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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2001.04.30 - 35621WILLIAM R. PATTERSON Chairperson SHELLEY G. TAUB Vice Chairperson GEORGE SUAREZ Minority Vice Chairperson April 30, 2001 The meeting of the General Government Committee was called to order at 2:01 p.m. by Chairperson Patterson, in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: William R. Patterson, Shelley G. Taub, George Suarez, Thomas A. Law, Hugh D. Crawford, Chuck Moss, Ruel E. McPherson, Michelle Friedman Appel. COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:. Peter H. Webster OTHERS PRESENT CIRCUIT COURT John Cooperrider, Business Administrator COUNTY EXECUTIVE Gerald Poisson, Assistant Deputy Robert Daddow, Assistant Deputy DISTRICT COURT 52-1 Judge Brian MacKenzie HUMAN SERVICES Dr. Thomas Gordon, Director INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Mike Wilk, Deputy Director Dale Kukla, Manager Scott Oppman, Supervisor LIBRARY SERVICES Phyllis Jose, Director MANAGEMENT & BUDGET Jeff Pardee, Director PERSONNEL David VanderGrift, Analyst Mary Pardee, Analyst PROBATE COURT Jill Koney Daly, Chief AMERITECH Tyrone D. Sanders, Jr. FREE PRESS Kathy Gray, Reporter OAKLAND LIVINGSTON HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY Ron Borngesser, CEO OAKLAND PRESS Charlie Crumm, Reporter LARSEN & ASSOC., INC. Mel Larsen, President MAHER WELL DRILLING INC. Joseph Maher, President MCPHERSON WELL DRILLING INC. Steve McPherson, President BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS James H. VanLeuven, Jr., Sheryl Mitchell, Analyst Harvey Weddell, Analyst Helen Hanger, Senior Committee Coordinator PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Obrecht spoke in support of Detroit’s 300th Birthday Celebration and asked that the Committee OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0470 Telephone (248) 858-0100 FAX (248) 858 -1572 GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Thomas A. Law Hugh D. Crawford Chuck Moss Peter H. Webster Ruel E. McPherson Michelle Friedman Appel GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 2 April 30, 2001 consider participation in such a manner as to establish an Oakland County presence in conjunction with this event. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Taub moved approval of the minutes of March 26, 2001, as printed. Supported b y Moss. Motion carried on a voice vote. AGENDA The agenda was amended so that item 12 would be taken up following item 2. MR #01096 – 52ND DISTRICT COURT, FIRST AND SECOND DIVISION – AUTHORIZATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL JUDGESHIP; TRANSFER OF ONE JUDGESHIP FROM THE FIRST TO SECOND DIVISION; AND TRANSFER OF ROSE AND WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIPS FROM FIRST TO THE SECOND DIVISION EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2001 Public Acts 447 and 488 of 2000 provide for the creation of one additional judgeship of the First Division of the 52nd District Court, to be elected November, 2002, to take office January 1, 2003. Act 448 would transfer from the First Division the judgeship expiring on January 1, 2005, to the Second Division as of January 1, 2003. These actions would provide two judges for both the First and Second Divisions of the 52nd District Court. Act 448 would also transfer Rose and White Lake Townships from the jurisdiction of the First Division to the Second Division effective January 1, 2003. State Statute requires that the Board of Commissioners confirm creation of a judgeship by resolution. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution. Supported by Moss. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and McPherson absent. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTING FIRM TO LARSEN AND ASSOCIATES (SECOND RENEWAL) Larsen and Associates, Inc. of Southfield have actively represented the Board of Commissioners interests in Lansing since June 1, 1995. The resolution would authorize a new three-year contract, terminating on May 31, 2004, in an amount not to exceed $48,000 annually, to be paid in equal installments of $4,000 a month, with Larsen and Associates. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution. Supported by Crawford. Law moved to amend the first BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph to strike the date “May 31, 2004” and insert “May 31, 2003.” Supported by McPherson. Ayes: Law, McPherson Nays: Crawford, Moss, Friedman Appel, Taub, Suarez, Crawford, Patterson Absent: Webster GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 April 30, 2001 Motion to amend failed. Main motion carried on a roll call vote with Law voting no and Webster absent. HOUSE BILL 4090 – INCREASE IN JUROR COMPENSATION Ms. Mitchell provided information on House Bill 4090, to amend the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 to increase juror compensation rates. The Bill proposes to increase the minimum daily compensation for jurors from the current $15 a day to at least $30 a day and to increase the half day rate from $7.50 to $15.00. A copy of the substitute for H.B. 4090 was distributed. This substitute version would provide rates of $15.00 for the first day of actual court attendance, with not less than $40.00 for each day thereafter, and a rate of $7.50 for a first ½ day with $20.00 paid for subsequent ½ days. Mr. Obrecht stated that the Michigan Association