ANTRIM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

ANTRIM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Thursday, March 11, 2004

Laura Stanek, Vice-chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Present: Robert McLeod, Eugene Dawson, Larry Bargy, David Howelman, Michael

Crawford, Laura Stanek, Bernard Blackmore, Joseph Allen;

Absent: White.

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

The Chairman requested Public Comment. Janet Person encouraged everyone to vote for Antrim Conservation District Directors.

It was moved by Crawford, seconded by Bargy the minutes of February 12, 2004 be approved as corrected. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the claims and accounts totaling $48,186.05 be approved and paid. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows:

Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Allen the County Treasurer purchase two office chairs ($279.98 and $320.00) for her office as budgeted in the 2004 General Fund budget. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford the 2004 budget for Elk Rapids Day Park be reduced from $10,518.00 to $7,500.00. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford that $372.00 be added to the County Clerk’s Capital Outlay in the 2004 General Fund budget to upgrade the monitors to flat screen on the 6 computers being provided to the Circuit Court (County Clerk’s office) by the State Court. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows:

Yes – McLeod, Dawson Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Dawson the estimate from Eagle Land Surveying for $1,800 to survey county property in the S ¼ of Section in Echo Township being Government Lot 2 lying N of the Intermediate River be accepted. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

There was discussion on the payment of 75% of the proceeds from surface damages by gas & oil companies on county lands to the Antrim Conservation District.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Allen that $265 be expended to Fen’s Rim Publications for an advertisement of the 2004 tourist map and the fee be paid from the Elk Rapids Day Park cost center of the 2004 General Fund budget. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy that $2,500 be added to the Parks and Recreation Commission budget for per diem and mileage. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson Bargy, White, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – None.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford that $3,500 be paid from the Forestry Fund for logging and curing of logs to be used in the construction of the Barnes Park Nature Center, the $3,500 to be reimbursed from the expected grant monies. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

Charles Koop updated the Board on the Brake Road/Crystal Beach Road railroad bed matter.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Dawson the revenues from surface damages created by oil and gas companies be deposited in the Forest Funds and 75% be paid to the Antrim Conservation District. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Blackmore, Allen; No – Stanek; Absent – White.

RESOLUTION #10-04 by McLeod, seconded by Howelman

WHEREAS, the Michigan Legislature has proposed House Bill 4234, a bill that as introduced would allow an exemption for the $10,000 of personal property tax for businesses (potentially phased in over a three (3) year period), and

WHEREAS, the implementation of this bill would result in a reduction of revenues to Antrim County: $38,000 annually when fully implemented, and

WHEREAS, other actions (or inactions) by the State of Michigan have adversely affected, or may in the future adversely affect Antrim County, as well as all the other counties in the State [i.e., failure to pay Antrim County the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) as well as the State’s proposal to discontinue revenue sharing for the counties ($404,927 for 2003) to Antrim County], and

WHEREAS, these actions of the State of Michigan are having a devastating effect on the financial stability of Antrim County.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Antrim County Board of Commissioners are adamantly opposed to House Bill 4234 and extremely disappointed in the state legislators for continuing to consider this and other measures that further damage the financial position of county government.

Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen;

No - Crawford

Absent – White.

RESOLUTION #10-04 DECLARED ADOPTED.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Allen the Chairman and the Coordinator/Planner be authorized to sign the Remonumentation Program Grant Agreement giving Antrim County $35,836.00. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford the Corrections, Cook and Clerical union contract between Antrim County and Police Officers of Michigan be ratified as negotiated through mediation on February 13, 2004 and the Chairman be authorized to sign. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

The Vice-Chairman appointed Kent Stoddard and Betsy Brown to the North Country Community Mental Health Board.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford the appointment of Kent Stoddard and Betsy Brown to the North Country Community Mental Health Board, terms to expire March 31, 2005, be approved. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Dawson to lift the hiring freeze, return the funds to the Equalization Department and initiate the hiring process for an appraiser position in the Equalization Department to be filled no sooner than June 1, 2004.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Crawford the motion concerning filling the appraiser position be tabled. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows:

Yes – Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – McLeod; Absent – White.

