ANTRIM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

ANTRIM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Thursday, December 9, 2004

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.

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

The Chairman called for Public Comment. Ed Martel spoke on the need to reorganize the planning Commission to reflect divergent opinions.

Janet Person presented the Antrim Conservation District Annual Report.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Blackmore the Antrim Conservation District Annual Report be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Charles Koop, Prosecuting Attorney, introduced Erin House who is working with the Prosecuting Attorney’s office on services to victims of domestic violence under a state program.

RESOLUTION #39-04 by Robert McLeod, seconded by Michael Crawford

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Family Independence Agency Title IV-D Cooperative Agreement (Contract #CSPA-05-05002) be and hereby is approved in its entirety (net budget amount - $912,760.00; FIA contract amount - $63,937.00); and

The Chairperson of the Antrim County Board of Commissioners is hereby authorized to execute said Agreement on behalf of the County Board of Commissioners.

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

No - None;

Absent – None.

RESOLUTION #39-04 DECLARED ADOPTED.

Mr. Koop reported on the lawsuit against the State on tax foreclosure. He also reported on the Banfield property litigation and on the progress with establishing property lines between county property and the Bouwens property on Six Mile Lake.

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Stanek that Corey Hughes be retained to investigate the county’s riparian rights with respect to a dock extending into the lake from the Bouwen’s property at a cost not to exceed $7,000 to be paid from the Special Projects Cost Center of the 2005 General Fund budget. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – None.

Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, distributed the proposed Internet Use Policy. The matter was tabled until the January meeting.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by McLeod the claims and accounts totaling $86,187.00 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 Howelman that $15,000 be advanced from the General Fund to Commission on Aging. 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 that $2,200 be transferred from Emergency Services (health insurance) to Capital Outlay in the 2004 General Fund budget for an electric opener for the Emergency Services gate in the Airport fence. 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 a folder/inserter/sorter mailing system be purchased for the County Treasurer for not to exceed $6,200 to be paid from Fund #255 and the expenditure budget of Fund #255 be increased by that amount. 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 that $15,000 be transferred from Capital Outlay (Maintenance) to Capital Outlay (Animal Control), and Capital Outlay (Animal Control) be also increased by $5,000 in the 2005 General Fund budget for purchase of a truck for Animal Control and the used Animal Control truck be transferred to Maintenance. 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 Bargy that one terminal in the Abstract Department be dedicated to directly access Register of Deeds information at a cost of

$250 per month and $3,000 be transferred from the Capital Outlay Reserve Fund to General Fund (Abstract Department computer support) and the budgets of both 2005 Funds be adjusted to reflect this change. 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 the 2005 expenditure budget of the Construction Code Enforcement Fund be increased by $1,400 to continue the employment of the temporary clerical employee through the end of January. 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 Crawford that $12,000 be appropriated from the Parks Cost Center of the 2004 General Fund budget to Fund #470, Capital Projects Fund, for a surveyed site plan and needed pavement works for Barnes Park and the budgets of both funds be adjusted accordingly. 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 $2,000 be transferred from overtime to Stipend for the Court Reporter in the Family Division Cost Center of the 2005 General Fund budget. 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 remainder in the Internet Access Project line item of the Computer budget in the 2004 General Fund be transferred to Fund #221, Internet Access Project Fund and the funds of both budgets be adjusted to reflect this change. 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 minutes of November 12, 2004 be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

The Chairman made the following appointments:

Commission on Aging Mary Kokosky term exp. 12/31/2005

Don Schuiteman term exp. 12/31/2005

Edward Bradford term exp. 12/31/2005

Board of Public Works Adam Jankowski term exp. 01/01/2007

Leonard Klein term exp. 01/01/2007

Construction Code Brd of Appeals Edgar Boettcher term exp. 12/31/2008

Road Commission Jerome Dobrzelewski term exp. 12/31/2010

Veterans’ Affairs Board Allen Potter term exp. 12/31/2007

Housing Commission Marian Sterner term exp. 01/01/2008

E-911 Board Bill Chapman term exp. 01/01/2008

Adam Jankowski term exp. 01/01/2008

Robert Robinson term exp. 01/01/2008

Parks & Recreation Commission Linda Gallagher term exp. 01/01/2009

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Stanek the above named appointments be approved. 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 all part-time employees at the Commission on Aging receive a 3% wage increase for 2005 with the exception of the clerical assistant position which would receive a 3% increase on January 1 and a 2% increase on July 1. 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 Stanek that the motion of October, 2004 regarding signing of Commission on Aging contracts be rescinded and the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners sign only the Area on Aging Agency contracts, all other Commission on Aging contracts to be signed by the Chairman of the Commission on Aging Board. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – None.

