HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2006.09.11 - 36112WILLIAM R. PATTERSON
Chairperson
CHRISTINE LONG
Vice Chairperson
MATTIE MCKINNEY HATCHETT
Minority Vice Chairperson
September 11, 2006
Chairperson Patterson called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at
2:00 p.m. in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac,
Michigan.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
William R. Patterson, Christine Long, Mattie McKinney Hatchett, Hugh D. Crawford, Eric
Wilson, Eileen Kowall, Will Molnar, Vincent Gregory, David Coulter, Tim Melton
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
None.
OTHERS PRESENT
CHILDREN’S VILLAGE Joanna Overall, Manager
CORPORATION COUNSEL Judy Cunningham, Corporation Counsel
Joellen Shortley, Financial Attorney
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Dave Ross, Director
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Dr. Thomas Gordon, Director
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Ed Poisson, Director
Patricia Coates, CLEMIS Administrator
PARS AND RECREATION Sue Wells, Chief, Recreation/Administration
OAKLAND LIVINGSTON HUMAN
SERVICE AGENCY Ron Borngesser, Chief Executive Officer
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION Angy Webb, Speaker
COMMUNITY BOWLING CENTERS Phil Goodman, Community Relations Director
AL MARTIN TRAINING SERVICES Al Martin, President/CEO
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Matt Phelan, Specialist
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF
CARDIOLOGY Wali Altahif, Coordinator
NORTH OAKLAND MEDICAL CENTER Susan Graham, Family Medicine Facility
STRATEGIC PUBLIC AFFAIRS Kim Haefner, Lobbyist
THE DETROIT NEWS Maureen Feighan, Reporter
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Eric Coleman, Commissioner, District #23
Larry Doyle, Administrative Director
Sheryl Mitchell, Senior Analyst
Julia Ruffin, Commissioner Liaison
Pamela Worthington, Committee Coordinator
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
September 11, 2006
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Kowall introduced Phil Goodman, Community Relations Direct or of Community
Bowling Centers. He is here today to talk about Item #3, which relates to eliminating smoking in
public and private worksites and public places, not including bars and restaurants.
APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
Crawford moved approval of the minutes of August 14, 2006, as printed. Supported by
Gregory.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION – COMMUNITY GARDEN MINI-GRANT
ACCEPTANCE
The Michigan Recreation and Park Association has awarded Oakland County Parks and
Recreation $1,500 in grant funding. This is a reimbursement grant in cooperation with a
therapeutic program to help individuals develop social skills and hand -eye coordination and
appreciation for the outdoors. The second phase of the program would be to utilize the community
garden and greenhouse at Springfield Oaks County Park. The resolution autho rizes the
acceptance of the Community Garden Mini-Grant award in the amount of $1,500.
Crawford moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Coulter.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES/CHILDREN’S VILLAGE DIVISION – FY
2006-2007 CHILDREN’S VILLAGE SCREENING PROJECT GRANT ACCEPTANCE
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has awarded the Oakland County
Children’s Village $73,000 in grant funding for the period of Oc tober 1, 2006 through
September 30, 2007. The funds would be used to continue the position of a special revenue,
part-time, non-eligible General Staff Nurse position for testing adolescents at Children’s
Village, Pontiac Teen Health Centers, Common Ground Sanctuary, Oakland County Main Jail,
Frank Greenan Male Detention and Juvenile Drug Court (using urine -based amplified tests for
Chlamydia and gonorrhea), obtain data on STDs and assess reproductive health needs. This
is the 7th year of grant funding for this program. The resolution authorizes the acceptance of
the grant award in the amount of $73,000.
Wilson moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Coulter .
