OSCEOLA COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

MINUTES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007

 

Committee was called to order by Vice-Chairman Hoaglund at 9:00 a.m. to review the claims.

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

 

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

Also present:  Ed Nettle, EMS Director, Russ Wayne-Jail Administrator, Lance Cornelius-Maintenance Supervisor, Susan VanderPol-County Coordinator and Karen Bluhm-County Clerk.

 

Motion by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Tiedt to approve the agenda with additions.  Motion carried.

 

Brief public comment:  None.

Extended public comment:  Susan VanderPol updated committee members on the status of SB 410 & SB 411.  She also spoke about an upcoming County summit planned for November 28, 2007.  The event will be held at Kettenun Center and will be sponsored by MSU Extension, Osceola County Township Association (OCTA) and the County.  Actual cost will be $15.00 per person, but they would like to keep registration to participants at $10.00/person with the extra possibly being covered by the County.  More details will follow.

 

Commissioner Brooks expressed his concern that this County Summit is something that he feels should have been a discussion by this committee.  Although he approves of holding such a summit, he knows the DDA is sponsoring a similar event at the same time of year addressing some of the same issues.  He is concerned that things like this should be discussed by all members present before being announced to the public.  Commissioner Sikkema agreed and noted if the local DDA is holding a similar event, we might want to cancel this one.

 

Susan VanderPol also asked direction from the committee regarding requests from various agencies and organizations as to posting posters, flyers and yard signs regarding various community events.  Brief discussion was held.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Faber, support by Commissioner Tiedt to adopt a county policy allowing only county related materials to be posted and/or advertised in and on County property.  Recommendation carried.

 

Motion by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brooks to approve the minutes as presented from Sept. 4, 2007.  Motion carried.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Faber to approve the claims presented in the amount of $53,236.06.  Recommendation carried.

 

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Sept. 18, 2007

 

Budget Amendments

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Sikkema to adopt the following budget amendments and cash transfers:

                                                                                    Increase                      Decrease

245.120.695.000         Transfer In                             $     565                      

245.902.970.005         County Comm.                       $     565

101.965.999.028         Transfer Out PIC                   $     565

101.290.901.001         Data Staff Dev.                                                          $   565

101.851.688.003         Insurance Reimb                    $  2,087

260.120.695.000         Transfer In                             $  2,087

101.965.999.023         Transfer Out                          $  2,087

260.120.932.000         Vehicle Maint.                       $  2,087

260.120.543.003         2006 Grant                             $40,000

260.120.702.003         Permanent Emp.                     $40,000

 

Cash Transfer of $2,087 from 101 General Fund to 260 Emergency Management Fund.

Cash Transfer of $565.00 from 101 General Fund to 245 Public Improvement Fund.

Recommendation carried.

 

Annex Building Security System

Charles Brooks, Brooks Security & Electronics, along with Lance Cornelius-Maintenance Supervisor, were present with a recommendation for a new security system for the Courthouse Annex.  They explained the differences between the Inovonics System versus the Honeywell System tested.   Both systems were tested in the building and while the Inovonics worked throughout the building the Honeywell system did not work in some areas.  The Inovonics system has a burglar alarm ready to add onto the system if the County would decide to do this later.  They also spoke about the 24-hour monitoring system offered by Brooks Security and the benefits.  This monitoring system would alert them if and when batteries get low and need to be replaced.  They test the equipment regularly.  The cost is $29.50 per month for the monitoring system.  Discussion on the cost of all the false alarms at the Annex versus monitoring by Brooks Security.  Mr. Brooks advised there is a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Faber to accept the bid by Brooks Security for the Inovonics Security System for the Annex Building in the amount of $5,377.50 funding to come from 245.901.970.031.  Also include the monthly fee of $29.50 /mo. for monitoring the system to be paid from 101.290.808.000 contracted services.  Recommendation carried. 

 

Loraine McCall and Robin Fuerneisen arrived at 9:37 a.m.

Rosie McKinstry arrived at 9:45 a.m.

Charles Brooks left at 9:55 a.m.

 

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Jail Heating/Cooling Proposals

Lance reviewed the bids previously received on the jail heating and cooling.  Lance noted that Clark Plumbing and Heating was the only one to follow the bid proposal as requested.  Allen Chrisman, Clark Plumbing and Heating, was present to answer any questions the committee members might have regarding their proposal. This unit will have heat, air conditioning and air exchange.  Mr. Chrisman thinks the system bid will heat the building comfortably.  He advised those present that he has spoken to the manufacturer of the equipment and been assured by the manufacturer that it should perform well for this project.  Discussion on the possibility of fixing some of the ductwork, should the need arise. Mr. Chrisman advised they would be willing to fix the ductwork, but the county would be liable for the cost of that fix because it was not a part of their bid.  Discussion on relocating some of the thermostats was held. Warranty on the Bryant unit is 1 year totally with 5 years on the motor and 10 years on the heat exchanger.  Labor is guaranteed for one year.   Mr. Chrisman advised them the alarm system connection may need to be shut off during installation and that was not covered in their bid.   Lance reminded the committee that he needs to know whether the committee wants to replace the system or fix the old system, as they cannot “fire up” the present system without an inspection and he does not want to spend money on such an inspection, if the committee intends to replace the entire system.

 

Recommendation by Sikkema, support by Brooks to purchase the Bryant unit and award the bid to Clark Plumbing & Heating (Proposal #2) in the amount of $6340.  Cost will be paid as follows:  $5000 from Commissary Fund and the remainder from general fund.   Authorization for Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator to sign as purchasing agent.  Recommendation carried.

