HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2007.04.16 - 36165CHRISTINE LONG
Chairperson
MICHAEL GINGELL
Vice Chairperson
MATTIE MCKINNEY HATCHETT
Minority Vice Chairperson
April 16, 2007
Chairperson Long called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 9:30
a.m. in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Christine Long, Michael Gingell, Mattie McKinney Hatchett, Hugh D. Crawford, Eileen
Kowall, Jeff Potter, Bradford Jacobsen, David Potts, Vincent Gregory, George Suarez, Jim
Nash and Tim Greimel
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT
CIRCUIT COURT Kevin Oeffner, Court Administrator
CLERK/REGISTER OF DEEDS Jim VanLeuven, Clerk/Register of Deeds
CORPORATION COUNSEL Judy Cunningham, Corporation Counsel
John Ross, Asst. Corporation Counsel
Joe Pittel, Asst. Corporation Counsel
COUNTY EXECUTIVE Robert Daddow, Deputy County Executive
Phil Bertolini, Deputy County Executive
Carmen Talbot, State Government Liaison
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Michael Hughson, Property Manager
HEALTH DIVISION George Miller, Manager
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Thomas Gordon, Director
Susan Johnston, Chief, Public Health Admin.
HISTORICAL COMMISSION Kathleen Mutch
Christopher Cummins
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Ed Poisson, Director
Jamie Hess, Chief, CLEMIS
Colleen Prosyniuk, User Support, CLEMIS
Tracey McGee, User Support, CLEMIS
LIBRARY BOARD Laura Mancini, Director
PARKS & RECREATION Dan Stencil, Executive Officer
Joe Figa, Chief of Design
Sue Wells, Administrator, Parks Operations
THE FREE PRESS Kathy Gray, Reporter
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
Eileen Kowall
Jeff Potter
Bradford Jacobsen
David Potts
Vincent Gregory
George Suarez
Jim Nash
Tim Greimel
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 2
April 16, 2007
OTHERS PRESENT, cont’d.
THE DETROIT NEWS Maureen Feighan, Reporter
CITY OF BERKLEY Tom Colwell, Parks & Recreation Manager
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTH. Eurick Crayton, Jr., Chairperson
Mark Adams, Attorney
SOUTH OAKLAND SOCCER Matthew Ciaramitaro, Vice President, BY SA/SOCS
GENERAL PUBLIC Nancy Couch, M.D., Citizen
Don Florsen, Citizen
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Marcia Gershenson, Commissioner, District #17
Bill Bullard, Jr., Commissioner, District #2
Robert Gosselin, Commissioner, District #13
Tom Middleton, Commissioner, District #4
John Scott, Commissioner, District #5
Helaine Zack, Commissioner, District #22
Larry Doyle, Administrative Director
Sheryl Mitchell, Senior Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENT
Nancy Couch, M.D. expressed her concerns about Oakland County funding an HPV vaccination
program. She handed out a document addressed to the Commissioners requesting that they do
not fund the purchase of an HPV vaccine because more research needs to be done. She
indicated that based on Merck’s prescribing information, autoimmune disorders were more than
twice as common in the Gardasil group in comparison to those who got a placebo.
Tom Colwell, Parks and Recreation Manager, City of Berkley, expressed his support the Oakland
County Parks and Recreation Commission’s Urban Park Initiative and Acquisition of Catalpa Park.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
Crawford moved approval of the previous minutes of March 22, 2007, and March 26, 2007,
as printed. Supported by Gingell.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. MR #07064 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR HB 4466 – DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AS A FELONY
The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports Mich igan
House Bill #4466, which requests that “domestic violence which leads to death” becomes a
felony offense requiring life in prison without parole.
Kowall moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
adopted. Supported by Potts.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3
April 16, 2007
2. MR #07084 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR LIVE WEBCASTING
AND ARCHIVING ALL BOARD AND STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS OR THE
OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports providing
live webcasting and archiving of all Board of Commissioners’ Board and standing committee
meetings. If this resolution is adopted, the Commissioners’ staff and the Planning and Building
Committee would be directed to pursue this project with the Oakland County Information
Technology Department, and a recommendation would be brought back to the Board of
Commissioners within 45 days.
