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Board of Commissioners MinutesCALHOUN COUNTY PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS March 19, 2010 The Special Session of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners convened at 1:02 p.m., Friday, March 19, 2010 in Conference Room C, Calhoun Intermediate School District, 17111 G Drive North, Marshall, Michigan. Roll Call: Present: Comrs. Camp, Gerow, Haadsma, Lee, Rae, Rocho and Todd. Staff Present: Corporation Counsel Richard Lindsey, Jr., Human Resources Manager Kim Archambault, Finance Director Mark Stuhldreher, Assistant County Administrator Bradley Wilcox, County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott, Secretary Chris Zuidema, Treasurer Ann Rosenbaum, Deputy Treasurer Jon Bartlett, Chief Probate Court Judge Gary Reed, Chief Circuit Court Judge Allen Garbrecht, Captain Matt Saxton and Deputy Clerk/Board Executive Secretary Mary Lou Barrett. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Strategic Planning Treasurer Ann Rosenbaum stated that there are eight days until the final deadline of March 31 and 500 property owners have not paid their taxes. Ms. Rosenbaum advised that during the first week in April she and Mr. Bartlett will start making road trips. Ms. Rosenbaum advised that the Office has partnered with the City of Battle Creek in their neighborhood stabilization program, and that Susan Bedsole and Mr. Bartlett have recently returned from a boot camp regarding neighborhood stabilization and land banking conducted at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ms. Rosenbaum addressed the $8.5 Million grant received to repair and demolish homes in Battle Creek. Deputy Treasurer Jon Bartlett advised that of the $8.5 Million $857,000 is for administration of the grant and $7.7 Million is for purchasing and rehabilitation of homes. The City will be responsible for $4.8 Million and the Land Bank, $3.3 Million. Mr. Bartlett continued that $2.1 Million of the grant funding must be used to house low income families. Mr. Bartlett advised that he anticipates acquiring 153 properties of which 53 will be rehabilitated for low income individuals and 62 will be demolished. One hundred vacant lots will be land banked. Mr. Bartlett continued that the funding agreement from HUD was received Tuesday, and the targeted area has been established. County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott advised that the funding is a follow-up grant to the one that the City of Battle Creek received last year, and that the funding has to be used within the City. Mr. Bartlett advised regarding topics addressed at the boot camp; i.e., philosophy of neighborhood stabilization, what was learned from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program I and II, and HUD hurdles. Ms. Rosenbaum advised that the City will be “running” all the money and MSHDA promises to turn around the money in three days. Comr. Camp inquired whether there shall be future monies for the program within townships and villages. Mr. Bartlett responded that he believes there is a possibility, however, pointed out that only five neighborhoods within Battle Creek qualified. Chairman Rae inquired whether it would make sense to have a joint news conference to let the people know about the program. Ms. Rosenbaum recommended the news conference be postponed until the neighborhoods are defined which will most likely take a couple of months; further, pointed out that there is still the argument regarding prevailing wage. Ms. Rosenbaum advised that the Treasurer’s Office is taking over the Community Development Block Grant and is acquiring the necessary passwords presently. The grant is written and the Office can apply for the funding April 1, with the funding made available by July 1. Ms. Scott advised that the funding cannot be used within the City; further, that the county used to contract with the Community Action Agency to administer the grant which is now being brought “in-house,” and is another good program that the county will wish to get the word out. Mr. Bartlett advised that the Office shall still attempt to get a service provider to operate the program. Captain Matt Saxton advised that the Sheriff Department is working with the courts for an e-ticket program in an attempt to save money and to provide effective and efficient services to the county. Capt. Saxton stated that the up-front costs for the program would be made up over time. Capt. Saxton further advised that the Department is working on a proposal to present to the court for a civil infraction plea program which would allow the citizens with good driving records to come in and pay the fine and plea for no points. Capt. Saxton reported that with the stimulus funding the Department purchased new netbooks to replace the MDCs in the deputies’ vehicles. Capt. Saxton advised that most of the MDCs were ten years old and cost $3,500 each to replace, while the netbooks cost $280. Capt. Saxton stated the with the economy and more people out of work there has been an increase in larcenies, break and entering, and shoplifting; further, addressed the meth problem. Capt. Saxton advised that the Department is monitoring the sale of products utilized in the making of meth, that this year the Department has discovered 25 active meth labs in Calhoun County. Comr. Lee inquired whether the Department is working with the Health Department regarding the meth issue. Capt. Saxton responded that the Department has been having some problems in getting them to come out. Capt. Saxton advised that the Sheriff Department contacts Child Protective Services when children are present, and calls the DEA that sends in a clean up crew. Capt. Saxton further reported that the Department has been working on a vehicle replacement plan with the Purchasing Division. Ms. Scott inquired whether the e-ticket program shall be in place this year. Capt. Saxton responded Yes. Capt. Saxton advised that the biggest thing is getting the software for the courts. Chairman Rae inquired whether the software has been budgeted. Capt. Saxton responded yes, however, that a budget adjustment from the forfeitures fund would be required. Chairman Rae addressed the contracting of law enforcement services within Pennfield Township and inquired whether the Department is reaching out to other townships. Capt. Saxton responded that the Sheriff would be willing to talk to any township wanting the Department’s services. Chief Probate Court Judge Gary Reed pointed out that the Court was decreased by one employee this year, and addressed the caseload and required functions of the Court. Judge Reed requested the Board during its next budget process consider the size of the Court and remove the salaries and benefits from any budget reduction target, pointing out that without the labor to handle the caseload , the Court cannot fulfill its responsibilities. Judge Reed further addressed a major microfilming project which was mandated nine years ago, which is only fifty percent done. Chairman Rae inquired whether the Court has attempted to coordinate its microfilming with the Clerk. Judge Reed responded that the Court has partnered with the genealogy sector at no cost to the county. Chief Circuit Court Judge Allen Garbrecht reported that the Court is working on collections, which is a challenge with the economy. Judge Garbrecht advised that the State Court Administrator’s Office came in and conducted an audit and made recommendations for changes, and some of them have been implemented. Judge Garbrecht addressed the Drug Court and funding, advising that he has been identifying potential funding for the program, however, that the Court many need the county to keep the program going. Judge Garbrecht stated that he believes that if the program ends, it would have quite an impact on the jail and within the communities. Ms. Scott addressed the strategic planning process, the nine goals, objectives and the status of actions conducted to achieve the goals and objectives.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m at the call of the Chair.
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