Administration and County Services Committee
Michael Crawford			Robert McLeod, Chairman	Laura Stanek
April 7, 2005
Minutes
Members Present:		Mike Crawford and Laura Stanek
Members Absent:		Robert McLeod
Others Present:		Pete Garwood and Jack White
1.       Meeting called to order at 12:45 p.m.
2.       Public Comment
	None.
3.       Sheriff Department
	· Corrections Officer Sheriff Johnson joined the meeting to request a temporary corrections officer, due to one of the officers being on suspension. Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners authorize Sheriff Johnson to hire a temporary corrections officer.  Motion carried – unanimous. · Wage Issue – Correction Office Sheriff Johnson requested that Terry Skurnit be bumped up from the first year pay grade (second step in the wage scale) to the top level pay grade in the Correction Officer classification.  After a review of the collective bargaining contract, Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, informed the Sheriff and the Committee the Sheriff has the authority to make the adjustment in officer Skurnit’s wage due to the fact that he had previously been a correction officer. · Court Officer A road patrol officer left the employment of the County recently. The Sheriff would like to take the current court officer and make him a road patrol officer, and when John Fant, a current road patrol officer retires in July, the Sheriff would hire him for the 24 hour a week court officer position, if the County can raise the hourly rate from $14 an hour to $15 an hour.  The Committee recognized that Officer Fant has much experience and would not need training for the position. Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners allow the Sheriff to hire John Fant as the Court officer for $15 an hour in July, 2005.  If Mr. Fant doesn't take the position, the rate goes back to $14 an hour.  Motion carried – unanimous.
4.       Resolutions
	· Washtenaw County Resolution – Opposing Budget Cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend approval of a resolution similar to the one passed by Washtenaw County (attachment), opposing cuts to the CDBG program (housing rehabilitation and other community development programs).  Motion carried – unanimous. · Lake County Resolution Opposing the State of Michigan Discontinuing their Contract with GEO Inc. No action taken. · Ottawa County Resolution Thanking Representative Huizenga for His Work in Amending the Records Media Act The Committee felt that since all Counties benefit from the amendment to the Records Media Act through the ability to use a wider range of optical media for the lawful reproduction and storage of public documents, a thank you to Representative Huizenga was appropriate. Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a resolution similar to the one passed by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners recognizing Representative Huizenga for his work on the amendments to the Records Media Act, MCL 24.401, et seq (attachment).  Motion carried – unanimous.
5.       Park Employees - Wages
	Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a 3% increase for the Barnes Park seasonal employees and apply it to all steps of the wage scale (attachment).  Motion carried – unanimous.
6.       Board, Committees and Commissions
	· Mental Health Appointment The Committee considered the “at large” appointment on the North Country Community Mental Health Board. Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners appoint Betsy Brown to the North Country Community Mental Health Board.  Motion carried – unanimous. · Antrim Creek Natural Area (ACNA) Commission The Committee reviewed two Letters of Interest from two individuals interested in filling the vacancy on the ACNA Commission; Christopher Ventzke and Marion Williams. Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners appoint Marion Williams to the Antrim Creek Natural Area Commission.  Motion carried – unanimous.
7.       Health Insurance
	Patrick Dewey, Insurance Agent for Dewey Insurance Agency, joined the meeting to discuss the services his company offers.
8.       Register of Deeds - Position Vacancy
	Patti Niepoth, Register of Deeds, joined the meeting to request the release of funds so that she may hire a new employee to fill the vacant position of Chief Deputy.  Ms. Niepoth explained she will promote from within for the Chief Deputy which will leave a vacant Clerk position.  Ms. Niepoth was asked by the Committee if she could get along without an employee in the clerical position.  She responded that she could not. At that time, the Committee asked that Sherry Comben, Treasurer, join the meeting.  The Committee asked Ms. Comben if she could get by with out the position that she will have open in her office.  Ms. Comben indicated that she could not.  The Committee asked both Ms. Comben and Ms. Niepoth if they could operate with a part-time irregular in their offices rather than hiring a full time employee.  Both indicated they could not.  Much additional discussion took place. Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the release of funds, and authorize the hiring process for the vacant Chief Deputy position in the Register of Deeds office.  Motion carried – unanimous. Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend that if the Chief Deputy position is filled with an employee within the office, that the Board of Commissioners release the funds and authorize the hiring process for the subsequent vacant position in the Register of Deeds Office.  Motion carried – unanimous.
9.       Treasurer – Position Vacancy
	Ms. Comben explained that Connie Turner who was the Chief Deputy in her office retired but her last day is not until sometime in May.  She requested the ability to call the individual she appoints to that position an interim Chief Deputy until the official last day of Ms. Turner.  Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Laura Stanek, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve an interim Chief Deputy in the Treasurer Office until the position becomes vacant.  Motion carried – unanimous. Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the release of funds, and the hiring process for the vacant Chief Deputy position in the Treasurer Office.  Motion carried – unanimous. Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend that if the Chief Deputy position is filled with an employee within the Office that the Board of Commissioners release the funds and authorize the hiring process for the subsequent vacant position in the Treasurer Office.  Motion carried – unanimous.
10.     Various Matters
	The Committee considered a communication from Patty Cantrell of the Michigan Land Institute requesting a letter from the County which would indicate their awareness of, and cooperation with a program they are ready to receive funding for called the Growing Entrepreneurial Agriculture Initiative.  The Committee felt a need for more information on the program prior to providing such a letter.
Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.