HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2009.01.27 - 848630
OAKLAND COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS MINUTES
January 27, 2009
Meeting called to order by Republican Caucus Chairperson Bradford Jacobsen at 6:00 p.m. in the
Courthouse Committee Room A, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan.
Roll called.
REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Bullard, Capello, Douglas, Gosselin, Jacobsen,
Long, Middleton, Potter, Potts, Runestad, Scott, Taub. (12)
EXCUSED ABSENCE WITH NOTICE: Gingell. (1)
Quorum present.
There was no public comment.
The members of the Republican Caucus discussed attending Michigan Association of Counties (MAC)
meetings, membership dues, participation, and MAC by-laws.
Helen Hanger, Senior Committee Coordinator, passed out a memo regarding appointment information for
2009.
John R. Bowker of the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority addressed the Caucus
regarding the four positions with a term ending date of March 31, 2009. He asked the Republican Caucus
to support the four incumbents (Alvin L. Simmons, Dr. Steffan Taub, Eleanor R. Rzepecki, and John R.
Bowker) and answered questions. The Caucus discussed the appointments and the vacancy of the
position with a term ending date of March 31, 2011 (formerly held by Ed Farragher).
Moved by Long supported by Scott to take a Caucus position vote on reappointing the four incumbents
and conducting interviews for the open position.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the Caucus took the position of reappointing the four
incumbents and conducting interviews for the open position.
Commissioner Bullard addressed the Caucus regarding the Department of Human Services Agency
Board vacancy, which had a term ending date of October 31, 2008. Gerald Poisson, Deputy County
Executive, addressed the Caucus regarding the duties of the Department of Human Services to represent
Oakland County to the State of Michigan. The members of the Republican Caucus discussed the
candidates.
Moved by Middleton supported by Douglas to remove David Moffitt’s name from the candidacy of the
Department of Human Services appointment.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, David Moffitt’s name was removed from the candidacy of the
Department of Human Services appointment.
Commissioner Long stated the General Government Committee will review applications for the open
position on the Oakland County Department of Human Services Agency Board.
Republican Caucus Minutes Continued. January 27, 2009
31
Helen Hanger, Senior Committee Coordinator, addressed the Caucus regarding the various Boards and
Authorities that have appointments coming up within the next few months. They discussed the Criminal
Justice Coordinating Council, the Gun Board and the Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee.
Moved by Long supported by Jacobsen to take a Caucus position vote on reappointing Mark Cortis (the
BOC appointment for the Prosecuting Attorney’s seat) to the Gun Board.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the Caucus took the position to reappoint Mark Cortis to the
Gun Board.
Commissioner Bullard and the other members of the Republican Caucus discussed reconstituting the
Well Protection Advisory Committee.
Commissioner Bullard addressed future issues and Democratic initiatives. He discussed, with the
members of the Republican Caucus, the Land Bank initiative from the newly elected County Treasurer
Andy Meisner, the initiative regarding night meetings of the Board of Commissioners and the cost of
overtime pay to employees, employee schedules, time of salaried employees and transparency to the
public.
Phillip Bertolini, Deputy County Executive/Chief Information Officer, addressed the Caucus regarding the
Board packets on the website and the cost of putting the meetings on line and on cable television.
Commissioner Bullard addressed the Democratic initiative relating to jail overcrowding. He stated that
Commissioner Zack may be introducing a resolution regarding sentencing guidelines. Commissioner
Douglas asked Judy Cunningham of Corporation Counsel for a legal opinion on sentencing guidelines.
Undersheriff Michael McCabe addressed the Caucus and answered questions regarding sentences. The
Caucus discussed whether the County has the authority to institute guidelines and whether it is a State
issue.
Commissioner Taub opened discussion regarding the Senior Study Group. Commissioner Jacobsen
addressed the issue of the grant administrator. Judy Cunningham of Corporation Counsel answered
questions pertaining to grants from the Caucus members.
Larry Doyle, Board of Commissioners Administrative Director, addressed the Republican Caucus
regarding the budget of the Board of Commissioners and budget tasks. The Caucus members discussed
the Law Library, Research Library and the Library for the Visually and Physically Impaired (LVPI). Laurie
Van Pelt, Director of Management and Budget, addressed questions related to the cost of the libraries
and providing machinery to local libraries. Commissioner Taub asked if there is a statutory requirement of
having a library. Judy Cunningham, Corporation Counsel, stated that Oakland County must have a core
library for courts.
Larry Doyle, Board of Commissioners Administrative Director, stated that on February 3, 2009 at the MSU
Management Center there will be reserved seating for the Commissioners for the State of the County
Address. A sign up sheet was circulated.
Republican Caucus Chairperson Bradford Jacobsen stated, as a reminder, that the Republican Caucus
meets at 8:30 a.m. before the Board of Commissioners meetings. He stressed attendance is important
and if any Commissioner will be absent to call.
The Republican Caucus removed item #10 (Political Effort) from the agenda.
Commissioner Potts asked questions regarding committee numbers and Commissioner Bullard answered
his questions.
The Republican Caucus adjourned at 8:22 p.m. until February 5, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.
RUTH JOHNSON BRADFORD JACOBSEN
Clerk Caucus Chairperson