HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1960.01.18 - 7721115
OAKLAND COUNTY
Board Of Supervisors
MEETiNG
January. 18, 1960
Meeting called to order by Chairman Delos Hamlin.
invocation given by Reverend Edmund. F. Caes, Jr. of the Baptist Church, Wixom.
Roll Called: Allerton, Alward, Archambault, Bender, Bonner, Brickner, Calhoun, Carden, Carey, Charteris,
Che:..z, Christensen, Clack, Clark, Croteau, Cummings, Davis, Dickens, tohany, J. W. Duncan, R. Duncan, Elliott,
Ftuts, Frid, Hall, Hamlin, Heacock, Hildebrandt, Hill, Hoard, Hocking, Holmes, Horton, Huber, Hudson, Hulet,
Hurslall, Ingraham, Johnson, Kephart, Knowles, Lahti, Levinson, Love, Majer, McCartney, McGovern, McPherson,
Melchert, Menzies, Clarence Miller, Cyril Miller, Mitchell, O'Donoghue, Oldenburg, 011ar, Potter, Remer, Rhinevault,
Semann, Sinclair, Smith, Solley, Staman, Stevens, Taylor, Tiley, Tinsman, Veil, Webber, Yockey. (73)
Quorum Present
Moved by Ingraham supported by They the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as printed.
Mr. Frid addressed the Board relative to the salaries of the Circuit Judges, and Rule XVII of the Board.
Vote on approval of minutes:
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Moved by Veil supported by Carey the Journal for the September Session be approved and closed and the
September Session stand adjourned sine die.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Daniel T. Murphy, Jr. Delos Hamlin
Clerk Chairman
January 18, 1960
Meeting called to order by Chairman Delos Hamlin.
Clerk read appointment of the following supervisors:
Pontiac City: Philip E. Rowston (replaces Robert R. Boyer), Edward C. Bloe (replaces
W. Ray Ransom)
Royal Oak City: Harry W. Horton, William C. Hudson, John B. Osgood, Harold Remer, Curtis
Potter, Bruce W. Love
West Bloomfield Township: John C. Rehard (replaces Hiland M. Thatcher)
Roll Called: Allerton, Alward, Archambault, Bender, Bloe, Bonner, Brickner, Calhoun, Cardon, Carey,
Charteris, Cheyz, Christensen, Clack, Clark, Croteau, Cummings, Davis, Dickens, Dohany, J. W. Duncan, R. Duncan,
Elliott, Ewart, Fouts, Frid, Hall, Hamlin, Heacock, Hildebrandt, Hill, Hoard, Hocking, Holmes, Horton, Huber,
Hudson, Hulet, Hursfall, Ingraham, Johnson, Kephart, Knowles, Lahti, Levinson, Love, Majer, McCartney, McGovern,
McPherson, Melchert, Menzies, Clarence Miller, Cyril Miller, Mitchell, O'Donoghue, Oldenburg, °liar, Potter,
Rehard, Remer, Rhinevault, Rowston, Schock, Semann, Sinclair, Smith, Solley, Staman, Stevens, Taylor, Tiley,
Tinsman, Voll, Webber, Yockey. (76)
Quorum Present
Mr. Daniel T. Murphy, Jr., County Clerk and Register of Deeds, presented the following report:
Members of the Board of Supervisors
Oakland County, Michigan
IN RE: REPORT ON COMBINATION OF THE CLERK-REGISTER'S OFFICE FOR 1959
Ladies and Gentlemen:
December 31, 1959 ended the first full year of administration of the County Clerk's Office and Register
Of Deeds Office as a combined operation.
This is in the nature of a report by the elected official of this office to the Board of Supervisors. It
is a full-time job, and then some. I will endeavor to make my remarks constructive and brief.
First, I feel, for one year of combined office operation, there have been definite advantages growing
out of the combination. It will, in my opinion, be four or five years before the full and complete administrative
advantages can be realized.
Change in procedure of many facets of the Clerk's Office will be necessary for a more efficient operation.
(The Register's Office has, in the past four years, made some administrative and mechanical changes which have
resulted in space savings, e.g. microfilm installation). As an example, in the Clerk's Office at the present
time, we are changing from a jacket type filing of legal cases to a flat filing system, giving us one-third more
filing space and saving considerable time in the research and filing of the cases.
Another change we are making in the Clerk's Office at this time, is an indexing of the births, deaths
and marriages, changing this system from the book calendar type to a card index system. This also makes for a
faster and more readily available record. We have also initiated in the Clerk's Office, a Central Cashier system
which gives a closer security of the monies received.
JANUARY SESSION JANUARY SESSION
116
Supervisors Minutes Continued_ January . 18, 1960
These changes may not seem too important but a look at the budget of most of the County offices would
indicate that approximately three-quarters of the budget is in the salaries operation. Therefore, any changes
na6e in equipment or system that makes available a faster method of obtaining the end result naturally means
available time for employees for other work. Therefore, any major savings in County administrative offices
made in the salaries section of the budget.
The total money cUsbursed for the operation of the Register of Deeds and County Clerk as separate offices
i?! 1957 was $230,069. la the total money expended for the operation of the County Clerk and Register of
Dceds office as sepai ate z:faices was $231,319. The combined budget for the County Clerk and Register of Deeds
Office for 1959 was L7, The approximate cost of the operation of the combined office for 1959 will be plus
or minus a few dollaT-a $221,000,410,000 less than either 1957 or 1958.
