ANTRIM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

ANTRIM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Thursday, March 13, 2003

	Robert McLeod, Vice Chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Present:			Robert McLeod, Eugene Dawson, Larry Bargy, David Howelman, Laura Stanek, Bernard Blackmore, Joseph Allen.

Absent:			Jack White, Michael Crawford.

		The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

		The Chairman called for Public Comment.

Ed Martel spoke on three issues: (1) county office phone calls should be documented as to who, what, when, and where, (2) having the Planning Commission spend time on anything relating to wetlands was questionable considering previous actions by the Board, (3) praise for the Barnes Park Grant project - some comments about the Helena Township boat launch project. Don Schuiteman - further comments on the remarks made by Ed Martel. Ray Ludwa - further comments about the Helena Township boat launch project.

Public Comment closed at 9:10 a.m.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Blackmore that the minutes of February 13, 2003 be approved. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Bargy that the claims and accounts totaling $49,957.25 be approved and paid. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Bargy that the Sheriff purchase a car for approximately $21,000 as budgeted. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Bargy that the Sheriff purchase a printer for $350.00 and a fax machine for $150.00 as budgeted. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Bargy that $3,000 be expended from the Planning Commission budget for the development of township profiles to be used in visioning sessions to implement the Master Plan. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Stanek that the funds for the vacant position of custodian be reinstated. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

RESOLUTION #12-03 by David Howelman, seconded by Eugene Dawson

WHEREAS, Antrim County has been made aware of the fact that the existing Tuscola Saginaw Bay Railroad right-of-way extending south out of the City of Petoskey is to be offered for sale at some point within the next 24 months, and

WHEREAS, the Tuscola Saginaw Bay (TSBY) rail corridor is a highly valued land resource one that is a continuous linear property with great bearing on the public interest, and

WHEREAS, once disposed of, this land resource would become fragmented and fractionalized to the point where it could not be re-assembled or re-purchased at a price anywhere near as low as what would be received from the initial sale, there being ample evidence of this re-sale inflation by MDOT and the DNR, who experienced the cost of purchasing already lost rail R/W lands for trail development purposes, and

WHEREAS, the TSBY r/w, is a unique land resource, and is ideally suited to the establishment of trails, both motorized and non-motorized, and has additional potential usage as a utility corridor (fiber optics, electricity, communications, etc.), a transportation corridor for new roads, mass transit vehicles, and perhaps a future return to rail transportation, and

WHEREAS, use of the former right-of-way for trails is seen as the safest trails, (public safety) compared to trails on and along other roads and highways,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Antrim County Board of Commissioners strongly urges the State of Michigan offices, Departments, and Legislators to staunchly resist any rail sale or abandonment that would drop the TSBY right-of-way from public ownership, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if and when the actual sale or abandonment takes place, that title to TSBY land base be vested in one or more of the following: the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the individual counties within which the railroad currently lies, and to affirm Emmet County’s position that the rail right-of-way not be sold to private owners, this being contrary to substantial public interest this rail land resource represents.

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

No - None;

Absent - White, Crawford.

RESOLUTION #12-03 DECLARED ADOPTED.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Allen that anyone who is reimbursed by the county for driving expenses while on county business shall have an annual driving record check and, further, that the use of seat belts be mandated for county employees on county business. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Stanek that the following wage increases be implemented for Commission on Aging non-union/part-time employees: (see page ). Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

The Chairman appointed the following individuals to serve on the North Country Community Mental Health Board: Kent Stoddard, Betsy Brown, Louis Scholl, Laura Stanek, Timothy Meagher.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Dawson that the appointment of Kent Stoddard, Betsy Brown, Louis Scholl, Laura Stanek, Timothy Meagher to the North Country Community Mental Health, terms to expire at the end of one year be approved. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Dawson that David VerStrat be hired to work at Barnes Park on the midnight shift at the second year rate, plus a $.25 differential. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Dawson that the Barnes Park employees be given a 3.5 % wage increase for the 2003 season. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Howelman that an ad-hoc planning committee be established to commence and guide the final design of the proposed Grass River Visitor Center. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was decided to make the appointments to the above-named ad-hoc committee in April.

Theresa Kent gave the Abstract Department 2002 Annual Report.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Howelman that the 2002 Abstract Department report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Peter Garwood explained a new grant available to facilitate mapping to determine locations for identifying wireless phone calls.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Howelman that the county apply for a grant from the Public Safety Foundation of America for funding to facilitate mapping to determine locations for identifying wireless phone calls. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Dawson, seconded by Stanek that a short form environmental assessment be performed at the Airport in accordance with runway safety area project. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Dawson that the used Ford Expedition (Sheriff) be transferred to the Airport. Motion carried all members voting yes except Stanek who voted no.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Blackmore that the proposed amendment to the Bomb Threat Plan be adopted. Motion FAILED by a yea and nay vote as follows: No - McLeod, Dawson, Howelman; Yes - Bargy, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; Absent - White, Crawford. (Motion fails because a majority of elected members (5) did not prevail.)

