MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014
The LifeWays Board of Directors met in regular session in the Board Room at the LifeWays
Building, 1200 N West Avenue, Jackson, Michigan, on Wednesday, August 20, 2014.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Tony Lewis (Chair), Alan Ringenberg (Vice Chair),
Bradford Benzing, Bradley Bohner, John Burtka,
Clifford Herl, Melissa Callison, Gail W. Mahoney (via
telephone), Jeffrey Peterson, Carl Rice, Jr., Jim
Shotwell, Sr., and Edward Woods
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Maribeth Leonard, Chief Executive Officer; Latrelle
Burk, Gerard Cyrocki, Karen Cascaddan, Leslie
Wireman
OTHERS PRESENT:
Katrina Sims (Jackson Interfaith Shelter),
Thomson (LifeWays Attorney), Robert McNitt
Kevin
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Lewis called to order the Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Invocation, presented by Alan Ringenberg, was followed by a recitation of the Pledge
of Allegiance to the American Flag by audience and Board members.
ROLL CALL
Chairman Lewis distributed the Roll Call for the signature of all those in attendance.
APPROVAL OF BOARD AGENDA
LW 13-14-111
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Approval of Agenda (August 20, 2014 Regular Business Meeting)
MOTION BY JIM SHOTWELL, SR., SUPPORTED BY MELISSA CALLISON, FOR
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA OF THE AUGUST 20, 2014 REGULAR BUSINESS
MEETING, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES
LW 13-14-112
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Approval of Minutes of July 16, 2014 Regular Business Meeting
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 2
MOTION BY BRADFORD BENZING, SUPPORTED BY JIM SHOTWELL, SR., FOR
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 16, 2014 REGULAR BUSINESS
MEETING, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
COMMUNICATIONS
Maribeth Leonard, Chief Executive Officer, briefly highlighted communications provided
in the Board Folder.
(A copy of the Board Folder contents can be found in the Supplemental Minutes portion of
the Board Minutes Book.)
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments from the public.
SPECIAL ORDER TOPIC
Presentation by Katrina Sims of the Jackson Interfaith Shelter
Ms. Sims gave an overview of emergency services provided by the Shelter, which makes
no stipulations of who may utilize the Shelter’s services but does extend rules that clients
must follow. Most clients do not have insurance or their insurance does not cover services
within Jackson County. The Shelter looks forward to becoming a partner with LifeWays to
assist clients enroll in the Healthy Michigan program as well as to receive mental health
services in general. Ms. Sims provided a handout with statistics of the clients they have
served in the last year. She noted that she and Elizabeth Knoblauch (LifeWays’ Director
of Strategic Relations) recently met and have identified several areas of mutual concern
and partnership possibilities. Board Members thanked Ms. Sims for her presentation.
(A copy of the handout can be found in the Supplemental Minutes portion of the Board
Minutes Book.)
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & CREDENTIALING (QI&CR)
Jeffrey Peterson (Quality Improvement & Credentialing Committee Chair) provided
the report of the QI&CR Committee, the contents of which can be found in the
QI&CR Committee Minutes of August 11, 2014.
LW 13-14-113
-
Approval of Quality Management & Credentialing Report – August
2014
MOTION BY JEFFREY PETERSON, SUPPORTED BY JIM SHOTWELL, SR., FOR
APPROVAL OF THE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & CREDENTIALING REPORT –
AUGUST 2014, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 3
LW 13-14-114
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Approval of Reviewed Policy: 8-01 Quality Assessment and
Performance Improvement Program, as Presented
MOTION BY JEFFREY PETERSON, SUPPORTED BY BRADLEY BOHNER, FOR
APPROVAL OF REVIEWED POLICY:
8-01 QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED:
12-0.

FACILITIES
Alan Ringenberg (Facilities Committee Chair) provided the report of the Facilities
Committee, the contents of which can be found in the Facilities Committee Minutes
of August 12, 2014.
MOTION BY ALAN RINGENBERG TO ENTER INTO A CLOSED SESSION FOR THE
PURPOSE OF CONSIDERATION OF THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY. ROLL CALL
VOTE: AYES – JIM SHOTWELL, SR; EDWARD WOODS; BRADLEY BOHNER; ALAN
RINGENBERG; JEFFERY PETERSON; BRADFORD BENZING; JOHN BURTKA;
MELISSA CALLISON; CARL RICE, JR; CLIFFORD HERL; GAIL W. MAHONEY; TONY
LEWIS (CHAIR). NAYS: NONE. MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
RECESS
Chairman Lewis recessed the Regular Business Meeting at 7:18 p.m. to enter into Closed
Session.
RECONVENE
Chairman Lewis reconvened the Regular Business Meeting at 7:37 p.m.

