DELTA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

February 20, 2007

                                          

                                           Escanaba, Michigan

 

     A Regular meeting of the Delta County Board of Commissioners was held this date, pursuant to the following call:

 

                                           February 15, 2007

The Honorable Members of the Delta             

County Board of Commissioners

 

Dear Commissioners:

     A Regular Meeting of the Delta County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday February 20, 2007, at 5:15 p.m. in the Circuit Courtroom of the Delta County Courthouse.

 

                                           Sincerely yours,

                                           Nancy J. Kolich

                                           Delta County Clerk

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:   Commissioners Bengry, Elegeert, Rivard, Ruohomaki, Schultz.

ABSENT:    None.

          The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. in the Delta County Circuit Courtroom by Delta County Clerk, Nancy Kolich.

              

   V.  APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING     

       Moved by Commissioner Schultz and supported by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2007 meeting.  MOTION CARRIED. 

 

  VI.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

       Moved by Commissioner Schultz and supported by Commissioner Ruohomaki to add item 2. Administrator’s report to the agenda.  MOTION CARRIED.

           

 VII.  PRESENTATATION OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

        A.  Received:  No written communications were received.      

        B.  Forwarded: No written communications were forwarded.

 

  VIII. REPORTS OF STANDING AND STATUTORY SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND OTHERS

VIII.  REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND OTHERS.

          Moved by Commissioner Schultz and supported by Commissioner Rivard that the Communications and Reports of Standing and Statutory Committees and the Reports of Special Committees and Others be received and placed on file.  MOTION CARRIED.

                                                    

IX.   PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

      

 

      PUBLIC HEARING – ROAD COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP

Public Hearing opened at 5:19 p.m.  Five minute limit per speaker.

 

Gregg Johnson, Bark River Township Supervisor and member of the Delta County Township Association, addressed the Board with his concerns that all townships and the township association have not had a chance to meet since the announcement of the public hearing.  Concerned with geographic representation. Some unanswered questions.

 

Kevin Dubord, Escanaba Township Supervisor and President of DCTA, echoed Gregg Johnson’s concerns.  Had taken a poll, 3 of 13 want it to remain 3 commissioners, the rest would like to have 5 commissioners.

 

Hugo Mattonen, employee of Delta County Road Commission for 35 years.  Five commissioners would eliminate problems of having a shortage of commissioners available and violations of the Open Meetings Act.  Would like to see this happen at the next election.  $20,000 in a 7-8 million dollar budget, isn’t as big an issue, if better decisions are made, which could save money.

 

Judi Schwalbach, Mayor, City of Escanaba, thanked the Board for asking for the City’s input.  Read a unanimous consensus letter from the Escanaba City Council, addressed to the Chairman and the 3 commissioners that represent the city, in support of increasing to 5 members.

 

Commissioner Bengry read a letter from Thomas Warstler, citizen of Escanaba, who was in favor of a 5 member board, but was concerned with the costs.

 

William Nelson, Ford River Township, addressed his concerns with going to a 5 member board, the costs and if there had been any violations of the Open Meetings Act.

 

Pete Stropich, Delta County Road Commissioner, stated that last year he received $7,100 as a commissioner, which is less than the $9,000 per commissioner as stated.

 

Paul Neumeier, agreed with going to 5 commissioners, sited that Dickinson County does not have a Road Commission – the Road Commission Manager reports to the County Board.

 

William Charon, Wells Township, stated that the county is not required to go to a 5 member board, why fix what’s not broken.  Look into if it can be done by appointment or does it have to be done by election.

 

Ron Jurek, Escanaba Township, had several questions - what is the norm?(3 members until recent legislation which allows for 5 members), is this based on population?(no), can county board members be road commissioners? (no).

 

Chairman Elegeert read a letter from Hiawathaland Farm Bureau who were in unanimous favor of a 5 member Road Commission.

