Health, Animal Control & Public Safety Committee

 

Bernard Blackmore

Larry Bargy, Chairman

David Howelman

 

January 29, 2003

Minutes

 

 

 

Members present:

 

Larry Bargy, Bernie Blackmore and David Howelman

Members absent:

 

None

Others present:

 

Pete Garwood and Jack White

 

1.        Meeting called to order at 1:04 p.m.

2.        Sanitary Code

 

Committee discussed the possibility of changes to the Sanitary Code addressing the septic system requirements.

 

 

Walt Franczek, Sanitarian addressed the Committee on the issue of changing the sanitary code.  Mr. Franczek indicated if the code is opened up for amendments the entire code must be open for changes.

 

 

The Committee received input from Mr. Franczek on closed septic systems.

 

 

Larry Bargy, Committee Chair recognized Ed Martel from the audience and allowed him to speak.  Mr. Martel spoke on the subject of mound or elevated systems, as well as alternative systems including closed systems.

 

 

It was the consensus of the Committee that a careful review of the current sanitary code would be a worthy activity.

 

3.        Sheriff Department Update

 

§        Four Wheel Drive – Airport

 

Sheriff Johnson questioned if it was alright to give the four wheel drive Ford Expedition to the airport.  The Committee agreed the transfer of the vehicle to the airport was a good idea.  Chair Larry Bargy inquired if it made sense to sell the four wheel drive vehicle and give the airport the next two wheel drive vehicle that became available.  Bernie Blackmore informed the other committee members that the airport manager has expressed a need for the extra space the Ford Expedition would offer.

 

 

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Dave Howelman, to recommend the Board of Commissioners transfer the Ford Expedition to the Airport.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

 

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Larry Bargy, to put the Ford Taurus, which has a bad transmission, up for bids.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

§        Weight Machine

 

Sheriff Johnson indicated he has a new weight machine for the jail.  He inquired whether he should put the old equipment out for bids.

 

 

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Dave Howelman, to authorize the Sheriff to put the old weight machine up for bids.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

 

§           Road Ending Ordinance – Agreement

 

The Sheriff explained that Kearney and Torch Lake Townships have Road Ending and Mooring Ordinances, and the two townships have requested the Sheriff Department enforce the ordinances through an agreement.  Sheriff Johnson explained the County currently has an agreement with Forest Home Township to allow the Sheriff to enforce their Road Ending Ordinance.  The Sheriff indicated the Kearney Township Ordinance was okay but the Torch Lake Township Ordinance still requires additional changes.

 

 

Motion carried by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Dave Howelman, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the agreement (see attachment) to allow the Sheriff to enforce the Kearney Township Ordinance.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

 

§        Camp Grayling Resolution

 

Sheriff Johnson informed the Committee of a resolution necessary for the Sheriff Department to continue to use the training facility at Camp Grayling.

 

 

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Larry Bargy, to recommend the Board of Commissioners approve the resolution to allow the Antrim County Sheriff Department to train at Camp Grayling (attached).  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

 

§        Medical Examiner

 

Sheriff Johnson requested permission to send the Medical Examiner to a forensics training class.

 

 

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Dave Howelman, to recommend the Finance Committee and the Board of Commissioners approve the dollars to send Dr. Benson, Antrim County Medical Examiner to the Medicolegal Investigation of Death training.  Motion carried - unanimous.

 

 

§        911 Networking

 

Sheriff Johnson indicated a need to purchase a network server and have cabling installed to network the 911 dispatch system.

 

 

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Larry Bargy, to recommend the Sheriff go to Finance Committee for approval of the 911 Funds to pay for the network server and networking for the CAD system in the 911 Dispatch System.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

 

§        Sheriff Personnel Issue

 

Sheriff Johnson informed the Committee the courts have substantially increased the need for his department to provide service to the courts (bailiff and paper service).  Sheriff Johnson proposed hiring a part-time employee to fill the need.

 

 

Motion by Bernie Blackmore, supported by Dave Howelman, to recommend Sheriff Johnson go to the Administration and County Services Committee to request the additional part-time staff to service the courts.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

4.        Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility

 

Judy Martin, Director of Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility explained that because of a new law the Medical Care Facility is now required to do fingerprinting of new employees if they have not been a resident of the State of Michigan for three years.  Ms. Martin has worked out a deal with the Sheriff Department to provide the fingerprinting service, for a fee.  She explained that Meadow Brook has for some years been providing the service to the Sheriff Department to do blood testing for alcohol abuse.  Ms. Martin proposed a trade of services without a fee either way. 

 

5.        Animal Shelter Construction Update

 

Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner informed the Committee the cut off date to “register” to get a set of plans and specifications to bid on for the Animal Shelter is February 18 and the bids will be opened by the Buildings and Grounds Committee on March 5, 2003.

 

 

Sheriff Johnson informed the Committee the revenues for licenses have approximately doubled since we completed the census.  An individual donated $20,000 to the Animal Shelter.  Sheriff Johnson indicated the money can be used for equipment and furnishings of the new Animal Shelter.  Sheriff Johnson inquired about the possibility of allowing the staff at the Animal Shelter to accept money even if it would only be allowed in the form of a check for adoptions and donations to the shelter.

 

 

Sheriff Johnson was directed to get together with the Treasurer to design how the program could work.

 

6.        Policy Changes – Ordinance to Charge for Services

 

The Committee reviewed the draft ordinance provided by Bill Murphy, Emergency Management Services Coordinator to recover costs for providing services for responding to hazardous materials emergencies.  The committee had questions and decided to wait until Mr. Murphy can be present at a committee meeting.

 

 

§        Emergency and Bomb Threat Plan and Fire Evacuation Plan

Committee considered the amendments proposed by Mr. Murphy to the Emergency and Bomb Threat Plan and the Fire Evacuation Plan.  The Committee tabled the issue until Mr. Murphy can be present at the meeting.

 

Meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.