The Vice-chairman appointed Laura Sexton, County Clerk, as the Privacy Officer for HIPPA compliance.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford the appointment of Laura Sexton as Privacy Officer for HIPPA compliance be approved. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

RESOLUTION #11-04 by Robert McLeod, seconded by Michael Crawford

WHEREAS, THE National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization representing the interests of county governments before Congress and the Administration, and through its successful lobbying efforts, the collective county voice has made an enormous impact on legislation affecting out communities; and

WHEREAS, the leadership of NACo consists of officials elected by their fellow members to serve as a liaison between the nation’s counties and other levels of government by promoting the policies and platforms adopted by the membership; and

WHEREAS, it is widely recognized that the role of members of the Executive Committee is critically important in formulating and implementing the agenda; and

WHEREAS, the Antrim County Board of Commissioners, at its full-board meeting of March 11, 2004 expressed approval of the nomination of Oakland County Commissioner, Eric Coleman, for the office of Second Vice-President of the National of Counties; and

WHEREAS, the Antrim County Board of Commissioners believes that Commissioner Coleman’s experience, involvement and membership on the NACo Board of Directors, Task Force on Governance, and Community & Economic Development Steering Committees makes him an ideal candidate for the referenced position; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Coleman has a long established record as a person who recognizes the importance of building partnerships and as an elected official actively engaged in developing regional initiatives that embrace diversity and benefit for multiple communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Antrim County Board of Commissioners hereby extends its prideful support to the nomination of our esteemed colleague from the State of Michigan, Oakland County Commissioner Eric Coleman, for the office of Second Vice-President of the National Association of Counties.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be dutifully signed and sealed by the Antrim County Board of Commissioners, Chairperson and Antrim County Clerk as testament to this Board’s action.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the National Association of Counties, the Michigan Association of Counties and all Michigan counties.

Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen;

No - None;

Absent – White.

RESOLUTION #11-04 DECLARED ADOPTED.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford a 3.5 % increase in wages for park employees for the 2004 season be approved. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Dawson the Chairman sign the agreement with the MSU Museum for care, storage, and access of the artifacts found at the Antrim Creek Natural Area. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford to approve a proposed archeological excavation and survey at the Antrim Creek Natural Area and authorize the Chairman of the ACNA to respond affirmatively to the request. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

John Strehl, Airport Manager, presented the Airport 2003 Annual Report. Also Zoe Larch , an aviation planner from the Michigan Department of Transportation, reported on the impact Antrim County Airport has on the local area.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Allen the Airport 2003 Annual Report be approved. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Dawson, seconded by McLeod the rental amount for the conference room at the Antrim County Airport be set at $40 for ½ day. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Allen the revised 2004 agreement between Antrim County MeadowView Apartments and Meadowbrook be approved and the Vice-Chairman be authorized to sign. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by Dawson, seconded by Howelman the Vice-Chairman be authorized to sign any contracts or other agreements during the absence of the Chairman. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Howelman the following ballot proposal by approved to be presented to the Antrim County electorate at the November 2, 2004 General Election:

E-911 PROPOSAL

For the purpose of equipping, operating and maintaining of the Antrim County E-911 emergency services and consolidated dispatch costs, shall there be a monthly assessment by the County of Antrim of no more than an additional sixteen percent (16%) of the highest monthly flat rate charged by a telephone service supplier for a single party access line, not to exceed $2.89 per month, upon telephone service users within the Antrim County 911 Service District for a period not to exceed four years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008?

Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

The Vice-Chairman appointed Daniel Robinson to the Citizen At Large opening on the 911 Board.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Blackmore the appointment of Daniel Robinson as Citizen at Large on the 911 Board, term to expire January 1, 2007 be approved. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – White.

It was moved by Crawford, seconded by Howelman a project proposal on County letterhead be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources to lease the Wetzel Lake Park area from the DNR and phased development of the proposed Wetzel Lake Park and Campsite (to be operated jointly with Mancelona Township) be commenced. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Robert Englebrecht, Equalization Director, spoke to the Board about the importance of filling the position of appraiser as soon as possible.

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. to the Call of the Chair.