Crawford moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution
be adopted. Supported by Jacobsen.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
3. MR #07081 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC COURT
RECORDS
Commissioner Burns was unable to attend today’s meeting to pr esent this resolution, so
Commissioner Greimel presented it in his absence. The resolution reflects that the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners urges the Michigan State Legislature and the Michigan
Supreme Court Administrative Office to seek the enactm ent of legislation that permits County
Clerks to protect personal privacy by redacting Personal Data Identifiers (PDIs), such as
financial account numbers, from requested copies of court documents.
Suarez moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
adopted. Supported by Nash.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
4. MR #07088 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – REQUIRE FURTHER REDUCTION OF
COBO HALL EXPANSION COSTS
The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners cannot support the
approximately $1,000,000,000.00 plan set forth and recommends alternative funding sources be
found and used for this Cobo Hall expansion.
Crawford moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
adopted. Supported by Kowall.
Commissioner Hatchett handed out a copy of the Wayne County 2007 Power Point
presentation regarding the proposed Cobo Hall expansion. She had attended a Michigan
Association of Counties Board of Directors’ meeting, and she obtained this information at
the meeting. She indicated that she would like the City of Detroit to come to Oakland
County to speak about their plans for Cobo Hall.
Robert Daddow indicated that County Administration had requested information over two
years ago from Wayne County that to date has not been received. Oakland County
Administration had asked Wayne County to provide information and answers to questions
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4
April 16, 2007
that could lead the region to an informed decision on governance, organiz ational structure,
construction issues, operating budgets and funding approaches. Without this information
County Administration cannot complete its due diligence to make an informed decision.
Potts moved to report to the full Board with the recommen dation that the resolution be
amended, as follows:
1. Amend the 6th WHEREAS paragraph by adding quotes around the words
“constructions costs” in both places.
Supported by Greimel.
Motion carried on a roll call vote with Nash voting no.
Hatchett moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the NOW BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph be amended, as follows
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners cannot support the approximately $1,000,000,000.00 plan set forth, and
that it further recommends that alternative funding sources be found and used for this
Cobo Hall expansion.
Supported by Crawford.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Main motion, as amended, carried on a roll call vote with Nash voting no.
5. MR #07090 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR NEGOTIATIONS TOWARD
A REALISTIC AND AFFORDABLE EXPANSION OF COBO CENTER IN ORDER TO IMPROVE
THE REGION’S ECONOMY
The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports a regiona l
approach to the expansion and use of Cobo Center in order to improve southeastern
Michigan’s economy and business climate and rejects the proliferation of additional gambling
facilities as a realistic and appropriate means of funding the expansion of Cob o Center. The
resolution reflects that it is currently premature to accept or reject and proposal regarding the
expansion of Cobo Center because earnest and sincere negotiations regarding a realistic,
affordable and sustainable means of regionally funding an expansion of Cobo Center have not
yet occurred. The resolution further reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
urges County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, on behalf of Oakland County, to earnestly and
sincerely negotiate with other regional leaders in order to find a realistic, affordable and
sustainable means of regionally funding an expansion of Cobo Center and thoroughly explore
the possibility of private, state and federal sources of funding for the expansion of Cobo Center
in order to minimize the burden on Oakland County taxpayers, residents and businesses of
funding such an expansion.
Gregory moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution
be adopted. Supported by Hatchett.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5
April 16, 2007
Crawford expressed his opposition to this resolution because it indicates that the
County Executive has not attempted to negotiate with regional leaders with regards to
the Cobo Hall expansion. He also stated that the 1 st BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
paragraph states that The Oakland County Board of Commissioners rejects additional
gambling facilities as a means of funding the expansion of Cobo Center, and then the
2nd BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph states that it is premature to officially
accept or reject any proposal regarding the expansion of Cobo Center. The 2 nd BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph is contradictory to the 1 st BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED paragraph.
