Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2012.04.09 - 36620CHRISTINE LONG Chairperson KATHY CRAWFORD Vice Chairperson MARCIA GERSHENSON Minority Vice Chairperson April 9, 2012 Chairperson Long called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room A of the Commissioners’ Auditorium Wing, County Service Center in Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT : Christine Long, Kathy Crawford , John Scott, Bob Gosselin, Jeff Matis, Bob Hoffman, Mattie Hatchett, Jim Nash, Nancy Quarles COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Marcia Gershenson, Mattie Hatchett OTHERS PRESENT EXECUTIVE OFFICE Jerry Poisson, Deputy Executive Bob Daddow, Deputy Executive CORPORATION COUNSEL Judy Cunningham, Corporation Counsel HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES George Miller, Director HOMELAND SECURITY Ted Quisenberry, Manager PUBLIC SERVICES Mike Zehnder, Director VETERANS’ SERVICES Garth Wootten, Manager B. Shelton Duggan, Sup ervisor OAKLAND COUNTY PUBLIC Steve Brock, Chair TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS Gerald Gorski, District Sr. Vice Commander Phil Medla, Post 4037-Troy Pat Medla, Post 4037-Troy John Bond, 5th District Commander Stephen Bradshaw, Post 1008 George Navarette, Post 1008-Waterford Florence Anderson, Post 1008-Waterford George Luenberger, Post 3908 AMERICAN LEGION Joe McClellan, Post 253-Royal Oak, Finance Officer BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Shelley Taub, District 16 Jim VerPloeg, Administrative Director Helen Hanger, Sr. Com. Coordinator OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0475 Telephone (248) 858 -0100 FAX (248) 858 -1572 GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE John Scott Bob Gosselin Jeff Matis Bob Hoffman Mattie Hatchett Jim Nash Nancy Quarles GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 2 April 9, 2012 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Long led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Crawford moved approval of the minutes of March 12, 2012 as printed. Supported by Gosselin. Motion carried on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Matis moved to approve the agenda as printed. Supported by Scott. Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Joe McClellan, Jerry Gorski, Pat Medla, Florence Anderson, George Neverrette spoke in support of establishing a Veterans’ Services Advisory Council. George Luenberger arrived later but was recognized during the discussion and voiced his comments as well. AGENDA ITEMS 1. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – AUTHORIZING OAKLAND COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY MILLAGE QUESTION TO BE PLACED ON 2012 ELECTION BALLOT The resolution would authorize the Oakland County Public Tran sportation Authority (OCPTA) to utilize Section 18 of Act 196 for the purpose of placing before the voters residing within the OCPTA area the proposition of establishing a .59 millage rate for the years 201 2-2013 to support public transportation within the OCPTA area. The County Clerk would be directed to do all things necessary to place the question on the ballot . The proposition would be placed on the A ugust 7, 2012 primary election ballot. Mr. Brock spoke in support of the resolution. On March 20, 20 12 the OCPA passed a resolution t o call an election and place the language on the ballot . A copy of the resolution was forwarded to the Board of Commissioners. The .59 mills would raise $16 million in 2012. Mr. Poisson explained that the OCPTA was estab lished in 1995 under Act 196 to allow communities not wishing to participate the opportunity to opt out within a certain time period. At that time, 41 of the County’s 61 communities opted out. The Administration is watching for any changes the state may make to funding. Current efforts at the state level regarding a regional transit line have little to do with SMART or DDOT operations. Quarles moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Crawford. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Gosselin voting no and Gershenson and Hatchett absent. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 April 9, 2012 2. MR #12077 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION MAKING LOTTERY WINNERS INELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Runestad in support of Senate Bill 712 to amend the Social Welfare Act to require that money received from lottery winnings or other gambling winnings be taken into account when determining eligibility for public assistance a nd food stamps. This should result in reduced federal food assistance and Family Independence Program spending. Chairperson Long reported that the Legislature has passed this bill and it was presented to the Governor on April 2, 2012. Hoffman moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Scott. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson and Hatchett absent. 3. MR #12078 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – OBSERVANCE OF THE DAYS OF HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE IN OAKLAND COUNTY – MAY 1 THROUGH MAY 8, 2012 The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Taub et al. to proclaim the week of Sunday, May 1 through Sunday, May 8, 2012 as Days of Remembrance in memory of the victims of the Holocaust and in honor of the survivors, as well as the rescuers and liberators; to further proclaim that we, as citizens, should work to promote human dignity and confront hate whenever and wherever it occurs and to encourage individuals, educators, etc. to participate. Gosselin moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Matis. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson and Hatchett absent. 4. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – HOMELAND SECURITY DIVISION – 2011-2012 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT AGREEMENT Homeland Security is requesting authorization to accept a $13,010 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant award from the Michigan Department of State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. The grant require s a 20% match of $3,253 for a total of $16,263. Funds will be used by the Oakland County Local Emergency Planning Committee to enhance hazardous material response planning. The 20% local match will be in -kind PTNE staff salary to support the LEPC plannin g efforts. Quarles moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Crawford. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson and Hatchett absent. 5. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – HOMELAND SECURITY DIVISION – OUTDOOR WARNING SYSTEM EXPANSION – THE TOWNSHIP OF HOLLY Homeland Security is requesting authorization to enter into an Interlocal agreement with Holly Township to add two sirens to the County’s Outdoor Warning System. The Funds of $29,366 from a 2008 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant will be used to cover the County’s cost for siren GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 April 9, 2012 hardware. The required 75% of cost for installation is also not applicable to the Township which has agreed to pay the estimated $10,634 for installation. The County wi ll retain ownership and be responsible for maintenance and electrical costs. Hoffman moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Scott. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson and Hatchett absent. 