This, howe‘er, is not the complete saving. To this figure must be added the salary of one elected
official at approximately $11,250 had not the two offices been combined, which makes a grand total of approximately
$21,000, this amount being the saving in the first year as combined offices. The major portion of the operational
saving has been in salaries. The ability of the Department Head to move employees from one department to another
or from one station to another during peak load periods, has been a definite advantage and has made it unnecessary
to ask for additional personnel during these peak periods.
The use of microfilm, which has been very little during 1959 in the Clerk's Office, has meant a saving
of $1,000. This saving has been made in a period when the cost of materials and the cost of operation has been
continually climbing. Also, there has been an increased demand for service.
It will be necessary in the future, to purchase new equipment in order to continue to make savings.
Also, it must be mentioned that, without top supervisory help that understands the problems and who are capable
of analyzing the same, and expediently solve them, it would be impossible to think that the combination of the two
offices could be successful.
In conclusion, my opinion is that the combination of the County Clerk and Register of Deeds has been
successful in its first year of operation and, if properly administered, should show improvement in the next few
years, especially when the new Courthouse is completed and the combined operation is under one roof.
Daniel T. Murphy, Jr.
Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds
Clerk read card of thanks from the family of Ernest Erwin, former Ferndale City Supervisor. (Placed
on file.)
The Chairman made the following committee appointments:
BOUNDARIES - Thomas C. Tiley, Chairman, Hugh G. Allerton (replaces Arno L. Hulet)
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS - Robert J. Huber (replaces Harry W. Horton)
1NTER-COUNTY - Donald L. Swanson (replaces Hiland M. Thatcher), Maurice J. Croteau (replaces
Fred W. Smith)
JUVENILE - Bruce W. Love (replaces Maurice J. Croteau)
LEGISLATIVE - Cyril E. Miller (replaces Arno L. Hulet)
MISCELLANEOUS - Hugh Charteris (replaces Robert R. Boyer)
RETIREMENT - David Levinson (replaces Fred W. Smith)
ROADS - L. Curtis Potter (replaces Arno L. Hulet)
SALARIES - Virgil C. Knowles (replaces H. Lloyd Clawson)
VETERANS - John Archambault (replaces Robert R. Boyer),Abraham Brickner (replaces Richard L.
Castle)
WAYS AND MEANS - David Levinson, Chairman (replaces Fred W. Smith), Arno L. Hulet (replaces
Hiland M. Thatcher), Harry W. Horton (replaces Fred W. Smith)
SPECIAL COUNTY BUILDING - Duncan Gillis (replaces H. Lloyd Clawson)
AVIATION COMMITTEE (new) - Authorized at December 14, 1959 meeting of Board - Philip E.
Rowston, Chairman, Elmer R. Johnson, John L. Carey, John C. Rehard, John B. Osgood, Roy L.
Duncan, R. W. Lahti, Robert O. Felt ex officio member, J. Robert F. Swanson ex officio member
The appointments were approved by the Board.
Clerk read resignation of Hiland M. Thatcher as a member of the Oakland County Board of Public Works.
Moved by Elliott supported by Cyril Miller the resignation be accepted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
The Chairman recommended the appointment of Arno L. Mulct as a member of the Oakland County Board of
Public Works to fill the term expiring December 31, 1960.
Moved by Hudson supported by McPherson the appointment be approved.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Clerk read resolutions from the Cheboygan County Board of Supervisors protesting the killing of does
and fawns in Cheboygan County, and opposing the calling of a Constitutional Convention. (Placed on file.)
Letter read from Otis M. Smith, Auditor General, requesting that the county employ a firm of Certified
Public Accountants to audit the county records. (Referred to the Ways and Means Committee.)
Clerk presented a petition to annex land in Holly Township to Holly Village. Petitions were presented
opposing the annexation.
Moved by Tinsman supported by J. W. Duncan the petitions be referred to the Boundaries Committee and
that a public hearing be held in the affected area.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
117
Supervisors Minutes Continued. January 15, 1960
Misc. 3605
By Mr. Cardon
IN RE: AMENDMENT TO MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION 3596
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS on December 14, 1959, this Board adopted Miscellaneous Resolution No. 3596, and
WHEREAS Miscellaneous Resolution No. 3596 designated and assigned the various County departments the
responsibilities of the Civil Defense Program, and
WHEREAS no County department was assigned the responsibility for the maintenance and distribution of
water,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Miscellaneous Resolution No. 3596 be and the same is hereby amended
to include the service of water distribution and that the County Department of Public Works be delegated and
assigned the responsibility of water distribution as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
1. Water - Mission
The mission of the Department of Public Works is the production and distribution
of safe potable water in the following order of priority:
casualty and non-casualty sick, homeless people, disaster workers and people in
habitable buildings and other buildings. To use water for consumption and tank
trucks and other vehicles for transporting same only as approved by the Health
Department. Dairies and soft drink producers will supply potable water in paper
containers upon approval of the Health Department. This mission will require
close contact with the Health and Transportation Divisions.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Civil Defense Committee, 1 move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
CIVIL DEFENSE COMMITTEE
Charles E. Cardon, Chairman
Margaret E. Hill, Vance C. Fouts
Alex R. Solley, Marshall E. Taylor
Moved by Cardon supported by Fouts the resolution be adopted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted.
