March 22, 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 Hyde.
Roll call:
Present: Backenstose, Bates, Beachnau, Liss, Glasser, Hyde, Bentz.
Excused: Olsen, Johnson.
Others present: Mary Jergenson, James McBride, Elizabeth Haus, Jean Nowicki,
Mary Sanders, Keith Huff, Doty Latuszak, Virginia Christian, Ron Chavey, Rudi
Edel, Jack Thompson, Joe Edwartowski, Angel Oppermann, Doug Paulus, Jon Deming,
Kyle Legel, Bill Michaels, Jim Berigan, Jean Baker, June VanDenBoom, Honorable
Michael Cooper, Tom Haskel, Denise Koning, Susan DeFeyter.
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 8, 2005 were approved with
corrections.
Minutes were corrected that Commissioner Johnson reported on the Northwest
Michigan Community Health.
The agenda was amended to add under special presentations, Quarterly report from
the County Prosecutor Kyle Legel. Under New Business the appointment of Animal
Evaluation Committee.
Consent Agenda:
Motion by the Animal Control Committee to recommend to the Board of
Commissioners, that the contract with Angel Oppermann of Great Lakes Dog
Training be approved. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Motion by the Animal Control Committee to recommend to the Board of
Commissioners that Friends for Life be allowed to keep donation envelopes at the
Animal Shelter, making the envelopes available to citizens who wish to make a
donation to Friends for Life. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution OCR-05-05 Mortgage Discharge of Jerry and Jackie Madsen. Resolution
adopted by unanimous vote. Commissioner Olsen and Commissioner Johnson were
excused.
The NMCM Ad Hoc Committee meeting of March 15, 2005 was removed from the consent
agenda and placed under new business.
Administrator’s Report:
Denise Koning announced the bus tour of the County offices will be April 28,
2005; addressed the new copiers that have been purchased; May 4, 2005 is a
public forum; Rachel Frish has been hired as the County’s Finance director.
Special Presentation:
County Prosecutor Kyle Legel, gave the Board his Quarterly report.
46th Trial Court Administrator Rudi Edel, gave the Board an update on the
Courts.
Honorable Michael Cooper reported to the Board regarding the child care fund.
Bill Michaels reported on the Otsego County Sportsplex.
Jon Deming reported on the Otsego County EMS
Motion by Commissioner Hyde, to approve purchase of an ambulance for EMS for a
total of $96,613.00, to be paid from the Capital Improvement Fund, to be re-paid
over a four(4) year period at 4% interest. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Bentz, to accept the motion as presented from the EMS
Board to recommend to the Otsego County Board of Commissioners and Treasurer
that the 2005 EMS millage(approximately $420,000) be deposited with the
Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency via the Charlevoix County Treasurer
and that a check for the same amount be simultaneously paid to the Otsego County
Treasurer on behalf of OCEMS by the Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency
via the Charlevoix County Treasurer. It is understood that as part of this
transaction an additional check equal to 10% of such millage will be paid to
Otsego County on behalf of OCEMS, within six weeks, by the Northwest Michigan
Community Health Agency via the Charlevoix County Treasurer. Motion carried
Elizabeth Haus reported on the Village.
Correspondence:
A letter was received regarding Friends for Life.
A letter was received from the Tobacco Institute regarding the smoke free
workplace.
A letter was received from Kevin Elsenheimer.
New Business:
Motion by Commissioner Liss, to approve Warrant B2005-11 in the amount of
$344,535.03, as presented. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Backenstose, to approve Warrant B2005-12 in the amount of
$61,103.59, as presented. Motion carried.
Chairman Beachnau re-appointed Donna Sawicki to the Jury Board with her term
ending 4-30-2008.
Chairman Beachnau appointed Angel Opperman and Keith Huff to the Animal
Evaluation Committee.
Motion by the Northern Michigan Children’s Museum Ad Hoc Committee to recommend
to the Board of Commissioners that lease negotiations be entered into with the
NMCM, for a ground lease on Parcel #1, with the following conditions:
1) That Otsego County receive a covenant not to sue from the State of Michigan.
2) That Otsego County is the beneficiary of the facility upon dissolution.
3) That the lease contain language disallowing a future county millage.
Motion carried with Commissioner Backenstose voting nay.
Public Comment:
Virginia Christian addressed the Board.
John Crest thanked the Board regarding the Children’s Museum.
Board remarks:
Commissioner Glasser: Attended MTA meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Glasser, to enter into closed session pursuant to the
open meetings act, being MCL 15.268(d)(e).
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Backenstose, Bates, Beachnau, Liss, Glasser, Hyde, Bentz.
Nays: None.
Excused: Olsen, Johnson.
Motion carried.
Closed session called to order at 11:30 a.m.
Returned to open session at 12:25 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m. at the call of the Chair.
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Paul M. Beachnau, Chairman
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Susan I. DeFeyter, County Clerk