 

Russ Wayne left at 10:20 a.m.  Mr. Chrisman left at 10:22 a.m. and Lance Cornelius left at 10:25 a.m.

 

Emergency Medical Services Update

Ed Nettle, EMS Director, gave an update to committee members.  He reported revenues are down in 2006 and 2007.  He noted year 2006 will be better than 2007, because they have had  less calls for service.  He informed committee members he has been attending meetings with the Fire Association.  He shared a report listing many community activities the department has been involved in.  He updated them with a Med Control report and how it affects the EMS department. Their state licensing has been updated for 2007-2008.   Vehicle maintenance continues to be a major problem.    He talked about the warranty still available on MIC 1 noting they have had several repairs on the engine, which were still under warranty.  He advised that he will have the Internationals serviced by the International dealer and explained his reasoning.  He talked briefly about the need to replace some of his “pool” staffing.  He will continue to update the training of staff to keep them certified and up to date with treatment practices.  He also noted that staff members have been assisting in general maintenance work at the department.  The purchase of a new ambulance was discussed briefly.

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Dan Massy at 10:35 a.m.

Ed Nettle left meeting at 10:38 a.m.

 

Equalization Department Public Kiosk

Rosie McKinstry, Equalization Director, reported that old computer equipment has been set up in their office to use as public terminal.  The assessing system and tax system would be available to the public from this public kiosk.  She also would like to connect a printer to the system for public printing, but wanted direction as to how to charge for the printed documents printed by the public. Discussion was held on the cost for printing as well as charging those who ask the department to fax information to them.  After some discussion the following recommendation was made.

 

Recommendation by Tiedt, support by Sikkema  to set a fee for printing from the public terminal and printing within the office or sending by mail at $1.00/parcel or faxing information for $3.00 for 1st parcel and $1.00/parcel after the first parcel.  Effective Oct. 1, 2007 for faxing.  Carried.

 

Rosie also reported that Colleen, from BS&A, will be coming in for a meeting with township treasurers sometime in October.  She will be explaining the new system as far as tax bills and tax rolls.  She will also be explaining why we do not need as many printing options as in the past.  They will not be printing bills in several different ways and they will all be done uniformly countywide.  Discussion was held on the fee charged to townships for this service.  It was noted that it has been at least 5 years since we looked at the fee charged.

 

 Rosie left at 11:10 a.m.

 

Commission on Aging Update

Loraine McCall-COA Director & Robin Fuerneisen-Meals Coordinator were present.  They shared a checklist for the rental of the recently acquired Tustin Sportsman’s Club.  This checklist was developed because of the condition the facility was left in after recent use.  They have been contacted about using the facility for a benefit and the group asked  requested to use the facility at no charge.  Discussion was held regarding the use of the building at no charge, and it was determined this would be illegal, because the County cannot donate to others.   The request will have to be denied because the facility no longer belongs to a private entity.  Someone suggested they find a sponsor to pay the rental fee and then the facility could be used for the event. 

 

Steam Table Purchase  proposals presented by Robin Fuerneisen, Meals Coordinator.  Area Agency on Agency has given $3000 for equipment in the new Tustin facility, but it must be spent before the end of the month.  She shared information on a new steam table, which will be needed and explained the differences between the quoted equipment.

 

 

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Sept. 18, 2007

 

Carol & Rosie in at 11:35 a.m. 

  

Recommendation by Commissioner Faber, support by Commissioner Sikkema to purchase a DUKQ 13041 @ $1310.00 hot food table and DUKA 2300 accessories for hot food table @ 485.00 plus shipping.   Money will come from Commission on Aging budget.   Recommendation carried.

 

Planning Commissioner Agric. & Ex-Officio Appts./Dan Massy

Dan Massy was present asking to appoint Tom Bluhm, Agricultural and Greg White new District Conservationist to the Planning Commission.  These appointments will complete the membership on the Planning Commission.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Faber to appoint Tom Bluhm and Greg White to the Planning Commission. Recommendation carried.

 

Carol Halladay, County Treasurer, and Rosie McKinstry, Equalization Director were present to discuss further the fee set previously this meeting for faxing information and copying of information to the public.  After further discussion the following recommendations were made.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Sikkema to withdraw the previous recommendation regarding charges for faxing and copies.  Recommendation carried.

 

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Faber , support by Commissioner Brooks to establish fees as follows: $2.00/fax to include the first page and $1.00/each additional sheet of paper faxed.  Public terminal print outs are $1.00 per page and $1.00 per page if mailed or handed out in an office.  Effective date will be Sept. 24, 2007.  Recommendation carried. 

 

Rosie & Carol left at 12:10 p.m.

 

Board of Canvassers Appointments

County Clerk, Karen Bluhm, advised committee members they need to appoint one Democrat and one Republican to the Board of Canvassers.  She has shared with them the letters of recommendations by both party chairs.  She asked they look the information over, and they will be voting on these appointments at the Board meeting scheduled for September 21, 2007.

 

Commissioner Faber told committee members that with his current work schedule he is no longer able to regularly attend the Mental Health meetings.  He would be willing to resign his   appointment if someone else is interested in serving.   Susan will check to see if the County can assign an alternate to this Board.

 

 

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Employee Comment:  Dan Massy reported receiving a call from the State regarding tire grant clean up must be submitted by Oct 31, 2007. He is going to fill out the necessary application, in case the County obtains the Schumacher property by forfeiture of the property auction.  If the County received the grant we can accept or decline.

 

Extended Public Comment:  None.

 

Moved to adjourn by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Tiedt at 12:45 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________                                          _____________________________

Karen J. Bluhm, County Clerk                                      Elmo Hoaglund, Vice-Chairman