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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2016.02.08 - 36953CHRISTINE LONG Chairperson SHELLEY TAUB Vice Chairperson MARCIA GERSHENSON Minority Vice Chairperson February 8, 2016 Chairperson Long called the meeting of the General Government Committee to order at 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room A of the Commissioners’ Auditorium Wing, County Service Center in Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT : Christine Long, Shelley Taub, Marcia Gershenson, Bob Gosselin, Bob Hoffman , Wade Fleming, Adam Kochenderfer, David Woodward, Nancy Quarles COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: None OTHERS PRESENT : COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Willie Brooks, Executive Director ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & COM M. AFFAIRS Kathy Williams, Housing Counsel Supervisor HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Rachel Shymkiw, Administrator OLHSA Ron Borngesser, CEO STATE OF MICHIGAN Mike McCready, State Rep, District 40 TREASURER’S OFFICE Andy Meisner, Treasurer BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Helaine Zack, Commissioner , District 18 Jim VerPloeg, Administrative Director Chris Ward, Senior Analyst Connie Srogi, Analyst Tracy Stolzenfeld, Committee Coordinator PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Long led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Fleming moved approval of the minutes of January 25, 2016, as printed. Supported by Taub. Motion carried on a voice vote. 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 -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 Bob Hoffman Wade Fleming Adam Kochenderfer David Woodward Nancy Quarles GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 2 February 8, 2016 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chairperson Long suggested mo ving up Item 5, Appointments to the Friend of the Court – Citizens Advisory Committee , to allow the meeting with Holly Workman to be first on the agenda. There were no objections. Taub moved approval of the agenda, as amended. Supported by Gosselin. Motion carried on a voice vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Brooks commented that the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority board has been functioning well. REGULAR AGENDA 5. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – APPOINTMENTS TO THE FRIEND OF THE COURT – CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Friend of the Court - Citizens Advisory Committee (FOC-CAC) candidate that was interviewed last year, Holly Workman, was available for questions. Current FOC-CAC member Jennifer Greig is now eligible for the Custodial Parent seat, which is vacant. Designating Ms. Greig as Custodial Parent would then leave the General Public seat open. A brief discussion followed. Taub moved to report to recommend that Jennifer Greig be designated as the Friend of the Court - Citizens Advisory Comm ittee, Custodial Parent, and that Holly Workman be appointed to the Friend of the Court - Citizens Advisory Committee, General Public, for the remainder of the three-year term of July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2017. Supported by Woodward. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote . 1. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/HEALTH DIVISION – DELTA DENTAL FOUNDATION 2015 BRIGHTER FUTURES GRANT ACCEPTANCE The Health Division is requesting approval of the grant from the Delta Dental Foundation. The grant award is $3,000 for the grant period of December 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016 . The funding will be used to develop and implement an educational campaign between overall physical health and oral health. General health will be promoted to parents , along with the importance of regular dentist visits for c hildren. The ad campaign is target ed to low income families on Medicaid . The material for advertisements is currently being developed. Taub moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolu tion. Supported by Hoffman. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote . GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 3 February 8, 2016 2. MR #16012 - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND CALL FOR LEGISLATION AMENDING PA 269 OF 2015 The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Zack to show support for amending recently passed legislation which limits speaking out about different ballot issues. Mr. Ward distributed a copy of the most recent revision that was presented to the legislature last week, “Substitute for House Bill No. 5219.” Changes were made to the Bill to amend 1976 PA 388 by amending Section 57, as amended by 2015 PS 269. Other revisions to th is ‘gag order’ Bill currently exist. State Representative McCready was present to answer questions from the Committee members. The law is being challenged as possibly limiting the First Amendment rights regarding freedom of speech. The origin of the law and reduced transparency was briefly discussed. Commissioner Kochenderfer suggested that the resolution contain the word “unbiased” information when referring to distributed materials. Gershenson moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Taub. Kochenderfer moved to amend the resolution as foll ows: “NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED t hat the Oakland County Board of Commissioners calls upon the Michigan Legislature to adopt legislation without delay to reconsider and amend PA 269 of 2015 to correct any limitation on the free speech rights of local off icials to express their views on public issues and to eliminate barriers on local governments and officials to distribute factual, unbiased information and educational materials” Supported by Gosselin. Motion to amend carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3. MR #16014 - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – DESIGNATION OF FEBRUARY 2016 AS AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN OAKLAND COUNTY The adoption of the resolution brought by Commissioner Quarles will recognize February 2016 as the designated African American History Month in Oakland County. Quarles moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Fleming. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vot e. 4. MR #16016 - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – SUPPORT OF THE HARDEST HIT FUND (HHT) PROGRAM STEP FORWARD MICHIGAN HOMEOWNER PROGRAM The resolution was introduced by Commissioner Taub to support allocating grant funds towards continuing programs for Michigan homeowners . Current programs need funding to continue aid to Michigan residents struggling with their mortgage payments and property taxes. Ms. Williams gave a brief history of the housing assistance program. Michigan will be receiving additional funding this year. The media has suggested that the monies will be used toward blight elimination, particularly in Detroit. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 4 February 8, 2016 The additional funds are needed to continue the Step Forward Michigan program. Treasurer Meisner commented on the mortgage foreclosu re issue and how the Treasurer’s Office has contributed to assisting the taxpayers. The taxpayer assistance teams have counseled 9,000 residents. Commissioner Woodward suggested that the resolution contain specific numbers. Commissioner Taub stated that upon approval when the resolution is sent to the State, a letter with the dollar amounts will accompany the resolution. A brief discussion was held. Treasurer Meisner announced that a series of events will be held to provide free help with tax preparation through Accounting Aid Society as a result of a grant . The location and dates will be provided to the Committee. Taub moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Quarles. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 6. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – APPOINTMENTS TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY The four incumbents of the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) have re-applied. Chairperson Long stated the expiration of these positions is March 31, 2016, and there is time to have all four incumbents attend a meeting prior to posting openings. An attempt to reach Bettye Arrington, OCCMHA board chairperson, was made to invite her to an upcoming meeting . Ms. Arrington has been a long -time board member and may be able to give some history and insight regarding the OCCMHA board’s status to the Committee. Commissioners Taub and Woodward commented on the reduced funding coming to OCCMHA. Chairperson Long suggested placing this item on the next agenda. There were no objections. 7. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – 2016 APPOINTMENTS MEMO The 2016 Appointments Memo lists that the Friend of the Court – Citizen Advisory Committee, Family Law Practice Attorney , Henry Gornbein, will reach his two-term limit at the end of June. Commissioner Gershenson requested posting the upcoming vacancy. Chairperson Long stated that the vacancy will be posted to determine whether any applications will be received. There were no objections. COMMUNICATIONS A. Oakland County Senior Advisory Council Minutes, November 16, 2015 B. Friend of the Court - Citizens Advisory Committee Report of Activities 2015 C. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Public Notice dated January 29, 2016, regarding revised 2016 Meeting Schedule Gershenson moved to receive and file the Communication s. Supported by Taub. Motion carried on a voice vote. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Page 5 February 8, 2016 OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Gershenson announced that donations will be collected for Flint residents during the beginning of March. The following items are being sought: hand sanitizer, diapers , baby wipes and baby food (requiring no water). Details will be shared with the commissioners when final. There being no other business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:48 a.m. ______________________________ ________________________________ Tracy Stolzenfeld Jim VerPloeg Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committe e approval.