 

Employee Comment:  None.

 

MOTION #1:  Approve Board Agenda

Moved by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Faber to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried.

 

MOTION #2:  Approve Board Minute of July 19, 2007

Moved by Commissioner Brock, support by Commissioner Hoaglund to approve the Board Minutes from July 19, 2007 as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Chairman Emig reviewed committee minutes from August 7, 2007 & August 21, 2007 with the following recommendations being made.

 

MOTION #3:  K-9 for Sheriff’s Department

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, support by Commissioner Faber to allow the sheriff to proceed with acquiring a K-9 Dog used for explosives searches and authorize the Chairperson of the board to sign said agreement.  Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

MOTION #4:  Sale of Animal Control Department Weapon

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, support by Commissioner Brock to allow Alan Benson, Animal Control Director, to purchase the Ruger, Security Six, stainless steel, .357 Magnum revolver for a cost of $100.00.  Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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August 23, 2007

 

OSCEOLA COUNTY RESOLUTION

2007-0012

 

AMENDING INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR MECOSTA-OSCEOLA TRANSIT AUTHORITY

 

WHEREAS,     Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority, also known as MOTA, is presently operating a public transportation small bus system that serves the Counties of Mecosta and Osceola under Public Act 196 of 1986; and

 

WHEREAS,    Article X (D and E) of MOTA’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, state:

 

D.     If a transportation millage proposal is not approved for operation of the Authority before December 31, 2007, the Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority shall cease operations no later than January 1, 2008, and if deemed necessary to dissolve the Authority, a request shall be made on behalf of the Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority to the Michigan Legislature for dissolution of the Authority.

 

E.      The Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority shall cease operations if a local millage approved in calendar year 2007 is not maintained or renewed at any amount for any 12-month period, and if deemed necessary to dissolve the Authority, a request shall be made on behalf of the Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority to the Michigan Legislature for dissolution of the Authority.  and,

 

WHEREAS, for the preceding two years the Authority has operated under a balanced budget, has continued to provide services without incurring additional debt, and has paid off the Counties’ debts incurred by MOTA’s predecessor, and

 

WHEREAS, the County of Mecosta Board of Commissioners has determined it is in the            best interest of the residents of the County to allow the Authority to operate indefinitely as an autonomous entity, to the full extent permitted by 1986 PA 196 and MOTA’s Articles of Incorporation, now

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the attached Intergovernmental Agreement and

Articles of Incorporation for Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority are hereby amended to delete

Sections D and E of Article X.  The Intergovernmental Agreement and Articles of Incorporation

are approved as amended.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution, and the attached amended

Intergovernmental Agreement and Articles of Incorporation, shall be filed and published as required by law.

 

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August 23, 2007

 

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, support by Commissioner Faber to adopt the proposed resolution eliminating the sunset provision of the MOTA Articles of Incorporation.  Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

MOTION #5:  Vehicle Maintenance Policy

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, support by Commissioner Tiedt to adopt the revised Maintenance of Vehicles policy as presented.   After some discussion, further review of this policy will need to be done.  The motion was tabled to the September 21, 2007 board meeting.

 

MOTION #6:  County Fraud Policy

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, support by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the Fraud Policy as presented.  Motion carried with voice vote.

 

MOTION #7:  Planning Commission Appointment

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, support by Commissioner Brock to appoint Ken Ford to the Osceola County Planning Commission filling the environmental position on that board.  Motion carried with voice vote.

 

MOTION #8:  Budget Amendments & Cash Transfers

Moved by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Hoaglund to approve the following budget amendments and cash transfers

 

Line Item                    Description                                         Increase                      Decrease

101.131.899.002         Appeals Atty.                                       $  4,000                      

101.168.899.004         Court Appt. Attys.                                                                    $   4,000

265.000.699.001         Approp. Fund Balance             $     255

267.000.695.000         Transfer In                                            $     255

267.000.931.000         Equip/  Maint. & Repair                       $     255

265.000.999.000         Transfer Out                                         $     255

Cash transfer of $255.00 from the 265 Drug Enforcement Fund to the 267 Drug Fund.

Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

MOTION #9:  Crime Victim Rights Grant Agreement

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, supported by Commissioner Brooks to approve the Crime Victim Rights Grant Agreement and authorize the Board Chairperson to sign the agreement.  Motion carried with seven yes votes. 

 

MOTION #10:  Prosecuting Attorney Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP)

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, supported by Commissioner Faber to approve the Prosecuting Attorney Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP) and authorize the Board Chairperson to sign the contract.  Motion carried with seven yes votes. 

 

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MOTION #11: Friend of the Court Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP)

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, supported by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the Friend of the Court Cooperative Reimbursement Contract (CRP) and authorize the Board Chairperson to sign the contract.  Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

MOTION #12:  Sale of County Vehicles

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, supported by Commissioner Faber 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 Ram Charger 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. The sale of these vehicles is stipulated upon further investigation, prior to advertising, on the 2004 Dodge Intrepid.

Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

MOTION #13:  Removal of Tree at Tustin’s Sportsman Club Facility

Moved by Commissioner Hoaglund, 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.  Motion carried with seven yes votes. 

 

MOTION #14:  Elimination of Probationary Period Policy

Moved 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.  Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

MOTION #15:  Budget Amendment & Cash Transfer Report

Moved by Commissioner Brooks, supported by Commissioner Sikkema to approve the Budget Amendment Reports for June 2007 and July 2007 as presented by the County Treasurer.  Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

MOTION #16:  Approval of Accounts Payable Invoices

Moved by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Sikkema to submit the account payable invoices in the amount of $102,220.37 and recommend the several amounts scheduled therein be allowed also that the Clerk of this Board be allowed to draw orders on the County Treasurer for the same.  Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

MOTION #17:  Approval of Prepaid Invoices

Moved by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Sikkema to submit the prepaid invoices in the amount of $937,637.93 and recommend the several amounts scheduled therein be allowed also that the Clerk of this Board be allowed to draw orders on the County Treasurer for the same.  Motion carried with seven yes votes.

 

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Board members gave liaison committee reports.

 

Chairman Emig advised there will be a Special Board Meeting on September 4, 2007 at

11:00 a.m.

 

Chairman Emig also spoke about an upcoming County Summit and explained how it is operating in other communities.

 

Motion by Commissioner Faber, support by Commissioner Hoaglund to adjourn at 11:00 a.m.  Motion carried.

 

 

____________________________                            ________________________________

Karen J. Bluhm, County Clerk                          Larry Emig, Chairperson