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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2012.10.08 - 36668CHRISTINE LONG Chairperson KATHY CRAWFORD Vice Chairperson MARCIA GERSHENSON Minority Vice Chairperson October 8, 2012 Chairperson Long called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 9:37 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, John Scott, Bob Gosselin, Jeff Matis, Bob Hoffman, Mattie Hatchett, Nancy Quarles COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Jim Nash OTHERS PRESENT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES George Miller, Director MI DEPT. OF HUMAN SERVICES -OAKLAND Susan Hull, Children Services Director Doug Williams, General Director OTHERS (See attached sign -in sheet) BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jim Ver Ploeg, Admin. Director Sheryl Mitchell, Sr. Analyst Helen Hanger, Sr. Com. Coordinator APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Scott moved app roval of the minutes of September 24 , 2012 as printed. Supported by Quarles. Motion carried on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Matis moved approval of the agenda. Supported by Gosselin. Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT The following individuals spoke in support of proposed MR #12208: David Lanier, Pauline Holeton, John Holeton, Burke Queny, Dan Johnson, Dennis Marburger, Bill Sage, Don Volavic, Darrell Johnson, Shane Trejo. 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 October 8, 2012 AGENDA ITEMS 1. MR #12208 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LIBERTY AND HB 5768 The resolution was postponed at the previous meeting of September 24, 2012. The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Runestad to state that the Board of Commissioners condemns in no uncertain terms Sections 1021 and 1022 of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, 2011 (“2012 NDAA”) for Fiscal Year 2012. The resolution indicates that Sections 1021 and 1022 allow for policing by the United States Armed Forces to include the detainment of U.S. citizens and lawful resident aliens indefinitely without charge or trial, military tribunals and transfer to foreign jurisdictions in violation of the rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The resolution further indicates that there are inconsisten cies between Sections 1021 and 1022 as well in regards to these authorizations of law. Commissioner Matis explained to the committee that he had worked with Commissioner Runestad to propose amendments that included deleting the reference to House Bill 5768 in the title, as it was not referenced elsewhere in the resolution, deleting references to Sections 1022 of the NDAA and striking and inserting language throughout the resolution as provided to the committee for their consideration. Gosselin moved to report to recommend approval of the suggested resolution. Supported by Matis. Matis moved to report to amend the resolution. Supported by Hoffman. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Nash absent . Main motion, as amended, car ried unanimously on a roll call vote with Nash absent . 2. MR #12216 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – RODENT ABOLITION AND TERMINATION (RAT) PROGRAM FOR OAKLAND COUNTY COMMUNITIES The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Woodward to establish a Rodent Abo lition and Termination Program, Fund and Disbursement Policy to assist communities with rodent elimination and education programs. Gershenson moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Quarles. Commissione r Woodward presented his request, acknowledging that education and code enforcement were necessary, along with a coordinated response between the county and the local municipalities to address the rodent population. Mr. Miller indicated that at this time the Administration does not support establishing a fund to address this problem. He distributed prevention information and materials, including a sample survey, and explained that no community had approached his office on this matter and it is currently not a public health issu e. Rats will always come back so on-going education and prevention will be ramped up to deal with the increased problem. He has talked to the Royal Oak City Manager and the Downtown Development Authority is aware that they need to step up trash collection and ordinance enforcemen t. The County’s sanitarians visit restaurants two times each GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 October 8, 2012 year and if evidence of rodents is found it is reported to both the City and the County. Health Division staff currently go to senior centers to do presentations because they realize that not everyone goes on line to view information. D evelopment of a comprehensive management program would begin with a survey and code enforcement would be used to target areas. The survey could be performed in the spring using students or college interns . Commissioner Long suggested that neighborhood public forums be held and preventative information on control be distributed before the county considers funding anything additional. Commissioner Matis also suggested that communities be asked to use their existing resources such as newsletters and cable shows to further disseminate information and enhance public education. Commissioner Woodward stated that he would encourage the local units to work with the Health Division and put together a plan for best practices. He asked what the time line would be . Mr. Miller indicated that he would move forward and within the next 90 days contact the communities to develop a survey and contact the universities to obta in students who could perform the spring survey. In the meantime, e ducational efforts will be ongoing. The committee will receive copies of any communications to the communities and Mr. Miller will report back as the program progresses. Gershenson withdrew her motion. Quarles withdrew her support. 