WORKING MEETING
April 23, 2015
Convened:
Present:
Olney
11:00 AM
Commissioner Vrablic, Commissioner Swift, Commissioner Hazelbaker and Commissioner
Absent:
Commissioner Houtz
Also Present: County Clerk Teresa Kubasiak, Donald Reid of the Daily Reporter, Register of Deeds
Nancy Hutchins, Sheriff Pollack, Treasurer Ann Vrablic, Tim Miner- Emergency
Management, Scott Walls-County Complex Manager, Suzanne Sarlls-Hartwell, Katherine
Barnes and Administrator Norman.
Public Comment: Suzanne Sarlls-Hartwell, a residence of Branch County and an advocate for abolishing the gas
chamber when euthanizing an animal, spoke to the Committee about the harm and length of time it takes to
euthanize an animal by gas chamber. She would like Branch County to seriously consider making it mandatory
that when euthanizing of animal, it be done by injection only, which is much more humane and less painful to an
animal. Kathrine Barnes a residence of Branch County gave her input on the topic as well.
Agenda Approved
PERSONNEL, PLANS & POLICY______________________(Commissioner Houtz)
Reclassification and Staffing Request-Equalization
The Administrator stated that the Reclassification Committee decided not to reclassify a position in
Equalization to a GELC Level 7.
The P3 committee received a letter from Jody Connell (Equalization) requesting to move the Clerk,
GELC Level 6 position from part time to full time, effective May 4th. The Committee Recommends:
Motion by
and seconded by
to approve change the Clerk, GELC Level 6 position
in Equalization from part time to full time, 40 hours per week, effective May 4th, 2015.
Staffing Request-Building Inspection
Administrator Norman submitted a letter to the Committee requesting to fill a vacant clerk position in
Building inspection, contingent on the staffing approval for the Equalization Department. The position
will be a full time, GELC Level 6 clerk position, with the new hire wages and benefit package, effective
May 4, 2015. The position is covered by a special fund. The Committee Recommends:
Motion by
and seconded by
to approve the hiring of a full time (40 hours per
week) Clerk in the Building Inspection Department at the GELC Level 6, new hire wage with
the new hire benefit package, effective May 4, 2015.
Work Meeting-May 7, 2015
Administrator Norman indicated that there is conflict for the May 7th Work Meeting. It was discussed to move
it to May 4th, at 9:00am.
MERS 457 Program
MERS had put together a comparison of their 457 program versus what is available to county
employees from other providers. Examples of cost savings to the employee were given in the
handouts provided. Administrator Norman stated this would allow employees to have the option of
having their retirement under one umbrella, if they already contribute to the MERS pension plan. The
Committee Recommends:
Motion by
and seconded by
to allow MERS to offer their 457
Supplemental Retirement Program to county employees.
SHERIFF & PUBLIC SAFETY__________________________(Commissioner Swift)
911 Report
A written report was submitted for review. March 2015: Law Enforcement: 4,083 (2015)/4,118 (2014),
Fire: 256 (2015)/148 (2014), Emergency Medical: 324 (2015)/274 (2014). Total Events: March 2015 4,923/March 2014- 4,880.
Emergency Management Report
Tim Miner stated that the first Code Red thunderstorm warning went out a couple weeks ago. Code
Red sign-ups can be done online through 911 website. Facilities and Businesses participated in the
state wide tornado drill last week. Branch County will have representation at the Annual Homeland
Security Conference.
LifeCare Ambulance Report
A written report was submitted with the following numbers for March: 183 Priority 1 Responses; Late –
28 (84.7%). There were 154 Priority 3 Responses, 1 Citizen Assistance Calls, 72 PreScheduled/Interfacility, and 4 Public Service/Event Coverage.
Sheriff Report
Sheriff Pollack reported that the cars that were taken to the auction were sold. One sold for $2,250
and five sold for $6,300 for all of them, including a flat bottom boat.
The Sheriff made a request to hire at least two part time Corrections Officers at the jail, to work at
least 32 hours per week. He noted that he currently has one open position that has not been filled and
he was notified recently that an employee will on medical leave for at least 6-8 months. He also has an
employee who has applied for a vacant court position. The committee asked that some additional
information be supplied before acting on the Sheriff’s request. They will bring this back for further
discussion at the next work meeting.