Commissioner Kowall mentioned that County Administration has done their part in
requesting information, and they have not been getting answers from the City of Detroit
and Wayne County.
Commissioners Potter indicated that this resolution is contradictory to the resolution that
was just passed, MR #07088, Board of Commissioners – Require Further Reduction of
Cobo Hall Expansion Costs.
Commissioner Gingell indicated that it takes two parties to negotiate, and MR #07088 is
meant to start it.
Potter moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
amended, as follows:
1. Delete the 1st and 2nd BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraphs.
2. Amend the 3rd BE IT RESOLVED paragraph, as follows:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
hereby urges Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, on behalf of Oakland
County, to continue to earnestly and sincerely negotiate work with other regional
leaders in order to find a realistic, affordable, and sustainable means of regionally
funding an expansion of Cobo Center.
Supported by Suarez.
Hatchett indicated that both Miscellaneous Resolutions #07088 and #07090 should
have been delayed
Motion carried on a roll call vote with Gingell, Crawford, Kowall, Jacobsen and Long
voting no.
Main motion, as amended, carried on a roll call vote with Gingell, Crawford, Kowall,
Jacobsen and Long voting no.
6. ACT 196 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY – AMENDMENT TO THE
AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE OAKLAND COUNTY PUBLIC
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 6
April 16, 2007
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY DATED JUNE 8, 1995
The resolution further amends the Oakland County Public Transportation Authority Amended
Articles of Incorporation, as follows:
I. Articles II of the Articles is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as
follows:
The incorporating unit of the Authority is the County of Oakland, State of
Michigan, a municipal corporation of the State of Michigan. The County of
Oakland; the Cities of Auburn Hills, Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Farmington,
Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights,
Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy and Walled
Lake; the Townships of Bloomfield, West Bloomfield and Royal Oak; and the
Villages of Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Franklin, together with any political
subdivision or portion of a city, village or township which may be add ed to the
Authority after its incorporation, shall be "Members" of the Authority as defined in
the Act.
Kowall moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Gingell.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
7. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN OAKLAND COUNTY AND THE WAYNE COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY FOR
THE FIRE RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The Fire Records Management System captures and creates fire records from the inception of a
9-1-1 call, to include the additional computer-aided dispatch information, and complete the
recording in a standard records management system, promoting communication and the sharing
of fire records among the municipalities that participate. The Wayne County Airport Au thority
would like to participate in the Fire Records Management System. The resolution authorizes the
Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners to sign the Fire Records Management System
Interlocal Agreement with the Wayne County Airport Authority.
Potter moved approval of the attached suggested resolution . Supported by Suarez.
Motion carried on a roll call vote with Crawford absent.
8. MR #07045 – OAKLAND COUNTY RESTAURANTS TRANS-FAT STUDY GROUP
The resolution authorizes the creation of the Oakland County Restaurants Trans-Fat Study Group.
The study group’s mission would be to encourage adherence to the American Heart Association’s
recommendations and to provide assistance and education by providing information on
incorporating alternative oils in recipes, product availability and cost -neutral products to local
restaurants. The membership of the study group would include Commissioner Marcia
Gershenson, Chairperson, one majority party commissioner, 1 representative from the Health and
Human Services Department, one Oakland County restaurant owner, two representatives from the
medical community and one member of the general public. The Oakland County Trans-Fat Study
Group would be required to report their findings and any recommendations by Decembe r 31,
2008, to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and the Oakland County Health and Human
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 7
April 16, 2007
Services Department.
Potter moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
adopted. Supported by Suarez.
