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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2013.09.09 - 36745CHRISTINE LONG Chairperson KATHY CRAWFORD Vice Chairperson MARCIA GERSHENSON Minority Vice Chairperson September 9, 2013 Chairperson Long called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 9:30 a.m. in the 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, Michael Spisz, Nancy Quarles. COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Mattie Hatchett. OTHERS PRESENT : HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES George Miller, Director OLHSA Ron Borngesser, Chief Executive Officer MICHIGAN STOP SMART METERS David Sheldon OTHERS Ronald Stokes Lillian Cusumano Dominic Cusumano Andrew Nehra John Holton Pauline Holton Anna Janek David Lonier Gary Jolley MI DEPT. OF HUMAN SERVICES -OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD Grenae Dudley Sherrie Ross BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jim Ver Ploeg, Administrative Director Sheryl Mi tchell, Sr. Analyst Helen Hanger, Sr. Committee Coordinator PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Long led the Pledge of Allegiance. OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, BLDG 12E, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0475 Telephone (248) 858 -0100 FAX (248) 858-1572 GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Bob Gosselin Jeff Matis Bob Hoffman Michael Spisz Mattie Hatchett Nancy Quarles GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 2 September 9, 2013 APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Spisz moved approval of the minutes of August 19, 2013 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 Quarles. Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT The following individuals spoke in support of MR #13229: David Lonier, John Holton, Pauline Holton, Andrew Nera, David Sheldon, Lillian Cusumano, Dominic Cusumano, Ronald Stokes. REGULAR AGENDA 1. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES – OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD INTERVIEWS Dr. Grenae Dudley was interviewed for re -appointment to the Michigan Department of Human Services – Oakland County Board. Spisz moved to report to recommend appointment of Dr. Gr enae Dudley for a three -year term of November 1, 2013 – October 31, 2016. Supported by Gershenson . Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 2. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR THE 2013 SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN SUMMIT The resolution supports the November 2013 Southeast Michigan Summit to be held in Washtenaw County with City of Detroit Council members and Wayne, Macomb, St. Clair and Washtenaw County Commissioners. This event was first held in 1998, again in 1999 and annually since 2006 with participants rotating hosting responsibilities. The Summit is a joint effort to identify common regional issues and pursue cooperative action. Past topics have included mental health, criminal justice, transportation, infrastructure, envi ronmental and quality of life issues. Spisz moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Crawford. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 3. MR #13230 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS- DECLARING OCTOBER 2013 AS ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH IN OAKLAND COUNTY The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Taub to proclaim October as National Arts and Humanities Month in Oakland County. The resolution calls upon Oakland County citizens to celebrate and promote the arts and culture in our nation and to specifically encourage greater participation in their communities. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 September 9, 2013 Commissioner Taub indicated that each person who participates in cultural programs, including sports events, spends an additional $24.00 dollars that impacts the economy. Hoffman moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Crawford. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 4. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – CANVASSING BOARD APPOINTMENTS The Oakland County Canvassing Board consists of four members, two from each political party casting the greatest number of votes for secretary of state at the preceding general November election in Oakland County – the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. The appointment of two members, one from each party, will expire October 31, 2013. The statute requires that both political parties submit the names of three interested persons to the County Clerk. Letters from both parties have been received. These appointments must be considered by the Board of Commissioners within 10 days of its annual meeting which will be held on September 19, 2013. Matis moved to report to recommend that Wilma Cotton, representing the Republican Party, and Gloria Haristen -Spann, representing the Democratic Party, be appointed for a 4 -year term of November 1, 2013 – October 31, 2017 . Supported by Gershenson. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. 5. MR #13229 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – OPPOSITION TO FEES APPROVED BY THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FOR CUSTOMERS WHO WISH TO OPT-OUT OF THE SMART METER OR ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Quarles to express oppo sition to the opt-out fees approved for DTE’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Michigan as unfair and excessive. Commissioner Quarles stated that this was both a cost and a health issue. A Michigan Public Services Commission (MPSC) ruling in this matt er required DTE to do an education program and provide public awareness before the meters were installed so that constituents can make an educated choice. Consumers Power has provided a more palatable education program. Commissioner Gershenson stated tha t she was appalled by DTE’s handling of th e program and disappointed that no one from DTE was here today. Commissioner Crawford indicated that she would not be supporting this resolution as this was a non-binding resolution on a matter that was being ha ndled at the state level. Commissioners were not provided with the information that the state was given on the issue and do not have the power to effect a change. Citizens need to share their concerns with those at the State level including the Attorney General. This action would be more powerful because that is the level where the process is occurring. Commissioner Gosselin stated that the commissioners have the power to provide input on this issue. There was a tremendous cost to implement this progra m but DTE did not tell anyone about it and should have been more forthright and provided people with choices. Commissioner Matis indicated that he shared Commissioner Crawford’s position on non -binding resolutions in general and the time has to come to d iscuss how to deal with them. However, at this GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 September 9, 2013 moment they are not prohibited and he is in agreement with Commissioner Gosselin. Commissioner Gershenson stated that this issue impacts Oakland County’s citizens and it is important for them to have brought this to our attention and to respond. Commissioners do not have the ultimate power in making a decision but can send a message. Commissioner Gosselin asked if there was a reduction in costs because they do not have to send out manpower. Mr. Holton indicated that the cost reduction in manpower wa s supposed to be formulated into the process but testimony indicates they used the number of meters installed against those that want to opt out. Quarles moved to report to recommend approval of the attached s uggested resolution. Supported by Hoffman. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. COMMUNICATIONS A. Health and Human Services – Health Division 2013-2014 Great Parents, Great Start – Oakland Grant Application Spisz moved to receive and file the communication. Supported by Matis. Motion carried on a voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Gershenson reminded commissioners that she had tickets for the Tuskegee Airmens’ Fundraiser dinner on October 18. There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:19 a.m. ______________________________ ________________________________ Helen A. Hanger Jim Ver Ploeg Sr. Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.