Misc. 3606
By Mr. Carden
IN RE: ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE FOR CIVIL DEFENSE RADIOLOGICAL PROGRAM
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS your Civil Defense Committee, at a meeting held on January 11, 1960, considered the need to
add to its staff a person capable of administering a County-wide radiological program, and
WHEREAS this matter should be referred to the Ways and Means Committee and Salaries Committee for
study and recommendation back to the Board,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the matter of adding a staff member to the Civil Defense Office for
the radiological program be referred to the Ways and Means and Salaries Committee for consideration and report
back to the Board at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Civil Defense Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
CIVIL DEFENSE COMMITTEE
Charles E. Cardon, Chairman
Margaret E. Hill, Vance C. Fouts
Alex R. Solley, Marshall E. Taylor
Moved by Cardon supported by Hill the resolution be adopted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Misc. 3607
By Mr. Hoard
IN RE: HUGO SCHERER DRAIN
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS Section 395 of Act No. 40 of Public Acts of 1956 as amended, provides that:
The county drain commissioner may relinquish jurisdiction and control to a township,
city or village of any county drainage district upon which there is no outstanding
indebtedness or contract liability and which is wholly located within the boundaries
of a township, city or village, and thereafter the county drain conmdssioner shall be
relieved of, and the township, city or village shall assume the maintenance, juris-
diction, control and operation thereof and its future operation shall be financed
in the same manner as is provided for special assessment districts within such town-
ship, city or village: Provided, that such proceeding shall have first been approved
by a majority of the members elect of the county board of supervisors and by the
resolution of the governing body of the township, city or village in which such drain
is located." and
WHEREAS the City of Ferndale has by resolution dated May 1, 1959, formally requested the Oakland County
Drain Commissioner to relinquish jurisdiction of the Hugo Scherer Drain to the City of Ferndale, and
WHEREAS the aforementioned Hugo Scherer Drain lies entirely within the territorial limits of the City
of Ferndale,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to the provisions of Section 395 of Act No. 40 of the Public
Acts of 1956, as amended, the County Drain Commissioner be and is hereby authorized to relinquish jurisdiction
to the City of Ferndale of the aforementioned Hugo Scherer Drain and the Drainage District thereof.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Drain Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
118
Supervisors Minutes Continued. January 16, 1960
DRAIN COMMITTEE
Mayon Hoard, Chairman
Wm. K. Smith, Marvin M. Alward, David R. Calhoun
Luther Heacock, Donald N. McPherson, Thomas O'Donoghue
Moved by Hoard supported by O'Donoghne the resolution be adopted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted.
Misc. 3608
By Mr. Semann
IN OC J±60 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR OAKLAND COUNTY
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Your Legislative Committee respectfully reports that since the last meeting of the Board on December
14, 1959, it has continued to give consideration to the County's 1960 Legislative Program, which your Committee
desires to keep at a minimum with a few major objectives.
Your Committee has reviewed the State Social Welfare Laws especially relative to the proposal to have
the present law amended so the State would assume a more equitable portion of general relief costs. The Board
has already approved a 50/50 matching basis between the State and County for sharing such costs. Your Legis-
lative Committee also recommends that a ceiling of 1 mill on the County's equalized valuation be placed on the
County's obligation for general relief costs, after which all payments for the year would be paid by the State.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Legislative Committee, I move as follows:
1. That the foregoing report be received and the recommendations therein made be approved as part of
the County's Legislative Program.
2. That the Corporation Counsel be instructed to draft the appropriate amendments or new laws to carry
out the foregoing recommendations.
3. That a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded by the County Clerk to each member of the
State Legislature representing Oakland County.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
John G. Semann, Chairman
William A. Ewart, Carl F. Ingraham
William C. Hudson, Cyril E. Miller
Moved by Semann supported by Ingraham the resolution be adopted.
Moved by Elliott supported by Ingraham the resolution be amended by deleting the portion relative to
the 1 mill ceiling for general relief.
Moved by Levinson supported by Carey the resolution be referred to the Ways and Means Committee for
study and report back to the Board.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Misc. 3609
By Mr. Semann
IN RE: 1960 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR OAKLAND COUNTY
To the Oak(and County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Your Legislative Committee reports that it has made a careful study of the number of city representa-
tives which would be allowed on this Board of Supervisors after the 1960 Federal Census becomes official if the
present formula (Act 262, P. A. 1955) were to be continued. It is the recommendation of the Committee that as
far as possible the present number of supervisors should be continued on the County Board.
Population estimates prepared by the Detroit Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Commission were used
in making forecasts of what the 1960 Federal Census may show for each of the 22 cities.
Approval of the following formula as an addition to the County's Legislative Program for supervisor
representation is recommended:
Less than - 7,500 - 1
7,501 - 15,000 - 2
15,001 - 22,500 - 3
22,501 - 32,500 - 4
32,501 - 50,000 - 5
50,001 - 75,000 - 6
Plus 1 for each additional 25,000 or fraction thereof.
It is anticipated that under this formula, there would be 85 members on the Board to represent the
present 24 townships and 22 cities -- an increase of 2 members over the present 83 -- with the Cities of Royal
Oak and Southfield each gaining 1 new member.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Legislative Committee, I move as follows:
1. That the foregoing report be received and the recommendations therein made be approved as part of
the County's 1960 Legislative Program.
2. That the Corporation Counsel be instructed to draft the appropriate amendments or new laws to carry
out the foregoing recommendations.
3. That a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded by the County Clerk to each member of the State
Legislature representing Oakland County.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
John G. Semann, Chairman
William A. Ewart, Carl F. Ingraham
William C. Hudson, Cyril E. Miller
Moved by Semann supported by Ingraham the resolution be adopted.
119
Supervisors Minutes Continued. January 1E, 1960
Discussion followed.
