HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2014.05.05 - 36809
CHRISTINE LONG
Chairperson
KATHY CRAWFORD
Vice Chairperson
MARCIA GERSHENSON
Minority Vice Chairperson
May 5, 2014
Chairperson Long called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 9:31 a.m. in
the Commissioners’ Committee Room A, County Service Center in Pontiac, Michigan.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT :
Christine Long, Kathy Crawford , Bob Gosselin, J eff Matis, Bob Hoffman, Michael Spisz, Mattie
Hatchett, Nancy Quarles.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE:
Marcia Gershenson.
OTHERS PRESENT :
CIRCUIT COURT – FRIEND OF THE COURT Peter Dever, Chief Assistant
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES George Miller, Director
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jim VerPloeg, Administrative Director
Sheryl Mi tchell, Sr. Analyst
Chris Ward, Sr. Analyst
Tracy Stolzenfeld, Committee Coordinator
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairperson Long led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
Spisz moved approval of the minutes of April 21, 2014, as printed. Supported by Quarles.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Spisz moved approval of the agenda as printed. Supported by Crawford.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim VerPloeg announced that today was the last day for Health Screening at the Auditorium. The
screenings will take place throughout the day.
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
May 5, 2014 Minutes
REGULAR AGENDA
1. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – APPOINTMENT TO THE FRIEND OF THE COURT –
CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL
A discussion was held regarding the Friend of the Court - Citizens Advisory Council Non -Custodial
Parent candidate , Brian Jones, who applied for re-appointment. This seat, along with a Custodial
Parent seat and two General Public seats, expires on June 30, 2014.
Spisz moved to report to reco mmend to re-appoint Brian Jones as Friend of the Court -
Citizens Advisory Council Non-Custodial Parent for a three-year term of July 1, 2014 to
June 30, 2017. Supported by Matis.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson and Hatche tt absent.
The Friend of the Court - Citizens Advisory Council interviews were conducted for the two General
Public seats expiring June 30, 2014, as follows: Jennifer Greig, Derinda Roberts and Kim Milner.
Patti Reitz, who qualified for either the General Public or Custodial Parent seat, was also
interviewed.
2. MR #14083 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – OAKLAND COUNTY CLERK/REGISTER
OF DEEDS VITAL RECORDS FEE STUDY
This resolution was brought by Commissioner s Spisz and Hatchett regarding a study to be done for
the Clerk/Register of Deeds on vital records fees and costs associated with obtaining and producing
certified copies. The Clerk/Register of Deeds and the Management and Budget office will
investigate the costs to determine if any fee adjustment can be made. The County Clerk was
queried at the last meeting as to the makeup of current fees. The response given was that the
Board of Commissioners approves and ultimately sets the fees. Recommendations from the study
are to be made to this Committee within 60 days.
Spisz moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution.
Supported by Hatchett.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson absent.
1. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – APPOINTMENT TO THE FRIEND OF THE COU RT –
CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL (Continued)
The interview of the final candidate, Ben Vineburg, concluded the interviews and a brief discussion
followed.
Spisz moved to report to recommend that Patti Reitz be appointed to the Friend of the Court
- Citizens Advisory Council Custodial Parent for a three -year term of July 1, 2014 to June
30, 2017. Supported by Matis.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson absent .
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3
May 5, 2014 Minutes
Hoffman moved to report to recommend that Derinda Roberts and Jennifer Greig be
appointed to the Friend of the Court - Citizens Advisory Council General Public for a three-
year term of July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2017. Supported by Gosselin.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Gershenson absent.
3. MR #14086 - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION
GRANTING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY SEVERELY
DETERIORATED ROADS
An article entitled “Traffic-Tax Proposal a Good Idea” from Crain’s Detroit Business dated
September 13, 2010, was distributed to the Committee. This resolution was introduced by
Commissioners Quarles and Bosnic. The intent of the resolution is to urge the state legislature to
look at granting tax relief to the businesses experiencing losses due to severely deteriora ted roads.
Upon adoption of this resolution, it will be forwarded on so that legislation may be drafted. The tax
relief is sought for the current year. Commissioner Quarles researched other forms of tax relief and
realized there is a property tax relief formula that is being utilized in a bill sponsored by
Representative Haines f or businesses located near road construction that have suffered losses.
Commissioner Quarles also mentioned a similar situation in Lansing where a bill was passed two
weeks ago that gives relief to businesses experiencing losses because of deteriorating roads. This
resolution was designed to send the message that affected businesses need financial assistance .
Quarles moved to report to recommend approval of the attached sugges ted resolution.
Supported by Matis.
Quarles moved to report to amend the resolution as follows:
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
directs the Oakland County legislative lobbyists to work with the Oakland County
delegation to the Michigan legislature to develop a strategy for the introduction, drafting
and passage of this legislation .”
Supported by Hoffman.
Motion to amend the resolution carried on a voice vote with Gershenson absent.
Quarles moved to add the word “proposed” to the resolution as follows:
“the introduction, drafting and passage of this proposed legislation.”
Supported by Matis.
Motion to amend the resolution carried on a voice vote with Gershenson absent and
Hatchett dissenting.
Main motion, as amended, carried on a roll call vote with Gershenson absent and Crawford
and Spisz dissenting.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4
May 5, 2014 Minutes
COMMUNICATIONS
A. Senior Advisory Council, March 31, 2014 Minutes
B. Area Agency on Aging 1-B, March 28, 2014 Minutes
Spisz 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 11:20
a.m.
______________________________ ________________________________
Tracy Stolzenfeld Jim VerPloeg
Committee Coordinator Administrative Director
NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.