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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2012.05.07 - 36627CHRISTINE LONG Chairperson KATHY CRAWFORD Vice Chairperson MARCIA GERSHENSON Minority Vice Chairperson May 7, 2012 Chairperson Long called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 9:38 a.m. in the Board of Commissioners’ Auditorium, County Service Center in Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT : Christine Long, Kathy Crawford , Marcia Gershenson, John Scott, Bob Gosselin, Jeff Matis, Bob Hoffman, Mattie Hatchett, Jim Nash, Nancy Quarles COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT : None. OTHERS PRESENT EXECUTIVE OFFICE Jerry Poisson, Deputy Executive CORPORATION COUNSEL Judy Cunningham, Corporation Counsel HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES George Miller, Director OTHERS (see list of names under Public Comment) BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jim VerPloeg, Administrative Director Helen Hanger, Sr. Com. Coordinator PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Long led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Matis moved approval of the minutes of April 9, 2012 as printed. Supported by Hoffman. Motion carried on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Scott moved to approve the agenda as printed. Supported by Crawford. Motion carried on a voice vote. 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 May 7, 2012 PUBLIC COMMENT The following individuals spoke in support of creating an arts institute authority to place a ballot proposal before the voters on the August 7 primary ballot for the Detroit Institute of Arts: Gene Gargaro, Terri Stearn, Boris Sellers, Norma Walton, N ancy Branstetter, Mark Douglas, Marla Donovan, Nicole Eisenberg, Stacey Simmons, Mark Schwartz, April Wagne r, Trish Dewald, John Eggert, Ron Monkman, Jake Hauske, Mary Roberts, Rita Tinetti, Michael Palchesko, Swarupa Anila, Barbara Heller, Susan Howes, Elizabeth Kincaid , James Badgett, Stephen Williams, Peggy Kerr, Buzz Thomas, Richard Bone, Meryl Podolsky, Elizabeth Sadowski, Robert Martin . The following individuals spoke in opposition to creating an arts institute authority to place a ballot proposal before the voters on the August 7 primary ballot for the Detroit Institute of Arts: Deb O’Hagan, Rosanne Ponkowslc, Ray Kozlowski, Joe Langlois, Bill McMaster, Alice Benbow . AGENDA ITEMS 1. MR #12083 – OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – OAKLAND COUNTY ART INSTITUTE AUTHORITY The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Gingell to adopt Articles of Incorporation to establish an Oakland County Art Institute Authority. If adopted, the County Clerk is directed to endorse upon the articles the fact of their adoption by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and to forthwith file a printed copy of the articles with the Secretary of State. If established, the authority may levy a tax o f not more than 0.2 mil for a per iod set by the authority that shall not exceed 10 years on all taxable property within the county for the purpose of providing revenue to an art institute services provide r that will be used exclusively for the benefit of the art institute with respect to which the art institute services provider renders service. The Articles were published in the Oakland Press on April 18 and 19, 2012. The proposed amendment was published in the Oakland Press on May 3 and 4, 2012. Mr. Poisson explained that he had draft ed the resolution to tell the entire story as to why the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) was needed. He stated that the DIA was in fact an encyclopedia art institution, and is one of the top 10 art institutions in the country. The County Executive suppor ts this proposal as an economic development tool . When companies consider moving into an area one of the things they look for are the cultural amenities that a region offers. Therefore, on behalf of the County Executive Mr. Poisson asked that the Committ ee vote to establish the authority and to amend the articles as originally presented. Hatchett moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Gershenson. Hatchett moved to report to amend the articles of incor poration as follows. Supported by Gershenson. ARTICLE III – Board of Director 1. Appointments and Term of Office. The board of directors (“Board”) shall consist of five (5) voting members. The County Executive (“CE”) for the County of Oakland shall appoint two (2) members, who shall serve four (4) year terms. The Commission Chair of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners shall appoint three (3) members, at least one of whom shall be nominated by the minority caucus, who shall GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 May 7, 2012 serve (2) year terms. The Oakland County Treasurer shall