January 25, 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 Johnson.
Roll call:
Present: Backenstose, Bates, Beachnau, Liss, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde, Bentz.
Excused: Olsen.
Others present: Mary Jergenson, James McBride, Mary Sanders, Jack Thompson, Bob
Harden, Matt Nowicki, Craig Ryan, Jim Berigan, Elizabeth Haus, Doty Latuszek,
Sheri McWhirter, Keith Huff, Jeff Ratcliffe, Richard Edmonds, Mike Solomon,
Darlene VanDale, Joe Edwartowski, Bill Kerr, Ed Hunt, Ken Homa, Diann Axford,
Melissa Fitzgerald, Philip VanDyke, Matthew Lorence, Arnie Morse, Mason
Buckingham, John Dennany, Ron Chavey, Sara Schmidt, Maureen Derenzy, Denise
Koning, Susan DeFeyter.
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 11, 2005 were approved as
presented.
The agenda was amended to add a closed session after Board remarks.
Administrator’s Report:
Denise Koning reported to the Board on the job analysis questionnaire; Union
negotiations; Applications received for the Finance Director;W-2’s finished and
will be with payroll on Thursday; March 8, 2005 Board meeting will be held at
the University Center.
Special Presentation:
Ron Dehne from Taser International addressed the Board.
Ken Homa from Goodwill Industries addressed the Board.
Chairman Beachnau appointed Judge Morse, Marie Frick, Mike Hyde, Allan Bentz,
Paul Liss and Brian Webber to a Committee to meet with Ken Homa from Goodwill
Industries. This matter will be placed on the February 8, 2005 Commissioner
meeting agenda.
Richard Edmonds presented to the Board the Building Inspection Department 2004
Annual Report.
Elizabeth Haus reported on the Planning Commission meeting.
Correspondence:
A letter was received from Kevin Elsenheimer.
A letter was received from U.S. Senator Carl Levin.
New Business:
Public Hearing on CDBG Grant Close Out(Link Michigan project.) Jeff Ratcliffe
addressed the Board.
Public Hearing on the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Jeff Ratcliffe
addressed the Board. Darlene VanDale addressed the Board.
Richard Edmonds addressed the Board regarding the Building inspection fees.
Motion by Bentz, to approve the increase in fee schedule for the Building
Department as presented. Motion carried.(Fee schedule attached)
Motion by Commissioner Liss, to approve Warrant B2005-3 in the amount of
$140,704.48 as presented. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, to approve Warrant B2005-4 in the amount of
$61,320.13 as presented. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Bates, to approve the following appointments to the
Otsego County Commission on Aging for 3 year terms expiring December 31, 2007:
Mary King, Michael Crosby and Margaret Richards. Motion carried.
Ron Chavey reported on the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
Public Comment:
Arnie Morse addressed the Board regarding the appointments for the Commission on
Aging.
Board remarks:
Commissioner Backenstose: Attended the Library Meeting.
Attended the MTA Meeting.
Commissioner Liss: NEMCOG doing a study on costs.
Commissioner Bentz: Addressed the Planning Commission per diems.
Commissioner Johnson: Attended the Parks and Recreation meeting.
Reported on the Community Center.
Addressed the MNCA dues.
Commissioner Beachnau: Attended the Livingston Township meeting.
Attended the LEPC meeting.
Attended a meeting with the Children’s museum.
Motion by Commissioner Bentz, to enter into closed session to discuss settlement
of pending litigation in accordance with the open meetings act, being MCL
15.268(e).
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Backenstose, Bates, Beachnau, Liss, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde, Bentz.
Nays: None.
Excused: Olsen.
Motion carried.
Closed session called to order at 12:15 p.m.
Returned to open session at 12:25 p.m.
Motion by Commissioner Glasser, to approve the settlement of case #02-9927-CK(M)
for Otsego County and authorize the County Administrator to sign all necessary
documents on behalf of Otsego County. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. at the call of the Chair.
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Paul M. Beachnau, Board Chair
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Susan I. DeFeyter, County Clerk