BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

 

The Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Emig at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of reviewing the claims presented.  Regular committee business began at 9:10 a.m.

 

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

Also present:  Carol Halladay-County Treasurer, Lt. Justin Halladay-Sheriff’s Dept., Mark Watkins-Emergency Management, Robin Yost-Vital CHEK, Susan VanderPol-County Coordinator and Karen Bluhm-County Clerk.

 

Motion by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Brooks to approve the minutes from March 4, 2008 as presented.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Brock to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Brock to approve the claims presented in the amount of $46,923.23.  Recommendation carried.

 

Brief public comment:  None.

Employee comment:  None.

 

Vital CHEK Presentation

Robin Yost, from Vital CHEK, shared a brief history of their company with committee members.  She told those present that Vital CHEK provides a walk in “counter solution” for the use of credit and debit cards by consumers.  She advised the committee there was no cost to the County and user fees are paid by consumers.  Vital CHEK provides the equipment necessary at no cost to the County; however the County is responsible for an analog phone line connection.  She also explained that once the transaction is complete, the County then prints out the check, from the equipment provided, so the County immediately has their money without waiting the standard 2-3 business days other vendors require.  Vital CHEK provides installation of all equipment as well as staff training and customer support.  Both Carol Halladay, County Treasurer, and Karen Bluhm, County Clerk, asked committee members to consider this service as they have been having trouble with the current provider, formerly Government Payment Services, since a merger of that company occurred last fall.  They also noted that with Vital CHEK customers would be able to use their credit and debit cards at the counter without calling an “800” number, not to mention we would have the payment for services immediately.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Hoaglund to approve the Vital CHEK, “Counter Solution” product for use in any departments wishing to participate.  Recommendation carried.

 

Discussion was  then held on the contract in place with Government Payment Services (GPS) for

 

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credit card services and whether the wording in that contract allowed us to terminate services with them at any time.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brock, support by Commissioner Tiedt to terminate the contract with Government Payment Services.  Recommendation carried.

 

After further discussion on the termination clause in the Government Payment Services it was decided to table the recommendation to contract with Vital CHEK until County Counsel has reviewed the contract we have with Government Payment Services.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Faber, support by Commissioner Sikkema to table the Vital CHEK recommendation to the April meeting.  Recommendation carried.

 

Senior Center

Loraine McCall, COA Director, and Lance Cornelius, Maintenance Supervisor, presented an update on the remodeling at the Senior Center in Tustin.  The plumbing inspection is scheduled for the 19th and hopefully after this inspection they can complete dry walling.  Discussion was held on repairing the hole in the parking lot.  Cliff Youngs, from the Road Commission, has looked at the situation and it has been determined that there is an old tunnel under the area.  It appears the most cost effective and easiest way to fix the problem is to pour cement into the cavity.

 

WatchGuard Camera Purchase

Lt. Justin Halladay, Sheriff’s Department, was present to discuss the purchase of three Watch Guard cameras for the new departmental vehicles.  Lt. Halladay was able to obtain a $2500 grant through MMRMA for one half the cost of one camera and he had budgeted enough for the purchase of two cameras.  This leaves him short $2500 for the third camera.  He asked to transfer from the Drug Fund the needed $2500 so all three cameras could be purchased and installed in all three vehicles.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Brock to purchase three WatchGuard cameras for the Sheriff’s Department with $2500 coming from the Drug fund.  Recommendation carried.

 

Lt. Halladay also spoke to the committee about purchasing an additional laptop and a better quality digital camera for Deputy Hooper using funds from the Drug Fund.  Lt. Halladay was advised these purchases could be made without Board approval.  Commissioner Brooks then asked about a proposed budget amendment for the Milo Training.  Lt. Halladay explained the

 

 

 

 

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value of the training and asked that he be allowed to spend $1500 from the Drug Fund for this training expense.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Brock to approve the following budget amendment and cash transfer.

Line Item                    Description                             Increase                      Decrease

267.000.695.000                 Transfer In                                           $  1,500

265.000.699.001                 Approp. Fund Balance                        $  1,500

265.000.999.000                 Transfer Out                                        $  1,500

267.000.931.000                 Equipment                                             $  1,500

 

Cash transfer of $1500.00 from the 265 Fund to the 267 Fund.

Recommendation carried.

