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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2012.06.11 - 36637CHRISTINE LONG Chairperson KATHY CRAWFORD Vice Chairperson MARCIA GERSHENSON Minority Vice Chairperson June 11, 2012 Chairperson Long called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Board of Commissioners’ Committee Room A, County Service Center in Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT : Christine Long, Kathy Crawford, Marcia Gershenson, Bob Gosselin, Jeff Matis, Bob Hoffman, Mattie Hatchett, Jim Nash, Nancy Quarles COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: John Scott OTHERS PRESENT EXECUTIVE OFFICE Gerry Poisson, Deputy HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES George Miller, Director HEALTH Kathy Forzley, Manager Tony Drautz, Administrator Environmental Health Terri Rose, Chief Mark Hansell, Chief Roxanne Cordit DTE ENERGY Bob Sitkauskas Mike Pakowski MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH-PUBLIC HEALTH Jean Chabut, Administrator MICHIGAN STOP SMART METERS David Sheldon OTHERS/CITIZENS Jon Munesan Bill Benan Stephen Lindsey David Lonier Dominic Cusumano John Holeton Pauline Holeton Marguerite Gwizdede Richard Meltzer Randy Buck BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jim Runestad, District #6 Jim Ver Ploeg, Admin. Director Sheryl Mitchell, Sr. Analyst 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 June 11, 2012 APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MIN UTES Matis moved approval of the minutes of May 21, 2012 as printed. Supported by Quarles. Motion carried on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Matis moved approval of the agenda as printed. Supported by Crawford. Motion carried on a voice v ote. PUBLIC COMMENT The following individuals spoke in support of proposed resolution MR #12134 regarding 4th amendment privacy issues, health concerns and the roll of the Michigan Public Services Commission in this matter: Pauline Holeton, John Holeton, Margaret Gwizdede, Stephen Lindsey, William Berlin, Jon Muresan, David Lon ier, David Sheldon, Dominic Cusamano and Richard Meltzer. Several speakers distributed informational pieces. Bob Sitkauskas, DTE Energy spokesperson, distributed an update on the installation program. AGENDA ITEMS 1. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES / HEALTH DIVISION – MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH PRESENTATION OF 4 TH CYCLE ACCREDITATION REVIEW CERTIFICATE TO HEALTH DIVISION BY JANE CHABUT On behalf of the Michigan Department of Community Healt h, Ms. Chabut presented a Certification of Accreditation to Mr. Miller, Ms. Forzley and Health Division staff for passing the 4 th Cycle Accreditation Review in July of 2011. The Health Division passed all 117 Essenti al Factors and all 5 Important Factors for high quality public health services. Michigan is the first state to develop a health standards program which reviews 12 areas within the Health Division to ensure that programs and personnel are in place to provi de efficient and capable service in critical health service areas. The Oakland County Health Division was the first in the state to achieve this accreditation and is the first to achieve it for the second time . Ten program areas were reviewed and the Health Division met all 122 indicators, a rare feat for accreditation programs. A copy of the Accreditation Certificate Presentation containing sample special recognition comments from reviewers was provided. Gershenson moved to receive and file the accredi tation certificate presentation material. Supported by Crawford. Motion carried on a voice vote. 2. MR #12134 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC UTILITY CUSTOMERS TO OPT OUT OF SMART METER INSTALLATIONS WITHOUT PENALTY The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Runestad in support of allowing utility customers to opt out of having smart meters installed on their homes for reasons of privacy or health and agrees with Michigan Attorney General Schuette that utility customers who opt out should not incur an economic penalty. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 June 11, 2012 Mr. Sitkauskas reported that DTE is working on an opt out program but expects that those who do not wish to have the meters installed will pay to opt out as there will be a cost to send a meter reader to the home. Current price options related to electricity usage and time are available on the DTE website. He stated that the meters collect monthly electrical usage, not home data by appliance, nor perform surveillance. UL is a safety standard for appliances wit h plugs. The radio frequency standard approved by the FCC for the meters falls well below FCC safety levels. The smart chip market for appliances is fairly new and Mr. Sitkauskas stated that he was not sure of how they will function. The program was funded by $84 million from DTE’s capital program and Department of Energy (DE) matching funds of $84 million. Costs go into the rate structure reviewed by the Michigan Public Services Commission. Mr. Pakowski explained that in 2009 DTE started a pilot pr ogram in the Village of Milford and Milford Township, talking to representatives from these local units and sending letters to individual customers. In early 2010 when it was decided to roll out the program, DTE sat down with County Executive Patterson an d Deputy County Executive Bertolini, went to monthly township supervisors meetings, etc., sent out some individual letters and did public service announcements. Hoffman moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Hatchett. Matis moved to amend the resolution as follows. Supported by Hatchett. WHEREAS some electric customers have alleged that emissions from the smart meters are actually dangerous to their health. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakla nd County Board of Commissioners supports the ability of those utility customers who would to opt out of having the smart meters program installed on their homes for reasons of privacy or health. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland Board of Commissione rs agrees with Attorney General Schuette that utility customers who opt out of the smart meter installation program should be able to opt out with no economic or any other penalty. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Snyder, the Oakland County delegation of the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Attorney General, the Michigan Public Services Commission, the Michigan Association of Counties and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Lobbyist. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Scott absent. Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Scott absent. COMMUNICATIONS A. Oakland County Women’s Advisory Commission Minutes – 4/19/12 B. Oakland County Women’s Advisory Commission – Executive Committee Minutes – 4/19/12 C. MI Dept. of Human Services-Oakland County Minutes – 3/27/12 D. Area Agency on Aging 1-B Quarterly Update – 4/30/12 OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 June 11, 2012 There being no other business to come before the commi ttee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:12 a.m. ______________________________ __________________________________ Helen A. Hanger Jim Ver Ploeg Sr. Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.