KENT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Thursday, July 24, 2008 Administration Building - Room 310

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1 KENT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Thursday, July 24, 2008 Administration Building - Room 310 Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chair Roger C. Morgan. Present: Klein, Absent: Invocation: Commissioners Agee, Boelema, Bulkowski, Dillon, Hennessy, Hiddema, Mast, Mayhue, Morren, Parrish, Rolls, Tanis, Vander Molen, Vaughn, Vonk, Voorhees, Wahlfield, Chair Morgan None. Commissioner Tanis gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. David Doyle, Chair, Citizens to Renew the Jail Millage Committee He has been involved with many campaigns and anytime a tax campaign is in front of the voters regardless of whether or not it is a renewal, passage can be difficult. His task is to put the millage issue in front of the voters, regardless of attendant issues, and let them make their choice. This community has well informed voters who do a good job of sorting out the issues. This is a renewal millage and he encourages all to separate out these difficult issues and support the renewal in August. 2. Kristi Sallie (along with Mona & Clyde Sallie) On June 8, 2006, Chair Morgan made a public comment concerning their family and allegations were made at that time. The Sallies informed Board members that the allegations were not true and offered proof that was entered into public record (in the form of an affidavit signed by the three Sallies). They asked the Board that, if they felt what was said on June 8, 2006, was true, the members swear to it in a written affidavit. Or, if the members have found that the public comment was not true, that they retract it in writing. They contacted the Governor s Office regarding the banning of the Sallie Family from speaking about Annie Mae Sallie. (They said they received a letter from the Governor s Office stating that they had raised concerns with the experience their family had with the Kent County Board of Commissioners. They said the law requires that you provide the Governor with detailed allegations of wrongdoing and the allegations must be verified by an affidavit and everyone involved must be served.) (sic) If anyone has any dissenting opinions or change of heart, they should fill out the affidavit today. If not, it will be taken to the next level. 3. Mayor Rob VerHeulen, City of Walker - He is representing the Mayors and Managers of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Wyoming & Kentwood. The Mayors and City Managers of the six cities have not endorsed the August ballot jail millage. This does not mean that they do not see the need for funding jail infrastructure and operations. Rather, it means that they believe that the jail bed per diem issue should be resolved before asking the voters of the six cities and the county at large to renew the millage. They have sworn to represent their residents, and it is their belief that they cannot, in good conscience, abandon those residents. Until the matter is addressed and resolved, they are in an impossible situation. Despite ongoing discussions regarding the per diem fees, Kent County will put this ballot question before the

2 voters in August. Their position s slogan could be No for Now. That is, the per diem should be resolved before the vote is taken. He is not here today to argue the merits or the lack of merits of the per diem charges. What he is here to say is: Kent County and the six cities need to resolve this issue. We owe it the residents that we represent. As a region, we have many common interests including economic expansion, transportation, education, healthcare and tourism. These common interests should unite us because in all of these sectors we are competing with other regions of Michigan, U.S. and the world. If we allow this matter to create a gulf between us, the consequences could be catastrophic for our region. A reasonable compromise is essential, if we are to discharge our responsibilities. This should not be a partisan issue. It should not be cities vs. townships issue. Both sides must give and take. Collaboration and cooperation is what we do here in west Michigan. We are unique in the successes we have had with public/private partnerships, intergovernmental partnerships, and all of us should take pride in what we ve accomplished as a region. This spirit of cooperation and collaboration must continue if we are going to serve our region. He has had several opportunities to speak with the Chairman, joined by Mayors Root and Buck on several occasions and each of the six cities reps has had an opportunity to speak to their individual County Commissioners. On Tuesday of this week, we submitted our third compromise proposal to the Chair, and we, the cities, are prepared to meet at any time to find a resolution. We ask you, as our county representatives, to make a similar commitment to solve this problem. We respectfully request that you openly discuss the issue, and decide whether or not Kent County shares our vision of a future made better through collaboration and cooperation. 4. Tom Raymond, representing the Kent County Law Enforcement Association, KCLEA [along with Tim Lewis (KCLEA)] and Sgt. Mark Reminga representing the Kent County Deputy Sheriff s Association, KCDSA ) - To the Board Members: Our members provide the safety net that protects the people of Kent County from dangerous criminals. This safety net is comprised of the 911 call takers, the patrol officers who respond to your emergency, detectives who investigate the crimes and the correction staff who keep our inmates safely locked in our jail. If our millage fails, it will compromise the integrity of the public s safety with potentially life threatening consequences. To our City and County Leaders: We are confident that you will negotiate an equitable resolution to the jail per diem charges issues. Please do not forget the critical impact this millage has on our members and, most importantly, on the people of Kent County. Today, the need for the millage is even more critical due to a growing population, a rising crime rate and a jail population at an all time high. We need to continue the funding to keep our jail open. KCDSA, KCLEA and DSAM officially endorse the renewal of the Kent County corrections and detention millage. Additionally, our members have donated over $2,500 to support the millage. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS The Rapid Annual Update Peter Varga, Executive Director, gave the annual update for The Rapid. Established in 2000, The Rapid has been building and improving services by responding to the needs of the community. In 2007, the Rapid saw ridership increase from 7.4 million rides to over 8.1 million rides (a nearly 10% increase in 12 months). New hybrid-electric buses were introduced and in May 2007, voters in the six-city area approved The Rapid s millage renewal and increase. The millage will allow expanded service through increased frequency of buses, increased evening &

