Crawford County
Grayling, Michigan

Crawford County Board of Commissioners
Regular Board Meeting of December 17th, 2008

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 17th day of December, 2008.
Invocation by Commissioner Beardslee.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Hanson.
Roll Call: Stephenson, Rogers, Hanson, Pinkelman, Lange, Anderson and Beardslee.
Absent – None.
Sandra Moore, County Clerk-Register of Deeds - Present.
Paul Compo, County Controller - Present.
Others present at various times: Kurt Wakefield, Joe Wakeley, Ilene Geiss-Wilson, Mary Jergensen, Jack Mahank, Alice Snyder and Paul Olson.

Approval of the Regular Board Minutes

Motion by Lange, second by Pinkelman, to approve the Minutes for the November 19, 2008 meeting with a correction on page 5 under the NorthWest Design Group and add "to ensure all subcontractors have been paid". Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) one, Motion Carried.

Approval of the Special Board Minutes

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Lange, to approve the Special Minutes for the November 25, 2008 meeting as presented. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) one, Motion Carried.

Approval of the Agenda

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Hanson, to accept the agenda as presented. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Brief Public Comment – None.

Open Invoice Report and Prepaid Vouchers

Motion by Lange, second by Pinkelman, to authorize payment of the following claims:

General Fund:
Balance from "Open Invoice Rep"	28,129.95
Prepaid Invoices	203,350.79
Gross Payroll	184,094.72
Total General Fund	415,575.46
Millage/Road Patrol Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"	2,109.97
Prepaid Invoices	1,695.53
Gross Payroll	17,812.39
Total Millage Fund	21,617.89
Tri-County 46th Trial Court
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"
Prepaid Invoices	11,036.55
Gross Payroll
Total Tri-County Court	11,036.55
Friend of the Court
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"	148.64
Prepaid Invoices	2,720.52
Gross Payroll	9,429.18
Total Friend of the Court	12,298.34
Family Counseling Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"
Prepaid Invoices	547.35
Gross Payroll
Total Family Counseling Fund	547.35
Enforcement/Recycle Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"	109.11
Prepaid Invoices	529.78
Gross Payroll	3,797.54
Total Enforcement Fund	4,436.43
COPS in Schools Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"
Prepaid Invoices	96.76
Gross Payroll	3,813.24
Total COPS Fund	3,910.00
Building & Zoning Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"	5,356.94
Prepaid Invoices	297.77
Gross Payroll	5,615.56
Total Building & Zoning Fund	11,270.27
D.A.R.E. Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"	1,430.10
Prepaid Invoices	500.00
Gross Payroll
Total DARE Fund	1,930.10
Remonumentation Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"
Prepaid Invoices	16,916.90
Gross Payroll
Total Remonumentation Fund	16,916.90
MSU Cooperative Extension Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"	1,328.62
Prepaid Invoices	388.67
Gross Payroll	1,062.72
Total MSU Fund	2,780.01
Central Dispatch Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"
Prepaid Invoices	188.31
Gross Payroll	19,648.20
Total Central Dispatch Fund	19,836.51
Courthouse Preservation Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"	360.00
Prepaid Invoices	1,556.34
Gross Payroll
Total Courthouse Preservation Fund	1,916.34
Family/Probate Court
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"
Prepaid Invoices	22,105.57
Gross Payroll	7,728.11
Total Family/Probate Court	29,833.68
Fish Hatchery Fund
Balance from "Open Invoice Report"
Prepaid Invoices	45.87
Gross Payroll
Total Fish Fund	45.87

Approval Correspondence

Motion by Lange, second by Hanson, to accept the correspondence as presented. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Correspondence

Antrim County Board – Resolution requesting the State adopt legislation to provide protection to owners of low capacity wells.

Lenawee County Board – Resolution in opposition to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.

Jordan Development Company – Application for permit to drill a well.

Michigan Public Service Commission – Sage Spectrum hearing scheduled December 9, 2008 @ 9:00 a.m.

NEMCOG – Planning and Zoning Essentials training January 13, 2009.

NEMCOG – Workshops offered in 2009 through MSU Extension partnership.

