June 28, 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 9:30 a.m. by Chairman Beachnau. Invocation by Commissioner Glasser,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Bates.
Roll call:
Present: Backenstose, Bates, Beachnau, Liss, Olsen, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde,
Bentz.
Others present: Mary Jergenson, James McBride, Bob Harden, Elizabeth Haus, Sheri
McWhirter, Bill Kerr, Jerry Chase, Maureen Derenzy, Craig Ryan, Bill Michaels,
Joe Edwartowski, Diann Axford, Mike Tarbutton, Doty Latuszak, Jan Cotant, Rachel
Frisch, Denise Koning, Susan DeFeyter
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 14, 2005 were approved as corrected.
The minutes were corrected to correct the spelling of Kolke Creek.
The consent agenda was amended to remove the Health Department Amendment to
Sanitary Codes, OCR-05-19 and Ordinance 05-06 and add under new business items
H&I
Consent Agenda:
The Airport Committee moves that Otsego County proceed with the purchase of the
Bozzer hangar at a cost of $140,000 and authorize the County Administrator to
sign all documents as approved by legal counsel, approved as presented by
unanimous consent.
Administrator’s Report:
Denise Koning reported on the 2nd annual Golf outing; Closed session for
evaluation; Budget packets.
Special Presentation:
Treasurer Diann Axford gave her quarterly report.
University Center Executive Director Jack Thompson gave his report to the Board.
Joe Edwartkowski reported the Johannesburg 4th of July festivities.
Elizabeth Haus from the Village of Vanderbilt reported on the Planning
Commission meeting.
Correspondence:
The Chairman received a letter from the Library Board;Letter from Jan Kellogg;
Letter from Kalkaska County; Correspondence from Sue Shoeler; Letter from Thomas
Bain.
New Business:
Motion by Commissioner Backenstose, to approve Warrant B2005-25 in the amount of
$327,657.54 and the prepaid of $1,494,051.51, as presented.
Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Olsen, to approve Warrant B2005-26 in the amount of
$133,527.87, as presented.
Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Bates, to approve transfer of $1,080.00 from Contingency
to veteran burial. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
Finance Director Rachel Frisch addressed the Board regarding YTD Budget Reports.
Cash receipting policy postponed until the July 12, 2005 meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Hyde, to approve the contract to obtain ambulance
services, as presented. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
Water Wonderland Board of Realtors Contract postponed until the July 12, 2005.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, to approve Ordinance 05-05, as presented. Ayes:
Unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the Otsego County Recreation plan, as
presented. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Bates, to approve the memorandum of understanding with
RSVP, as presented. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Glasser, to request of legal council to prepare a sworn
petition for a contested case hearing on the Kolke Creek matter. Ayes:
Unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Bentz, to approve Ordinance 05-06.
Commissioner Beachnau left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Motion by Commissioner Liss, to postpone action on ordinance 05-06 until the
August 9, 2005 Board meeting.
Ayes: Backenstose, Bates, Liss, Olsen, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde.
Nays: Bentz.
Excused: Beachnau Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Bentz, to postpone OCR-05-19 to August 9, 2005
Board remarks:
Commissioner Olsen: Chester Township.
Commissioner Beachnau: Reported on Livingston Township.
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, to enter into closed session to conduct the
Administrator’s annual performance evaluation, pursuant to her employment
agreement and the Open Meetings Act, being MCL 15.268(a).
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Backenstose, Bates, Liss, Olsen, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde, Bentz.
Nays: None.
Excused: Beachnau.
Motion carried.
Entered into closed session at 12:20 p.m.
Regular meeting called back to order at 1:12 p.m.
Commissioner Bentz left the meeting during closed session.
Motion by Commissioner Olsen, to direct the Chairperson to write a letter to
Richard Sawicki letting him know that his conduct and statement about our
Administrator were totally unacceptable and inappropriate and that the Board of
Commissioner expect an apology from Richard Sawicki to our Administrator.
Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried. Excused: Beachnau, Bentz.
Motion by Commissioner Bates, to reconsider the votes regarding vehicle policy
exceptions.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Bates, Liss, Hyde, Johnson, Glasser, Olsen, Backenstose.
Nays: None.
Excused: Beachnau, Bentz.
Meeting adjourned at 1:31 p.m. at the call of the Vice-Chair.
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Paul M. Beachnau, Chairman
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Susan I. DeFeyter, County Clerk