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Blackmore that the Emergency Services Director post documents throughout the County facilities that indicate the different levels of terrorist threat conditions. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

A Public Hearing on the proposed Barnes Park Improvement Recreation Grant convened at 10:10 a.m.

Total grant - $214,540 Local match - $54,385 (County cash - 26,635, donated

materials - 19,750, Conservation District labor - 8,000)

Public comments - Janet Person - explanation of ACD role in the grant

Mark Randolph - the proposed walking trails fit with the regional

concept

Don Schuiteman - question on retaining some rustic camping sites

Laura Stanek - establishment of a priority list if only partial grant

obtained.

The Public Hearing closed at 10:24 a.m.

RESOLUTION #13-03 by Bernard Blackmore, seconded by Eugene Dawson

WHEREAS, the Antrim County Board of Commissioners fully supported and adopted the Antrim County Comprehensive Recreation Plan on February 10, 2000, and

WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Recreation Plan states that annual county park system maintenance, a new park office/visitor center, the upgrade of 27 camping sites from rustic to electrical, the addition of a walkway that is handicapped accessible, and required ancillary utilities and services are a high priority for Antrim County, as listed in the Capital Improvement Schedule, and

WHEREAS, the improvements named in the implementation plan of the Comprehensive Recreation Plan and thus also in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Application are necessary to provide better recreational amenities, increased access, and to comply with the provisions of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), and

WHEREAS, the proposed improvements would provide a greatly increased level of service to visitors by upgrading 27 camping sites, provide park guests greatly increased educational opportunities in the visitor center and office area, provide park guests with better park access and access to nearby inland lakes through establishment of a walking/bicycle trail, and increase the overall safety of the entire park, and

WHEREAS, due to budgetary constraints the County of Antrim does not currently have the ability to finance these capital improvements, without additional funding;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Antrim County Board of Commissioners authorizes a grant application for funding through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund program for the aforementioned improvements to the Antrim County Barnes Park in Torch Lake Township, Section 1, T31N, R9W, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Antrim County Board of Commissioners agrees to accept the grant if awarded, and will provide a local match of twenty-five (25%) percent in the amount of $54,385.

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

No - None;

Absent - White, Crawford.

RESOLUTION #13-03 DECLARED ADOPTED.

Carol Mitchell, Director, gave the Commission on Aging 2002 Annual Report.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Stanek that the Commission on Aging 2002 Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Laura Sexton, County Clerk, presented the 2002 County Clerk Annual Report.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Howelman that the 2002 County Clerk Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Judge Norman Hayes presented the Probate Court/Family Division 2002 Annual Report.

It was moved by Dawson, seconded by Howelman that the 2002 Probate Court/Family Division Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

John Strehl, Manager gave the Airport 2002 Annual Report.

It was moved by Dawson, seconded by Stanek that the 2002 Airport Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Bill Birch reported on the North Country Community Mental Health merger.

Larry Bargy reported on the bid opening for the Animal Shelter construction.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Dawson that Petrie Construction be awarded the bid for construction of an Animal Shelter, the bid being $417,722 (including adjustments) and that the budget of Fund #470 - Animal Shelter - be increased by $417,722. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

On recommendation from Judge Thomas Power, the vice-chairman appointed Kathleen Beal to the Jury Board.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Dawson that the appointment of Kathleen Beal to the Jury Board, term to expire 04/30/2009 be approved. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes - McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No - None; Absent - White, Crawford.

There was discussion on the Little League fields that will be constructed on the Animal Shelter property across M-88 from Meadowbrook. Don Schuiteman presented a plan for the complex. He was requested to return in April for finalization of the lease with the Village of Bellaire for this property.

The Emergency Services Annual Report was postponed until April.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Allen that the Emergency Services Director apply for a Federal grant to help implement terrorism preparedness. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Bill Murphy informed that he was re-submitting a grant request for an Emergency Command Post to the Tribe.

It as moved by Blackmore, seconded by Howelman that the following amendment to the Antrim Creek Natural Area Ordinance be approved:
2.03.13 A person shall not use or possess a metal detector or similar device
capable of detecting objects below or near the surface of the land
within the Antrim Creek Natural Area without proper written permission.
Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Allen seconded by Dawson that the following amendment to the Soil Erosion Control Agreement with the Antrim Conservation District be approved:
	In addition to other duties, the soil erosion control officer shall be able to advise consumers of other permits needed and also keep track of wetland permits, denials and violations with the purpose of reporting them to the Board of Commissioners monthly.
Motion carried all members present voting yes.

The Coordinator/Planner 2002 Annual Report was postponed until April.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Dawson that the construction of Little League Fields and a parking lot on Antrim County property in section 30 of Kearney Township directly across M-88 from Meadowbrook be approved contingent upon approval of the lease with the Village of Bellaire by the Prosecuting Attorney. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

The meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m. to the Call of the Chair.

________________________________ Robert McLeod, Vice Chairman

_______________________________ Laura Sexton, County Clerk