of Counties had taken a position on this bill in support of the concept of increased jury fees, providing that these increases were funded 100% by the State. A copy of MAC’s position letter to state representatives was provided to the Committee. The House Civil Law and Judiciary Committee was scheduled to discuss the bill tomorrow. Mr. Obrecht reminded the Committee that, as provided by Board Rule XI.B.8, th e Committee could immediately forward its position on this legislation to the House Committee if a Committee position was unanimously supported. Mr. McPherson expressed concerns regarding the source of funding. Moss moved that the General Government Comm ittee support the MAC position and forward that information to MAC and the County’s state legislators. Supported by Crawford. Ayes: Crawford, Moss, Friedman Appel, Law, Patterson Nays: McPherson, Suarez Absent: Taub, Webster Motion failed due to the lack of a unanimous vote. WELL PROTECTION AND EDUCATION POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENTATION Mr. Maher and Mr. McPherson came before the committee in response to a request to provide a brief summary of the Advisory Committee’s activities. Messrs. Maher an d McPherson indicated that the Advisory Committee was pursuing several issues, including minimum well depths, contamination zones and proper abandonment of wells. Environmental Health has been requested to make available to drilling contractors a list of subdivisions and their deed restrictions. Mr. Maher indicated that Oakland County’s permitting process was one of the best in the State. With the creation of the educational materials, homeowners are now better educated as to septic and well systems. There has also been an increase in water testing as a result of homeowner education efforts. Cooperation between the Health Division and drilling contractors has also improved. Mr. Obrecht indicated that it was necessary to continue to include the expert ise of those GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 April 30, 2001 experienced in well, septic and building issues on the Advisory Committee. He recommended that a regular meeting schedule be set for the Advisory Committee once all appointments to the Committee were in place. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS/LIBRARY BOARD/RESEARCH LIBRARY PURCHASE OF OAKLAND PRESS PUBLICATIONS ON MICROFILM The Research Library is seeking authorization to purchase the Oakland Press publications from 1972-2000 on microfilm, at an initial cost of $79,738, to expand its services in provid ing resource materials to the public. The Library receives requests on a weekly basis for information contained in back issues of the Oakland Press. The annual cost to obtain current year records is estimated at $1,200. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution. Supported by Crawford. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster absent. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – FILE-ON-Q BARCODE SOFTWARE UPGRADE CONTRACT APPROVAL The existing File-On-Q Records Management System utilized by the Probate Court and Clerk/Register of Deeds to barcode files has reached capacity. The original vendor, VanLoozen Systems, Inc., will provide an upgrade to the system in an amount not to exceed $32,609.25. The contract will provide for upgraded software, purchase of barcode wand hardware, systems installation, training, maintenance and support. The contract has been reviewed and approved by Corporation Counsel. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution. Supported by Friedman Appel. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster absent. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/DISC – ADDITIONAL POSITIONS FOR GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) PROJECTS Information Technology is requesting the creation of a Project Manager position for the GIS program to provide internal and external coordination of GIS projects, enhancement and project development, thereby allowing current staff to continue its focus on support and maintenance of GIS initiatives. The request also includes the creation of one Application Analyst/Programmer III position and one User Support Specialist II position to assist in addressing GIS issues. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution. Supported by McPherson. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Suarez and Crawford voting no and Webster absent. CIRCUIT COURT/FRIEND OF THE COURT AND DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY-IMPLEMENTATION OF MICHIGAN CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM The resolution would authorize implementation of a statewide Child Support Enforcement System (MICSES). As part of the County’s on-going effort to comply with the federal mandate to implement such a system by September 30, 2001, and to avoid further federal monetary penalties against the State’s Family Independence Agency (FIA) for lack of compliance, Oakland County will GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5 April 30, 2001 install and utilize the FIA’s version of the MICSES. Oakland County is proposing to develop a direct communications link between the State and its Friend of the Court to ena ble independent operation and support of the MICSES by the State. The County will operate and support interrelated local systems through a Citrix application host and associated browser based applications, independent from the State’s system. Costs to Oak land County are estimated at $1,225,000 and are anticipated to be allowable under the Friend of the Court Cooperative Reimbursement Program, with proportionate cost sharing of 2/3 by the State and 1/3 by the County. A copy of Information Technology’s prop osal for implementation was provided to the committee and has been placed in the master file. Moss moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution. Supported by Taub. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster absent. MR #01115 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 315 HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE Commissioners Taub and Friedman Appel introduced the resolution in support of Senate Bill 315, which would establish Holocaust Remembrance Week consistent with April 19, the date th e Warsaw ghetto uprising began. The U.S. Congress has established this date as a national Holocaust Remembrance Day and the days surrounding this date as Days of Remembrance. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested Resolution. Supported by Friedm an Appel. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster absent. MR #01083 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – TELEVISING OF COMMISSION MEETINGS The resolution was introduced by Commissioners Melton and Moffitt to allow for all meetings of the Board of Commissioners to be made available for either live broadcast or tape delay distribution to the County’s public access channels. Mr. Melton indicated that the Planning & Building Committee was reporting to the Board with a recommendation to amend the resolution to establish a five-member study group to review, with staff assistance, the feasibility and expense of cable casting Board and committee meetings. Crawford moved to report in support of the attached suggested resolution and those amendments offered by the Planning & Building Committee. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster absent. MR #01082 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - FORMATION OF PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE STANDING COMMITTEE The resolution would amend the Board of Comm issioners Rules to establish a Public Utility Service Standing Committee to review matters referred to it regarding public utility issues and policies affecting Oakland County. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 6 April 30, 2001 MR #01081 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – FORMATION OF PUBLIC UTILITY TASK FORCE The resolution would authorize creation of a Public Utility Task Force, to address concerns regarding telecommunication service. The Task Force would report back to the Public Services and General Government Committees within 60 days with a recommendation. Both resolutions were postponed at the General Government Committee meetings of March 12, 2001, and March 26, 2001. Ameritech representatives distributed information on service quality and network investments and spoke in support of Mr. McPherson’s efforts to establish a formal group to handle public utility issues. Mr. Crawford recommended deleting references to cable providers from MR #01082. McPherson moved to recommend that a Public Utility Services Subcommittee, consisting of members of both the Public Services Committee and the General Government Committee, be established, with membership to be determined at the discretion of the Chairpersons. Supported by Law. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Crawford, Moss and Taub voting no and Webste r absent. A copy of the report will be forwarded to the Public Services Committee for input. COMMUNICATIONS A. Saginaw County Resolution Opposing Funding Reductions for Community Mental Health Authorities B. Wayne County Resolution Urging the State to In crease Capitation Rates To Maintain Service Levels for Community Mental Health Authorities C. Emergency Management 3/12/01 Letter Re: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Application D. Michigan Emergency Telephone Service Committee 3/16/01 Letter Re: Second -Year Certification E. CLEMIS Minutes – 3/30/01 F. Fire Records Management System Minutes – 4/04/01 G. Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency Minutes – 2/28/01 H. Senior Summit Task Force Minutes – 4/09/01 I. Oakland County Senior Advisory Council Minutes – 3/19/01 GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 7 April 30, 2001 J. Michigan Public Services Commission Press Release on Area Code Overlays K. Consumer Alert Re: Telephone Service and Costs L. House Bill 4551 – Amend P.A. 236 of 1961, Revised Judicature Act M. House Bill 4552 – Amend P.A. 300 of 1949, Michigan Vehicle Co de N. House Bill 4553 – Amend P.A. 236 of 1961, Revised Judicature Act O. House Bill 4573 – Amend P.A. 184 of 1943, Township Zoning Act P. House Bill 4571 – A bill to provide for coordinated land use and capital facility planning between municipalities and state and federal agencies Q. Senate Bill 386 – Amend P.A. 261 of 1966, Apportionment of County Boards of Commissioners Suarez moved to receive and file the communications. Supported by Moss. Motion carried on a voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:21 p.m. ________________________ _______________________________ Helen Hanger, James H. VanLeuven, Jr. Senior Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.