Crawford County
Grayling, Michigan

The Regular Meeting of the Crawford County Board of Commissioners was called to order by Chairman Dave Stephenson, at 9:32 a.m. in the Crawford County Building, Grayling, Michigan the 15th day of August, 2007.
Invocation by Commissioner Lange.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Hanson.
Roll Call: Stephenson, Anderson, Beardslee, Hanson, Lange, Pinkelman, and Rogers.
Absent – Beardslee.
Sandra Moore, County Clerk – Present.
Paul Compo, County Controller - Present.
Others present at various times: Kirk Wakefield, Ilene Geiss Wilson, Jim Smith, John Huss, Yvonne Anderson, and Dan Sanderson.

Brief Public Comment – None.

Open Invoice Report and Prepaid Vouchers

DNR – 2007-08 Community Forest Grant Applications now available.
Gift of Life – Organ and Tissue Procurement Agreement. Commissioners reviewed the agreement and the issue will be brought up at the September meeting.
Commissioner Beardslee now present (9:42 a.m.)
The Ripples – Lake Margrethe Property Owners Association newsletter.
Dr. Wm McNamara - Resignation as County Medical Examiner effective October 1, 2007.

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Hanson, to accept the resignation from Dr. William McNamara as County Medical Examiner effective October 1, 2007 with regrets and submit a letter of appreciation for his past service. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

MAC – Legislative Updates for July 20 & 27, and August 3 & 10, 2007.
Hillsdale County – Resolution opposing House Bill 4852.
Michigan Public Service Commission – Notice of Hearing for July 26, 2007 @ 9:00 a.m.
State Emergency Telephone Service Committee – 2007 Funding Workshops.
Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination – Information regarding House Bills.
Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination – Information regarding CAFO’s.

County Clerk/Register of Deeds requested permission to attend the County Clerk’s Conference in Frankenmuth, August 26 – 29, 2007 and indicated costs will be under $200.00.

Motion by Lange, second by Anderson, to approve the registration fees for County Clerk to attend the Michigan Association of County Clerk’s Annual Conference in Frankenmuth, August 26 – 29, 2007 in an amount not to exceed $200.00. Roll Call: Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Motion Carried.

Controller Paul Compo advised after research on the House and Senate Bills the full funding for Public Act 2 (Liquor Tax) Funds were adopted May 16, 2007. The Controller further indicated the House Appropriations Committee is reviewing Senate Bills 410 & 411 and the Governor should sign the Bill before the September Board Meeting.

Motion by Hanson, second by Pinkelman, to adopt a Resolution in support of Senate Bills 410 & 411 and request the Michigan Legislature amend Public Act 32 of 1986 for adequate funding of E-9-1-1 services in the "Emergency Telephone Service Enabling Act". Roll Call: Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Motion Carried.

Motion by Hanson, second by Lange, to adopt a Resolution in opposition to House Bill 4501 as the increase in court transcript fees is a violation of the headlee amendment and an unfounded mandate. Roll Call: Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Motion Carried.

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Hanson, to adopt a Resolution in opposition to House Bill 4348 and reject the mandate of increased fees to our counties as it would change the criminal sentencing guidelines. Roll Call: Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Motion Carried.

Motion by Hanson, second by Pinkelman, to adopt a Resolution in opposition to federal passport restrictions which prohibits counties from accepting passport applications as it would have a negative impact to services for our residents. Roll Call: Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Motion Carried.

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Lange, to adopt a Resolution in opposition to House Bills 4780 – 4488 which would remove tax collection, assessing and election functions from rural townships and transfer those functions to County government as the benefits and cost recovery options are not fully defined in these bills. Commissioner’s Anderson and Lange remarked that cost could be substantial if through the County, however, the way this bill is written isn’t prudent for adoption. Roll Call: Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Motion Carried.

Motion by Hanson, second by Pinkelman, to adopt a Resolution in opposition to Senate Bill 232 as the bill proposes that all foster children that would currently be supervised by the Department of Human Services (DHS) be supervised by private agencies which would greatly increase costs to both the counties and the state. Roll Call: Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Motion Carried.

Controller Compo remarked the Audit Committee is now $205,000 out of balance with no staffing cuts and they are continuing to meet. The Controller circulated a report on District Court Outstanding Costs which are delinquent citations. Commissioner Pinklelman suggested a follow-up call be made from the Prosecutor’s office to encourage payment on delinquent bills.

The Controller circulated a partial payment estimate in the amount of $88,709.65 for the completion of the new Animal Shelter facility. The Controller advised there remains an issue with the epoxy in a kennel and the contractor has agreed to reimbursement the County $1,000.00 once the invoice is paid.

Motion by Pinkleman, second by Lange, to authorize the Partial Payment to Thomas I. O’Brien in the amount of $88,709.65 for closure to the new Animal Shelter Building. Roll Call: Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye. Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Motion Carried.