AYES: Allerton, Archambault, Bender, Bloc, Calhoun, Carey, Chartoris, Christensen, Clack, Clark,
Dohany, Ewart, Frid, Hamlin, Heacock, Hildebrandt, Holmes, Horton, Hulet, Ingraham, Kephart, Levinson, Love,
McCartney, McGovern, Cyril Miller, Mitchell, Oldenburg, Potter, Rehard, Remer, Rhinevault, Rowston, Schock,
Semann, Solleya Stevens, Tinsman, Veil, Webber, Yockey. (41)
NAY: Alward, Bonner, Briokner, Cardon, Cheyz, Croteau, Cummings, Davis, Dickens, J. W. Duncan,
R. Duncan, Elliott, Fouts, Hall, Hill, Hoard, Hocking, Huber, Hursfall, Johnson, Lahti, Majer, McPherson,
Meichert, Menzies, Clarence Miller, O'Donoghue, Sinclair, Smith, Staman, Taylor, Tiley. (32)
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted.
Misc. 3610
By Mr, Levinson
IN RE: TRANSFER OF RETIRANT RIGHTS - HEALTH DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS t he County Department of Health, as a part of the overall County Health Program, has taken
over certain health functions formerly carried on by the City of Ferndale, and
WHEREAS both the County Retirement Commission and the City Commission of the City of Ferndale are of
the opinion that equity demands that the retirant rights of these employees earned under the City Retirement
System should in no wise be prejudiced by such transfer, and
WHEREAS the City of Ferndale has expressed its willingness to pay the accrued liability for the employer
share of such retirant rights and said employees have agreed to pay the amount of their accumulated employee
contributions together with accrued interest earned into the funds of the Oakland County Employees' Retirement
System to the end that the accrued retirement rights of such employees would be at no cost to the County;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Employees' Retirement Commission be and hereby
is authorized, upon the payment of the sums above mentioned, to accept such sums of money and to credit on the
rolls of the County Retirement System the time earned under the City of Ferndale Retirement System in the same
manner and effect as if this time were earned in County employment;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall in no wise be construed as an amendment to any pro-
vision of the resolution establishing Oakland County Employees Retirement System as amended.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Oakland County Employees' Retirement Commission and the Retirement
Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
RETIREMENT COMMITTEE
Delos Hamlin, Chairman
David Levinson
Moved by Levinson supported by 0/Donoghue the resolution be adopted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted.
Misc. 3611
By Mr. Levinson
IN RE: APPROVAL OF OFFICIALS' BONDS
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The County Board of Auditors reports to your Ways and Means Committee that it has checked the Fidelity
and Faithful Performance Bonds of the several officials appointed by this Board who are required to be bonded and
whose terms of office commenced on January 1, 1960.-
The bonded amount of each official conforms with the amounts established by the Board of Supervisors
by the adoption of Miscellaneous Resolution No. 2469 on February 25, 1949.
The Auditors' report that the following bonds have been placed on file:
NAME OF OFFICIAL OFFICE TERM AMOUNT OF BOND NAME OF BONDING COMPANY WHERE FILED
John C. Austin County Auditor 3 Yrs. $5,000 Standard Accident Insurance Company
Bond No. B83876. Filed in County
Clerk's Office
Hiland M. Thatcher Road Commissioner 3 Yrs. $5,000 Fidelity Deposit Co. of Maryland.
Bond No. 7428736. Filed in County
Treasurer's Office
John A. Macdonald Social Welfare 3 Yrs. $5,000 Standard Accident Insurance Co.
Commissioner Bond No. B83877. Filed in Board of
Auditors Office
The Board of Auditors further report that the above listed bonds have been approved by a Circuit Judge,
subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors at its first meeting in the year 1960 as required by the
provisions of Section 45.351 of the Compiled Laws of 1948,
Nn. Chairman, on behalf of the Ways and Means Committee, I move that this Board approve the Fidelity
and Faithful Performance Bonds as listed in the foregoing report.
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
David Levinson, Chairman
R. C. Cummings, Orph C. Holmes, Frank J. Voll, Sr.
John L. Carey, Arno L. Hulet, Harry W. Horton
Moved by Levinson supported by Yockey the report be adopted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Misc. 3612
By Mr. Levinson
IN RE: TRANSFER OF FUNDS
120
Supervisors Minutes Continued. January 18, 1900
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
When your Ways and Means Committee began consideration of the 1959 final budget near the end of the
78, we were faced with the very good possibility of an operating deficit of more than a half million
Although our normal relief load is around 1200 cases, we had more than 3000 in each of the last three
C 1958. This load continued to rise early in 1959 to over 3300 cases in March, and the picture of
r,lief appeared to be very bad. We were facing what could be a very desperate situation. However, later
the year 1959, and even when there were still prospects of a prolonged steel strike, we were very sur-
pi;:-.ed to find that the general relief load began to drop. During the last six months of 1959, expenditures ran
over $450,000 less against the same period for 1958.
A similar picture prevailed with respect to hospitalization costs. Although there had been an average
increase of 10% in the per diem rate paid in 1959 over 1958 rate accounts, there was a saving of over $60,000
during the last six months of 1959 as compared with the last six months of 1958. Had the relief load continued
in 1959 at the same rate as it did in the last six months of 1958, we would now be facing a deficit instead of
a surplus.
In addition to these factors, the Board, as a part of the austerity program, curtailed the number of
new employees and followed through with other economies during the budget year. We had a complete review of
the welfare cases with the cooperation and assistance of the County Welfare Board and Welfare Committee, which
also had the effect of lightening the welfare load. This has brought about a generally improved picture with
respect to non-tax receipt collections and will permit the County to meet certain obligations previously incurred.