RESOLUTION #40-04 by Robert McLeod, seconded by Michael Crawford

WHEREAS, House Bill 4358 proposes to increase the length of trucks on Michigan roads from 59 to 65 feet, allowing trucks to travel over any road in the state, and reduces the penalty of overweight trucks to $250; and

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan and the County of Lake have billions of dollars invested in road infrastructure, local road repair and maintenance; allowing increased truck length and reducing the penalty for truck weight will accelerate the deterioration of state and local roads; and

WHEREAS, the excessive weight of large trucks tends to deteriorate more quickly the expensive design and construction of streets; and

WHEREAS, many studies recognize that trucks do not pay their fair share of road taxes relative to the amount of damage they cause to road pavement; and

WHEREAS, many older roads, streets and intersections were designed for trucks 53 feet long or less, based on turning radius, and cannot accommodate the proposed longer vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the $250 penalty set forth in HOB 4358 will be all but meaningless to most trucking companies and far lower than needed to correct the damage done to state and local roadways by overweight trucks,; penalties must be large enough to encourage truckers to stay on designated routes and observe weight limits; removing judicial review encourages repeat offenses and regular abuse of weight limitations; and

WHEREAS, local governments are in the best position to evaluate which roads can safely handle truck traffic; thus restricting the County of Lake’s ability to control where trucks travel within our County is fiscally irresponsible and will cause a safety threat to its citizens, and private and public property.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the County of Lake urges the Michigan legislature and the Governor to oppose HB 4358, a bill which is simply bad public policy and certainly not in the best interest of the citizens of Michigan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Governor, the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Jason Allen, Representative Kevin Elsenheimer, the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) and all other Michigan counties.

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

No - None;

Absent – None.

RESOLUTION #40-04 DECLARED ADOPTED.

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Crawford the agreement with the unrepresented employees be approved and the salaries be set as follows:

January 1 July 1

Abstractor 41,926 42,974

ACT Director 43,265 45,004

(step increase to 44,122 on 6/1/05)

ACT Secretary 12.28/hr 12.65/hr

Admin Asst. – Co. Clerk 15.81/hr 15.97/hr

Admin. Asst. – Coord/Plan 16.80/hr 16.97/hr

Admin. Asst. – Pros. Atty. 16.63/hr 16.80/hr

Airport Manager 40,217 40,217

Asst. Pros. Atty 44,836 44,836

(step increase to 46,170 on 12/16/05)

Assoc. Planner 36,630 36,630

Building Official 46,350 46,350

(step in crease to 47,741 on 7/05/05)

Chief Asst. Pros. Atty. 53,905 55,253

Comm. on Aging Director* 39,566 40,357

Coord/Planner Secretary 13.20/hr 13.76/hr

(step increase to 13.62 on 02/25/05)

Emergency Services Coordinator 19,276 20,460

(step increase to 19,864 on 06/23/05)

Equalization Director 49,796 50,792

Housing Director 16.47/hr 16.80/hr

Jail Nurse 47,868 47,868

Maintenance Director 34,303 34,646

MeadowView Apt. Manager 11,226 11,226

Parks Manager 14.67 14.67

Undersheriff 49,767 50,265

Veteran’s Counselor 10.88/hr 10.88/hr

Victim’s Advocate 14.36/hr 14.50/hr

Elected Officials

County Clerk* 47,275 47,748

County Treasurer 46,405 46,405

Drain Commissioner 7,572 7,572

Sheriff * 54,143 54,684

*Stipends

COA Director 1,417 1,445

County Clerk 9,486 9,581

Prosecuting Attorney 10,430 + 3,386 (grant)