Potter moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
amended, as follows:
1. Amend the title of the resolution, as follows: MR #07045 – BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS – OAKLAND COUNTY RESTAURANTS TRANS-FAT
STUDY GROUP AWARENESS AND REDUCTION
2. Amend the 3rd WHEREAS paragraph, as follows:
WHEREAS Oakland County is interested in developing an multi-phase
approach to addressing this community health risk by creating a local study
group to building awareness, inviteing community input and encourageing
individual participation through a series of town hall type meetings that would
include input from restaurants the reduction of these harmful fats and
improving an awareness to businesses and consumers on healthier
alternatives; and
3. Amend the 4th WHEREAS paragraph, as follows:
WHEREAS the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Cardiology has offered to
partner with Oakland County to study the use of trans fatty acids in Oakland
County restaurants and other health care providers are available to partner,
consult and lend their expertise and voice in encouraging healthful dietary
changes; and
4. Amend the 5th WHEREAS paragraph, as follows:
WHEREAS the study group goal of this process would be to encourage
adherence to the American Heart Association’s recommendations and provide
assistance and education, by providing information on incorporating alternative
oils in recipes, product availability and cost-neutral products to local restaurants;
and
5. Amend the last WHEREAS paragraph, as follows:
WHEREAS a proactive and positive step forward would be for the Board of
Commissioners to unite with the County Executive Patterson and his
administration to support a study on awareness of trans fat use in restaurants,
which would extend preventative health care to all residents of Oakland County.
6. Amend the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph, as follows:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners hereby creates the Oakland County Restaurants Trans-Fat Study
Group. The study groups mission is to e ncourage adherence to the American
Heart Association’s recommendations and to provide assistance and education,
by providing information on incorporating alternative oils in recipes, product
availability and cost-neutral products to local restaurants. directs the Oakland
County Health and Human Services Department to undertake a staff-level
review of the use of trans fats in Oakland County restaurants utilizing the
input and expertise of the medical and restaurant communities. The
purpose of this review is to determine the practical steps that can be taken
to educate citizens and restaurant businesses on the use of trans fats and
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 8
April 16, 2007
to demonstrate and highlight the cost-effective alternatives to these
harmful fats and to report to the Board of Commissioners those policy
initiatives which may be directed to this purpose.
7. Delete the 1st BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph.
8. Insert the following BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph as the 1 st BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph, as follows:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that two (2) members of the Board of
Commissioners, Marcia Gershenson, a member of the minority party, and
Brad Jacobsen, a member of the majority party, will serve as liaison to the
Oakland County Health and Human Services Department to bring forth
these findings.
9. Amend the 2nd BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph, as follows:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Restaurant Trans-Fat
Study Group Health and Human Services Department shall report their
findings and any recommendations by December 31, 200 87 to the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners and the Oakland County Health and Human
Services Department
10. Add JEFF POTTER to the list of commissioners at the bottom of the resolution
who move adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Supported by Suarez.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Crawford moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
amended, as follows:
1. Amend the title of the resolution, as follows: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS –
OAKLAND COUNTY RESTAURANTS TRANS-FAT STUDY GROUP AWARENESS
AND REDUCTION
2. Amend the last WHEREAS paragraph by deleting the words “in restaurants”.
3. Amend the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph, as follows:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners directs the Oakland County Health and Human Services
Department to undertake a staff-level review of the use of Trans-Fats in Oakland
County restaurants utilizing the input and expertise of the medical and
restaurant communities. The purpose of this review is to determine the practical
steps that can be taken to educate citizens and restaurant businesses on the use
of Trans-Fat and to demonstrate and highlight the cost-effective alternatives to
these harmful fats and to report to the Board of Commissioners tho se policy
initiatives which may be directed to this purpose.
Supported by Jacobsen.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Gingell, Crawford, Kowall, Jacobsen, Potts, Long (6)
NAYS: Hatchett, Potter, Gregory, Suarez, Nash, Greimel (6)
Motion failed.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 9
April 16, 2007
Commissioner Potts thanked Commissioner Gershenson for bringing the trans fat issue
to the Board. He said that a message to the public is consistent with the American
Heart Association.
Commissioner Jacobsen indicated that he has agreed to work with Commissioner
Gershenson on this issue.
Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
9. HISTORICAL COMMISSION – REQUEST FOR BUDGET INCREASE
Jennifer Radcliff, Chairperson, Historical Commission, was not able to attend today’s meeting, so
Kathleen Mutch and Christopher Cummins were present to give the committee information on
what the Historical Commission has been doing. Ms. Mutch mentioned that they are volunteers on
the Historical Commission. They do not get compensated monetarily for their wor k on the
Historical Commission. Ms. Mutch handed out a few pieces of literature for the committee
members to share. They hold seminars and workshops that are designed to be collaborative to
bring information to local communities They have developed an expanding website, and they
have partnered with Wayne State University. Coming up this weekend they are showcasing what
Oakland County communities are doing to preserve their local heritage. They are also working
with the Oakland County Pioneer Society to preserve the records that they have stewardship of.
They have been allocated a budget for quite some time of $600.00. Ms. Mutch indicated that It is
not feasible to do these workshops correctly with that type of money so they sat down at their last
Historical Commission meeting, and Jennifer Radcliff asked them to come up with numbers that
are feasible. Ms. Mutch indicated that it would be feasible to ask for a $2500 per year budget, but
they are requesting $1800 per year. The money is needed for copying, mail-outs, seminars and
workshops to promote their work in the County.
Commissioner Crawford suggested that the Historical Commission come back with a list of
proposed projects and costs because he indicated that maybe $1800 would not be enough
to cover all of their costs. Ms. Mutch indicated that each seminar costs about $1,000 to
coordinate, including publications. They have been able to partner with organizations to do
in-kind services.
Commissioner Potter suggested that the Historica l Commission develop a budget and
come back to the committee with the information.
Commissioner Potts suggested that the Historical Commission report back to the General
Government Committee on an annual basis to keep the commissioners informed of what
the Historical Commission is doing.
. Crawford moved to receive and file the literature that was handed out by the Historical
Commission. Supported by Gingell.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 10
April 16, 2007
10. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION – HISTORY OF CATALPA PARK
Dan Stencil was present to give a PowerPoint presentation on the Urban Recreation Initiative. He
distributed a two-page document that gives preliminary information on the Urban Recreation
Initiative. The main component of this initiative is to look at the current conditions of urbanized
areas in Oakland County and review the forecast by SEMCOG to have the area over two-thirds
urbanized by 2030. The Parks and Recreation Commission has adopted what is called the VIP
Program as a means for viewing parks as an essential service by showing the benefits of parks
and recreation things such as health and wellness and as a deterrent to youth crime.
They are looking to create a number of consortium activities with local units of government to look
at exploration of open space and opportunities. Some of the processes that they are going
through in looking at the boundaries of these locations are collecting data from local units of
government on policies, programs, as well as the areas of deficiencies and needs that local units
of government have. They are also developing criteria for selecting what initiatives the park
system can and will get involved in. There is an Oakland Trails Advisory Council, and they have a
plan to develop a County-wide trail system called Oak Roots, which would provide an opportunity
to link some of these recreation areas, parks and natural areas. This would be significant in south
Oakland County. Just looking at the urbanized areas of Oakland County and looking at current
green space in Oakland County, there is approximately 90,000 acres of public-owned land, and
nearly half of that is owned by Huron Clinton Metro Parks and the State of Michigan.
With regards to the conditions at Catalpa Park, it’s located on the eastern side of the City of
Southfield at Catalpa, west of Greenfield. Currently, there are two baseball fields and six soccer
fields on site. The City of Southfield has leased this property from the County for a number of
years. Mr. Ciaramitaro, Vice President of the South Oakland County Sports Association, indicated
that the South Oakland County Sports Association (SOCSA) has been around for 17 years. They
have over 1400 youth every season participate. They are recognized by the State of Michigan.
They charge as little money as they possibly can for people that want to play soccer in the area.
They call themselves Berkley Soccer, but the majority of the participants live outside the City of
Berkley. They serve 7 - 15 different communities, including Ferndale, Haze l Park and Royal Oak,
Berkley, Huntington Woods. They currently have no large field other than the one in Catalpa
Park.