 

     Moved by Commissioner Bengry and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to postpone the decision.  

 

     ROLL CALL          BENGRY    YES

                        RIVARD    NO

                        RUOHOMAKI YES

                        SCHULTZ   NO

                        ELEGEERT  NO

     MOTION FAILED.

 

     Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to make information available to the public and put on the agenda of the April 3rd Board meeting, for discussion. 

 

     ROLL CALL          BENGRY    YES

                        RIVARD    YES

                        RUOHOMAKI YES

                        SCHULTZ   YES

                        ELEGEERT  YES

     MOTION CARRIED.

 

Public Hearing closed at 6:00 p.m.

 

Recessed at 6:00 p.m.

Reconvened at 6:12 p.m.

 

 

 

 X.  COMMITTEE REPORTS:

     1. Committee of the Whole Recommendations of 2-15-07.

        1. Court Computer System.

           Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to gather information and explore contracting with an Information Technician for the county.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

        2. Payment of bills.

          Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to pay the Commissioner’s vouchers as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

        3. Maximus Contract.

           Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve the Maximus contract with the Friend of the Court, as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

        4. Authorize CAA to pursue Emergency Shelter Grants Program.

            Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to authorize the Community Action Agency to apply for a MSHDA Emergency Shelter Grant for Menominee County (signature required from highest elected official in county of agency’s primary office).  MOTION CARRIED.

 

          Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to approve the minutes and place on file.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

2. Administrator’s Report.

   3. Copier – Treasurer’s office.

        Moved by Commissioner Bengry and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to go with the copier bid from Cooper Office Equipment for $1,955 to be paid from funds identified by the Treasurer - the Delinquent Interest Homestead Trust and Agency account.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

        Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to receive the Administrator’s report and place on file.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

    

  XI. GENERAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS

 

      A.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

          1.  Appointments to the Airport Board.

              Michael Falcon

              Dave Woodward

              Bill Kwarciany

              Brent Lantagne

              Tony Shomin

 

          2.  Appointments to the Parks Board.

              Dale Thill

              Stephen O’Driscoll

              Ken Jussila

              Brent Lantagne

              Starr Romps

             

     Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to ratify the Airports Board and Parks Board appointments.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

 B.  NEW BUSINESS

1.  Payment of Bills.

              Moved by Commissioner Rivard and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve payment of the bills in the amount of $682,206.67.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

          2.  Request to purchase canine patrol vehicle.

          Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to purchase a canine patrol vehicle using $21,500 from the undesignated savings fund.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

          3.  UPSET Grant.

          Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to authorize the Board Chairman to sign the  UPSET Grant application, as presented, with a $34,407 (50%) local match.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

          4.  Authorization for Commissioner Rivard to work with grantwriter from MAC.

          Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Schultz to designate Commissioner Rivard to work with the MAC grantwriter.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

 XII.  GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

       Paul Neumeier asked if anything had been done with requesting a Brownfield grant for Nahma.

 

       William Nelson made a recommendation that the Board elect the Road Commissioners.

 

XIII. COMMISSIONERS CONCERNS

      Commissioners Rivard:  Commented on Michigan Association of Counties conference last week.  

 

      Commissioner Ruohomaki: Would like presentation on healthcare system Option D. 

 

      Commissioner Bengry: Contacted Sen. Levin and Stabenow and Rep. Stupak’s offices regarding conditions that veterans are living in near the Walter Reed hospital per a PBS documentary.

 

      Commissioner Schultz:   None.

      Commissioner Elegeert:  None.

 

XIV.  MEETING SCHEDULE.

           

XV.   NOTICES.

 

 

XVI.  ADJOURNMENT

      

     Moved by Commissioner Rivard and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to adjourn at 6:55 p.m.  MOTION CARRIED.

    

Respectfully Submitted,

 

_____________________________  _________________________________

Nancy J. Kolich, County Clerk       Thomas Elegeert, Board Chairperson