MAC – Legislative updates for November 21 & 26, 2008. Chairman Stephenson inquired on the vote for Senate Bill 1390. County Clerk/Register advised a few large counties were trying to pass legislation that would be a hardship on smaller Counties, and movement by the Register of Deeds stopped the legislation.

Northern Lakes Mental Health – County Commission Assessment 2008 Summary.

NEMCOG – Notice of Intent by South Branch Township to apply for federal assistance from USDA.

Crawford-Roscommon Conservation District – Survey regarding the 2008 Conservation Expo.

State Department of Human Service – 2008-09 Annual Plan & Budget for Child Care Fund approved.

DEQ - Landfill in compliance (letters dated 12/9 & 12/11).

South Branch Township – Response to Special Events Ordinance. Commissioner Lange advised the permit process could be cumbersome. Chairman Stephenson indicated the Special Events Ordinance is not intended for family reunions or graduation parties, but rather intended for much larger events.

State Public Service Commission – Notice of Hearing for Consumers Power on 12-18-08.

DNR – Letters regarding ORV Ordinance.

Department Reports

County Clerk Sandra Moore placed the Kalkaska County Solid Waste Management Plan Amendments on file. The Clerk updated the 2009 Committee Appointments and circulated for member’s review.

Sheriff Kirk Wakefield advised the auction was held and three (3) patrol cars were sold. The truck did not sell, nor did anyone reach the minimum bid of $9,000. The Controller requested he be allowed to see what the truck is worth on a used trade in. Sheriff Wakefield advised Lakestate railroad offered the sheriff and deputies a tour of the railroad and discussed the recent train accident. The Sheriff advised that yesterday and today the sheriffs staff are going through responder level training and the new Automatic Electric Defibulator (AED) and continual CPR training. Discussion followed to have one AED unit and someone trained in the courthouse.

Controller Compo advised BC/BS renewal rates are increasing March 1, 2009 to 6.0 percent countywide.

Unfinished Business

General Prosecutor’s Responsibilities – For information only - no action taken.

County Wide Snow Removal

The Controller provided written response’s from COA, 911, MMR, CCTA & CASD regarding difficulties experienced this year with the extreme snow removal. The Sheriff indicated he has received calls, however, the road commission is not responsible for private roads. Citizens are upset as the roads are not being cared for at a satisfactory level. Senator Stamas’ Field Representative Mary Jergenson remarked the winter weather has been extreme this year and appears to be an issue everywhere.

Summary of County Insurance Coverage

Paul Olson from Midwest Claims Service advised the Homeland Security Vehicle was added to the counties insurance coverage as well as the three (3) new police cars. Discussion followed to reduce the public official deductible from $10,000 to $5,000 with no overall rate increase. Chairman Stephenson requested the deductible be looked at as a savings to the county. Mr. Olson thanked commissioners for their past support and the communication level he has with the Controller.

Commissioners Report

Commissioner Rogers – The Commissioner advised she has nothing to report.

Commissioner Hanson - The Commissioner reported his Personnel and Labor Committee recommendations.

GRA Resignation

Motion by Hanson, second by Lange, to accept the resignation from Jim Pickell for the Grayling Recreation Authority (GRA) with regrets. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Commissioner Hanson advised he met with the DNR and Road Commission and they are reviewing the need to connect the three (3) main identified trails to accommodate citizens and businesses. Discussion followed to request the Road Commission identify the roads that will be closed and then review the list for a future layout. Court fines need to cover the costs for the program. Sheriff Wakefield remarked it may be necessary to open a road end for the ice fishermen. Commissioner Hanson advised he hopes to identify roads within the ordinance for year round usage. Commissioner Anderson suggested a response date be established by the road commission. Commissioner Hanson advised they are working on formalization and approval date should be complete by April 1, 2009.

Commissioner Pinkelman - The Commissioner reported her Law Enforcement Committee Recommendations.

E-911 Feasibility Study

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Hanson, to authorize the E-911 Director to continue the E-911 feasibility study and authorize $2,000 which will be from a matching fund divided equally amongst the counties before the deadline and authorize the chair to sign. Roll Call: Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson - aye, Anderson – aye, Motion Carried.

