Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2004.03.22 - 35886WILLIAM R. PATTERSON Chairperson PETER H. WEBSTER Vice Chairperson DAVID COULTER Minority Vice Chairperson March 22, 2004 Chairperson Patterson called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 2:05 p.m. in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: William R. Patterson, Peter Webster, David Coulter, Bill Bullard, Jeff Potter, John Scott , Martin Knollenberg, Eileen Kowall and Mattie McKinney Hatchett COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: None. OTHERS PRESENT EXECUTIVE OFFICE Carmen Talbot, State Government Liaison CORPORATION COUNSEL Judy Cunningham, Corporation Counsel CENTRAL SERVICES J. D. VanderVeen, Director AVIATION Karl Randall, Manager HUMAN SERVICES Thomas J. Gordon, Ph.D., Director CLERK/REGISTER OF DEEDS G. William Caddell, Clerk/Register Frank Millard, Deputy Clerk/Register INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES Leanne Robinson, User Support, CLEMIS Colleen Prosyniuk, User Support, CLEMIS STRATEGIC PUBLIC AFFAIRS Paul Welday, Lobbyist Kim Haefner, Lobbyist THE DETROIT FREE PRESS Kathy Gray, Reporter OLHSA Ron Borngesser, CEO SOUTH LYON FIRE DEPARTMENT Craig Kaska, Chief BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Sue Ann Douglas, Commissioner, District #12 Harvey Wedell, Senior Analyst Sheryl Mitchell, Senior Analyst Pamela Worthington, Committee Coordinator PUBLIC COMMENT Frank Millard notified the committee that he will ask that the appointment of a member to the Elections Scheduling Committee be addressed at the next General Government Committee meeting of April 6, 2004. There is currently a vacancy on this committee. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES 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 Jeff Potter John Scott Martin Knollenberg Eileen Kowall Mattie McKinney Hatchett GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 2 March 22, 2004 Bullard moved approval of the minutes of March 8, 2004, as printed. Supported by Kowall. Motion carried on a voice vote. AGENDA Scott moved to amend the agenda by adding MR #04080 – Board of Commissioners – Support of Michigan Consumer Prescription Protection Legislation as item #10 and MR #04077 – Board of Commissioners – Oppose Governor’s Budget Plan to Collect County Taxes in July of Each Year and Recommend to Cities, Villages and Townships Language to Place on Summer Tax Statements as I tem #11. Supported by Knollenberg. Motion carried on a voice vote. AGENDA ITEMS 1. DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL SERVICES – OAKLAND COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – 2004 GRANT PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE – CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH HANGAR AREA The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) awarded the County of Oakland $1,586,000 in grant funding. The award amount includes a County match of $199,300, which is available from the airport fund. The money would be used for construction of a north hangar area. The resolution authorizes the acceptance of the grant and the execution of a grant contract between MDOT and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Corporation Counsel had some issues with the language of the contract, but does not object to approving this grant contract as currently written with the understanding that Karl Randall will work to have MDOT resolve this for the next grant. Scott moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Knollenberg. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 2. DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL SERVICES – OAKLAND COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – 2004 GRANT PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE – DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SCREEN WALL/PURCHASE OF AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING (ARFF) VEHICLE The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) awarded the County of Oakland $1,257,000 in grant funding. The award amount includes $1,131,301 in Federal Funds, $62,849 in State Funds and a required County match of $62,850, which is available from the airport fund. The money would be used for the design and construction of a screen wall and the purchase of an aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) vehicle. The resolution authorizes the acceptance of the grant and the execution of the grant contract between MDOT and the Oakland C ounty Board of Commissioners. Kowall moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Coulter. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 March 22, 2004 3. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN OAKLAND COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SOUTH LYON FOR THE FIRE RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The resolution authorizes the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of South Lyon. The purpose of this agreement is to allow the City of South Lyon access and connectivity to the Fire Records Management System (FRMS). This system is intended to capture and create fire records from their inception, starting with a 9-1-1 call and including computer-aided dispatch information, which would provide a standard record management system. Potter moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Webster. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 4. MR #04071 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – OPPOSITION TO THE JULY PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION PROPOSAL FOR COUNTY REVENUE SHARING FUNDS The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners adamantly opposes Governor Granholm’s proposal to move the collection date of county taxes up from December 2004 to July 2004. This proposal would create a hardship on many citizens, and property taxes would not be levied again until June 2005, which would shift the burden of the State’s budget shortfall onto county government. Knollenberg moved to report with a recommendation that the resolution be adopt ed. Supported by Kowall. Bullard moved to report with a recommendation that the resolution be amended, as follows: 1. Amend the 6th WHEREAS, as follows: WHEREAS the effect of this proposal is to shift and shuffle the burden of the State’s budget shortfall onto county government, placing a new tax on the counties by requiring counties to fund their own “revenue sharing”, and 2. Amend the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph, as follows: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commiss ioners is adamantly opposed to the proposed three card monte with July property tax collection proposal for revenue sharing funds. 3. Amend the BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVIED that copies of this resolution be sent to a ll State Representatives and Senators for Oakland County, Governor Jennifer Granholm, the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), and the Boards of Commissioners of Michigan’s other 82 counties. Supported by Scott. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Motion to report to the Board that the resolution be adopted with amendments carried unanimously on a roll call vote. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 March 22, 2004 5. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP FOR 2004 The Democratic Caucus requested to amend the Minor ity Vice Chairs for the Finance and Public Services Committees. This is a report to change the Minority Vice Chair on the Finance Committee from Gregory to Suarez and the Minority Vice Chair on the Public Services Committee from Zack to Gregory. Coulter moved to report with the recommendation that Suarez become the Minority Vice Chair on the Finance Committee and Gregory become the Minority Vice Chair on the Public Services Committee. Supported by Hatchett. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vot e. 6. DETROIT WATER BOARD MEMBER REPRESENTING OAKLAND COUNTY MR #04039 charged that the General Government Committee initiate the process to advertise, receive applications, interview, and recommend for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ consideration and approval, a representative from Oakland County to properly represent Oakland County customers on the Detroit Water Board. The recommendation would then go to the Mayor of Detroit who appoints members to the Detroit Water Board. Bullard moved to form a Subcommittee to Recommend a Detroit Water Board Member Representing Oakland County. Supported by Knollenberg. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Chairperson Patterson appointed Peter Webster, Chair; Mattie McKinney Hatchett and Jeff Potter as members of the Subcommittee to Recommend Detroit Water Board Member Representing Oakland County. He stated that the first item of business of that Subcommittee would be to inquire as to the length of the terms and when the current appointments expire. Secondly, they would need the blessing of the Mayor of Detroit to recommend someone to represent Oakland County on the Detroit Water Board. 7. MR #04067 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR HB 4338 – THE DIRECT ELECTION OF INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the concept of legislation that provides a mechanism for the direct election of Intermediate School Board Members. Bullard moved to report with a recommendation that the resolution be adopted. Supported by Scott. Bullard moved to report with a recommendation that the resolution be amended, as follows: 1. Amend the IN RE, as follows: Board of Commissioners – Support for HB 4338 The Direct Election of Intermediate School Board Members. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5 March 22, 2004 2. Strike the 11th WHEREAS (WHEREAS HB4338, requiring a method for the direct election of intermediate school board members, is being considered by the legislature. 3. Add the following three WHEREAS paragraphs, making them the 11 th, 12th and 13th WHEREAS paragraphs: WHEREAS HB 4338, as passed by the House Education Committee, required that voters must circulate petitions and collect the number of signatures equal to 25% of the total votes cast for governor in the last election in ord er to place the question of directly electing Intermediate School Board members on the ballot, which equates to 108,903 signatures in Oakland County; and WHEREAS the requirement for petitions to contain signatures equal to 25% of the total votes cast for governor in the last election is significantly greater than the vast majority of Michigan statutes that contain initiative and referendum language, and such a requirement is clearly intended to block democracy by placing an obstructive burden upon the voting taxpayers of Michigan; and WHEREAS HB 4338 passed the State of Michigan House and the portion of the Bill permitting voters the right to petition to place on the ballot the question of whether to elect intermediate school board members was completely r emoved. 4. Amend the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph, as follows: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the concept of legislation that provides a reasonable mechanism of petitioning for the direct election of intermediate school board members. 