 

Scrap Tire Cleanup

Dan Massy, Economic Developer, shared with committee members the two bids received for the scrap tire cleanup project in Orient Township.  Dan explained that scoring criteria was developed before opening the bids to assist in the selection process.  Bids were received from Entech Inc. and Huffman Rubber, Inc.  Dan explained the scoring sheet to committee members and answered questions from Commissioners.  After some discussion the following recommendation was made.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Brooks to select Entech, Inc. for the scrap tire cleanup project in Orient Township.  Recommendation carried.

 

Emergency Medical Services

Ed Nettle, EMS Director, gave a general update to committee members.  He reported transports

are down about 119 runs from year 2006 to 2007 resulting in less revenue for the department.  Ed also spoke briefly about vehicle maintenance and let the committee members know he is still investigating the purchase of a new ambulance.  He noted he is looking at several options regarding a new ambulance and wants to be sure his recommendation will be the best for the County as well as the department.

 

Ed then asked for committee members to support the updated Mutual Aid agreements with both Missaukee and Mecosta Counties.  They are standard agreements with no cost.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Hoaglund to update the EMS Mutual Aid agreements with Missaukee County and Mecosta County and authorize the Chairman of the Board to sign.  Recommendation carried.

 

 

 

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2006 Homeland Security Grant Extension

Mark Watkins, EMD Director, explained that the 2006 Homeland Security Grant has been extended so he asked committee to approve keeping the local planners working until the grant money is expended.  He also reported that Diane Bush has been selected out of three regional coordinators to continue.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Brock that pursuant to the Emergency Management Governing Board approval that the 2006 funding for the local planners be extended to the end of September 2008 or until funding is depleted.  Recommendation carried.

 

Mark Watkins then shared his quarterly work agreement and asked for committee approval.

 

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

 

EMS Director 2008 Benefit Leave

Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator, told committee members that when Ed Nettle, EMS Director was hired last year he was given two personal days to use between July 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2007 and according to the personnel policy he would not receive this year’s personal days until his hire date in June.  She also noted that on his anniversary date his vacation time would be five days and yet the Board originally gave him two weeks vacation in his first year of employment with the County.  She felt it was the intention of the Board to allow him four personal days in year 2008 and another two weeks vacation upon his 1st year anniversary.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Sikkema to give EMS Director, Ed Nettle, four personal days for 2008 and upon his anniversary date he will be awarded two weeks vacation.  Recommendation carried.

 

Purchase of Clerk’s Office Copier

Jon-Thomas Burgess, Technology Coordinator, presented the quotes for the purchase of a new copier for the Clerk’s office.  He looked at five different vendors and explained some of the differences in the quotes and machines.  He noted we had approximately $8,000 in the budget for the purchase.  He recommended the Konica Minolta Biz Hub 420 from Albin and explained that not only were they the best quote for the amount of machine but our cost per copy was much lower.  He did note that upon checking references, he felt comfortable that the vendor would offer good maintenance and future support.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Sikkema, support by Commissioner Tiedt to authorize the purchase of the Konica Minolta Biz Hub 420 from Albin in the amount of $6,239.81 with a cost per page of $.0085.  Recommendation carried.

 

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Revised Policies

Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator, shared several personnel policy changes with committee members.  A brief discussion was held and a few minor revisions were suggested.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Faber to approve policy changes to the Funeral Leave Policy, Other Leave Policy, Personal Leave Policy, Sick Leave Policy and Smoking Policy as presented.  Recommendation carried.

 

Cooperative Reimbursement Amendments for Prosecutor & Friend of the Court

Susan VanderPol, County Coordinator, reported that both the Prosecuting Attorney and Friend of the Court’s Cooperative Reimbursement Agreements have been awarded more money, but the Board does need to approve these amendments.

 

Recommendation by Commissioner Tiedt, support by Commissioner Faber to approve the amended Prosecuting Attorney Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement and the Friend of the Court Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign.  Recommendation carried.

 

Budget Amendment

Recommendation by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Sikkema to approve the following budget amendment:

 

Line Item                    Description                             Increase                      Decrease

245.120.644.001                 Reimb./Grants                                     $  7,331

245.120.695.000                 Transfer In                                           $  2,000

101.290.901.001                 Software Development                                                                        $  2,000

101.965.999.028                 Transfer Out/Public Imprv.              $  2,000

245.902.970.003                 County Treasurer                               $  9,331

Recommendation carried.

 

Extended public comment:  None.

Employee comment:  None.

 

Motion by Commissioner Brooks, support by Commissioner Hoaglund to adjourn at 12:20 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________                          ________________________________

Karen J. Bluhm, County Clerk                          Larry Emig, Chairperson