WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE
Minutes of May 20, 2008
DRAFT
(Held in Commission Chambers)
PRESENT: Thomas, Lemcool, Maxbauer, Fleis, Hooper, Inman, Underwood (5:08), Schmidt,
Wheelock.
ALSO PRESENT: D. Aloia, D. Bott, B. Cooney, T. Keenan, D. Sheehan, D. Stowe,
E. Cooper, B. Rokos, F. Keeslar, Mary Gillis, Jim Maitland and Neil Livasy (Road Commission),
B. McGillivary and others.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Lemcool @ 5:00 p.m..
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOVED by Inman, seconded by Fleis to approve minutes of April 15, 2008, as presented.
APPROVED unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS:
Monthly Reports and Prison Commitment Rate: Presentation of monthly reports by
Tim Keenan, Community Corrections Manager.
OCC Grant Application for FY09. MOVED by Schmidt seconded by Thomas to
approve application for the FY09 Community Correction Grant totaling $381,510. APPROVED
unanimously.
.
Keenan advised the committee that currently, their tether machine is malfunctioning.
While it is being worked on, the company is charging a minimal fee for monitoring and the
“program” is still in place and working. We are trying to fix what we have as the service brings
in $80-90,000 per year in revenue. A contract system is used for juveniles.
MPRI (Inman). Commissioner Inman is the Chairman of the State Community
Corrections Advisory Board and provided a copy of the presentation done in Lansing recently for
the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative.
13th CIRCUIT COURT – FAMILY DIVISION:
Child Care Fund. Judge Stowe presented information regarding the services and
programs of the 13th Circuit Family Division and Probate Court. Reports regarding current
information on the state of the Child Care Fund were also provided.
Judge Stowe also indicated that the collaboration between the Court and Community
Mental Health is the best he’s seen in the past eight years and has a positive impact giving the
kids another option to becoming state wards.
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May 20, 2008, Page #2
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Bott explained that there is no problem with the child care fund and State budget at this
time. We receive 50% reimbursement for Foster Care, Institutional Care and In-Home Care.
However, the increase in number of juveniles in categories funded entirely by the County (i.e.
state wards) are being exceeded. Some years have been better, but this year there is a shortfall
which the county will need to make up. Bott also added that this is a very difficult number for
which to budget as there is no way to anticipate trends.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
Cisco Switch Equipment for TCLP Fiber. MOVED by Thomas, seconded by Hooper
to approve purchase of the Cisco switch equipment from NETech as identified in the amount of
$25,855.00. APPROVED unanimously.
System I (AS400), Domino Mail Server Replacement. MOVED by Wheelock,
seconded by Fleis to approve the purchase of the Domino Mail Server Replacement – system I –
from Aktion Assoc. in the amount of $23.153.85. APPROVED unanimously.
CENTRAL DISPATCH:
MPSC Filing. Committee updated by Aloia. Al Schneider advised Aloia we are not sure
we want to be a part of this at this time. Jamel currently downstate at these hearing. Aloia
recommends the committee not take action and bring this back to the board next week.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
Tuberculosis Mycobacterium TB Services. MOVED by Hooper, seconded by
Schmidt to approve renewal of the TB agreement as presented. APPROVED unanimously.
The Health Department’s 2007 Annual Report was distributed/presented, as required, to
the County Commission, their governing body, by Health Officer Keeslar. MOVED by Inman,
seconded by Wheelock to accept the Grand Traverse County Health Department’s 2007 Annual
Report. APPROVED unanimously.
Environmental Health Division Staffing. Kesslar presented an update regarding
staffing as discussed last month. Layoffs have occurred for 1.0 FTE Sanitarian and .4 FTE Office
Clerk, as identified.
Aloia added that a similar situation is happening in the Building Codes Department and
one retiree (scheduled for July) will not be replaced. Collaboration of staffing is occurring when
feasible.
Ways & Means Committee
May 20, 2008, Page #3
Prepared by Chris Cramer
2008 Vehicle Purchases. Staff recommendation were presented. MOVED by Schmidt,
seconded by Maxbauer to approve the vehicle purchases for 2008 as presented. APPROVED
unanimously.
FINANCE:
General Fund Trial Balance – April 2008. Highlighted by Finance Director Bott.
Bott will prepare analysis of projected gas overages next month.
Budget Adjustments. MOVED by Inman, seconded by Thomas to approve budget
adjustments as presented by the Finance Director. APPROVED unanimously.
Appropriation Request. Presented by Bott. MOVED by Thomas, seconded by Inman
to approve appropriation request for Northern Michigan Substance Abuse Services, Inc., as
presented. APPROVED unanimously.
ADMINISTRATION:
Web Streaming and Agenda Management. Presentation and recommendation by
Sheehan. Both companies are very good but even though one is very well established and one is
much newer, but there is a substantial difference in pricing.
MOVED by Hooper seconded
by Maxbauer to approve to purchase web streaming/video indexing with minutes creation from
IQM2 at a one time cost of $6,300 and an annual cost of $9,000. Additional discussion. Intent
would be to sign a contract that would be renewable for a period of three years. APPROVED
unanimously.