Undersheriff Report
Total Complaints:
Total Arrest:
Total Citations:
Total paper service:
Traffic Accidents:
Total Car/Deer Accidents :
______________________________ (March/2015)
1007
30
58 of the 58, secondary road: 49
313
22 (1 interstate)
15
Overtime: Road patrol -44 hours; Corrections-345.5 hours; Court-15.5 hours
37 pounds of prescription drugs collected.
0 Meth Lab.
Jail Administrator’s Report__
_______ _ _____ (March/2015)
Average Daily Count for March: 139
Average break down:
117 males/22 females
Count as of 4/6/15: 147 with 25 females.
Animal Control Report
25 dogs/strays taken in for March
8 reclaimed
4 adopted
1 died while at the shelter
12 transferred
0 euthanized
Millage Status
The committee had previously asked when the expiration of the current Jail millage was.
Administrator Norman stated that the Jail Millage is a 10 year millage, 2012-2021.
HOUSE_____________________________________ (Commissioner Hazelbaker)
Capital Outlay-County Complex(Lawnmower Bids)
Administrator Norman presented the committee with a list of three different lawnmower quotes, with
a comparison of each. The main factor was length of warranty and if a loaner would be available, if
work needed to be done to the mower. It was asked to check into leasing options to see if this would
be a better fit. Scott Walls, the County Complex Manager, will look into this and will have the
information available before Tuesday’s meeting for a decision.
Motion by
and seconded by
to approve the purchase of a John
Deere Z950M Commerical Ztrak lawnmower for County Complex, in the amount of
$8,180.81.
Jail Water Supply Issue
Scott Walls, the County Complex Manager, spoke about the water issue that they had at the Jail. It was
determined that a 6 inch water main had a crack in it, causing water to pool in the front yard of the
building. The problem has been fixed.
X-Ray Inspection Machine (Courthouse Security)
Administrator spoke briefly on the X-ray machine not functioning properly. He spoke to the Judge’s
and they feel that it should be replaced. They are currently obtaining quotes.
FINANCE_______________________________ _______Commissioner Olney)
Motion by
and seconded by
that authorization is given to approve
the following items by Consent Agenda; Bills & Accounts and Canteen Services ContractInmate Food Service.
Bills & Accounts
Administrator Norman presented a summary of the Bills and Accounts that consisted of 120 invoices
(Printed Forms and Bindings-29%, Jail Operations-Board and Care-18%, Attorney Fees-17%, Jail
Operations-Commissary Supplies-7%, and Autopsies 7%) to make up 80% of the invoices. The
Committee Recommends:
Motion by
and seconded by
to approve the Bills
and Accounts in the amount of $197,542.24.
Canteen Services Contract-Inmate Food Service
A copy of Canteen Service Contract was provided to the committee for their review. The Committee
Recommends:
Motion by
and seconded by
for the approval of the Canteen Services
Contract for the Sheriff’s Department.
1st Quarter 2015 Investment Report
A copy of the 1st Quarter Investment Report was provided to the committee for their review.
Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund-Update
Administrator Norman updated the committee on the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund, stating that
there is currently $1.5 million in the fund.
LEGISLATIVE____________________________________________________(Commissioner Vrablic)
Fort Custer Update
On April 16th the State’s House Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs unanimously voted to urge
Battle Creek’s Fort Custer Training Center be chosen for a new ground based interceptor ballistic
missile defense mission. It now heads to the House floor for a vote.
Michigan Association of Counties Update
Steve Currie, Deputy Director of Michigan Association of Counties, briefed the committee on what is
happening in Lansing. There is a big push for Proposal 1 with a lot time being spent educating people
on the proposal. He provided the committee with information on the proposal. He stated that it is
budget season. No changes to county revenue sharing at this time. He said they are also working on
Dark Store and Big Box Store reform. Big box stores are going to tax tribunals and successfully getting
their property taxes lowered by as much as 60%, which is a statewide issue.
A question was asked as where the topic of licensing horse drawn carriages is currently? Mr. Currie
said it has not got a committee hearing yet.
Meeting was adjourned at 12:05 pm.
Submitted by: Commissioner Vrablic
Commissioner Olney
Commissioner Swift
Commissioner Hazelbaker
Commissioner Houtz