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. MR #06155 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – OAKLAND COUNTY CLEAN INDOOR AIR
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3
September 11, 2006
REGULATION ELIMINATING SMOKING IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WORKSITES AND PUBLIC
PLACES, NOT INCLUDING BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN OAKLAND COUNTY
The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners prohibits smoking in all
private worksites and public places in Oakland County, with the exception of bars and food service
establishments in Oakland County, following a public hearing. The resolution also approves the
attached Oakland County Clean Indoor Air Regulation eliminating smoking in private worksites and
public places effective 90 days from the date of adoption. This item was postponed from the
August 14th General Government Committee meeting to give Dr. Gordon, Director, Health and
Human Services and Corporation Counsel some time to review the documents presented and give
their opinions. Item 3A is a memo to George Miller, Health Division Manager, from Kathy Forzley,
Environmental Health Administrator, reflecting some issues that she had concerns with. Dr.
Gordon submitted this memo to the committee for today’s meeting.
Commissioner Coleman mentioned that a meeting had been scheduled between himself and Dr.
Gordon on August 28th to address the issues of concern; however, Dr. Gordon was called out of
town at the last minute, and the meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 14 th, at
9:30 a.m. Commissioner Coleman asked that the General Government Committee again
postpone consideration of this resolution until he has a chance to meet with Dr. Gordon to address
and try to resolve some of these issues.
Coulter moved to postpone this item until the S eptember 25th General Government
Committee meeting to allow Dr. Gordon and Commissioner Coleman to meet to try to
resolve the issues of concern. Supported by Gregory.
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES: Hatchett, Gregory, Coulter and Melton (4)
NAYS: Long, Crawford, Wilson, Kowall, Molnar and Patterson (6)
Motion failed on a roll call vote.
Commissioner Crawford indicated that this issue should be a State issue, not a County issue.
Commissioner Kowall mentioned that there is pending State legislation addressing this same
issue. She said that the State should bear the cost for enforcing a non -smoking ban, not the
County.
Phil Goodman, Community Relations Director, Community Bowling Centers, expressed his views
that he is proactive in encouraging the smoking bans. Where there was a state smoking ban
statewide, his bowling centers lost very few league bowlers . Some bowling centers actually
increased their revenue. He indicated that a statewide ban would be more effective than a more
localized nonsmoking ban, and he supports that.
Al Martin, Al Martin Training Services, indicated that he supports smoke-free environments. He
stated that many counties in the state have passed smoke -free ordinances and regulations. He
said that most smokers, when given the option, prefer smoke -free environments because it would
assist them in quitting smoking. He indicated his support for Oakland County to adopt a
nonsmoking ordinance locally to give the State something to follow.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4
September 11, 2006
Angy Webb, American Lung Association, expressed her support for this resolution. She indicated
that it would send a message in Michigan to see smoke-free workplaces in Oakland County.
At the last General Government Committee meeting Corporation Counsel was asked to review this
matter, and Judy Cunningham and Joellen Shortley were present to give their opinion. They
distributed an updated opinion on the nonsmoking issue. Ms. Cunningham highlighted some of
the points addressed in the document. She indicated th at the Oakland County Health Department
would have to get the authority from the Michigan Department of Community Health to authorize a
smoking ban. Then the County would assume the responsibility to enforce the Clean Indoor Act,
and currently it is a state-mandated responsibility. If Oakland County implemented a smoking ban,
the County would pick up that responsibility voluntarily and would have t he enforcement
responsibility as well. Ms. Shortly indicated that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
cannot pass its own ordinance. It has to first come from the Health Department.
Commissioner Coleman suggested that the Board of Commissioners’ counsel, Rich Poling,
review the statements by Corporation Counsel and Mr. Todd from the State Health Department.
He indicated that he had already requested Commissioner Coulter to contact Mr. Poling to have
him review the issue and give his own opinion to the Board of Commissioners.
Hatchett moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
adopted. Supported by Melton.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Hatchett, Molnar, Gregory, Coulter, Melton (5)
NAYS: Long, Crawford, Wilson, Kowall, Patterson (5)
Motion failed due to a lack of a majority vote.
