ANTRIM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

ANTRIM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Thursday, May 12, 2005

Jack White, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Present: Robert McLeod, Eugene Dawson, Larry Bargy, Jack White, David Howelman,

Michael Crawford, Laura Stanek, Bernard Blackmore , Joseph Allen;

Absent: None.

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

The Chairman requested Public Comment. Gregory Karam asked about a Construction Code appeal and the cancellation of unused permits. Ed Martel spoke about a Freedom of Information request. Public Comment closed at 9:14 a.m.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Dawson that minutes of April 14, 2005 be approved as corrected. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Ed Martel spoke on the status of wetland permits.

George Perkins, Veterans Counselor, presented an addendum to his 2004 Annual Report. Antrim County will receive $2,619,000 in veterans pensions.

Robert Massey, Building Official, gave the Construction Code Enforcement Annual Report.

It was moved by Crawford, seconded by Blackmore the Construction Code Enforcement 2004 Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by McLeod the claims and accounts totaling $92,317.28 be approved and paid. 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 Stanek, seconded by McLeod that all bills for internet access be paid from the Computer Cost Center in the General Fund and the funds budgeted in various departments for computer internet access be transferred to the Computer Cost Center. 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 Stanek, seconded by McLeod the County Treasurer contract with Mancelona Public School for collection of summer school taxes in Custer Township only. 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 Stanek, seconded by Howelman the handling charge for other departments and agencies to purchase vehicle gas at Dial-a-Ride be raised from $.10/gal to $ .20/gal effective immediately. 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 Stanek, seconded by Dawson the bid from Elmer’s for $11,800 for paving the road at Barnes Park be accepted with the provision the paving be done after work on the log building is completed and the Building and Grounds Committee confer with the Road Commission about reimbursement for damage to the road and the expenditure budget of Fund #470 be increased by $11,800. 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 Howelman that Lukas Hill be hired as Associate Planner at a salary of $41,640/yr. with the provisions that he receive three extended weekends and one week vacation in September with pay. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Crawford, Blackmore, Allen; No – Stanek; Absent – None.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Dawson the Construction Code Enforcement Department hire an additional part time contractual building inspector and the expenditure budget of Fund #249 be increased. 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 Stanek, seconded by Allen the Coordinator/Planner compose a letter to be sent to Representative Elsenheimer and Attorney General Michael Cox inquiring as to why there is such a great diversity in gas prices between lower Michigan and northern Michigan. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Dan Bean, Undersheriff, presented the Sheriff’s 2004 Annual Report.

It was moved by Crawford, seconded by Dawson the Sheriff’s 2004 Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford $1,200 be transferred from Contingencies to Computer Cost Center in the 2005 General Fund budget for an electrical connection to accommodate the Chain O’Lakes Broadcast for 911. 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 Dawson, seconded by McLeod, the hangar lease requests from Dave Reck and William Donberg be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

RESOLUTION #19-05 by Eugene Dawson, seconded by David Howelman

BE IT RESOLVED that the Antrim County Board of Commissioners does hereby approve the proposed Contract submitted by the Michigan Department of Transportation;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Jack White, Chairman, be authorized and directed to execute Contract No. 2005-0207 (Federal Project No. B-26-0011-1304) for and on behalf of the Antrim County Board of Commissioners.

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

No - None;

Absent – None.

RESOLUTION #19-05 DECLARED ADOPTED.

RESOLUTION #20-05 by Eugene Dawson, seconded by Robert McLeod

BE IT RESOLVED that the Antrim County Board of Commissioners does hereby approve the proposed Contract submitted by the Michigan Department of Transportation;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Jack White, Chairman, be authorized and directed to execute Contract No. 2005-0257 for and on behalf of the Antrim County Board of Commissioners.

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

No - None;

Absent – None.

RESOLUTION #20-05 DECLARED ADOPTED.

It was moved by Dawson, seconded by Howelman the Chairman be authorized to sign a contract with Hodgkins and Duma for work on the runway safety area project; total cost $15,582.00. 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 Dawson, seconded by McLeod Fund #241, Airport Donations – Landscaping, be created; revenue to consist of private donations and expenditures to go for landscaping projects and the County Clerk create a budget for this fund. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – None.

Sherry Comben, County Treasurer, presented the County Treasurer’s 2004 Annual Report.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy the County Treasurer 2004 Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Sheridan Rhodes, Director, gave the Antrim County Transportation 2004 Annual Report.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Dawson the Antrim County Transportation 2004 Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Mark Randolph presented the Grass River Natural Area 2004 Annual Report.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Howelman the Grass River Natural Area 2004 Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

RESOLUTION #21-05 by Bernard Blackmore, seconded by Eugene Dawson

WHEREAS, the local Antrim Conservation District can effectively assist the local community with timely and efficient assistance; and

WHEREAS, local permitting of such activities as shoreline stabilization, pond construction, beach grooming, wetland permits, boardwalks, and road construction, just to mention a few, could be administered by the local Antrim Conservation District; and

WHEREAS, the local Antrim Conservation District understands the community and knows the environmentally sensitive areas within the County of Antrim and can more effectively and promptly administer permits for such activities; and

WHEREAS, the local community would be better served if the county had the authority to delegate the conservation district to administer local permits for environmental matters within their jurisdiction.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Antrim County Board of Commissioners supports the concept of legislation which would allow the County of Antrim to delegate responsibilities for all minor-use permitting under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to the local Conservation District;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be sent to Representative Elsenheimer and Senator Allen urging them to consider sponsoring such legislation in the Michigan Legislature.