If Catalpa Park is acquired by the Parks and Recreation Commission, one of the first processes
the Parks and Recreation Commission would undertake would be to develop a master plan for the
property and look at some upgrades to the facility. There is a current need to upgrade the parking
for the facility, restroom storage and concession buildings. The Urban Recreation Initiative Report
would be available in late summer or early fall and would include some history of recreation land
space in Oakland County.
Crawford moved to receive and file the document entitled, “Urban Recreation Initiative
Preliminary Information. Supported by Suarez.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
11. MR #07063 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR OAKLAND COUNTY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION’S URBAN PARK INITIATIVE AND ACQUISITION
OF CATALPA PARK
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April 16, 2007
The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners concurs with the urban
park strategy initiated by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission. The resolution
requests that the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission take the necessary
measures to have Catalpa Park become a p art of the Oakland County Park system. The
resolution requests Corporation Counsel to draft the necessary documents to be signed by the
Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners and filed with the Clerk/Register of Deeds to restrict
the use of Catalpa Park for recreational purposes, and upon the assumption of the park by the
Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, it would be maintained for recreational
purposes.
Crawford moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolu tion be
adopted. Supported by Suarez.
Commissioner Gregory thanked Mr. Ciaramitaro for taking time out to come to the meeting
today to express what his organization does. He also thanked Mr. Colwell for taking the
time to come to the meeting to represe nt the City of Berkley.
Kowall moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resolution be
amended, as follows:
1. Amend the 6th WHEREAS paragraph, as follows:
WHEREAS the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission is initiating a
county-wide Urban Park Strategy an Urban Recreation Initiative, a component of
which includes a parks and recreational facilities strategy to help guide them in
parkland acquisition, capital improvements, grant applications, and cooperative
recreational partnerships; and
2. Amend the 7th WHEREAS paragraph, as follows:
WHEREAS transferring at a mutually-agreed upon amount, the ownership,
operations and management of Catalpa Park to the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission would be consistent with the ir urban park strategy and
preserve recreational park property; and
Supported by Crawford.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
12. MR #07082 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WEEK – MAY 13-19, 2007
The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners requests all citizens of
Oakland County and all patriotic, civic and educational organizations to observe the week o f May
13 – 19, 2007, as Police Week with appropriate ceremonies and observances in which all of our
people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers, past and present, who, by their
faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities, have rende red a dedicated service to their
communities and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring
reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens. Additionally, the resolution requests
that all citizens of Oakland County observe Monday, May 15, 2007, as Peace Officers’ Memorial
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April 16, 2007
Day in honor of those law enforcement officers who have made sacrifices to service their
communities or have become disabled in the performance of duty, and to recognize the survivors
of our fallen heroes.
Gingell moved to report to the full Board with the recommendation that the resol ution be
adopted. Supported by Suarez.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
13. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/HEALTH DIVISION –
IMPLEMENTATION OF FEE FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) VACCINE
The resolution authorizes the Oakland County Health Division to establish a self-sustaining fee-for-
service HPV vaccine program in accordance with the fee schedule which shows that three doses
are required at $120 per dose.
Jacobsen moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Nash.
Commissioner Gingell suggested that it would be a good idea to have an expert speak on
the impact of this particular vaccine and also about the p rocess, that it may be beyond just
a shot. He indicated that it is available from other sources, such as doctors and Planned
Parenthood. He questioned why the County of Oakland is even in the vaccination business
in the first place, and he inquired as to whether or not the County is protected under
governmental immunity.
Chairperson Long expressed her concern that the long-term side effects are unknown. She
indicated that this particular vaccine seems to be so aggressively marketed and fast -
tracked in the State of Michigan and that she has deep concerns on that. She indicated
that she has read a lot of information about this vaccine, that it could prevent 70% of
cervical cancer cases, but that most deaths can be prevented through early and regular
screening and clinical follow-up. It is recommended that you get a PAP smear regularly
even with the vaccination. The Health Department does not offer PAP smears.