5. Add the following BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraphs, making them the 1 st and 2nd BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraphs, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners encourages the Michigan State Senate to place a reasonable and democratic process for petitioning the public to place the question before the voters for the direct election of intermediate school board members. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Co mmissioners urges the Michigan State Senate to require petition signatures of no more than 10% of the total votes cast for governor in the last election in order to place the question of directly electing intermediate school board members on the ballot. 6. Amend the last BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to all Oakland County State Representatives, Oakland County State Senators, the House Education Committee, the House Intermediate Sc hool Board Subcommittee, the Senate Education Committee, all Oakland County cities, villages and townships and Governor Jennifer Granholm. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 6 March 22, 2004 Supported by Scott. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Motion to report to the Board that the resolution be adopted with amendments carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 8. MR #04070 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – OPPOSITION TO GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL TO CONTINUE STATE ESTATE TAX The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commission ers opposes Governor Granholm’s proposal or any proposal to amend the Michigan Estate Tax that would impose any tax on estates in Michigan that are not subject to a Federal Estate Tax. It also reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urge the Governor and the Michigan Legislature to continue efforts to seek proactive measures to address the State’s budgetary challenges, but not by levying a new Michigan Estate Tax that would be harmful to Michigan’s economy, families and farmland. Kowall moved to report with a recommendation that the resolution be adopted. Supported by Knollenberg. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Coulter voting no and Potter absent. 9. MR #04066 – COUNTY EXECUTIVE – EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS – ODP HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT REDUCTIONS RECOMMENDED FOR FY 2005 The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners objects to the reduction in the ODP Homeland Security Grants as proposed in the FY 2005 federal budget and requests that the proposed federal grant reductions be restored to the grant levels included in the FY 2004 federal operating budget. Scott moved to report with a recommendation that the resolution be adopted. Supported by Kowall. Scott moved to report with a recommendation that the resolution be amended, as follows: Amend the title of the resolution, as follows: COUNTY EXECUTIVE – EMERGENCY REPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – ODP HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT REDUCTIONS RECOMMENDED FOR FY 2005. Supported by Hatchett. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Motion to report to the Board that the resolution be adopted with amendments carried unanimously on a roll call vote. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 7 March 22, 2004 10. MR #04080 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT OF MICHIGAN CONSUMER PRESCRIPTION PROTECTION LEGISLATION The Consumer Prescription Protection Legislation proposes to preserve consumer choice, at the same cost, for prescription services by allowing Michigan community pharmacies to provide a 90-day supply of medication for the same co-pay as out-of-state mail order pharmacies. The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the major provisions contained in the Consumer Prescription Protection Legislation. Bullard moved to report with a recom mendation that the resolution be adopted. Supported by Potter. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 11. MR #04077 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – OPPOSE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PLAN TO COLLECT COUNTY TAXES IN JULY OF EACH YEAR AND RECOMMEND TO CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS LANGUAGE TO PLACE ON SUMMER TAX STATEMENTS The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners opposes the Governor’s plan to shift a statewide $1.4 billion State Revenue Sharing tax burden to county taxpayers by requiring the early collection of county property taxes for the purpose of replacing lost State Revenue Sharing and requests that if the Governor’s tax shift plan pass the Legislature, local units of Government should place the following statement on thei r 2004 summer tax statement: “Your summer tax bill has increased because the Governor and Legislature decided to collect county taxes early and shift a $1.4 billion State Revenue Sharing burden to local taxpayers. Oakland County has opposed this action a nd recommends that you contact the Governor and State elected officials to voice your opinion.” Webster moved to report with a recommendation that the resolution be adopted. Supported by Scott. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Coulter voting n o. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS None OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Patterson thanked Julia Ruffin for setting up the Youth In Government program last Thursday, March 18th, 2004, and thanked all who participated. There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:26 p.m. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 8 March 22, 2004 ________________________ _______________________________ Pamela Worthington Helen Hanger Committee Coordinator Senior Committee Coordinator NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.