DELTA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

January 22, 2008

                                          

                                           Escanaba, Michigan

 

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

 

                                           January 17, 2008

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 January 22, 2008, at 5:15 p.m. in the Circuit Courtroom of the Courthouse Building.

 

                                           Sincerely yours,

                                           Nancy J. Kolich

                                           Delta County Clerk

 

ROLL CALL

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

 

       ADOPTION OF BOARD ASSIGNMENTS

       Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to ratify the Board Assignments, as presented.  MOTION CARRIED. 

    

   V.  APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING     

       Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and supported by Commissioner Schultz to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2007.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

  IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

      Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to approve the agenda as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

           

   VI. PRESENTATATION OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

       A.  Received:  1. Letter from CUPPAD.

                     2. Letter from Gov. Granholm.

                     3. Letter from Rep. Casperson

                     4. Letter from CUPPAD.

                       5. Letter from Treasurer.

             

       B.  Forwarded:  No written communications were forwarded.

 

VII.      REPORTS OF STANDING AND STATUTORY SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND OTHERS

1.    Central Dispatch Authority minutes 11-7-07

2.    Road Commission minutes of 11-8, 11-26 & 12-17-07

3.    Department of Human Services minutes of 11-26-07

4.    Solid Waste Management minutes of 11-27-07 & 12-18-07

5.    Airport Advisory Board minutes of 12-12-07

6.    Concealed Weapons Board minutes of 12-18-07

7.    Parks Board minutes of 12-19-07

 

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.

                                                    

  VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

        Rory Mattson, Road Commissioner, addressed the Board with his opinion not to raise the Road Commissioner salaries.

        Larry Grimsby, Ford River Township Supervisor, addressed the Board with his concerns regarding the new Road Commission budget.  Asked that the salary increase decision be postponed until after the January 28th Road Commission meeting.

        Mike Larrabee, Road Commissioner, addressed the Board with information regarding the Road Commission salary increase would be effective January 2009. 

 

X.   COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Adminstrator’s Report.

   3. EAS Carrier.

   Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to send a letter of support to the DOT for a dual hub allowing for a daily flight to Detroit as provided by Mesaba Airlines (Northwest). This would allow one flight to Minneapolis and one flight to Detroit daily.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

       4. Ren Zone.

          Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to support the application for a Renaissance Zone time extension of six years and authorizes the Chairman to sign all documents as may be necessary.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

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

 

     2. Finance Committee minutes of 12-20-07.

 

        Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to retain the Health Department interest until their monthly fund balance is consistently positive.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

        Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki that there be no changes to the current Road Patrol  interest policy.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

       Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve the Finance Committee minutes of December 20, 2007, as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

3. Committee of the Whole minutes of 1-14-08.

        1.  Parks Budget.

            Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki that the Ad hoc Committee recommendations be tabled until March 4th as requested by the Parks Board.  MOTION CARRIED.

     

           Airport Budget.

           Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Schultz that the Ad hoc Committee recommendations be tabled until April 15th as requested.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

           Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Schultz that the Airport and Parks Manager position be eliminated and an Airport Manager position be created.  MOTION CARRIED.  Bengry opposed.

         

          Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve the Committee of the Whole minutes of January 14, 2008 a.m. and p.m. meetings.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

   X. GENERAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS

 

  VI.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1.     Superior Health Code.

             Don Shirley, Delta County Drain Commissioner and Chair of the Superior Health Code ad hoc committee, updated the Board on the progress of the committee.  Should have presentation ready to present to the Delta Menominee Health Board by mid February.   

              

 B.  NEW BUSINESS

1.  Payment of Bills.

              Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve the bills in the amount of $1,268,376.86, as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

    

          2. Budget Resolution for the Courts.

             Moved by Commissioner Bengry and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve the Budget Resolution for the Courts, as presented.   MOTION CARRIED.

 

          3. 2007 Remonumentation Report.