Additional Printing Price Quotes. L&A approved the purchase of 1000 copies each of
the 2009 Strategic Plan and the GT Citizen. Pricing for additional quantities was requested and
is being presented for consideration. MOVED by Inman, seconded by Fleis to move forth with
the purchase of 2000 copies of each document at a cost of $5,299.20 from Copy Central. ROLL
CALL VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 2 (Maxbauer, Thomas) MOTION PASSES.
Analysis and Recommendation on Road Maintenance. Plan outlined by Aloia:
MOVED by Wheelock, seconded by Thomas for Grand Traverse County to pledge up to
$2 million in matching funds with the Grand Traverse County Road Commission for surface
repairs to the 1,016 miles of County Roads as identified by the County PAZER System. This
should allow for bonds in the amount of $4 million to fund repairs during the 2008-2009
construction seasons. Discussion.
Gillis confirmed that over $6 million dollars of improvements identified were on primary
roads. Time line was discussed and it was determined that bids could be requested soon and
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Prepared by Chris Cramer
bonding would take 60-90 days – so August would be the earliest projects could get underway.
Commissioner Wheelock reminded everyone that this will cover surface costs only.
Commissioner Maxbauer would like motion reflect “primary roads only”, and Wheelock and
Thomas agreed. Vote called for revised motion: MOVED by Wheelock, seconded by Thomas
for Grand Traverse County to pledge up to $2 million in matching funds with the Grand Traverse
County Road Commission for surface repairs to County Primary Roads as identified by the
County PAZER System. This should allow for bonds in the amount of $4 million to fund repairs
during the 2008-2009 construction seasons. APPROVED unanimously.
MOVED by Wheelock, seconded by Thomas for Grand Traverse County to pledge an
amount up to $200,000 in matching funds for the City of Traverse City, the Village of Kingsley
and the Village of Fife Lake – based on the same cost per mile ratio. In other words, if Grand
Traverse County gave the County Road Commission $2 million based on the number of miles of
County roads, the cost would be approximately $1,968 per mile. Wheelock proposed to give the
City and the two (2) villages, the same dollars permile based on the number of local miles
identified by the State of Michigan, being 76.4 for Traverse City, 9.03 miles for Kingsley and
6.71 for Fife Lake. Also, these calculations are based on $2 million. If the Road Commission
does not meet the total, percent of total funding will be calculated accordingly. Funding is
recommended to come out of the capital improvement fund.
Commissioner Wheelock added that at the Township meeting scheduled for June, one
main focus will be township roads. This is only a short term fix but we will continue to look at a
long term plan. Additional discussionl. Vote called for Motion on the floor. APPROVED
Unanimously.
Business Plan Review – Septage Treatment Plant. Request presented by Aloia.
MOVED by Inman, seconded by Wheelock to approve Plante Moran and URS to provide the
analysis of the operation of the Septage Treatment Facility at a cost of $40,000 with funding
from contingency. Additional discussion. Wheelock pointed out that in addition to financial
forecast data, the study provides for development of a business plan as well as a public education
plan. The anticipated time frame is 90 days and although we are starting a month later than
anticipated, this should be completed by Fall. ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes-8, No-1 (Fleis)
MOTION PASSES.
Conflicts of Interest. Notification provided by Fleis. Request for approval will be
presented to the Board next week.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Commissioner Maxbauer addressed public informing them that bikers are not allowed to
ride on the sidewalk in the City of TC. Committee’s discussion suggested awareness, courtesy
and respect from the perspective of both riders and drivers. Bike-to-work week and Let’s get
moving programs are coming up soon.
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May 20, 2008, Page #5
Prepared by Chris Cramer
OTHER:
Semi-Annual Township Meeting (Wheelock). Meeting is scheduled for June 19th from 8:3011:30 at the Civic Center. Wheelock will contact committee chairs for input and a tentative
agenda will be presented to the board and sent out to townships next week.
Resource Recovery Department Organization Discussion (Lemcool). Commissioner’s
Lemcool and Maxbauer sat on the budget subcommittee with representatives from the Resource
Recovery Council and made a recommendation to hire a manager. The Resource Recovery
Council did not pass the recommendation and the subcommittee strongly suggests filling the
manager position should be the first action. MOVED by Maxbauer, seconded by Wheelock to
hire a full time manager (director) for Resource Recovery. Discussion. Aloia asked that the
Board commit to continuing both the position and funding for a director after the first of the year.
Additional discussion. Vote called for motion on the floor. APPROVED unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION:
Pending Litigation. MOVED by Fleis, seconded by Wheelock to approve entering into
closed session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and possible settlement offer in
the Carlson v GT Sheriff’s Office (FOIA action). ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes-9, No-0.
APPROVED unanimously.
MOVED by Thomas, seconded by Inman to approve exiting from closed session at
7:12 p.m.. APPROVED unanimously.
MOVED by Wheelock, seconded by Thomas to accept settlement in the case of Carlson v the
Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office in the amount $13,000. APPROVED Unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m..
_______________________________
Herb Lemcool, Chairman