PROGRAM & FINANCE
Clifford Herl (Program & Finance Committee Chair) provided the report of the
Program & Finance Committee, the contents of which can be found in the Finance
Committee packet of August 13, 2014.
LW 13-14-115
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Approval to Accept Finance Report – June 2014
MOTION BY CLIFFORD HERL, SUPPORTED BY BRADLEY BOHNER, FOR
APPROVAL TO ACCEPT FINANCE REPORT – JUNE 2014. MOTION CARRIED: 120.
LW 13-14-116
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Approval to Accept Expenses Report – June 2014 – $4,585,425.74
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 4
MOTION BY CLIFFORD HERL, SUPPORTED BY MELISSA CALLISON, FOR
APPROVAL TO ACCEPT EXPENSES REPORT – JUNE 2014 – $4,585,425.74.
MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
LW 13-14-117
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Approval to Provide LifeWays’ Employees a One-Time Cost of
Living Adjustment of Three Percent for Fiscal Year 2013 and a OneTime Cost of Living Adjustment of Three Percent for Fiscal Year
2014
MOTION BY JIM SHOTWELL, SR., SUPPORTED BY MELISSA CALLISON, FOR
APPROVAL TO PROVIDE LIFEWAYS’ EMPLOYEES A ONE-TIME COST OF LIVING
ADJUSTMENT OF THREE PERCENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 AND A ONE-TIME
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF THREE PERCENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014
Board Members discussed the issue at length. Ms. Leonard urged Board approval of this
recommendation. She explained that salaries of LifeWays employees have remained
frozen since 2007; the last cost of living adjustment given to employees was 2011. A onetime payment for cost of living adjustment was budgeted for both 2013 and 2014 fiscal
years; the source of funding this would derive from Medicaid (89 percent), General Fund
(10 percent), and Local Match (1 percent). She pointed out that over the past three years
the cost of living has increased, and employees’ contributions for their health care costs
have also increased [FY11-$316; FY12-$367; FY13-$416; and FY14-$1,092] as a result of
PA152 hard cap calculations. Ms. Leonard noted that LifeWays budgets for a cost of living
adjustment for staff each year, which is in-line with current market trends. The cost of
living adjustment is researched and takes into account the survey information from current
Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards (MACMHB) salary surveys. Due
to funding constraints, the ability to provide this adjustment is evaluated and a
determination is made on the ability to provide such an adjustment at the close of each
fiscal year, as opposed to providing an adjustment at the start of the year, due to the
volatile nature of the CMH industry; also taken into account are the unknowns of funding
sources throughout the fiscal year. She said she chose to implement the payment in a
one-time format, as to not increase the bottom line of the staffing budget, in the event we
are not able to sustain wage increases from year to year. The salary adjustment will be a
3% cost of living adjustment, which is calculated on an employee’s gross salaries for the
fiscal year in which the adjustment is being applied. As a result of making this
determination at the end of the fiscal year is the assurance that the delivery of services to
consumers is not adversely impacted by mid-year budget adjustments.
Mr. Benzing stated his opposition. He pointed out that in 2008 the state Legislature took
a 10 percent pay cut; and Hillsdale Board of County Commissioners have not had a pay
increase since 2002. He said he views this proposal as, “Unacceptable.”
Mr. Shotwell spoke in support of the proposal. He suggested that it is the job of LifeWays
management to determine what to call it.
Mr. Ringenberg said he would be voting in opposition because he believes the increase in
the cost of living affects all employees equally, and so an increase or adjustment should
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 5
be “the cost it takes for me to survive the status quo.” He expressed his opinion that it
should be uniform throughout (an equal amount to each employee).
Mr. Bohner said that although Mr. Ringenberg raises a good point, because LifeWays
employees work with a very tender and at-risk population, there are different requirements