Sheriff 6,344 6,407

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 all employees who are in the current CB12 to CB 1 Wrap be moved to a new CB 12 to CB 1 Wrap health insurance program with a $25 office visit and a Mail Order Prescription D2x. 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 the Commissioners’ salaries for 2005 and 2006 be set as follows:

2005

Chairman 5,180

Members 4,380

2006

Chairman 5,480

Members 4,680

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

Bids were presented for timber cutting in Chestonia Township, Section 29 as follows:

Silverleaf Sawmill 34,795

Timbercare Inc. 13,656

Paris Sawmill 21,752

Matelski Lumber Co. 22,776

Fahl Forest Products 33,900

It was moved by Blackmore, seconded by Dawson the bid from Silver Leaf Sawmill for $34,795 for timber cutting in Chestonia Township, Section 29 be accepted. 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 Blackmore, seconded by Dawson the surface damage assessment prepared by Mike Meriwether for the drilling and flowline construction at the county forest in Section 24, Echo Township be accepted. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

Ed Martel spoke on the following topics: Arlen Turner, former Building Official; combining of the County Clerk/Register of Deeds/ Abstract offices.

RESOLUTION #41-04 by Bernard Blackmore, seconded by Joseph Allen

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Antrim County authorize the Housing Director to apply to MSHD for a grant for $262,500 for rehabilitation of existing homes, the local leveraging amount to be $52,500

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

No - None;

Absent – None.

RESOLUTION #41-04 DECLARED ADOPTED.

It was moved by Dawson that the Airport apply for a grant for $794,000, county share to be $66,650. Motion died for lack of support.

It was moved by Stanek, seconded by Bargy that the 2004 budget adjustments (see p ) be approved. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None; Absent – None.

The Chairman made the following appointments:

Abstractor Theresa Kent

Chief Administrative Officer Laura Sexton

Animal Control Director Terry Johnson

Airport Manager John Strehl

Building Official Robert Massey

Commission on Aging Director Carol Mitchell

Coordinator/Planner Peter Garwood

Emergency Services Coordinator Carl Goeman

Equalization Director Robert Englebrecht

Maintenance Director David Vitale

Medical Examiner Dr. Dewey Benson

Purchasing Agent Laura Sexton

Veterans Counselor George Perkins

911 Manager Terry Johnson

Freedom of Information Officer Charles Koop

Safety Officer Carl Goeman

It was moved by McLeod, seconded by Blackmore the above named appointments be approved. 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 Crawford, seconded by McLeod the Coordinator/Planner proceed with negotiations of owners of three lots in the midst of Barnes Parks for eventual purchase of the land. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

It was moved by Crawford, seconded by McLeod that Lennox and Associates produce a surveyed site plan for Barnes Park at a cost not to exceed $6,000. 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 Crawford, seconded by Dawson the change order to the Artec Interiors, Inc. contract of $907.20 for sealed engineered drawings for the repair of the Circuit Courtroom dome area be approved. 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 Crawford, seconded by Dawson Lennox Engineering be hired for creating the design of the catchment system for the clock weights (1905 Courthouse) at a cost not to exceed 15% of the construction cost of the catchment system. Motion carried by a yea and nay vote as follows: Yes – McLeod, Dawson, Bargy, White, Howelman, Crawford, Stanek, Blackmore, Allen; No – None.

It was moved by Howelman, seconded by Stanek the chairman be authorized to sign the agreement between Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility and Meadowview Apartments for 2005. 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 Bargy, seconded by Dawson the Chairman of the LEPC be authorized to sign the Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Grant Agreement for 2004-2005 in the amount of $865. 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 Allen, seconded by Dawson the Chairman be authorized to sign the contract between Antrim Conservation District and Antrim County for $60,000 for soil erosion control services. 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 Dawson the Board retire to Closed Session to discuss pending litigation and that Charles Koop, Peter Garwood, and Mark Randolph remain in the closed session. Motion carried all members present voting yes.

The Board went into closed session at 12:30 p.m. and returned to open session at 1:05 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

_____________________________

Jack White, Chairman

________________________________

Laura Sexton, County Clerk