3 weekend service and the creation of a new bus route to serve the west side of Grand Rapids. The Rapid has submitted an application to FTA for funds for a BRT (bus rapid transit) program. BRT is a higher speed bus system with a combination of shared and exclusive rights-of-way, with stations at which passengers pay fares prior to boarding. Also identified in a study was the potential need for a downtown circulator service. A streetcar system is less expensive than light rail, is designed to carry people over short distances with frequent stops and can be easily mixed with vehicle traffic. A feasibility study will examine ridership potential, development potential, possible alignments and destinations that could be served by such a system. Visit The Rapid s website for more information. AMENDMENT TO AGENDA Motion by Commissioner Mayhue, seconded by Commissioner Dillon, to amend the agenda by adding a resolution regarding the jail per diem issue. Motion carried by voice vote. (Chair Morgan noted that it will be Resolution ) CONSENT AGENDA a) Approval of the Minutes of June 26, 2008 Meeting b) July 15, 2008 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes (Reports of Claims and Allowances) c) Board of Canvassers Appointment Jane Uyl d) Resolutions: ACCEPT FY 2009 TITLE IV-D COOPERATIVE REIMBURSEMENT GRANT / PROSECUTOR S OFFICE WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Human Services provides funding to counties to operate a Cooperative Reimbursement Program designed to establish paternity as well as to secure and enforce support orders; and WHEREAS, the Prosecutor s Cooperative Reimbursement Program will continue with 19 full-time positions; and WHEREAS, the grant period is October 1, 2008, to September 30, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kent County Board of Commissioners approve the Prosecutor s request to submit an application to the Michigan Department of Human Services for a FY 2009 Title IV-D Cooperative Reimbursement Grant; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in the event grant funding is eliminated or decreased, the positions will be eliminated unless continuation funding is approved pursuant to the Fiscal Policy on Grants; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kent County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Board Chair to sign all grant documents.

4 Motion by Commissioner Tanis, seconded by Commissioner Agee, to approve the Consent Agenda items. RESOLUTIONS LABOR AGREEMENT: ASSISTANT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY ASSOCIATION (APA) / HUMAN RESOURCES WHEREAS, the County of Kent and the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Association, representing the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney I, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney II, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney III, and Senior Attorney have negotiated a labor agreement; and WHEREAS, the agreement provides for a 2.0% increase to base wages (effective January 1, 2008) and a 1.0% increase (effective July 1, 2008), a 2.0% increase effective January 1, 2009, a 1.0% increase effective July 1, 2009, and a 2.25% increase effective January 1, 2010; and WHEREAS, the total addition to base salary costs over the life of the contract is $554,845 and the total addition to wage-based benefit costs is $74,978; and WHEREAS, the annual base wage with scheduled increases is approximately $3.4 million and the total three-year increase to salary and benefit costs is $644,879; and WHEREAS, the proposed contract has been ratified by the membership. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kent County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the three-year labor agreement for the period January 1, 2008 December 31, 2010, between the County of Kent and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Association, representing the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney I, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney II, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney III, and Senior Attorney. Motion by Commissioner Wahlfield, seconded by Commissioner Klein, that the resolution be adopted DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS) CHILD CARE BUDGET AMENDMENT / FISCAL SERVICES WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Fund operates on a fiscal year beginning October 1 and ending on September 30; the FY 2008 budget was adopted by the County Board of Commissioners on September 27, 2007; and WHEREAS, during FY 2007, DHS Child Care expended slightly less than $9.8 million; and

