COUNTY OF OSCEOLA

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MINUTES

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2007

 

 

The committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Emig for the purpose of reviewing the claims at 9:00 a.m.

 

Regular committee business was called to order at 9:10 a.m. 

 

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

Also present:  Sally Barber-Cadillac News; Lindsey –Pioneer Group; Sandy Marvin-Prosecutor; Justin Halladay-Sheriff Dept. Lt.; Russ Wayne-Jail Administrator;  Mark Watkins-EMD Director; Jim Crees-Osceola Edition of Pioneer; Susan VanderPol-County Coordinator and Karen Bluhm-County Clerk.

 

Motion by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Sikkema to approve the agenda as amended.  Motion carried.

 

Brief public comment:  None.

 

Employee Comment:  Sandy Marvin, County Prosecutor, read a statement to committee members regarding the Sheriff’s Department.

 

Moved by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Tiedt to approve minutes from November 20, 2007 as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Sikkema to approve the claims presented in the amount of $30,860.78.  Recommendation carried.

 

Building Alarm/Security Systems & Cancellation of ADT System Services

Lance Cornelius, Maintenance Supervisor, was present, but reported that he is not meeting until tomorrow the 5th of December with Mr. Brooks regarding further testing and fine tuning of the new security system.  He hopes to have a complete report for the committee at the meeting on the 18th of December. 

 

Lance also reported they continue to work on the problems with the bathrooms in the library.    He reported work is being done on the plow for the GMC pickup.  Robin Fuerneisen, Meals Coordinator, has contacted Lance to let them know they are ready to begin working on the Tustin facility.  Lance has advised Commission on Aging they will work the Tustin facility in around other projects as time allows.  Discussion was held about the lighting for the South parking and a complaint from a resident near the Courthouse.  Lance reported a shield has been ordered to alleviate the problem, but the light has been turned off until the shield is in place.  A letter from MIOSHA regarding a complaint filed with them regarding the Annex building was discussed. 

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December 4, 2007

 

Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator, told committee members that neither she nor Lance have ever been contacted regarding the issue MIOSHA is referencing.  Susan stated the building meets code.  After some discussion it was decided Susan and Lance will contact MIOSHA for more detailed information on the complaint.  They will then respond to the letter accordingly. 

 

Lance Cornelius left the meeting at 9:37 a.m.

 

Donated 1996 Dodge Pickup for D.A.R.E.

Justin Halladay, Lieutenant at the Sheriff’s Department, was present to discuss a pickup donated by M & P Towing for the D.A.R.E. program.  M&P towed it for someone who failed to pay the towing charge and has obtained possession of the vehicle by forfeiture for failure to pay the tow charge.  They do not need or want the vehicle and offered to donate the vehicle for the D.A.R.E. program.  Committee members asked about the Camaro being used for this program.  Justin advised that vehicle has been in place for about 8 years and the new D.A.R.E. officer Deputy Baumgardner would prefer the pick up.  Justin also advised that this vehicle would be a full service patrol vehicle and Deputy Baumgardner has gathered donations of equipment and service to accomplish the set up of the vehicle.  Any other funding for the vehicle set-up would come from the D.A.R.E. Fund.  He noted the vehicle would probably not be ready until sometime in 2008 and after it is finished the County could possibly sell the Camaro in 2009. 

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brock to accept the donation of the 1996 Dodge RAM pickup from M&P Towing for the D.A.R.E. program.  Recommendation carried.

 

Justin Halladay, Russ Wayne and Sally Barber left at 9:45 a.m.

 

Department of Human Services Appointment

Denny Major, DHS Director, has let the Board know that Glenn Bluhm’s appointment to the Department of Human Services Board will expire soon and they are asking this Board to reappoint him for 3 years.  His appointment be established to 2010 (3 years). 

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Sikkema to reappoint Glenn Bluhm to the Department of Human Services Board for a period of 3 years through year 2010.  Recommendation carried.

 

WMRPC 2008 Board Appointments

Commissioner Emig has received correspondence from West Michigan Regional Planning Commission about 2008 appointments to their Board.  Current appointees are Commissioner Elmo Hoaglund (public), Dan Massy (public), and Morris Langworthy, Jr. (private).