3. MR #12252 – RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PATHWAYS TO POTENTIAL (P 2P) CUSTOMER CENTERED SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL FOR THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS) Commissioner Taub sponsored the resolution in support of the Michigan Department of Human Services Pathways to Potential Customer Centered Service Delivery Model and its implementation in the Pontiac School District as of July, 2012. Mr. Williams explained that this is a unique program in response to the Governor’s concerns about truancy as a predictor of community health . Michigan has four of the top ten violent crime cities in the country – Detroit, Flint, Pontiac and Saginaw. If kids are in school they will learn to become solid citizens and school attendance is critical to academic success. Those that are not in school are likely to engage in activities that create criminal behavior. The Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS) is partnering w ith Pontiac schools in establishing school-based Family Resource Centers (FRC) to help families move forward in removing barriers that prevent kids from going to and staying in school. In the past the roll of the MDHS was maintenance - to provide food assistance, Medicaid, Bridge cards, rent to avoid eviction, etc. to eligible recipients who would not come back until they needed further assistance. This program will engage the entire family and stick with you to build a way out of poverty, to help eliminate the barriers to keeping kids in school and to make sure that you understand that the law requires children ages 5-18 to attend school. MDHS has supplied three prevention workers to assist with the program . They will also help with finding and getting the kids to school. The model will ens ure the FRCs are located where families need them the most. P rogram partners and supporters include other human service agencies, the Emergency Manager, the Mayor, the County’s Health Division through its public health nurses and Circuit Court through Judge Mester and the Youth Assistance program, which is working with the truancy officer. The FRCs will also provide access to counseling services and will support GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 October 8, 2012 neighborhood development. MDHS is working with the Legislature to get dilapidated homes removed and with the Sheriff to identify high crime areas. Response to the program so far has been positive . Empirical evidence supports the program. Kent County has had a similar program in place for some time in Grand Rapids. Its Sibley Elementary School had one of the highest truancy rates in the City and now has the highest attendance rate. MDHS is in the process of analyzing data and developing baselines and is working to expand the program to additional schools. MDHS has a memo of understanding with Pontiac Schools and will be included in biweekly administrative and team meetings. Administration of the district belongs to the Schools but MDHS is there to assist with its resources and recommendations. Commissioner Taub stated that MDHS will process applications for assistance and focus on absenteeism and truancy to support the school system. The Governor is pushing that people who really need help should get it but the State should not be a maintenance provider so the FRCs will include workforce development (WD) staff to assist parents with work and re -schooling issues. You will not be able to come in and get a check for assistance without h aving to spend 21 days in the FRC with WD staff to look at re-schooling and work opportunities. Ms. Hull explained that they were trying to remove prevention barriers and more can be done with this approach but MDHS is focusing on attendance and services to avoid child welfare. Commissioner Hatchett advised that she is a member of the school board and they are very excited about the program. They believe the program will make a difference because truancy is the start for those that end up in prison. The main responsibility to motivate children belongs to teachers and principals. Their responsibility is to present a curriculum for the child to be or feel successful and engaged. This program provides negative reinforcement as well - if your child does not come to school you do not get financial assistance. The Pontiac School system has lost staff and support positions due to its large deficit but there is a volunteer program coordinator and commissioners are welcome to contact that individual with offers to assist with tutoring, etc. Scott moved to report to recommend approval of the suggested resolution . Supported by Hoffman. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Nash absent . COMMUNICATIONS A. Oakland County Library Board Minutes – 8/28/12 B. MI Dept. of Human Services-Oakland County Board Minutes – 7/24/12 Matis moved to receive and file the communications. Supp orted 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 11:30 a.m. ______________________________ __________________________________ Helen A. Hanger Jim Ver Ploeg GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5 October 8, 2012 Sr. Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.