Administration and County Services Committee

Michael Crawford

Robert McLeod, Chairman

Laura Stanek

February 2, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:

Mike Crawford, Laura Stanek and Bob McLeod

Members Absent:

None

Others Present:

Pete Garwood, Jack White and Sherry Comben (for most of the meeting)

1.       Meeting called to order at 12:30 p.m.

2.       Public Comment

         None.

3.       Clerk Office - Personnel Issue

Laura Sexton, County Clerk, and the Committee discussed the situation where an employee received a communication from an employee in the Commission on Aging (COA) to change another employee’s benefits. 

4.       Resolutions

St. Clair County Resolution – Smoke-Free Worksites

No action taken.

St. Joseph County Resolution – Encouraging a 4 lane US 131 Hwy. in Southern Michigan.

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a resolution similar to the St. Joseph County resolution encouraging the Governor and the State of Michigan to make US-131, in southern Michigan, into a 4 lane highway.  Motion carried – unanimous.

Gratiot County Resolution - Friend of the Court

This resolution will be addressed at the next Administration and County Services Committee meeting.

Crawford County – Separation of Powers

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a resolution similar to the Crawford County resolution, but from the Antrim County standpoint regarding the separation of powers (specifically the judicial and the legislative). Motion carried – unanimous.

457 Plan Resolution

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the resolution to recognize and adopt the new statutory requirements governing the County’s 457 plans.  Motion carried – unanimous.

UP – EMS Resolution

No action taken.

5.       Bellaire Computer Center

Jane Redfern and Steve Groll, from the Bellaire Computer Center (BCC), joined the meeting.

They reported that the courts are using the Virtual Privacy Network (VPN).  In March the courts, if satisfied, will use the VPN solely and discontinue their old, more expensive service. Since they have been using the VPN, there have been two outages on the service.  However, the courts appear to be satisfied with the service.

SpeedNet Broadband Internet

Mr. Garwood explained that he has received a request from a company called SpeedNet, who provides wireless broadband internet in other parts of the State, to have the County certify that Antrim County meets the definition of “underserved” by broadband internet providers.

The Committee requested that Ms. Redfern and Mr. Groll look into the request from SpeedNet for the County to sign an "Underserved" Certification Form.

BCC has been working with the Commission on Aging to finalize getting all the computers on the wireless internet service.

Sound System – Board of Commissioners Room

BCC has been trying to get quotes for a sound system in the Board of Commissioners Room.  A company called ASCOM is interested in submitting a quote, but would like to assist the County in drafting specifications for what we want for a sound system.  Mr. Garwood will meet with Mr. Groll, Ms. Redfern and the representative from ASCOM to work on the formulation of specifications.

BCC will be helping the Sheriff Department set a plan for their departmental computer needs for the next 5 years.

BCC has been busy as many new computers have been ordered and set up in January.

BCC will be assisting the Prosecuting Attorneys office to update their email and other electronic capabilities.

Mr. Garwood mentioned that Bob Massey, Building Official, has commented that the computer consultant/programmer for the software in the Building Department has been unable to service the software from a remote location since the firewall has been installed.  Mr. Groll indicated that if the contact is first initiated by someone in the Building Department office the programmer will be able to access at will.

6.       Computer Purchase Policy

The Committee agreed that the way the computer purchase policy is to be interpreted is that the specifications on the standards are to be treated as the minimum specifications for the dollar limit.  If an office can get more for the dollar cap they would be acting within the intent of the policy.

Additionally, the Committee felt the departments can continue purchasing computers as is currently the practice.  However, those that feel it would be beneficial can shift the process to the BCC.

7.       Commission on Aging (COA)

Carol Mitchell, COA Director, joined the meeting. The Committee asked Ms. Mitchell about why an employee in her department is sending out communications instructing the payroll department/clerk office to increase benefits for employees that are not entitled to those benefits.  Ms. Mitchell was told to make sure such an event does not happen again.

Kitchen Aid Position

Ms. Mitchell inquired about hiring Beth Lacy for the kitchen aid position at the two year rate.  Ms. Lacy has been working in the kitchen when needed over the years and she also has some experience in the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility kitchen.

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve hiring Beth Lacy at the two year rate of $8.66 an hour for the part-time irregular kitchen aide position at the Commission on Aging.  Motion carried – unanimous.

8.       Construction Code Department

Part-time Irregular Clerk Position

Mr. Massey requested that the part-time irregular clerk position in the Building Department be made a regular full-time position.

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a new regular part-time position in the Building Department not to exceed 35 hours a week, and authorize posting for the position.  Upon filling the new position, the current part-time irregular position in the Building Department shall be discontinued.  Motion carried – unanimous.

9.       COA Board

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Chair of the Board of Commissioners remove Laura Stanek from the COA Board and the Coordinator/Planner Office advertise for an additional citizen at large position on the COA Board.  Motion carried – unanimous.

10.     Mileage Reimbursement

Currently the reimbursement rate is at $ .40 a mile.  Mr. McLeod stated that since it was set at $ .40 the gas prices have substantially increased. 

Motion by Mike Crawford,      supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend the Board of Commissioners increase the mileage reimbursement rate from $ .40 a mile to $ .42 a mile.  Yes – Crawford, McLeod            No - Stanek

11.     Vesting Period and Cost of Living Adjustment

No action taken.

12.     Smoke Free Policy

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to repeal the policies adopted September 1, 1993 (making all County buildings smoke free and October 13, 1994, directing the maintenance supervisor to enforce the no smoking policy) and to adopt the “Antrim County Smoke-Free Facilities Policy”.  Motion carried – unanimous.

13.     Web site Legal Disclaimer

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the Web Site Legal Disclaimer.  Motion carried – unanimous.

14.     Request for GIS Information

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the release of GIS information to the consultant chosen to complete the County Master Plan.  Motion carried – unanimous.

15.     Mortgage North Proposal

No action taken.

16.     Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Policy

The Committee discussed the current policy of having the FOIA officer also providing legal guidance on an appeal.

Mr. Garwood will check with other Counties to see if they operate in a similar fashion on this issue.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.