You will recall that certain funds were borrowed during the year 1959 from other funds as follows:
From Building Fund for Road Construction $ 20,000.00
From Indigent Housing 150,000.00
From Parking Lot Fund 14,000.00
From Royal Oak Market Fund 5,000.00
From Utilities Fund for Construction of
Steam lines to Road Commission Buildings 39,470.00
Total Funds Borrowed $228,470.00
You will also recall that a plan was filed with the County Clerk by the Board of County Road Commission-
ers for certain emergency work needed on township roads which would require the expenditure of at least $100,000.
In addition, we let the contract last year for the First Unit of the Court House. At the tine of the
letting of the contract, about two-thirds of the amount of money needed was available in the County Building
Fund and it was contemplated that additional funds would be appropriated from time to time so that we could meet
our contract obligations as they became due. At this time, your Ways and Means Committee recommends that
$500,000 of these non-tax (miscellaneous) receipts be transferred to the County Building Fund. We had hoped
that sale might be made of surplus county-owned properties to meet these obligations. However, there has been
a decline in the market on these properties and it now appears desirable to withhold sale until a later date.
Your Ways and Means Committee met on December 23, 1959 and, after receiving the report from the County
Board of Auditors in respect to the anticipated year-end budget condition, adopted a resolution calling for the
following:
Repay funds borrowed $228,470.00
Appropriate for county road emergency uses 100,000.00
Transfer to County Building Fund 500,000.00
All funds used are to come from non-tax (miscellaneous) receipts of the County for the year 1959.
Mr. Chairman, I offer the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the action of the Ways and Means Committee taken at its meeting on December 23, 1959
to repay from 1959 non-tax funds, the following:
Building Fund for Road Construction $ 20,000.00
Indigent Housing 150,000.00
Parking Lot Fund 14,000.00
Royal Oak Market Fund 5,000.00
Utilities Fund for Construction of Steam
Lines to Road Commission Buildings 39,470.00
Total $228,470.00
and to appropriate $500,000 of 1959 non-tax receipts for transfer to the Building Fund toward obligations pre-
viously incurred on the First Unit of the Court House, be approved, ratified and confirmed by the Board of
Supervisors,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the recommendation to appropriate $100,000 of non-tax receipts for the
County Local Road System be referred back to the Ways and Means Committee for further hearing and consideration.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Ways and Means Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
David Levinson, Chairman
R. C. Cummings, Orph C. Holmes, Frank J. Voll, Sr.
John L. Carey, Arno L. Hulet, Harry W. Horton
Moved by Levinson supported by Ingraham the resolution be adopted.
Moved by Hursfall supported by Smith the resolution be tabled until the next meeting.
A sufficient majority not having voted therefor, the motion lost.
Vote on adoption of resolution:
AYES: Allerton, Alward, Archambault, Bender, Bloc, Bonner, Brickner, Calhoun, Cardon, Carey, Cheyz,
Christensen, Clack, Clark, Croteau, Cummings, Davis, Dickens, Dohany, J. W. Duncan, Elliott, Ewart, Fouts, Frid,
Hall, Hamlin, Heacock, Hill, Hoard, Hocking, Holmes, Horton, Mulct, Ingraham, Johnson, Kephart, Lahti, Levinson,
Love, Majer, McCartney, McGovern, McPherson, Melchert, Menzies, Clarence Miller, Mitchell, OtDonoghue, Oldenburg,
Potter, Rehard, Remer, Rhinevault, Rowston, Schock, Semann, Solley, Stamen, Stevens, Taylor, Tiley, Tinsman,
Voll, Webber, Yockey. (66)
NAYS: Charteris, Hildebrandt, Huber, Hursfall, Sinclair, Smith. (6)
121
Supervisors Minutes Continued. January 18, 1960
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted.
Misc. 3613
By Mrs. Schock
IN RE: DISCHARGE OF MORTGAGE
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS one William C. B. Merritt and Lockie Merritt, his wife, gave a mortgage to the County of
Oakland to secure the payment of $2000.00 for hospitalization costs of Mary D. Merritt, said mortgage being
dated August 23, 1957 and recorded in Liber 3741, page 222, Oakland County Records, and
WHEREAS said $2000.00 has been fully paid and said mortgage satisfied,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chairman. and Clerk of this Board be authorized to execute and
deliver a Discharge of said Mortgage.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Welfare Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
WELFARE COMMITTEE
Hope F. Lewis, Chairman
Wm. C. Hudson, Genevieve C. Schock
Maurice J. Croteau, R. W. Lahti, Arthur G. Elliott, Jr.
Moved by Schock supported by Elliott the resolution be adopted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted.
Misc. 3614
By Mr. Carey
IN RE: REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Oakland County
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Special County Government Study Committee of the Oakland County Board of Supervisors has worked
for over two years on the problems of organization and administration in the County of Oakland.
The purpose of the committee is to analyze the existing structure of county government and make
recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on organizational changes which will improve the operation of, or
bring about economies in, the administration of the several county functions.
Your Committee has utilized several approaches for securing information on each county agency, in
order to define specific problem areas and possible solutions.
The Committee has received written reports from each agency in the county and has also met with many
of the department heads in the county. The Board of Auditors and the Corporation Counsel have assisted the
Committee in its studies.
The Committee has conferred with the Controller of Macomb County, the former Budget Director of Wayne
County, and the County Study Committee of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors. In addition, the Committee
has received technical assistance from Civic Research Incorporated, of Oakland County, and the Citizens Research
Council of Michigan. The Committee wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the many individuals and agencies who
have cooperated in this effort.