5 WHEREAS, for FY 2008, the department requested funding of $11.8 million, which represented an increase of 20% over prior year actual; the County Administrator/Controller recommended, and the Board adopted, a budget of $10.1 million, this represented an increase of 3.5% over FY 2007; by comparison the County FY 2008 General Fund appropriation increased 0.7% over FY 2007; and WHEREAS, at the end of the FY 2008 second quarter, the DHS Child Care Fund expenditures were up 23.9% over the same period in FY 2007, while the budget provides for an annual spending increase of 3.5% over prior year actual; DHS has since provided an updated forecast of expenditures, for FY 2008, in the amount of $11.6 million; this represents an increase of 18.6%, or $1.8 million, over FY 2007; and an increase of 14.9%, or $1.5 million, over the FY 2008 adopted budget; and WHEREAS, DHS is requesting an additional $1,483,893 be appropriated to the FY 2008 DHS Child Care Fund; the County Administrator/Controller recommends $241,947 from the County s Unreserved/Undesignated General Fund balance, $500,000 from the Circuit Court Child Care Fund, and the remaining $741,946 from the State of Michigan; and WHEREAS, because Circuit Court officials have taken significant steps to continue to provide the same level of service while working diligently to restrain spending, its able to reduce its total budget $900,000 to make $500,000 in General Fund support available to DHS Child Care. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kent County Board of Commissioners approves the appropriation of an additional $1,483,893 to the DHS Child Care Fund. Motion by Commissioner Vaughn, seconded by Commissioner Vander Molen, that the resolution be adopted CIP REQUEST MILLENNIUM PARK MEIJER TRAIL NETWORK / PARKS WHEREAS, the Millennium Park Master Plan approved by the Board in November 2006 included an extensive trail network within park borders when public land holdings could support the necessary trail connections and funding could be secured; and WHEREAS, on December 13, 2007, the Board approved a purchase agreement for approximately 111 acres at the center of Millennium Park that connects the park s recreation core to extensive county holdings in the eastern half of the park, allowing for development of the trail system; and WHEREAS, private gifts and grants totaling $5,470,200 have been committed to the Kent County Parks Foundation for the project from various sources to cover the entire estimated cost of developing and improving more than 16 miles of trails within the park; and WHEREAS, construction is planned to take place over three years.

6 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kent County Board of Commissioners approves the establishment of the Fred Meijer Millennium Park Trail Network Capital Improvement Program project, and to appropriate $5,470,200 from private sources for the purpose of developing the trail network at Millennium Park. Motion by Commissioner Voorhees, seconded by Commissioner Tanis, that the resolution be adopted JAIL PER DIEM WHEREAS, the Kent County Board of Commissioners has approved a ballot question for a millage renewal to be placed on the August 5, 2008 primary ballot; and WHEREAS, in 1990, Kent County voters approved a dedicated millage to expand, equip, remodel, operate, and maintain the Kent County Jail and Juvenile Detention facility. That millage funded the construction of two new pods at the jail which added 363 beds to the facility; and WHEREAS, according to the minutes of the 1990 proceedings the millage request was for 0.84 mills and the current request is for.7893 which leaves a balance of mills hanging in the balance due to the Headlee Rollback; and WHEREAS, the five Cities (Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Grandville, and Walker) in the County of Kent are feeling financially strained due to current market conditions which have created loss of operational revenue for Fire, Recreation, Police and other quality of life services in their cities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, upon passage of the millage the per diem and processing fees for inmate ordinance violators (approximately $50 per day) from the cities going to the county for jail services will be reduced by 35% and that the remainder of the per diem rate would then be frozen based on its current level; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each year for 5 years on the anniversary of the passage of this millage, the per diem and processing fee will be reduced by 10%, contingent on the cities detailing their use of appearance tickets annually, in a report to Kent County by July 15 of each anniversary year, and in the sixth and final year the remaining 15% would be eliminated, thereby ending the charge of per diems and processing fees by the County to the 5 cities if the use of appearance tickets shows a steady downward trend for non/violent and non predatory ordinance violations; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 5 cities will ask their various commissions and pass resolutions strongly encouraging the use of appearance tickets for non violent and non predatory crimes committed within their jurisdictions to reduce cost. These resolutions shall be passed within 2 months of passage of the millage request. Motion by Commissioner Mayhue, seconded by Commissioner Vaughn, that the resolution be adopted.

7 Motion failed: Yeas: Mast, Hennessy, Bulkowski, Mayhue, Vaughn, Dillon 6. Nays: Vonk, Wahlfield, Rolls, Parrish, Tanis, Hiddema, Boelema, Voorhees, Morren, Agee, Vander Molen, Klein, Chair Morgan 13. REPORTS BDO Seidman 2007 Audit Report Motion by Commissioner Vander Molen, seconded by Commissioner Klein, to receive and file the BDO Seidman 2007 Audit Report. Motion carried by voice vote. MISCELLANEOUS Public Comment Commissioner Voorhees asked for written copies of comments from Mayor VerHeulen & Commissioner Mast regarding the jail per diem issue. Jail Millage Commissioner Vaughn stated that he supports the jail millage 100%. ADJOURNMENT At 10:07 a.m., Commissioner Tanis moved to adjourn, subject to the call of the Chair, and to Thursday, August 14, 2008, Room 310, County Administration Building, at 8:30 a.m., for an Official Meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Klein. Motion carried. Roger C. Morgan, Chair Mary Hollinrake, County Clerk