George Miller indicated that it is up to an informed parent to make sure that PAP smears
are continued once the individual has become sexually active.
Commissioner Hatchett indicated that she supports making the vaccine available to allow
parents to make the choice of whether or not they want to take their daughter there and pay
for this shot. She supported having information available to people about the vaccine.
Commissioner Crawford expressed his concerns that there are too many unanswered
questions about the vaccine regarding long-term effects. As far as it being recommended
by the FDA, he indicated that mistakes are made, such as with the drug Vioxx.
Commissioner Potts indicated that the FDA has highly approved the vaccine, and it has the
potential to prevent cervical cancer, so the commissioners should not oppose making it
available.
Commissioner Greimel indicated that none of the arguments against offering this vaccine
stand up to scrutiny. He indicated that there are other vaccines that the County offers that
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 13
April 16, 2007
are not 100% effective.
Commissioner Kowall expressed her concerns about the safety of the vaccine. She
indicated that there have been numerous instances of things going through the FDA
process and still having problems with them later. She read a few quotes from a document
that stated, “the FDA agreed to fast-track Gardasil in February of 2006, and approved it in
June”, and she expressed her concerns about the vaccine being fast -tracked because in
the past there have been serious adverse reactions to children that emerge after the Food
and Drug Administration approves a new drug. She expressed concerns about County
government offering something like this.
Commissioner Nash indicated that we have an FDA for a reason because they do a lot of
work, and they have a Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System that people can report
adverse events to be analyzed and made available to the public. He indicated that this
vaccine should be available to people.
Commissioner Potter indicated that this vaccine could protect a young woman from getting
cervical cancer. He stated that when one gets an inoculation for tetanus because they plan
on stepping on a rusty nail. He indicated that the commissioners should allow the parent
and child to make the decision together by making this vaccine available.
Commissioner Jacobsen indicated that it is a person’s individual choice, and they are
responsible for their decision no matter what. He stated that they should this vaccine
should be available to the public to allow them to decide whether or not they want to use it.
Commissioner Gregory concurred.
Mr. Miller mentioned that the County offers vaccines to the public because some insurance
companies do not cover vaccines.
Dr. Gordon indicated that no vaccine is 100%, and this is a vaccine that could potentially do
a lot of good for a lot of people and the way to have it available. It is the parent’s
preference to have a child immunized if the child is under 18 years of age.
Potts moved to report to the Finance Committee recommending immediate review and
recommendation to the full Board. Supported by Nash.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Main motion carried on a roll call vote with Gingell, Crawford, Kowall and Long voting no.
14. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FOR SOLID WASTE
APPOINTMENT – REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL INTEREST GROUP
The Board of Commissioners received five applications for the Environmental Interest Group
position on the Solid Waste Planning Commission. Commissioner Middleton was present to give
his endorsement of Paul Gambka to b e appointed on the Solid Waste Planning Committee as a
representative of an Environmental Interest Group.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 14
April 16, 2007
Crawford moved to set up interviews at the next General Government Committee meeting
on Monday, April 30th, 2007. Supported by Nash.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
COMMUNICATIONS
A. Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency – Board of Directors’ Meeting Minutes of February
28, 2007
B. Thank You Letter from Charlie Haviland – Applicant for Community Mental Health Authority
C. Addison Township Resolution 07-01 – Resolution to Freeze Taxable Values
D. Oakland County Public Transportation Authority Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2007
E. Memo from Bob Daddow RE: Cobo Hall Resolution Introduced at April 5, 2007 Board Meeting
Jacobsen moved to receive and file the Communications. Supported by Gingell.
Motion carried on voice vote.
OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Long handed out a document from Commissioner Bullard asking if the General
Government Committee would be willing to move their September 10th meeting from morning to
afternoon or to Wednesday, September 12th, in the afternoon. He would like to hold the Tri-County
Summit on September 10, 2007.
There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:48
p.m.
________________________ _______________________________
Pamela L. Worthington Lawrence Doyle
Committee Coordinator Administrative Director
NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.