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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2003.04.07 - 35797WILLIAM R. PATTERSON Chairperson PETER H. WEBSTER Vice Chairperson DAVID COULTER Minority Vice Chairperson April 7, 2003 Chairperson Patterson called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 2:06 p.m. in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: William R. Patterson, David Coulter, Bill Bullard, Martin Knollenberg, Eileen Kowall, Jeff Potter, John Scott COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Peter Webster and Mattie McKinney Hatchett OTHERS PRESENT EXECUTIVE OFFICE Jerry Poisson, Asst. Co. Deputy Exec. Ed Poisson, Director of Personnel PARKS AND RECREATION Dan Stencil, Administrator INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Scott Oppmann, GIS Utility Supervisor CLERK - REGISTER OF DEEDS Larry Mitchell, Deputy Clerk/Register G. W. Caddell, Clerk/Register Frank Millard, Deputy Clerk/Register OLHSA Ron Borngesser, CEO STRATEGIC PUBLIC AFFAIRS Paul Welday, Lobbyist Kim Haefner, Lobbyist BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Tom Middleton, Commissioner, District #4 Harvey Wedell, Analyst Sheryl Mitchell, Analyst Pamela Worthington, Committee Coordinator PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Caddell gave an update of the voting equipment. He stated th at Oakland County will receive federal funds to train election workers, as well as the public on how to use the equipment. The Information Technology Department is working closely with the Clerk/Register of Deeds Office in implementing the new voting equipment. Local communities will be applying for grant funding to replace their old equipment. Mr. Jerry Poisson gave an update on the power outage situation in Oakland County due to the ice storm that hit the area. The electric company will try to have OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0470 Telephone (248) 858-0100 FAX (248) 858 -1572 GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Bill Bullard Martin Knollenberg Eileen Kowall Jeff Potter John Scott Mattie McKinney Hatchett GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 2 April 7, 2003 everyone’s power turned back on by this Thursday, but some areas may not have power until Friday. The current snow and freezing rain in the forecast will definitely hamper their efforts. He mentioned that twelve (12) townships have asked for assistance from the State of Michigan, but it has to be approved by the Governor. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Coulter moved approval of the minutes of March 20, 2003, as printed. Supported by Scott. Motion carried on a voice vote. AGENDA Scott moved to add the Appointment to the Jury Board on the agenda as Item #8. Supported by Kowall. Motion carried on a voice vote. AGENDA ITEMS 1. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION – REVISIONS TO GENERAL INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS The resolution approves the revisions to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission’s General Information and Regulations. Coulter moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Potter. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and Hatchett absen t. 2. CLERK/REGISTER OF DEEDS – CREATION OF AN AUTOMATION FUND The resolution authorizes the creation of an Automation Fund, as is required by Public Act 698 of 2002. Funding for this program will come from an increase in recording fees, increasing the first page from $5.00 to $8.00 and the second page from $2.00 to $3.00. Kowall moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Knollenberg. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. 3. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – CONFIRMATION OF ED POISSON AS DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL This is a report to the Board of Commissioners confirming the appointment of Ed Poisson as Director of the Personnel Department, effective March 31, 2003. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 April 7, 2003 Coulter moved approval of the attached suggested report confirming Ed Poisson as Director of Personnel. Supported by Potter. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. 4. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT TO AMEND PA-230 – MICHIGAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1981 The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the need to revise Public Act 230. Mr. Borngesser stated that two weeks ago House Bill No. 4502 was introduced. The requested amendment to PA -230 includes creating a Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity within a state department to oversee the implementation of Community Action Agencies (CAA), such as the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA), as well as insuring that important p rograms provided by CAAs are maintained. The amendment would also provide for designation and rescission of CAAs that is consistent with federal law and regulations; detailing the functions, powers and duties of a CAA; listing CSBG requirements for local CAA boards of directors; and detailing the mission of Community Action in the title of the act. Scott moved to amend the first BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the reauthorization of PA-230, in the form of House Bill #4502, during this fiscal year including the changes recommended. Knollenberg supported. Motion carried on a voice vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. Coulter moved approval of the attached sugge sted resolution, as amended. Supported by Kowall. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. 