3a COMMENTS REGARDING PROPOSED OAKLAND COUNTY CLEAN INDOOR AIR
REGULATION ELIMINATING SMOKING IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WORKSITES AND PUBLIC
PLACES, NOT INCLUDING BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN OAKLAND COUNTY
Crawford moved to receive and file the Comments Regarding Proposed Oakland County
Clean Indoor Air Regulation Eliminating Smoking in Public and Private Worksites and
Public Places, not Including Bards and Restaurants in Oakland Coun ty. Supported by
Hatchett.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
4. MR #06156 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – EXPANSION OF SMOKING BAN FOR ALL
OAKLAND COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners expands the Oakland
County No Smoking Policy to provide that no smoking shall be permitted within (50) fifty feet of an
exterior entrance to or exit from a county government building, room or facility. The resolution
requests that the County Executive implement, post and enforce the expanded no smoking policy
upon adoption by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. In addition, the resolution reflects
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5
September 11, 2006
that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners requests the Directors of Facilities Management
and Human Resources, or their designees, to revise county and/or departmental policies,
procedures and issuances to conform to this expanded no smoking policy. This item was
postponed from the August 14 th General Government Committee meeting to give County
Administration time to review the resolution and render their opinion of the proposed expansion of
the Oakland County No Smoking Policy.
Dave Ross, Director of Facilities Management, mentioned that Oakland County has had a
nonsmoking policy in all government facilities for over eight and-a-half years. However, it states
that “the prohibition shall extend a reasonable distance from all entrances to county government
facilities,” which is pretty vague. He indicated that 50 feet is not a good number. They need to
agree on a good number. He suggested 10 or 15 feet, whatever is reasonable. Commissioner
Coleman indicated that 15 feet was a reasonable number.
Hatchett moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
adopted. Supported by Gregory.
Hatchett moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the NOW
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph be amended, as follows:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
hereby expands the Oakland County no smoking policy to provide that no smoking shall be
permitted within fifty (50) fifteen (15) feet of an exterior entrance to or exit from a county
government building, room or facility.
Supported by Molnar.
Motion carried on a roll call vote with Long, Crawford, Kowall and Patterson voting no.
Main motion, as amended, carried on a roll call vote with Long, Crawford, Kowall and
Patterson voting no.
COMMUNICATIONS
A. Oakland Livingston human Service Agency Board of Director’s Minutes of June 28, 2006
B. Oakland County Library Board Minutes of July 26, 2006
C. Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners – Resolution Adopting Amendment to “A
Comprehensive Plan for Washtenaw County: Land Use, Infrastructure, Natural Resources”
to Meet the Qualification Procedure and Criteria of the Policies and Procedures for the
Michigan Agricultural Preservation Fund
D. Department of Health and Human Services – Health Division – 2007 Transportation Grant
for Pregnant Women – Application
E. August 25, 2006 – Memo from Bob Daddow – CLEMIS Funds – Financial Statements and
Schedules for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2006
Melton moved to receive and file the Communications. Supported by Gregory.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 6
September 11, 2006
Motion carried on a voice vote.
OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Crawford asked Ms. Wells to talk about the Parks and Recreation tour that all
Oakland County Commissioners were invited to. Ms. Wells said that on Thursday, September 7,
2006, they had visited six park sites, and she expressed her appreciation to those commissione rs
who took the time to take the tour. She said that she hopes that next year they can plan it much
earlier so that all commissioners could attend, and if she has any feedback on the scheduling, she
would be happy to accommodate. The bus took the commissioners to White Lake to tour Highland
Oaks, which will be their newest acquisition. They went to Rose Oaks and Springfield Oaks where
they saw the historical Ellis Barn. They also had the Ellis family there, and Mrs. Ellis, who is 93
years old was able to see the barn. The bus then took the commissioners to Groveland and
Independence Oaks parks, and they stopped at Cooks Farm and Dairy. These tours give the
County Commissioners an opportunity to see what’s going on and to give input to the Parks and
Recreation Commission. Commissioner Crawford thanked Ms. Wells for the opportunity to take
the tour.
There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:57
p.m.
________________________ _______________________________
Pamela L. Worthington Lawrence Doyle
Committee Coordinator Administrative Director
NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.