Administration and County Services Committee

Michael Crawford

Robert McLeod, Chairman

Laura Stanek

April 6, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:

Laura Stanek and Bob McLeod

Members Absent:

Mike Crawford

Others Present:

Pete Garwood and Jack White

1.       Meeting called to order at 12:32 p.m.

2.       Public Comment

         None.

3.       Veterans Affairs Position

The Committee discussed whether or not the Veterans Counselor position, as a part-time position, should come with health benefits.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Board of Commissioners offer the Veterans Counselor position without health benefits. Motion carried – unanimous.

The position will continue to have other benefits, such as: life insurance; short term disability; deferred compensation match; funeral leave; and holidays (when scheduled to work that day, and only for the amount of hours scheduled).

4.       Prosecutors Office

Charlie Koop, Prosecuting Attorney, joined the meeting.  Mr. Koop requested compensation for when the assistant prosecuting attorneys are on call.  Mr. Koop proposed that they be paid $125 per each weekend they are on call.  Mr. Koop indicated it would not be every week, but only when needed (when PA is out of town, etc.) Mr. Koop indicated he believed it would run the County approximately $3,000 annually.

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend the Finance Committee find the dollars and the Board of Commissioners approve an on call stipend of $125 per week for when either the chief assistant prosecutor or the assistant prosecutor are placed on call by the prosecuting attorney.  Motion carried – unanimous.

5.       Bellaire Computer Center (BCC)

Contract

Steve Groll, Bellaire Computer Center, joined the meeting.  The Committee reviewed a draft contract between Antrim County and Bellaire Computer Center for information technology (IT) services.  No action was taken at this time.

Quarterly Report

Mr. Groll informed the Committee that the demand for IT services is sometimes greater than their ability to respond immediately.  He informed the Committee that the Bellaire Computer Center will at times have to make a determination as to which calls for assistance are most pressing.  The Committee indicated they understood and fully expected this would happen sooner or later.  

Virus Protection Renewal

The Committee decided to authorize the BCC to renew the virus protection for the 37 users currently covered by Norton Virus protection and to approve the BCC purchasing other virus protection products for new users on a trial basis.

Leased Line

The Virtual Privacy Network (VPN) has experienced some minor down time mostly due to high winds.  Meanwhile, we have continued to leave the leased line in place. Mr. Groll proposed, and the Committee agreed, to allow experimentation with the leased line.  They will unhook the leased line while still paying for it to see what kind of a response he gets if the VPN goes down without a back up.  He doesn’t want to completely disconnect the leased line yet, because of the large fee to hook it back up if the VPN is determined to be unacceptable.

Service Agreement – Chain of Lakes Internet

Mr. Groll presented a copy of an amended service agreement with the Chain of Lakes Internet.  The amendment would make it so the agreement automatically renews at the end of the year unless either party contacts the other indicating they want to sever the agreement or re-negotiate.

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the amendment to the Service Agreement with Chain of Lakes Internet, Inc.  pending review and acceptance by legal counsel.  Motion carried – unanimous.

Computer Disposal Policy

Mr. Groll indicated that after a review of the current policy for computer disposal, he feel it is sufficient.  Mr. Garwood indicated a need to get the majority of the computer equipment currently stored in the old Heath Department out of the space, per the policy requirements.

6.       Antrim/Kalkaska County Housing Agreement

Patti Lowery, Housing Director, joined the meeting.  The Committee discussed a communication from the Housing Commission and how an agreement for a shared director for the two county housing programs could work.

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the concept of sharing a housing director with Antrim County and Kalkaska County if approached by Kalkaska County as long as Antrim County was the county of record for the arrangement and Kalkaska County paid a reasonable share of the expenses (wages, fringes and other miscellaneous administrative expenses).  Motion carried – unanimous.

7.       Bi-County Farmland Preservation Program

Joe Meyers, Associate Planner, joined the meeting.  Mr. Meyers informed the Committee that a new concept has been discussed regarding the Bi-County Farmland Preservation Board.  The new idea is that the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) could serve as the staff for the project.  Bud Shipstead, Director of the NWMCOG, has indicated willingness to the arrangement.  He indicated the NWMCOG would do it at no cost for at least the first six months, and may continue to provide the service at no cost if the work load is reasonable.

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Jack White, to recommend the Board of Commissioners request the NWMCOG act as staff of the bi-county farmland preservation program. Yes - Stanek, White  No- McLeod

8.       Barnes Park Employees – Wages

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Jack White, to recommend the Board of Commissioners increase the wages of the Barnes Park employees by 3.1% for the 2006 season.  Motion carried – unanimous.

9.       Plat Book

The Committee considered whether or not the County should advertise in the Antrim County Plat Book.

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Bob McLeod, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve advertising in the inside cover of the Antrim County Plat Book at a cost of $1,000.00.  Motion carried – unanimous.

10.     Resolutions

Crawford County Resolution – Restoration of Funding for Department of Human Services and Removal of Capped Ratio of 20 Foster Children to 1 for One Caseworker

No action taken.

Genesee County Resolution – Supporting Statute to Allow a County Board of Commissioners to Take Over Responsibility for County Roads

No action taken.

Lenawee County Resolution – Encouraging the United States Congress to Restore Funding for the JAG Law Enforcement Programs

No action taken.

11.     Mileage Reimbursement

The Committee discussed the rising cost of fuel and its affect on the County employees.

Motion by Bob McLeod, supported by Jack White, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve increasing the mileage reimbursement rate to $ .45 a mile. Yes - McLeod, White    No - Stanek

Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.