for training and education at various points in the organization, and a higher salary base
warrants the percentage increase rather than a set amount.
Ms. Leonard emphasized that only last year there was a 28 percent turnover rate at
LifeWays; and that the hard work of employees is deserving of this 3 percent per year,
which may help keep some employees at LifeWays. She pointed out there is a cost to
turnover and new employee training.
Dr. Rice pointed out that when salary adjustments are made at the County, the board is
given a list of people’s names and their salary levels to assist in making those decisions.
He concurred that we should be worried about the people who are leaving, but asserted:
“The dissatisfied would need more than three percent to keep them around.”
Mr. Burtka inquired whether or not any of the employees in discussion are direct service
care workers.
Mr. Woods explained that direct service care workers have gotten pay increases, which
comes from the Department of Community Health (DCH) [LifeWays is the pass-through],
and clarified that this is not a cost of living adjustment (to the base salary) but a one-time
bonus.
Ms. Leonard reminded the board that 89 percent of this one-time payment would come
from Medicaid, and we will be sending [unspent] money back to Medicaid at the end of the
fiscal year. She restated her reasoning for bringing forward this proposal: the GF waiting
list was implemented January 1, 2014, and from January 1 to present there have been a
total of 34 individuals on the waiting list, with NO individuals on the waiting list; we have
successfully decreased state inpatient utilization from an average of 12 down to 4 per
month; we have just implemented the Intensive Crisis Stabilization Team to expanded
Medicaid and to help with jails and law enforcement and reduce inpatient. She also
explained that the rate for direct care service is reviewed at set at the state level.
Mr. Benzing commented that he has no problem with sending Medicaid money back to the
state, because it may be used in the right way.
Dr. Rice concurred, and said that he has no problem with Access employees receiving this
incentive pay, but that this will have no long-term meaning. He said there is a need to
restructure and look at salaries.
Mr. Wood accentuated the issue being the “structural neglect” of salaries, which will take
months to do. He announced that he has no problem voting for this “band-aid,” but longterm we need to fix salaries, or we will be in a situation a few years down the road where
we will need to raise salaries by 15 percent to bring them in line with the industry, which
would cause even more consternation amongst the board and counties.
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 6
Mr. Bohner (speaking to Mr. Benzing’s comment) pointed out, “This six percent – as
opposed to sending it back to the state — will get spent in Jackson and Hillsdale counties.”
Ms. Mahoney concurred with Mr. Woods’ remarks. She said, “We have employees that
have worked hard and stayed with LifeWays in spite of not receiving an increase to their
base rate. A new person coming in would get a much higher salary than someone who left
who has been here through thick and thin. We need to look at adjustments to base rates,
and we will do what we can to consistently get more for services.” She emphasized the
need to have a professional Human Resources person to study the wage/salary structure.
MOTION BY JIM SHOTWELL, SR., SUPPORTED BY GAIL W. MAHONEY, TO CALL
FOR THE QUESTION. ROLL CALL: AYES – JIM SHOTWELL, SR; ALAN
RINGENBERG; EDWARD WOODS; BRADLEY BOHNER; JEFFREY PETERSON;
MELISSA CALLISON; CARL RICE, JR.; CLIFFORD HERL; GAIL W. MAHONEY; TONY
LEWIS. NAYES: BRADFORD BENZING; JOHN BURTKA. MOTION CARRIED: 10-2
VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION FOR APPROVAL TO PROVIDE LIFEWAYS’
EMPLOYEES A ONE-TIME COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF THREE PERCENT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 AND A ONE-TIME COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF
THREE PERCENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014. ROLL CALL: AYES – JIM SHOTWELL,
SR.; EDWARD WOODS; BRADLEY BOHNER; JEFFREY PETERSON; MELISSA
CALLISON; CLIFFORD HERL; GAIL W. MAHONEY; TONY LEWIS. NAYES: ALAN
RINGENBERG; BRADFORD BENZING; JOHN BURTKA; CARL RICE, JR. MOTION
CARRIED 8-4
OTHER APPOINTED COMMITTEES

BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

RECIPIENT RIGHTS ADVISORY COUNCIL

MID-STATE HEALTH NETWORK BOARD

NATIONAL COUNCIL BOARD
NATIONAL COUNCIL AMBASSADORS NETWORK

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARDS (MACMHB)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 7
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
CONTRACTS AND FINANCIAL ISSUES
CHILDREN’S ISSUES
MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE
POLICY COMMITTEE

SUICIDE PREVENTION COMMITTEE
NEW BUSINESS
LW 13-14-118
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Approval of Out-of-State Travel for Kerry Klee-Tiesman, Director of
Human Resources, to Attend the Relias User’s Conference 2014
Held September 22 to September 26 in Memphis, Tennessee, at an
Estimated Cost of $1,550 for Registration, Transportation, Meals
and Lodging.
MOTION BY ALAN RINGENBERG, SUPPORTED BY JIM SHOTWELL, SR., FOR
APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR KERRY KLEE-TIESMAN, DIRECTOR
OF HUMAN RESOURCES, TO ATTEND THE RELIAS USER’S CONFERENCE 2014
HELD SEPTEMBER 22 TO SEPTEMBER 26 IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, AT AN
ESTIMATED COST OF $1,550 FOR REGISTRATION, TRANSPORTATION, MEALS
AND LODGING. MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
LW 13-14-119
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Approval of Out-of-State Travel for Marla Sanford,-Public Relations
Coordinator, to Attend Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Held
September 22 to September 26 in Indianapolis, Indiana, at an
Estimated Cost of $3,977 for Registration, Transportation, Meals
and Lodging.
MOTION BY JIM SHOTWELL, SR., SUPPORTED BY BRADFORD BENZING, FOR
APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR MARLA SANFORD,-PUBLIC
RELATIONS COORDINATOR, TO ATTEND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
TRAINING HELD SEPTEMBER 22 TO SEPTEMBER 26 IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA,
AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,977 FOR REGISTRATION, TRANSPORTATION,
MEALS AND LODGING. MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
LW 13-14-120
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Approval of Out-of-State Travel for Edward Woods, Board Member,
to Attend the National Council for Behavioral Health 2014 Fall Board
and Association Executives Meetings in Washington, DC on
October 27 to October 29, 2014, as a National Council Board
Member, at an Estimated cost of $1,600 for Transportation, Meals,
and Lodging.
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 8
MOTION BY JIM SHOTWELL, SR., SUPPORTED BY JOHN BURTKA, FOR
APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR EDWARD WOODS, BOARD MEMBER,
TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 2014 FALL
BOARD AND ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON, DC ON
OCTOBER 27 TO OCTOBER 29, 2014, AS A NATIONAL COUNCIL BOARD MEMBER,
AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,600 FOR TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, AND
LODGING. MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
LW-13-14-121
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Approval of LifeWays Resolution No. 14-0011 Authorizing Maribeth
Leonard, LifeWays CEO, and Tony Lewis, Chairman of the LifeWays
Board, are Authorized and Empowered for and on Behalf of the
Organization to Execute, Acknowledge and Deliver all Documents
Necessary, Including Deeds of Conveyance and Other Closing
Documents, for the Sale of 1190 N. West Avenue, Jackson, MI 49202.
MOTION BY BRADLEY BOHNER, SUPPORTED BY JEFFERY PETERSON, FOR
APPROVAL OF LIFEWAYS RESOLUTION NO. 14-0011 AUTHORIZING MARIBETH
LEONARD, LIFEWAYS CEO, AND TONY LEWIS, CHAIRMAN OF THE LIFEWAYS
BOARD, ARE AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE
ORGANIZATION TO EXECUTE, ACKNOWLEDGE AND DELIVER ALL DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY, INCLUDING DEEDS OF CONVEYANCE AND OTHER CLOSING
DOCUMENTS, FOR THE SALE OF 1190 N. WEST AVENUE, JACKSON, MI 49202.
MOTION CARRIED: 12-0.
CEO REPORT
Ms. Leonard provided the CEO report, on the following topics:






Local Match Update
Healthy Michigan Enrollment
Health Endowment Fund
Michigan Department of Community Health Plan for Community Mental Health
agencies and Next Steps
General Fund Update
National Updates
(A copy of the CEO Report can be found in the Supplemental portion of the Board Minutes
Book.)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The State of Michigan has provided funding through a grant to implement Mental
Health First Aid and other mental health support services in public schools, in
which Jackson County ISD and LifeWays will participate.
Special acknowledgement to Gerard Cyrocki, Chief Financial Officer, for all of his
hard work.
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 9
Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming support during my recent medical
circumstances.
MEMBER COMMENTS

Ms. Mahoney – Thank you to everyone for your support during my recent medical
challenges. Thank you, too, for the board’s support of the staff cost of living
adjustment. I look forward to a future report on salary structure from the Human
Resources Department in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

Mr. Shotwell – Would appreciate those that have not yet donated $20 to the
Sunshine Fund, to do so. This fund will allow the board to send cards, flowers or
other gifts to those we want to know we are thinking of them.

Mr. Woods – No comment.

Mr. Bohner – Thank you to everyone for the beautiful plant sent to my family and
me for my father’s funeral as well as for the support during other personal issues.

Mr. Ringenberg – No comment.

Mr. Peterson – Thank you for the disability Connection newsletter in the Board
Folder; it features a photo of my family. My wife started the Go-Go Summer Camp
and it’s nice to see acknowledgement of her hard work.

Mr. Benzing – Thank you for all of the encouragement and support during my run
for State Representative, though it didn’t have the outcome I was looking for. And,
even though my term as County Commissioner is coming to an end, the Chair of
the Hillsdale County Commissioners is supportive of me continuing on the
LifeWays Board of Directors, which I would very much like to do, with the support
of the Board.

Mr. Burtka – No comment.

Ms. Callison – No comment.

Dr. Rice – No comment.

Mr. Herl – I think this board has really come a long way since I first joined; I really
enjoy this board, the comradery, and I feel that it works well together. The decisions
made are solid and final; there is no need to repeatedly review the same action
items over and over. Though I am very surprised that some of the upper
management hasn’t left already considering what we have all gone through in the
last three years. I admire the way fellow board members interact with one another
on this board and collaborate together on others. I hope to continue serving on this
board for a long time to come. Even if I do have to get my oxygen out from time to
time.
LIFEWAYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the Meeting
August 20, 2014
Page 10
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Lewis adjourned the
meeting at 8:50 p.m.
___________________________________
Clifford Herl, Secretary