To date, the study committee has made three major recommendations. The first involved a merger of the
County Clerk-Register of Deeds functions. This has been accomplished. The second is a proposed merger of the
Drain Commissioner's Office with the Public Works Department which will require permissive state legislation.
The third recommendation was for a constitutional amendment which would give to Michigan counties some self-
determination over their internal administrative organization.
The committee has attempted in its deliberations to avoid becoming overly involved in internal adminis-
trative problems, personality conflicts, or technical matters beyond the scope of committee activity.
The Study Committee has also attempted to assure that due care and consideration is given to each
matter under consideration.
We, therefore, recommend to the Board of Supervisors, their consideration of the following;
1. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors select the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors on
the basis of ability and qualifications, and without reference to the existing tradition of annually rotating
the office. The present practice of rotation does not provide the continuity in office which is essential to
meet the needs of the County.
Increasingly, the Chairman's activities have expanded to meet the needs of an urban county whose
officials are very much concerned with problems Which have expanded beyond county boundaries. It has been
necessary for the Chairman to act as the political spokesman for the County in matters involving local units
both within and without the County. In addition to his role in coordinating County activities, he must also
represent the County on a regional and state-wide basis.
The Chairman must be able to give extensive time and attention to his duties and should be adequately
compensated and given continuity in office so long as he continues to represent the total interests of the County.
2. It is the finding of your Committee that the most practical, feasible, and immediate solution to
increasing the effectiveness of administration in the County is to utilize the Chairman of the Board of Auditors
as the administrative coordinator of the County. Your Committee recommends that the Chairman of the Board of
Auditors be officially designated by the Board of Supervisors as the chief administrative officer of the County
with full powers vested in him, subject to statutory limitations.
It will be necessary for the Board of Supervisors to define the extent and scope of his authority,
and his relationship to other County agencies, including the Board of Supervisors, The Board of Supervisors
should also establish Professional qualifications for this position.
It is also recommended that the Legislative Committee be requested to seek the necessary legislation
to permit the Board of Supervisors to fill vacancies on the Board of Auditors.
3. In accordance with our previous recommendation, which was concurred in by the Board of Supervisors,
we urge that the Legislative Committee continue its efforts to obtain permissive state legislation authorizing
the merger of the Office of Drain Commissioner with the Department of Public Works. It is further recommended
that the Supervisors Inter-County Committee and the State Association of Supervisors be urged to support this
permissive legislation.
122
-risors Minutes Continued. January 18, 1960
4. in accordance with the resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors, your Study Committee will
take up at an early date, the proposal that the Board of Oakland County Road Commissioners be a policy-making
body. The status of other boards and commissions in this respect will also be considered.
5. Your Committee recommends that efforts be continued to obtain a constitutional amendment authorizing
Cour.. o hcer,o rule as the most satisfactory solution to the problems of County goveinment. We further recommend,
as !,terim step, that the Board of Supervisors cooperate with the State Association of Supervisors and the
Sic.. nors inter-County Committee to obtain statutory home rule for counties, which would permit counties to
consolidate and reorganize non-constitutional. offices, boards, and commissions.
Your Study Committee would appreciate the opportunity to confer with the Legislative Committee and
the Corporation Counsel on the matter of proposed legislation necessary to accomplish the foregoing.
Respectfully submitted,
SPECIAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMITTEE
John L. Carey, Chairman
James Clarkson, William Kalwitz
Elmer Kephart, Frank Webber
Moved by Carey supported by Bender the report be referred to the Ways and Means and Legislative
Committees for consideration.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Misc. 3615
By Mr. Yockey
IN RE: INTERIM REPRESENTATIVE ON DETROIT WATER BOARD
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the last meeting of the Board, a letter from the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners, was referred
to your Special Water Committee for study. This letter, dated November 16, 1959, invites Oakland County to
appoint a representative to attend the weekly meetings of the Board of Water Commissioners, such representative
to be authorized to make observations at such meetings, familiarize himself with the operations of the Water
Board, and to participate in the discussions of such meetings to the end that such representative may thoroughly
familiarize himself with the plans and the operation of the Board of Water Commissioners.
Your Special Water Committee met and reviewed this matter carefully and found that there are several
units in the County which should have a voice in the selection of a representative from the County to the Detroit
Water Board. A meeting to bring together the various interested groups is planned in the near future by your
Committee.
A resolution was adopted by the Committee at a meeting held on January 7, 1960, recommending that
this Board authorize the Chairman to make an interim appointment at an early date, such representative to serve
until a meeting of the various interested communities can be held and a determination made by them as to the
method of selection of a representative.
Mr. Chairman, I offer the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors be authorized to make an interim appoint-
ment of a representative of the County to the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners, to serve at the pleasure
of the Chairman, and until such time as a method of selection of a representative can be worked out with the
cooperation of the various units and agencies which have contracts to buy water from the City of Detroit.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Special Water Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
SPECIAL WATER COMMITTEE
Fred L. Yockey, Chairman
Cyril E. Miller, Elmer R. Johnson
Edmund R. Hocking, Marvin M. Alward
Moved by Yockey supported by Johnson the resolution be adopted.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution was adopted.
The Clerk presented a communication from the Secretary of the Board of Public Works transmitting a
proposed ordinance to amend Section 9 of Ordinance No. 5 of the ordinances of the County of Oakland which
ordinance had been approved by the County Board of Public Works and which ordinance is hereinafter set forth.