Controller Compo reported he and Commissioner Beardslee attended the South Branch Township Board Meeting last night to review the outstanding zoning issues and a future meeting is set for the end of the month with a resolution forthcoming, and their zoning ordinance will be adopted once completed.

The Controller advised he made progress at the MERS meeting and circulated a spreadsheet for MERS assets which identifies employees prior to unification and indicated once a stipulated order is drafted by Judge Kolenda, the issue will be complete. MERS has agreed to reconfigure the year end actuarial to separate the three (3) counties. Discussion followed regarding employees that are presently on a B-4 and a pool of assets will be signed off through the stipulated order. We can then look at the benefits for the remaining pool of individuals once the order is done. There are seven (7) people vested that are tri-county funded and a recommendation to make them B-2.

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Anderson, to accept the three (3) employees for the MERS benefit. Roll Call: Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Motion Carried.

The Controller advised he med with the Road Commission to discuss the Animal Shelter road paving and has contacted Lucas Porath from Northwest Design and specifications should not cost more then $6,000.

Motion by Lange, second by Anderson, to move the Animal Shelter paving issue to the Ways & Means September meeting. Ayes (7) seven. nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried..

Recess at 10:45 a.m. and reconvened at 10:55 a.m.

Prosecutor John Huss introduced Colin Hunter as a new intern in the Prosecutors office and advised Colin will take the bar in the spring of 2008. The Prosecutor reiterated his need for an Investigator in the Prosecutors office at $35.00 per hour. No action was taken.

Unfinished Business – None.

Motion by Lange, second by Hanson, to appoint George Stancil to the Housing Commission for a term ending 4-15-13. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Commissioner Rogers – The Commissioner reported her Ways & Means Committee recommendations.

Motion by Rogers, second by Hanson, to request the Controller seek specifications for the Fairgrounds property, and submit for bids under the following three (3) criteria’s: 1. Entrance from Old 27 N Highway to fairground lane. 2. Fairground lane to shelter gate. 3. Parking lot at the shelter. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Motion by Rogers, second by Hanson, to approve the USDA Department of Natural Resources Conservation Services for off site back-up storage, and the County will not be held liable in the event of loss/destruction of tapes by events outside of Crawford County’s control. Roll Call: Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Motion Carried.

Motion by Rogers, second by Lange, to accept the Housing By-laws to correct Article 4 Board of Directors 4.1 to add "Subsequent terms will be for a period of five (5) years". Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Animal Shelter Liquidated Damages

Motion by Rogers, second by Lange, to award $1,300 in liquidated damages from Wakefield Construction on the new Animal Shelter property. Roll Call: Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye,Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Motion Carried.

Commissioner Hanson - The Commissioner advised he had no Personnel & Labor Committee Recommendations to make.

Commissioner Pinkelman - The Commissioner reported her Law Enforcement Recommendations.

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Lange, to request an evaluation from more then one electrical contractor to evaluate the electrical needs of the Jail and 911 to determine how many kilowatts are needed for back-up in an emergency situation, and request the Controller inquire with Mich Con or DTE for the county building gas line connection to be separated so the annex building will have it’s own meter. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Commissioner Pinkelman inquired on the Sheriff’s Department needs and Sheriff Wakefield advised 645 complaints were addressed last month and they is little time to get daily work done. Commissioner Anderson suggested the township’s help pay for services by the Sheriff. Commissioner Hanson advised Townships are already strapped and are suffering cutbacks.

Commissioner Lange – The Commissioner advised the Commission on Aging and Housing Commission have met and no resolution on building space has been resolved to date.

Commissioner Stephenson – The Commissioner commended the George Pacific Resin Plant as they were recently honored for 362 days without an incident. The Commissioner advised there have been major restructuring within the Chamber of Commerce as they are absent a Director.

Commissioner Anderson – The Commissioner advised he had no report to present.

Commissioner Beardslee - The Commissioner advised the audit committee has had tough decisions and requested he be excused due to another commitment (11:00 a.m.).

New Business – None.

Extended Public Comment – None.

Yvonne Anderson advised the seniors don’t want to cross the street at the Housing Commission and there are mixed feelings regarding a building move.

Commissioner Lange announced the Rotary has a Golf outing set for tomorrow afternoon.

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Lange, to adjourn meeting at 11:20 p.m. Ayes (6) six, nays (0) none, absent (1) one, Motion Carried.

____________________________
Dave Stephenson, Chairman
Board of Commissioners

____________________________
Sandra Moore
County Clerk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crawford County Internet Website [URL: http://www.crawfordco.org/]
Copyright © 2000-2008 [Crawford County, Michigan]. All rights reserved.
Email for information