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

No - None;

Absent – None.

RESOLUTION #21-05 DECLARED ADOPTED.

Michael Crawford left the meeting at 12:07 p.m.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Dawson $3,500 be transferred from Fund #230, Forestry Fund, to Fund #232, Cedar River N.A. Operating Fund for improvement and maintenance and the budgets of both funds be adjusted by $3,500. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – Crawford.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Howelman the funds be released and hiring commence for the vacant 911 dispatcher position. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – Crawford.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Dawson the Sheriff be authorized to post the vacancy of road deputy immediately and the funds for that position be released on August 1, 2005; and for the month of July, beginning July 1, 2005, the Sheriff be authorized to use funds from the court officer line item to hire a replacement for retiring Officer Fant one month early. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – Crawford.

RESOLUTION #22-05 by Robert McLeod, seconded by Larry Bargy

WHEREAS, the Governor has proposed a $677,000 reduction to Local Public Health Operations funding for the 2004/2005 budget year and a reduction of over 5

million dollars for the 2006 budget year and these reductions are targeting the elimination of hearing and vision screening programs conducted by local public health departments; and

WHEREAS, annually over 1.75 million children are provided screening and referral services, with District Health Department #10 serving approximately 6,000 preschool children and 33,000 school age children annually for hearing and vision problems; and

WHEREAS, these services have documented cost saving benefits, specifically in the area of educational outcomes and health care costs. The minimum investment of $3 per child is a fiscally strong investment by the State compared to the alternative of some children placed in special education programs at a cost of approximately $14,000 per year;

WHEREAS, these services address the health needs of at-risk populations and hearing and vision screening provide essential preventive health services to a population not receiving routine health care;

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan needs to focus support for preventive health programs administered by local public health department s as opposed to eliminating programs which save health care dollars; and

WHEREAS, the Public Health Code, PA 368, defines reimbursement to local health departments for basic health services to be funded at 50% by the State of Michigan, which presently is at approximately 36%. In addition, the Public Health Code notes hearing and vision services shall be provided by local health departments.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Antrim County Board of Commissioners requests assistance from Representative Geoff Hansen and Senator Michelle McManus in re-establishing funds for Local Public Health Operations services and specifically the Hearing and Vision Screening Program being targeted for elimination. A commitment to reimburse local health departments at the level defined in the Public Health Code is essential to address core public health services and prevent the spread of disease.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Jennifer Granholm, Representative Elsenheimer, Senator Allen, Northern Michigan Community Health, the Michigan Association of Counties and all counties north of U.S. 10.

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

No - None;

Absent – Crawford.

RESOLUTION #22-05 DECLARED ADOPTED.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by McLeod The Antrim County Safe Driver Program Policy be approved with the suggested amendments and the Chairman be authorized to sign the appropriate papers to participate in the Michigan Secretary of State Motor Vehicle Record Flag Program. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – Crawford.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Howelman that Carl Goeman be paid from the Sheriff’s payroll for one day a month in order to keep his police officer certification current. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – Crawford.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Allen that the quote of $3,226.00 for construction of an interview room in the Sheriff Administration area of the Jail be accepted and the expenditure budget of Fund #470 be increased by $3,226.00. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – Crawford.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Dawson the handicap parking spaces at the northwest corner of the County Building be reduced to two spaces. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Bargy, seconded by Dawson four feet be added to the length of the soon to be constructed Interpretive Center/Office for Barnes Park at a cost of $7,000. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – Crawford.

Bernard Blackmore and David Howelman left the meeting at 1:00 p.m.

It was moved by Allen, seconded by Dawson a letter of appreciation be written to George Ouvry acknowledging his service on the Veterans Affairs Committee. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Allen, seconded by Dawson the Solid Waste Planning Committee organized under Act 451, Part 115 be dissolved and the group be continued as a nine-member Solid Waste and Recycling Council with definite term periods the members and term expiration dates to be as follows:

Eugene Dawson expires term of elected office

Leonard Klein 12/31/05

Robert Peterson 12/31/07

Mike McPherson 12/31/06

Jim Palmer 12/31/06

Jill Barnard 12/31/05

Bill Gadwau 12/31/05

Julie Mathiesen 12/31/06

Janet Person 12/31/07

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

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Bargy to follow the same permitting procedure for re-roofing, residing, and window replacement as followed by Kalkaska County. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Stanek, Allen; No – None; Absent – Howelman, Crawford, Blackmore.

The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m. to the Call of the Chair.