             Mel Davis, Delta County Surveyor, presented the 2007  Remonumentation Completion Report to the Board.  Moved by Commissioner Bengry and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to approve the 2008 Contract for Delta County Remonumentation, as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

2.     911 Resolutions.

             Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve the Resolution to Amend the Delta County Final 911 Service Plan, as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

             Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to approve the Resolution to Adopt Monthly 911 Surcharge within Delta County, as presented.  MOTION CARRIED

 

3.     Delta Conservation District monthly report.

             Rory Mattson, Director Delta County Soil Conservation District, presented the Board with a written report for October 2007. Moved by Commissioner Bengry and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to receive the report and place on file.  MOTION CARRIED.    

4.     Planning Commission cases.

             Case 18-07-PC, Jerrlyn Potvin, et al, Garden Township.  Moved by Commissioner    Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to approve the request to rezone from Agriculture Production to Resource Production, as recommended by the Planning Commission.

 

   ROLL CALL       BENGRY    YES

                   ELEGEERT YES

                   RIVARD    YES

     RUOHOMAKI YES

     SCHULTZ   YES

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

             Case 20-07-PC, William & Marsha LaTulip, et al, Fairbanks Township.  Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to approve the request to rezone from  Resource Production to Commercial 1, as recommended by the Planning Commission.

 

   ROLL CALL       BENGRY    YES

                   ELEGEERT YES

                   RIVARD    YES

     RUOHOMAKI YES

     SCHULTZ   YES

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

5.     Road Commission Board salary increase.

             Moved by Commissioner Bengry and seconded by Commissioner Rivard to approve the Delta County Road Commissioners increase from $300 to $400 per month as requested by the Board of Road Commissioners, to be effective January 2009.

 

   ROLL CALL       BENGRY    YES

                   ELEGEERT NO

                   RIVARD    NO

     RUOHOMAKI NO

     SCHULTZ   NO

            MOTION FAILED.

 

             Moved by Commissioner Rivard and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve a $25 per month increase for the Delta County Road Commissioners, to effective January 2009.

 

   ROLL CALL       BENGRY    YES

                   ELEGEERT YES

                   RIVARD    YES

     RUOHOMAKI YES

     SCHULTZ   YES

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

6.     Mike Parrett interest on Board of Appeals Appointment

          Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Bengry to appoint Mike Parrett to the Board of Appeals.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

          9. Equalization request for 40 hour work week.

 

          Moved by Commissioner Schultz and seconded by Commissioner Ruohomaki to approve the increase in work hours to 40 hours per week per employee through March 2008 as requested.  MOTION CARRIED.

 

          Moved by Commissioner Ruohomaki and seconded by Commissioner Rivard that the Equalization Department office hours be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

   ROLL CALL       BENGRY    NO

                   ELEGEERT YES

                   RIVARD    NO

     RUOHOMAKI YES

     SCHULTZ   NO

            MOTION FAILED.

 

  XI.  GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

       Greg Stevenson, Baldwin Township Supervisor, addressed the Board with his concerns regarding the Road Commission raise and the County zoning proposals.

      

 XII.  COMMISSIONERS CONCERNS

     Commissioners Bengry:  None.

 

     Commissioner Rivard:  Congratulations to Airport Manager Connie Ness, her staff and the Airport Board.

 

     Commissioner Ruohomaki: Clarification that would not necessarily need 10 zoning boards, townships could band together and have one zoning board for several townships.

 

     Commissioner Schultz:  Need to use patience when dealing with the zoning issue.  In letter to the editor, stated Prosecutor received 35% increase, not true, the salary and benefit package change was a savings to the county.

 

     Commissioner Elegeert:  None.

 

30 day Notice of appointment to the Community Action Agency Governing Board.

 

XIV.  ADJOURNMENT

 

     Moved by Commissioner Rivard and supported by Commissioner Schultz to adjourn at 7:21 p.m. 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

_____________________________  _________________________________

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