January 11, 2005

The Regular meeting of the Otsego County Board of Commissioners was held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the J. Richard Yuill Alpine Center. The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. by Chairman Beachnau. Invocation by Commissioner Glasser, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Olsen.

Roll call:
Present: Backenstose, Bates, Beachnau, Liss, Olsen, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde, Bentz.

Others present: Don Tober, Mary Jergenson, Sheriff James McBride, Mary Sanders, Jerry Campbell, Marie Frick, Jack Thompson, Bob Harden, Matt Nowicki, Craig Ryan, Jim Berigan, Elizabeth Haus, Angel Oppermann, Charles Rorie, Doty Latuszek, Sheri McWhirter, Jim Mathis, Jean Nowicki, Keith Huff, June VanDenBoom, Phil Alexander, Kyle Legel, Jeff Ratcliffe, Matt Pearson, Denise Koning, Susan DeFeyter.

The minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 28, 2004 were approved as presented.

The minutes of the Organizational Meeting of January 4, 2005 were approved as presented.

The agenda was amended to add under new business Letter D, Union vote regarding hours; Letter E, the appointment to the Housing Commission; Letter F, The Otsego Lake Township appointment to the Planning Commission.

Consent Agenda:

The minutes from the Equalization Committee Meeting of December 9, 2004 were approved by unanimous consent.

The minutes from the Airport Committee Meeting of December 13, 2004 were approved by unanimous consent.

Special Presentations:

Marie Frick updated the Board on Community Corrections.

Matt Pearson addressed the Board regarding the 4-H Vista Program.

Jim Berigan updated the Board regarding the progress on the Northern Michigan Children’s museum.

Chairman Beachnau, appointed Jim Berigan, Craig Ryan, Jeff Ratcliffe, Commissioner Bentz, Commissioner Hyde, Commissioner Glasser, Commissioner Beachnau to a Committee to research the DNR contamination.

Jerry Campbell reported on the City Council meeting.

Mary Sanders announced the Michigan Township Association meeting is scheduled for January 18, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Livingston Township Hall. The Township Clerks are meeting with the County Clerk at 6:00 p.m. to set in place the election consolidation plan.

Elizabeth Haus reported on the Village meeting.

New Business:

Motion by Commissioner Hyde, to approve Board Rules as presented. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Hyde, to approve Warrant B2005-1 in the amount of $52,390.08 as presented. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Olsen, to approve Warrant B2005-1A in the amount of $6,901.99 as presented. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Glasser, to approve Warrant B2005-2 in the amount of $33,946.66 as presented. Motion carried.

Appointments to Boards, Committees and Commissions(attached)

Motion by Commissioner Glasser, to keep open the Clerk’s office position in 2005 budget year.
Motion carried with Commissioner Hyde voting nay.

Motion by Commissioner Glasser, to return work week to 37.5 or 40.0 hours.

Motion amended by Commissioner Glasser, to return work week to 37.5 hours or 40 hours depending on 2004 office hours.
Motion carried with Commissioner Bentz voting nay.

Commissioner Olsen requests to refer balance of shortage of the budget to the Budget Committee.

Motion by Commissioner Bates, to re-appoint Steven Riozzi to the Otsego County Housing Committee for a term of 3 years. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Hyde, to appoint Randy Stults to serve on the Planning Commission representing Otsego Lake Township to a 3 year term. Motion carried.

Commissioner Olsen requested Chairman Beachnau to send a letter to John Markovich thanking him for his service.


Public Comment:

Mary Sanders addressed her concern about not replacing a staff person in the Clerk’s office.

Doty Latuszek thanked Commissioner Olsen for his service on the advisory board.

Board remarks:
Commissioner Johnson: Attended the Bagley Township Meeting.

Commissioner Glasser: Attended the Bagley Township Meeting.
Budget meeting next week.

Commissioner Beachnau: Thanked Commissioner Olsen for his years of service as Chair.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. at the call of the Chair.


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Paul M. Beachnau, Chair




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Susan I. DeFeyter, County Clerk