serve as an ex -officio, non-voting member of the Board and shall be appointed Treasurer of the Authority as provided in Article IV (4) below. Discussion ensued on whether to amend the language to provide for the Board Chairman to make these appoints or to maintain the original language allowing the Board of Commissioners to make the appointments through the committee process and whether the timing of making these appointments could impact a ballot proposal being ready fo r either the August primary or the November general election. Mr. Poisson explained that the statute authorizes the Board to place the question before the voters but does not provide the county with the power to petition (collect signatures to place the question on the ballot). In order to avoid missing the May 29 deadline for certification, the Board could hold a special meeting to appoint Authority members. Roll Call on the Amendment. Ayes: Crawford, Gershenson, Hoffman, Hatchett, Nash, Quarles Nays: Scott, Gosselin, Matis, Long Motion carried. Commissioner Matis stated that he believes the DIA is a fine institution and has visited and supported it in the past but is not convinced that everything has been done to cut costs before going to the voters to ask for a new tax. In speaking to his constituents about this proposal he feels that at this time , given the current economic climate, this is not an appropriate request. Many of his constituents are dependent on Social S ecurity and must decide whether to pay for utilities or medication. They rely on support from their children who have also taken pay cuts . He also expressed concern as to what would happen to the operating agreement between the City of Detroit and the DIA if an Emergency Financial Manager (EM) was put in place. Where are the assurances that if appointed an EM would not void contracts or sell off the artwork. First it was the Detroit Zoo, now it is the DIA and Commissioners have heard the possibility of other organizations to follow with the same request . The cumulative effect of these taxes will be a burden to County taxpayers. He stated that the question should be placed before the voters at a time when most of the voters can decide; otherwise, continue to let the individuals who use the facility provide the support. Commissioner Hatchett stated that the County Executive has the best financial people and would not present this proposal to the Committee to ask for support if he felt it was a financial concern. She spoke in support of placing it on the ballot consistent with what had been done for the Zoo. Commissioner Gosselin reiterated Commissioner Matis’ comments concerning additional organizations requesting the same consideration for ballot proposals and the imp act on taxpayers. The DIA has launched an expensive campaign to push this ballot proposal and there is no funded organized group to stand up for the other side of the issue. Commissioner Quarles asked the Committee to keep in mind that the issue was whether to make a recommendation on the resolution to the full Board for its May 17 meeting. Roll Call on the main motion as amended. Ayes: Gershenson, Hoffman, Hatchett, Nash, Quarles, Crawford Nays: Scott, Gosselin, Matis, Long Motion carried. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 May 7, 2012 2. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – APPOINTMENTS FOR JURY BOARD, FRIEND OF THE COURT CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND LIBRARY BOARD Ms. Hanger reported on the status of the following appointments: a) Jury Board – still waiting for a recommendation from Circuit C ourt; b) Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee – one Mental Health Professional of Family Counseling seat - waiting to receive an application from the incumbent before proceeding; c) Library Board – two seats to expire in August. Will contac t the incumbents. Quarles moved to place the two Library Board seats o n the Board’s webpage to accept additional applications. Supported by Gershenson. Motion carried on a voice vote. COMMUNICATIONS A. Health and Human Services – Health Division 2012/2013 Michigan Nutrition Network – Local Advisory Group Project Grant Application B. City of Novi Resolution of Support for Tri -Party Program C. Oakland County Library Board Minutes – 1/25/12 D. Oakland County Library Board Minutes – 3/28/12 E. Women’s Advisory Commission Minutes – 3/15/12 F. MI Dept of Human Services OC Board Minutes – 2/28/12 G. Library Board Memo on Solutions on Self -Help Task Force Legal Self-Help Center Pilot Sites – L. Mancini – 4/2/12 Matis moved to receive and file the comm unications. Supported by Hoffman. Motion carried on a voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:28 a.m. ______________________________ __________________________________ Helen A. Hanger Jim Ver Ploeg Sr. Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.