 

 

 

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December 4, 2007

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brooks to reappoint Commissioner Hoaglund (public), Dan Massy (public) and Morris

Langworthy, Jr. (private) to the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission for the year 2008.  Recommendation carried.

 

Budget Amendments and Cash Transfers

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Tiedt  to approve the budget amendments and cash transfers as presented:  

Line Item                    Description                             Increase                                  Decrease

245.120.695.000                 Transfer In                                           $        750

101.228.860.000                 Travel                                                                                                                    $           50

101.228.861.000                 Conferences                                                                                                         $         700

245.902.970.004                 Capital DP                                            $        750

101.965.999.028                 Transfer Out Capital                          $        750

101.315.702.003                 Permanent Employees                                                                                        $      1,135

101.315.702.006                 Holidays                                                $        500

101.315.702.008                 Sick Pay                                                $        500

101.315.724.001                 Disability                                              $        135

101.290.643.003                 Sale/Real Property                             $   16,135

101.290.677.005                 Administration Fee                             $   10,200

101.301.537.000                 Gov’t. Reimb.                                        $   37,700

101.301.643.001                 Cops/School Reimb.                            $   13,936

101.351.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $     1,910

101.351.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $     1,411

101.351.724.002                 Disability                                              $     1,533

101.430.721.001                 Health                                                    $        369

101.430.721.002                 Dental                                                    $          53

101.861.720.000                 Retirement/Co. Share                        $      1,250

101.861.721.001                 Health Ins.                                            $      1,245

101.861.721.004                 Prescription Ins.                                 $    70,200

101.253.445.000                 Interest Taxes                                      $      8,000

101.253.402.000                 Real Taxes                                            $    47,070

101.102.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $      1,950

101.102.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $             3

101.136.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $      6,755

101.148.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $      5,260

101.148.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $         895

101.148.719.000                 FICA                                                      $      1,620

101.155.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $      2,680

101.155.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $         150

101.215.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $      6,975

101.215.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $         865

101.215.724.002                 Disability Insurance                           $           80

101.228.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $     1,170

101.228.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $        154

101.253.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $        380

101.253.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $        620

101.257.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $     3,675

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December 4, 2007

 

101.257.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $          94

101.261.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $        483

101.265.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $     2,680

101.265.724.001                 Disability                                              $          80

101.268.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $     1,810

101.268.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $        319

101.268.724.002                 Disability                                              $          58

101.282.724.002                 Disability                                              $        297

101.290.719.000                 FICA                                                      $        203

101.290.932.000                 Vehicle Maint.                                     $          51

101.301.721.001                 Health Insurance                 $   14,715

101.301.721.002                 Dental Insurance                 $        100

101.301.724.002                 Disability                                              $      948

Cash transfer of $750 from 101 General Fund to 245 Public Improvement Fund.

Recommendation carried.

 

Recess at 9:50 a.m. Committee meeting resumed at 10:04 a.m.

Sara Youngs arrived at 10:04 a.m.

 

Sick Leave Benefit Utilization

Sara Youngs, Human Resource Specialist, and Rosie McKinstry, Equalization Director were present for the discussion on the Sick Leave Benefit.  Discussion on remedy for employees maxed at the 150 sick days and they could no longer accumulate more days.  In essence these employees would either use sick leave days or lose them.  Conversation about what the incentive might be for these employees to not “misuse” sick leave just because they could no longer accumulate any future earned sick leave days.  Discussion was held on how to enforce such a policy change if the Board considered a possible pay out for a portion of days earned about the 150 maximum like the Sick and Accident Policy allows for new non-union general hires.  Sara Youngs advised committee members that this would have to be tracked manually, because the computer would not be able to handle this.  After further discussion, it was decided to leave the policy as it currently reads.

 

Sara Youngs then asked for committee direction regarding when to invoice employees for their benefits when on an unpaid leave not in conjunction with Family Medical Leave.  She explained some of her questions and concerns with the committee.  It was decided the committee members would talk to other employers in the area to see how they handle this type of situation.  Susan was asked to put this topic back on the December 18, 2007 committee agenda.