5. MR #03053 - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – RESTORATION OF THE MI CHOICE MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM The resolution requests the State of Michigan to restore Michigan’s MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program so that indigent, elderly and disabled individuals will have a community - based long term care option, and requests that Oakland County Legislators work to restore this program. Kowall moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Potter. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. 6. MR #03054 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR HB 4261 TEACHER RECOGNITION TAX CREDIT The resolution reflects the support of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 April 7, 2003 House Bill No. 4261 and urges the Michigan Legislature to act favorably on this legislation. This Bill authorizes a teacher who teaches at a public school or public schoo l academy to claim a credit up to $350 for classroom supplies related to the courses taught by the taxpayer during the tax year. If the credit allowed exceeds the tax liability of the taxpayer for the tax year, that portion shall be refunded. Potter moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Scott. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. 7. MR #03068 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL 4206 AND SENATE BILL 195 – DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT The resolution reflects the support and endorsement of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for the passage and signing into law House Bill 4206 and Senate Bill 195. Last week this bill was vetoed by the Governor. Bullard moved to postpone indefinitely the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Kowall. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. 8. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – APPOINTMENT TO THE JURY BOARD This is a report to the Board of Commissioners recommending the appointment of Carol J. Webb to the Jury Board, per recommendation by Circuit Court Judge Joan E. Young. She will replace Flora Whan, who has resigned. Knollenberg moved approval of the attached suggested report recomme nding the appointment of Carol J. Webb to the Jury Board. Supported by Coulter. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. COMMUNICATIONS A. County Executive/Arts, Culture & Film – the 2003 Arts, Beats & Eats Festival – Grant Request to Daimler Chrysler Corporation Fund – Application B. February 24, 2003 Resolution by Antrim County Board of Commissioners C. February 27, 2003 letter to Dan Stencil from the Department of Natural Resources Declining Award for DTE Energy Tree Planting Grant D. Charter Township of Orion – March 17, 2003 Resolution Requesting Interim Appointment of County Commissioner, District #3 E. March 26, 2003 Memo to General Government Committee Members from Commissioner Patterson – Creation of Government Relations Study Group Scott moved to receive and file the Communications. Supported by Bullard. Motion carried on a voice vote with Webster and Hatchett absent. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5 April 7, 2003 OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Coulter inquired as to how the members of the Government Relations Study Group were chosen and why there are no commissioners from the Democratic Party assigned to this study group. Commissioner Patterson explained that the members were chosen based on their connections and exposure to government and stated th at this study group must report to the General Government Committee. Commissioner Kowall explained that all commissioners will be able to have questions and concerns delivered to the lobbyist group. Paul Welday, Strategic Public Affairs, introduced Kim Haefner, who has recently joined their firm as a lobbyist. Mr. Welday gave an update on a few items on today’s agenda. He stated that on April 3rd, 2003 the House passed the community health budget, and it did not include the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program. It still has to go to the Senate. In regards to the support for HB 4261 – Teacher Recognition Tax Credit, he did not have much information, but it did not seem to be proceeding too quickly. He gave an update on the Support of House Bill #4206 and Senate Bill 195, which the General Government Committee postponed indefinitely. He stated that Senate Bill 195 was passed in the House and Senate; however, the Governor had vetoed it. He said it does not look to be an override situation at this point; however, House Bill 4206, which is a similar bill, had been held back, and there are ongoing discussions between the legislative body and the governor’s office. He stated that while this bill is dormant, it is not dead. There are negotiations still going on with House Bill #4206. He stated that he attended the last Government Relations Study Group meeting, and there was discussion about a bill that former Senator Mike Bishop introduced that was vetoed by the Governor last year. The bill would have amen ded the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow a county road commission, a township board, and the Director of the Department of State Police to determine safe road speeds on county highways by a majority vote. Currently, the Michigan State Police and the Director of the State Transportation Commission act jointly to set the speed limits. Now Representative Mike Bishop will be reintroducing a bill this year similar to the bill he introduced last year on the setting of speed limits. There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m. ________________________ _______________________________ Pamela Worthington James H. VanLeuven, Jr. Committee Coordinator Administrative Director GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 6 April 7, 2003 NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.