6. MR #12075 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR SEMCOG’S SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY RECOGNITION PROGRAM The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Scott, et al. to commit Oakland County to participate in the Southeast Michigan Council o f Governments (SEMCOG) Sustainable Community Recognition Program. SEMCOG assists local governments in its region by helping them to become more efficient and effective by improving long-term sustainability activities. The Board’s Administration Director will be designated as the primary contact from Oakland County. Communities will be recognized for the ir efforts under this program . Commissioner Nash indicated that SEMCOG has be en active for some time in this area and has put out a booklet on how to maintain a low impact on the environment when building. Scott moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Nash. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson and Hatchett absent. 7. MR #11229 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – CREATION OF THE VETERAN’S SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR OAKLAND COUNTY The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Nash, et. al to establish a Veterans’ Services Advisory Council for Oakland County. The Council would be able to conduct public forums, study ways to support veteran access to services and publicize services and events for veterans . The Council would report their findings and recommendations for county policy and future efforts back to the Board of Commissioners by its last meeting of 2012. The Council would meet at least once a month and consist of 25 members (one appointed by each commissioner). Mr. Zehnder stressed that Oakland County is very v eteran/user friendly and suggested that some of the concerns mentioned during public comment, such as funding, should be shared with Washington as they can only be addressed at that level. He stated that Oakland County Veterans’ Services (OCVS) has set the standard in providing veterans’ services in Michigan and that c reating another administrative level by establishing a council is unnecessary. Copies of an April 4, 2012 email sent by Mr. Wootten to Commissioner Nash on this proposal were distributed . He introduced Mr. Wootten, recognizing his military service as a Navy Judge Advocate General during the Persian Gulf War, and Ms. Duggan, a Supervisor with over 20 years of experience. Mr. Wootten also noted that he repeatedly hears from Veterans Affairs offices, the VFW, the American Legion, etc. that Oakland County has set the standard in Michigan for providing veteran services. The Division has 16 employees, including 10 accredited counselors with a total of 52 accreditations, and the Solders’ Relief Commission which includes one representative from each war. Over the last 10 years the OCVS has implemented many programs to assist veterans , including a veterans court at the 52-1 District Court, hosting Michigan Works Veteran Employment GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5 April 9, 2012 representatives and being only one of a few in the State to provide vehicle transport and remote access to check on and track the status of veterans’ claims and appeals. An outpatient facility has been established in Pontiac and, as a result of the efforts of Mr. Zehnder, the Great Lakes National Cemetery for veterans was established in Holly. The OCVS does a tremendous amount of outreach each year by attending over 100 events and doing presentations. Mr. Wootten stated that his door is always open and he would hope that anyone who has had issues and come to him in the past has been satisfied with the assistance provided. The Board of Commissioners and the County Executive have always fully supported the OCVS . Mr. Wootten stated that he understands Commissioner Nash’s passion on these issues but believes that any concerns can be wo rked out through OCVS rather than through formal establishment of a council. Commissioner Nash explained that he agrees that OCVS is a leader in the State but was proposing creation of this council as another tool to maintain this status. He had contacte d Mr. Wootten the day before the resolution was introduced and Mr. Wootten indicated that he was not fundamentally opposed to creating the council. If a council were established the focus would be on outreach to veterans. Commissioner Nash explained that several years ago, on behalf of the Michigan National Guard (MNG), he hosted a Road to Re -Integration Township Hall meeting in the Board auditorium. The MNG has issues that other veterans do not. Members of the armed services come back to a post but MNG members come back to a community and services need to be grown around this difference. Another meeting was held that included human service agencies and the biggest issue identified was that the veteran service groups lack communication. The Oakland Cou nty Human Services Coordinating Council established the Fort Michigan Ad Hoc Committee last summer and decided that the best approach was to organize a collabora tive effort countywide with all agencies and groups concerned. One change has been at the jail which now recognizes veterans as they come in and provides emergency funds for re-entry to the community . A web portal would be established to identify all available veterans’ services. Commissioner Nash noted that his cable provider is also willing to provide free public service announcements (PSA). Mr. Wootten indicated that he has talked to many veterans since last September who agree that information should be centralized. H is office could do PSAs and has a websi te that could be expanded upon to avoid misinformation. OCVS presentations and seminars are held at senior centers, assisted living centers, libraries, the County Bar Association and on public access. Commissioner Quarles indicated that she had recently assisted active personnel with the issue of losing their home to foreclosure (and found that this is not allowed under federal law) but they would not have known that the County could assist them if they had not come to her. Discussion should include what is available to both returning a nd active personnel. Commissioner Crawford noted that Novi has a number of organizations that address the needs of area veterans and she felt it would be more successful to work within these existing agencies and groups. In the past the Board has established 25-member appointed groups that began as well- intentioned but were politically impacted and became unwieldy over time which is a concern. Commissioner Gosselin suggested considering the creation of such a group aside from the County that could bring their concerns and suggestions to Mr. Wootten. Matis moved to create a study group consisting of 3 Republicans and 2 Democrats , to be appointed by the Board of Commissioners Chairperson at the April 18 Board meeting , to look into the Creation of a Veterans’ Services Advisory Council and to report back to the General Government Committee in 90 days and if they feel they have not yet completed their charge to request an extension. Supported by Crawford. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 6 April 9, 2012 Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote wi th Gershenson and Hatchett absent. COMMUNICATIONS A. MI Dept of Human Services OC Board Minutes – 1/12/12 B. Oakland County Library Board Minutes – 3/07/12 C. Oakland County Public Transportation Authority Minutes – 06/08/11 and 11/21/11 Matis moved to receive and file the communications. Supported by Quarles. Motion carried on a voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m. ______________________________ __________________________________ Helen A. Hanger Jim Ver Ploeg Sr. Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.