Misc. 3616
IN RE: M.S.U.-OAKLAND SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Mr. Horton introduced Ordinance No. 6 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 9 OF ORDINANCE NO. 5 ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE
TO PROVIDE FOR ACQUIRING THE M.S.U.-OAKLAND SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM TO BE
OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE COUNTY OF OAKLAND, MICHIGAN, ACTING THROUGH ITS
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF REVENUE
BONDS TO DEFRAY A PART OF THE COST THEREOF; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RETIREMENT
AND SECURITY OF SAID BONDS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER MATTERS RELATIVE TO
SAID SYSTEM AND SAID BONDS,"
which ordinance was read.
Mr. Horton moved the adoption of the foregoing ordinance, which motion was supported by Mr. Semann.
Upon roll call the ordinance was adopted by the following vote:
YEAS: Allerton, Alward, Archambault, Bender, Bloc, Bonner, Brickner, Calhoun, Cardon, Carey, Charteris,
Cheyz, Clack, Clark, Croteau, Cummings, Davis, Dickens, Dohany, J. W. Duncan, R. Duncan, Elliott, Ewart, Fouts,
Frid, Hall, Hamlin, Heacock, Hildebrandt, Hill, Hoard, Hocking, Holmes, Horton, Huber, Hulet, Hursfall, Johnson,
Kephart, Lahti, Levinson, Love, Majer, McCartney, McGovern, McPherson, Melchert, Menzies, Clarence Miller,
Mitchell, OTDonoghue, Oldenburg, Potter, Rehard, Remer, Rhinevault, Rowston, Schock, Semann, Solley, Staman,
Stevens, Taylor, Tiley, Tinsman, Voll, Webber, Yockey. (68)
NAYS: None. (0)
a. .
'OF COUNTY OF 0Ahla"-d,u, aiah
u ion 1. Section 9 -ro
amended is, cad as follows:
iisi,ctiori 9. The system shall la
year and ending on December 31 of the
Sectioe 7. This ordinaraa
:on it was ,aeptad, as soon a••
•esliv
li.lrman or said b.,
' et general circivat
,s adoption.
Miac ,
Do .
at
ill„.
Supervisors mhiutes Cort .Hsra. January 18, 1 960
1.23
Osgood, Qin
Chi:, .a, C:llis, isp.ad, Hudson, Ingraham, Knowles, Lewis, MacDonald, Cyril Miller, 013ar,
• :atilt', Swanson, ii5)
Tha following fi I. ordinance as ,..lopted:
OA'. NO, 5 ENTITLED AN 'TUINANCE
ST-. DISPOSAL SYSTil. TO BE
1:fi: C:',IJNTY Ca , '11HIC•VIr, ACTING THrL3H ITS
TO PilOVIDa FL Or, na:kjal. IND SALE Ur ilValta.d.
PART OF THE. CO. af..fai; To PHOVIDE FOR THE Pl'-,CPU'aENT
PONDS; AND TO PROVIDE ',Y.fR OTHLR MATTERS alaaa';VE TO
ID BONDS."
ORDAINS:
Fa. 5 of the ordinances of the County of Oakland, Michigan, is hereby
, afted uponthe basis of a fiscal year beginning on January I of each
1.,c,i.ded in the minutes of the meeting of the board of supervisors
Jole after its passage, which record shall be authenticated by the
the county cierk and shall be published once in The Rathester
within the said county. This ordinance shall become i•ifoctave
Delos Hamlin /s/
Chairman of County Board of Supervisors
.. a., oaead. of Public Works
Mr. :1;.,3..'1,r)i.e 'a ac. Gentlemen:
the purpose for creation of the Department ef Public Works under Act No. 195 of the Public
to provide facilities and render services tblonahout the county when one or more units of
unable to provide such facilities and rend:a services or when one or more units of govern-
to have facilities provided and services rendered oy such department for the benefit of its
i\laa the Township Beazid of West Bloomfield Township feels it is in the best interest of the citizens
water systems operated by the Oakland County Department of Public Works, and
TJAS Section 9, Chapter A, of Act No. 185 of the Public Acts of 1957 requires that the consent of
iv must be obtained prior to the furnishing of such service to individual users within the munici-
'i the Township Hoard of West Bloomfield Township, by official resolution of said Board passed
la• Liven its consent to the County of Oakland, by and through its Department of Public Works,
wa r system, and to serve individual users within Knollwood Heights Subdivision of said Township, and
EREA.- the Department of Public Works has made a comprehensive study and report on the described system,
WHFRiila aald raport has been duly considered by the Board of Public Works and it is recommended to this
Board of Supei , n .:ji•. that said system be established as a, County system under the Department of Public Works, and
WHF'-.i... u. s:haice. c,ai be rendered to the areas involved with no financial obligations to the county
since all a-ea -a ...aeaoted with the operation and maintenance will be borne by the individual users of said system,
NOW BE IT a'.a• 'LOEB that the Board of Supervisors of Oakland County, upon recommendation of its
Board of Public WoiLa doaa her4i.a oatablish the water system constructed now or in the future in Knollwood Heights
Subdivision as a count a a-1 i • item to be known as the Oakland County Water System, within the Township of West
Bloomfield, under I! cf Public Works as provided for in Act No. 195 of the Public Acts of 1957, and
BE IT FUlaTh'f' OLVED that the Board of Public Works is hereby authorized to take any and all necessary
steps to acquire, opera and maintain said system pursuant to the provisions of said Act No. 185,
BE IT FURTHER RiaSOLVED that all costs in connection with the operation and maintenance of said system
shall be borne by revenues from same.
Mr. Chairman, I move the adoption of this resolution.