Road Commission Snowplowing

Motion by Pinkelman, second by Lange, to send a letter to the three (3) Road Commissioners voicing concerns of road conditions and request a written response back to the County Board. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Commissioner Lange –The Commissioner reported his Ways & Means Committee Recommendations.

Grayling Township Recycling Program

Motion by Lange, second by Pinkelman, to have the Controller request an extension with Grayling Township and draft a letter to the other townships to see if there could be a resolution to the recycling funding dilemma. Controller Compo advised he did receive the extension and the township Supervisors will meet on Monday to discuss the issue. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

General Fund Budget Amendments

Motion by Lange, second by Hanson, to adopt the general fund budget amendments up to $5,808,343.00; and the courthouse preservation fund up to $51,000.00. Roll Call: Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson - aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Motion Carried.

Executive Session Minutes

Motion by Lange, second by Pinkelman, to approve the Executive Session Minutes of 12-04-08 as read. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

Planning and Zoning Essentials Training

Motion by Lange, second by Pinkelman, to authorize Commissioner Anderson to attend the Planning and Zoning Essentials Training on Tuesday, January 13, 20009 and pay the $60.00 registration fee. Roll Call: Lange – aye, Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Motion Carried.

Commissioner Stephenson – The Commissioner advised he had nothing to report.

Commissioner Anderson – The Commissioner advised that Northern Michigan Homes had entered into a MSHDA project to allow the government to purchase foreclosed homes. MSHDA has $2,000,000 in land bank funds to administer and will pay 10% admin fees for governmental entities.

Commissioner Beardslee – The Commissioner advised he had nothing to report.

January Organizational and Committee Meeting Schedule

The Clerk advised she has established the Organizational meeting for Monday, January 5th at 10:00 a.m. and inquired if the board would like the committee meetings to be held the same day or schedule for Thursday, January 8^th.

Motion by Hanson, second by Lange, to establish the January Organization Meeting time at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2009 and hold the January committee meetings immediately following the organization meeting. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.

New Business

Letter of Agreement between for Inmate Medical Care

Motion by Lange, second by Beardslee, to enter into the Letter of Agreement between the Correctional Facility and Jeanne Hurnagel, RN for Inmate Medical Care. Roll Call: Pinkelman – aye, Rogers – aye, Stephenson – aye, Anderson – aye, Beardslee – aye, Hanson – aye, Lange – aye, Motion Carried

Commissioner Lange inquired on whether Dr. William McNamara’s retirement would affect his Medical Examiner position. Controller Compo advised it does not and the Dr. will still be working for the County.

Proposal for Government Relations Services

Government Relations Solutions has proposed working with the County to secure federal dollars through line-items appropriations for the County’s priority funding needs. They will partner with the County to pursue funding for 2 – 3 projects in Fiscal Year 2010. Discussion followed to allow Senator Stamas’ Field Representative to inquire with the consortium on what counties and the state use.

COA Year End Overview

COA Director, Alice Snyder appeared with her year end update. Ms. Snyder announced that 47% of seniors were involved in some form of program with the Commission on Aging, whether it be In-home services comprised of home making care and care giver, meals, medicaid or one of the 20 different types of activities within the aging complex. Ms. Snyder displayed the Michigan Generations Magazine in which Crawford County Commission on Aging was part of the statewide magazine. Ms. Snyder informed members on how they contact seniors and requested feedback from commissioners on their quality of service within the community. Ms Snyder invited members to attend the Christmas dinner tomorrow night and updated the board on the list of options for the new building site.

County Clerk performed a Swearing in Ceremony of the Commissioners, Sheriff and Treasurer. The Clerk further invited members to the Swearing in Ceremony for the incoming Prosecutor on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.

Extended Public Comment – None.

Announcements

The Sheriff advised the Deputy Sheriff Association is taking twenty-three (23) under privileged kids Christmas shopping this year.

Adjournment

Motion by Anderson, second by Hanson, to adjourn meeting at 11:29 a.m. Ayes (7) seven, nays (0) none, absent (0) none, Motion Carried.