 

Discussion was held on the possibility of allowing employees hired prior to September 1, 2002 to opt into the Short Term Disability Program.  The sick days these employees have accumulated would be “banked” at the time of transfer.  Sara explained the possible benefit to employees.

 

 

 

 

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December 4, 2007

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brock to approve the open enrollment (one time offer) for non-union general employees to transfer their sick leave policy from the old policy and allow them to enroll in the accrual sick leave system with the S&A policy.  Recommendation carried.

 

Rosie McKinstry and Sara Youngs left at 10:40 a.m.

 

Emergency Operations Center Usage Policy

Mark Watkins, EMD Director, and Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator, spoke to the committee members about the previously proposed usage plan for the Emergency Operations Center.  Committee members were advised department supplies are often used by the various groups using the facility.  It was also noted that department staff sets up before and often cleans up after a group has used the facility and these organizations are not currently being charged for staff time.  Room usage has gotten to the point that on weekends they sometime have double or triple bookings and staff is coming in to accommodate.  Security at the building was discussed and the installation of a security camera is being recommended.  After further discussion, Mark was instructed to work with Susan on a revised policy and cost and bring it back to the committee.

 

Emergency Management Update

Mark Watkins, EMD Director, gave a department update which included public safety.

He spoke regarding the departments work grant agreement and explained that due to the State shut down no negotiations have yet taken place. He also explained some of the difficulties encountered with the redistricting of the Michigan State Police as it relates to the program. He also asked the committee to approve the quarterly work agreement.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brock, support by Commissioner Tiedt to approve Emergency Management’s quarterly work agreement as presented and authorize the Chairman to sign.  Recommendation carried.

 

Mark then reported that after numerous challenges he has obtained 80% funding for the new console upgrades at 9-1-1.  This will save dispatch a lot of money while increasing their capabilities.

 

Mark then spoke about an experiment on the communications tower which he believes is cost effective and seems to have resolved the issue.  He did note this was a temporary fix, because eventually the entire system will need to be re-modified.  He reminded committee members that last year the tower froze up in the winter because there is no heat at the tower.  He asked for a Public Safety Committee meeting with all involved to explain the history of the system and get everyone on the same page to remedy the tower problems.

 

Discussion was briefly held on the rental agreement for the North Fire Tower.

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The Michigan Emergency Management Assistance Compact, MEMAC, agreement still needs to be approved by the Board.  This item will be put on the December 18th agenda.

Mark explained his displeasure with sirens and why.

 

Mark left the meeting at 11:30a.m.

 

Commissioner Emig reminded members of the committee they need to appoint two people to the West Michigan Regional Planning Commissioner at their next meeting.  Currently Dan Massy serves as a member of the public with Larry Morlock holding the private position on their Board.

 

MMRMA Electric Choice

Kim Yost, Administrative Aide, presented information on the Electric Choice Program proposal through MMRMA.  This program has been in existence for a few years, but previously it was not found to be cost effective for us to change.  MMRMA has now negotiated rates for our area which estimate a savings of approximately $4,000 per year in electric charges if the Main Courthouse and Courthouse Annex were to be switched over.  Kim explained that Consumers Power would actually still be the provider, but the billing would come through MMRMA. The only cost for the County is a phone line for each location.  Kim reported the $4,000 savings is after the cost of the additional phone lines.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brooks to switch to MMRMA’s Electric Choice for the Courthouse and Annex locations.  Recommendation carried.

 

Public Act 88

Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator, shared a resolution regarding PA 88 in relationship to our Municipal Employees Retirement Program (MERS) as related to prior years of service as well as for vesting and asked for Board adoption.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Tiedt to adopt Act 88.  Recommendation carried.

 

Employee Comment:  Kim Yost, Administrative Aide, reported the Solid Waste Amendment Plan has received enough local units of government approval to be sent on to the State.

 

Motion by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brock to adjourn at 12:01 p.m.

 

 

 

_____________________________                          _________________________________

Karen J. Bluhm, County Clerk                          Larry Emig, Chairperson