Administration and County Services Committee

 

Michael Crawford
Robert McLeod, Chairman
David Howelman

 

October 2, 2003

Minutes

 

 

Members Present:

Bob McLeod, Mike Crawford and David Howelman

Members Absent:

None

Others Present:

Pete Garwood and Jack White

 

 

1.       Meeting called to order at 1:00 p.m.

2.       Antrim County Privacy Policy

 

Charles Koop, Legal Counsel, addressed the Committee on the Antrim County Privacy Policy.  Mr. Koop provided a copy of a privacy policy he drafted which incorporated the current policy, and also included provisions that addressed his concerns.

 

The Committee directed Legal Counsel to work with staff from the Coordinator/Planner Office, to make changes to the current Privacy Policy that addresses his concerns as well as concerns about confidentiality of information posted on the Antrim County website.

3.       Salary Adjustment – Prosecuting Attorney

 

Mr. Koop reminded the Committee that he is not a member of the Unrepresented Group.  He also informed them he is willing to accept whatever salary adjustment the Unrepresented Group negotiates.

4.       Health Insurance

 

Terry Roote, Insurance Agent, joined the meeting.

 

§      Wrap Program

Mr. Roote informed the Committee what the premiums are, using the recently received 2004 premium rate increases for all the current health benefit options, as well as the newly adopted CB12 to CB1 wrap program.

 

Committee directed Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner and Mr. Roote to set up meetings on implementation of the wrap program this month.

 

Mr. Garwood and Mr. Roote are to meet with Laura Sexton, Clerk, on the prescription reimbursement program.

 

§            $2.00 Drug Rider

Mr. Garwood informed the Committee that the County has six (6) employees that are taking the stand alone $2.00 prescription rider, and are taking the annuity in lieu of insurance for the balance of their health benefit.  The $2.00 prescription rider has become quite expensive over the last few years.  Mr. Roote informed the Committee, because of Blue Cross Blue Shield rules, it would not be possible to change the rider unless we were to delete the rider.

5.       Resolutions

 

§            Oakland County Resolution - Communications Towers

The resolution would encourage Governor Granholm to reconsider her veto of legislation to allow local public safety agencies to attach communication antennas on state owned towers.

 

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Dave Howelman, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve a resolution similar to the one sent to us by Oakland County which would encourage Governor Granholm to reconsider her veto of legislation to allow local public safety agencies to attach communication equipment to state owned towers (see attachment).  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

§            Oceana County Resolution – Proposed Changes to the Michigan Drain Code

Mr. Garwood indicated he had a discussion with Mark Stone the Antrim County Drain Commissioner, about this issue.  Mr. Stone indicated the proposed changes to the legislation would not affect Antrim County and/or his position either positively or negatively.

 

No action taken.  However; Mr. Garwood will check with the Road Commission and the Farm Bureau on the need for this resolution.

6.       Homestead Audits

 

Bob Englebrecht, Equalization Director, and Sherry Comben, Treasurer, came in to discuss the State proposed Homestead Audit program.  Ms. Comben has opted into the program in behalf of the Treasurer’s Office.  Mr. Englebrecht indicated he would like the County's blessing for his office to participate.

 

Motion by Dave Howelman, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners allow the Equalization Department to participate in the Homestead Audit program with the Treasurer and local Assessors.  Motion carried – Unanimous.

7.       Sheriff Department

 

Sheriff Terry Johnson and Undersheriff Dan Bean joined the meeting.

 

§            Benefits for Sheriff and Undersheriff

Sheriff Johnson requested that he and the Undersheriff get the same benefits as those negotiated with their employees.

 

Motion by Mike Crawford, supported by Dave Howelman, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve extending the same benefits to the Sheriff and Undersheriff as negotiated with the employees of their department.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

§            Snowmobile and Marine Officer

Sheriff Johnson wanted to confirm that the hiring freeze didn't affect the seasonal position of snowmobile and marine officers.  The Committee will check into the parameters of the two programs, i.e. amount of grant funding compared to County funds, etc.

 

§            Court Officer Vacancy

Sheriff Johnson asked for the reinstatement of the dollars for the part-time Court Officer position vacancy that was not filled due to the hiring freeze.  Although the Committee sympathized with the Sheriff they indicated a desire to hold firm on the hiring freeze.  No action taken.

8.       ACUTE Agreement (see attachment)

 

Tim Hannert joined the meeting in behalf of the Antrim County United Through Ecology (ACUTE) coalition.  Mr. Hannert explained the purpose of the $100,000 grant application that the group is applying for and seeking the County's support.

 

Motion by Dave Howelman, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the resolution to support the efforts of ACUTE to formulate and implement a plan of action to address the Trichloroethylene (TCE) plume coming from the Dura property (attached).  Motion carried – Unanimous.

 

Motion by Dave Howelman, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners support the $100,000 grant request submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the TCE plume coming from the Dura property.  Motion carried – Unanimous.

9.       Commission on Aging (COA)

 

Mike Neubecker, Office Manager, joined the meeting to discuss budget reduction for the COA.

 

The budget reduction recommendation amounted to $20,490 for the final quarter of 2003, including the reduction of hours for some union employees.  Mr. Garwood will check on the repercussions of the hour reductions on benefits.

10.     Building Department Personnel Issue

 

Mr. Garwood informed the Committee that Gary Moon the Mechanical Inspector is expected to resign soon for health reasons.  Mr. Garwood requested permission to start the hiring process for a replacement.

 

Motion by Dave Howelman, supported by Mike Crawford, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve lifting the hiring freeze, releasing the funds, and filling the vacant position of Mechanical Inspector upon receiving a letter of resignation from Gary Moon.  Motion carried – Unanimous.

 

Committee decided to meet on Thursday October 9 at 8:30 a.m.

Meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.