Seconded by Mr. Semanna
Harry W. Horton
Secretary of the Board of Public Works
Upon roll call, the resolution was adopted by the following vote:
YEAS: Allerton, Alward, Archambault, Bender, Bloe, Bonner, Brickner, Calhoun, Carden, Carey, Charteris,
Cheyz, Clack, Clark, Croteau, Cummings, Davis, Dickens, Dohanya J. W. Duncan, R. Duncan, Elliott, Ewart, Fouts,
Enid, Hall, Hamlin, Heacoek, Hildebrandt, Hill, Hoard, Hocking, Holmes, Horton, Huber, Hulet, Hursfall, Johnson,
Kephart, Lahti, Levinson, Love, Majer, McCartney, McGovern, McPherson, Melchert, Menzies, Clarence Miller, Mitchell,
OlDonoghue, Oldenburg, Potter, Rehard, Romer, Rhinevault, Rowston, Schock, Semann, Solley, Stamen, Stevens, Taylor,
Tiley, Tinsman, Voll, Webber, Yockey. (68)
NAYS: None. (0)
Misc. 3618
By Mr. Horton
IN RE: COUNTY WATER AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM
Reconnended by Board of Public Works
Mr. Chairman, Lathes and Gentlemen;
WHEREAS the purpose for creation of the Department of Public Works under Act No. 185 of the Public Acts
of 1957 was to provide facilities and render services throughout the county when one or more units of government
were unable to provide such facilities and render such services or when one or more units of government desired
to have facilities provided and services rendered by such department for the benefit of its citizens, and
Acts of a9.7,7
gevernment
merit desired
citizens; an.
to have celia
the municipal
pality, and
on July 15,
to operate a
Ni'!
and
12,4
Supervisors Minutes Continued, January 18, 1960.
WHEREAS the Township Board of Farmington Township feels it is in the best interest of the citizens to
have certain water systems operated by the Oakland County Department of Public Works, and
',612EA5 Section 9, Chapter 1 of Act No. 185 ef the Public Acts of 1957 requires that the consent of the
municipality mri, be obtained prior to the furnishing of such service to individual users within the municipality,
and
W'.,';EaFAS the Township Board of Farmington Township, by official resolution of said Board passed on June 9,
1959 has given its consent to the County of Oakland, by and through its Department of Public Works, to operate a
water and sewerage system, and to serve individual users within Kimberly Subdivision of said Township, and
WHEREAS the Department of Public Works has made a comprehensive study and report on the described
system, and
WHEREAS said report has been duly considered by the Board of Public Works and it is recommended to this
Board of Supervisors that said system be established as a County system under the Department of Public Works, and
WHEREAS the service can be rendered to the areas involved with no financial obligations to the county
since all costs connected with the operation and maintenance will be borne by the individual users of said system,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Oakland County, upon recommendation of
its Board of Public Works does hereby establish the water and sewerage system constructed now or in the future
in Kimberly Subdivision as a county system to be known as the Oakland County Water and Sewerage System, within
the Township of Farmington, under the Board of Public Works as provided for in Act No. 185 of the Public Acts
of 1957, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Public Works is hereby authorized to take any and all necessary
steps to acquire, operate and maintain said system pursuant to the provisions of said Act No. 185,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all costs in connection with the operation and maintenance of said system
shall be borne by revenues from same.
Mr. Chairman, I move the adoption of this resolution_
Seconded by Mr. Hall.
Harry W. Horton
Secretary of the Board of Public Works
Upon roll call, the resolution was adopted by the following vote:
YEAS: Allerton, Alward, Archambault, Bender, Bloc, Bonner, Brickner, Calhoun, Cardon, Carey, Charteris,
Cheyz, Clack, Clark, Croteau, Cummings, Davis, Dickens, Dohany, J. W. Duncan, R. Duncan, Elliott, Ewart, Fouts,
Frid, Hall, Hamlin, Heacock, Hildebrandt, Hill, Hoard, Hocking, Holmes, Horton, Huber, Hulet, Hursfall, Johnson,
Kephart, Lahti, Levinson, Love, Majer, McCartney, McGovern, McPherson, Melchert, Menzies, Clarence Miller, Mitchell,
OlDonoghue, Oldenburg, Potter, Rehard, Romer, Rhinevault, Rowston, Schock, Semann, Solley, Stamen, Stevens, Taylor,
Tiley, Tinsman, Voll, Webber, Yockey. (68)
NAYS: None. (0)
Misc. 3619
By Mr. Staman
IN RE: CIRCUIT JUDGES SALARIES
To the Oakland County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Your Salaries Comanittee has reviewed the action taken by this Board on December 14, 1959, increasing
the Circuit Judges salaries from $10,000 to $11,000.
After consultation with the Corporation Counsel, your Committee finds that the action of the Board was
legal, although it does appear to your Committee that Rule XVII of the By-Laws was violated.
Your Committee wishes to call attention of the Board to this rule and respectfully suggests that in
the future the rule should be followed in all instances where there is an appropriation of funds so that these
matters can be referred to the appropriate Committee for recommendation back to the Board at a later meeting
rather than having the action taken at the same meeting.
Mr. Chairman, I move the foregoing report be received and placed on file.
SALARIES COMMITTEE
Frazer W. Staman, Chairman
Lee H. Clack, Elmer Kephart, Earl B. Rhinevault
A. Taylor Menzies, Curtis H. Hall, Virgil C. Knowles
Moved by Staman supported by Frid the report be received and placed on file.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Moved by Cummings supported by Hulet the Board adjourn subject to the call of the Chair.
A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the motion carried.
Daniel T. Murphy, Jr. Delos Hamlin
Clerk Chairman