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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2006.07.10 - 36098WILLIAM R. PATTERSON Chairperson CHRISTINE LONG Vice Chairperson MATTIE MCKINNEY HATCHETT Minority Vice Chairperson July 10, 2006 Chairperson Patterson called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 1:04 p.m. in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: William R. Patterson, Christine Long, Hugh D. Crawford, Eric Wilson, Eileen Kowall, Will Molnar, Vincent Gregory, David Coulter, Tim Melton COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Mattie McKinney Hatchett OTHERS PRESENT AVIATION Karl Randall, Manager CENTRAL SERVICES J. David VanderVeen, Director CLERK/REGISTER OF DEEDS Connie Spak, Deputy Clerk CORPORATION COUNSEL Judy Cunningham, Corporation Counsel Keith Lerminaux, Deputy Corporation Counsel Bill Pierson, Assistant Corporation Counsel Jody Hall, Assistant Corporation Counsel EXECUTIVE OFFICES Carmen Talbot, State Gov. Liaison FRIEND OF THE COURT Suzanne Hollyer, Friend of the Court FRIEND OF THE COURT CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Patricia Armstrong, Ph.D. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Thomas Gordon, Ph.D., Director INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Ed Poisson, Director Scott Oppmann, Manager Patricia Coates, Administrator, CLEMIS Bob Pence, Pros. Manager, CLEMIS Anita Campbell, Data Services Supervisor MANAGEMENT & BUDGET Laurie VanPelt, Director PARKS & RECREATION Joe Figa, Chief of Design Jon Noyes, Landscape Designer TREASURER’S OFFICE Pat Dohany, Treasurer AREA AGENCY ON AGING 1-B Jim McGuire, Director of Planning CROHN’S & COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Jill Sklar, Board member STRATEGIC PUBLIC AFFAIRS Kim Haefner, Lobbyist OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0470 Telephone (248) 858-0100 FAX (248) 858 -1572 GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Hugh D. Crawford Eric Wilson Eileen Kowall Will Molnar Vincent Gregory David Coulter Tim Melton GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 2 July 10, 2006 OTHERS PRESENT, cont’d. GENERAL PUBLIC James Thienel, Volunteer, FOC-CAC BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Laura Mancini, Director, Library Services Helaine Zack, Commissioner, District #22 Larry Doyle, Administrative Director Sheryl Mitchell, Senior Analyst Pamela Worthington, Committee Coordinator PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENT None. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Crawford moved approval of the minutes of June 5, 2006, June 12, 2006 and June 15, 2006, as printed. Supported by Kowall. Motion carried on a voice vote. AGENDA There was a request to move Item #11 MR #06132 – Board of Commissioners – Support for House Bill 4550 – Emergency Restroom Access up on the agenda to be taken up as Item #2. There were no objections. Chairperson Patterson suggested that Item #1, MR #06133 – Board of Commissioners – Support for Senate Resolution 146 – Teen Suicide Prevention and Education be moved down on the agenda to allow Commissioner Zack time to arrive to present it. There were no objections. AGENDA ITEMS 11. MR #06132 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR HOUSE BILL 4550 – EMERGENCY RESTROOM ACCESS The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the concept contained in House Bill 4550 to provide restroom access for persons with certain medical conditions and to provide immunity from liability to retail establishments for permitting restroom access. Jill Sklar, representing the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America was present and expressed her own experiences as someone with Crohn’s Disease, an incurable condition. She urged the committee to recommend that the resolution be adopted. Coulter moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be adopted. Supported by Melton. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett, Wilson and Gregory absent. 2. DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL SERVICES – OAKLAND COUNTY INTERNATIONAL GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 July 10, 2006 AIRPORT – 2006 GRANT PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE – NOISE MITIGATION The Michigan Department of Transportation awarded the County of Oakland $3,750,000.00 in grant funding, which includes $3,000,000.00 in Federal funds; $656,250.00 from the State; and a required local grant match of $93,750.00, which is available from the airport fund. The funds would be used toward a noise mitigation project. Crawford moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Kowall. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett, Wilson and Gregory absent. 3. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION – ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN’S GREENWAYS INITIATIVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COUNTY-WIDE, NON-MOTORIZED TRAILS MASTER PLAN The Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan’s Greenways Initiative awarded the County of Oakland $10,000 for the Parks and Recreation Commission to develop a county - wide, non-motorized master plan. The Parks and Recreation Commission has designated funds in its 2006 Operating Budget for any funding for this project in excess of the $10,000. The master plan would provide trail linkages for the seven counties and the City of Detroit under the auspices of the Southeastern Michigan Council of Government. The resolution authorizes the acceptance of the $10,000 grant award and the execution of the gran t agreement. Crawford moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Coulter. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett and Gregory absent. 4. PARKS AND RECREATION – SUPPORT FOR SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATION TO THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LYON OAKS BRIDGE AND BOARDWALK TRAIL CONNECTOR The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has been notified that applicat ions may be submitted for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for 2006 funding. However, the Grantor requires a resolution with application submission. The application was due on July 1, 2006. The Parks and Recreation Commission submitted an applicatio n on June 7, 2006. They are seeking funds to construct a boardwalk and bridge at the Lyon Oaks County Park to link existing trails within the Lyon Oaks Nature Preserve. Crawford moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Long. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 5. PARKS AND RECREATION – SUPPORT FOR SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATION TO THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE UPPER BUSHMAN LAKE ACQUISITION The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has been notified that applications may be submitted for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for 2006 funding. However, the Grantor requires a resolution with application submission. The application i s due by August 1, GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 July 10, 2006 2006. The Parks and Recreation Commission submitted an application on June 7, 2006. They are seeking funds to the Upper Bushman Lake Property to expand the Independence Oaks County Park. The property consists of 188 acres of gently rolling hills, wooded and open wetlands and a 31-acre lake. The property is adjacent to the Independence Oaks County Park. Crawford moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Gregory. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 6. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – AREA AGENCY ON AGING 1-B FISCAL YEAR 2007-2009 MULTI-YEAR PLAN AND FISCAL YEAR 2007 ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is a private, nonprofit organization responsible for services to more than 435,000 persons age 60 and older residing in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw Counties. The Area Agency 1 -B assessed the needs of older county residents and developed a plan to provide assistance t hat addresses identified needs. They evaluated currently funded services and laid out a framework for addressing current and projected federal and state cuts. At this time, community services remain the lowest -funded service priority, and thus they will be eliminating counseling services for individuals between the ages of 60 and 64 who do not have Medicare or other insurance coverage. Staff will work with local service providers to identify other mechanisms to support this important service. The propos al also includes a 30% cut in legal services funding from $184,308 to $129,893 for FY 2007 -2009. Staff will work with local service providers to identify a strategy to compensate for this loss of funds. The Michigan Office of Services requires that county Boards of Commissioners be given the opportunity to review and approve area agency on aging multi-year area plans and annual implementation plans. The resolution approves the Fiscal Year 2007-2009 Multi-Year Plan and FY 2007 Annual Implementation Plan of the Area Agency on Aging 1-B. Wilson moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Kowall. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent . 7. CLERK/REGISTER OF DEEDS/ELECTIONS DIVISION – 2006 HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT – AUTOMARK BALLOT MARKING DEVICE AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE (HAVA-AIMS) EQUIPMENT GRANT AGREEMENT The Michigan Secretary of State awarded Oakland County with a Help America Vote Act (HAVA)- AIMS equipment grant that provides hardware and software to comply with HAVA. The resolution authorizes the acceptance of the 2006 Help America Vote Act – AutoMARK Ballot Marking Device and Information Management Software from the Michigan Secretary of State for voters with disabilities. Coulter moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Melton. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 8. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PATCH AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, BY THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5 July 10, 2006 SYSTEM (MPSCS) Oakland County had previously obtained funds from a Federal grant through the City of Warren for an interoperability solution to allow public safety users on disparate systems t o communicate seamlessly. The Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS), a disparate radio system utilized by the Michigan State Police and many surrounding counties and cities with which interoperability is critical, cannot communicate with Oa kland County’s radio system. The State of Michigan requires a Patch Agreement of all local governments desiring to create interoperability between a local radio system and the MPSCS. The resolution approves a Patch Agreement between the County of Oakland and the state of Michigan, by the Michigan Department of Information Technology, Michigan Public Safety Communications System. Kowall moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Coulter. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 9. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT TO TRANSFER GIS AND RELATED DATA TO HURON-CLINTON METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY (HCMA) The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority has requested certain geographic information systems (GIS) and related land data for use in its projects to be conducted in Oakland County. The transmission of data would benefit the County’s residents by supporting environmental education programs that are provided to middle and high -school students, educators and other visitors to the Environmental Discovery Center. The resolution authorizes the execution of the intergovernmental agreement between the County of Oakland and the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority. Melton moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Wilson. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 10. MR #06131 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE REVISED MUNICIPAL FINANCE ACT (P.A. 34 OF 2001) The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports amendments to P.A. 34 of 2001 (The Revised Municipal Finance Act) to allow local governments the option of issuing debt in the form of bonds to pay the cost of retiree health care. Molnar moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be adopted. Supported by Wilson. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 1. MR #06133 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR SENATE RESOLUTION 146 – TEEN SUICIDE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION There is an alarming increase in the nation’s youth suicide rate. Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for ages 15-24 and fourth for ages 10-14. The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the c oncept contained in Senate Resolution No. 146 and joins in encouraging the Michigan Board of Education to incorporate suicide prevention and education into Michigan’s public school curriculum. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 6 July 10, 2006 Coulter moved to report to the full Board with the recommen dation that the resolution be adopted. Supported by Gregory. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 12. STATUS OF VIDEO CONFERENCING PROJECT At the May 15th General Government Committee meeting Commissioner Gregory had some questions regarding the videoconferencing project and wanted to know the status of the project and how the money is being spent. Bob Daddow and Bob Pence were available to answer questions from the committee. Almost all County courts have had videoconferencing equipment installed in their courtrooms. They will be doing some training at the Farmington court, which will be scheduled for this Wednesday, July 12th. They have one more training class to do in Troy, and that will conclude the training portion of the project. They provide support to the sites that request it, and they are presently adding ten districts for the family court, circuit court and Children’s Village to bring them up on the videoconferencing system. Mr. Daddow stated that over at the new Sheriff’s Office they will have the capability of a lab technician being able to go in front of the camera and give testimony to district courts pertaining to drug screenings and alcohol screenings in lieu of the person actually having to drive over to the c ourt to testify. Commissioner Melton inquired about the status of Pontiac using the system, and Mr. Pence indicated that it was used on June 20th and June 21st. The system was installed in January. Long assumed the Chair at 2:07 p.m. Patterson resumed the Chair at 2:09 p.m. 13. CORPORATION COUNSEL – UPDATE ON LITIGATION Corporation Counsel, Judy Cunningham, provided the committee with a document that contains information on results of litigation from January – April, 2006. She gave a brief overview of the document and was available to answer questions from the committee. Crawford moved to receive and file the Litigation Results Report. Supported by Kowall. Motion carried on a voice vote. 14. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – LIBRARY BOARD APPOINTMENT – REVIEW APPLICATIONS Robert Gaylor is currently on the Library Board, and his term expires on August 24, 2006. A press release was issued to several newspapers, and two applications were received. Mr. Gaylor applied for reappointment, and Penny Shults a lso applied for the position. Crawford moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that Robert Gaylor be reappointed to the Library Board for an additional five-year term, expiring August 24, 2011. Supported by Gregory. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent and Wilson voting no. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 7 July 10, 2006 15. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – APPOINTMENTS TO THE FRIEND OF THE COURT CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE - INTERVIEWS Fred Lebowitz had resigned as a General Public member on the Friend of the Court C itizen Advisory Committee (FOC-CAC), and Dr. Patricia Armstrong’s term as Mental Health Professional who provides family counseling, expires on June 30, 2006. A press release was issued to several newspapers, and four applications were received for Genera l Public, and four applications were received for the Mental Health Professional who provides family counseling. LaJoyce Eberhardt, applicant for the Mental Health Professional, called this morning and had to cancel her interview, which was scheduled at 3:00 p.m. RECESS AT 2:55 P.M. MEETING RESUMED AT 3:03 P.M. Katrina McGuire was interviewed at 3:05 p.m. Michael Buckley was interviewed at 3:16 p.m. Lorraine Lafferty was interviewed at 3:28 p.m. Holbert Maxey was interviewed at 3:37 p.m. During his interview, it was determined that he is a retired Mental Health Professional who provided family counseling; therefore, he would fall in the category of General Public. Judy Handley was interviewed at 3:53 p.m. Dr. Patricia Armstrong was interviewed at 4:01 p.m. There was discussion about whether or not to disqualify applicants who did not submit three letters of reference. Commissioner Crawford requested that the statement, “Please attach three letters of reference” be changed to all capitalized letters, bolded and underlined, to make it easier to notice for applicants. Crawford moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that Patricia Armstrong, Ph.D. be reappointed as the Mental Health Professional who provides family counseling on the Friend of the Court Citizen Advisory Committee for an additional three - year term ending June 30, 2009. Supported by Gregory. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent and Wilson voting no. Coulter moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that Judy Handley be appointed as a General Public member on the Friend of the Court Citizen Advisory Committee for the remaining three -year term ending June 30, 2008. Supported by Gregory. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Gregory, Coulter, Melton, Patterson (4) NAYS: Long, Crawford, Wilson, Kowall, Molnar (5) Motion failed. Molnar moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that Katrina McGuire be appointed as General Public member on the Friend of the Court Citizen Advi sory Committee for the remaining three-year term ending June 30, 2008. Supported by Kowall. ROLL CALL VOTE: GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 8 July 10, 2006 AYES: Long, Crawford, Wilson, Kowall, Molnar, Patterson (6) NAYS: Gregory, Coulter, Melton (3) COMMUNICATIONS A. State of Michigan Department of Human Services – Notification of Resignation of Harold Harris B. April 26, 2006 – Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency Board of Directors Meeting Minutes C. May 24, 2006 – Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency Board of Directors Meeting Minutes D. April 26, 2006 – Oakland County Library Board Meeting Minutes E. May 24, 2006 – Oakland County Library Board Meeting Minutes F. June 15, 2006 – Letter to State Rep. Shelley Goodman Taub from L. Brooks Patterson – Support for HB 4085 G. June 21, 2006 – Letter to State Rep. Brian Palmer from Mayor Clarence E. Phillips Urging Him to Vote No on HB 4085 Crawford moved to receive and file the Communications. Supported by Long. Motion carried on a voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:54 p.m. ________________________ _______________________________ Pamela L. Worthington Lawrence Doyle Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.