LEGISLATIVE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MINUTES. Tuesday, April 13, :30 a.m. Kent County Administration Building Room 310

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1 LEGISLATIVE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. Kent County Administration Building Room 310 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Dan Koorndyk; Commissioners Dick Bulkowski, Marvin Hiddema, Jack Horton, Paul Mayhue, Ted Vonk, Harold Mast, and Kenneth Kuipers MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Tom Postmus (excused) ALSO PRESENT: County Administrator Daryl Delabbio; Assistant Administrators Mary Swanson and Wayman Britt; Executive Assistant to the Board Jim Day; Civil Counsel Sherry Batzer; Paralegal Sangeeta Ghosh; Management Analyst Bethanie Archbold; Human Resources Director Doug DeFrain; Pension Administrator Michelle Balcom; Sr. Human Resources Specialist Liz Hawkins; Sheriff Larry Stelma; Chief Deputy Tom Hillen; Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Jim VanBendegom; Detective Bureau Captain Dan Krajewski; Facilities Management Director Bob Mihos; County Lobbyist Becky Bechler; and Sr. Administrative Specialist Pam Van Keuren NEWS MEDIA: Kyla King, Grand Rapids Press Chair Koorndyk called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. I. PUBLIC COMMENT None. II. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BECKY BECHLER Becky Bechler from Public Affairs Associates reported the Legislature is on a two-week recess and will begin addressing legislation upon their return, including county-related issues such as hotel/motel tax, board size, etc. The budget process is now in its second phase as it has already cycled through both Houses. It appears that the general government budget relative to the possible early collection of property tax for counties has been delayed for one year. Mr. Mayhue stated that the early collection of property taxes will have a great effect on people and feels there has not been enough information given to the public on how this will impact them. People need to know that this is going to happen and is concerned about what will happen to the people who are not expecting this. Ms. Bechler replied that there has been a direction to wait one year before implementing the early collection of property tax to allow more time to educate and prepare the tax payer for this change. happening. Mr. Mayhue believes more lobbying should be done to prevent this change from even Mr. Bechler explained it already is being done. County officials are working with area legislators on various levels trying to reach a compromise or some alternative to the Governor s proposal.

2 Page 2 Chair Koorndyk added when he was in Lansing recently, he conveyed to our legislators Kent County s concerns regarding revenue sharing cuts and the early collection of taxes. Mr. Kuipers is pleased with the early tax delay in terms of complicating the request for a potential millage for the Wildlife Park. Furthermore, he too is concerned with the lack of educating the public on the early tax should it happen. It is important for people to know that the action is coming from the State level and not the County level, even though the County is responsible for sending out the tax bills. Chair Koorndyk thanked Ms. Bechler for the update. III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Mr. Horton moved to approve the March 9, 2004, minutes as written. Supported by Mr. Vonk. IV. FIA/BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY BOARD APPOINTMENT Mr. Delabbio stated approval is requested to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to appoint Joan Krause to the FIA Board to fill the unexpired 3-year term ending October 31, This request is proposed to go to the Board on April 22, A summary of the request follows: Wayman Britt recently resigned from the 3-member FIA Board. Mr. Britt filled one of two slots appointed by the Board of Commissioners. His unexpired term ends October 31, The third slot is appointed by the State. Solicitation of citizen interest resulted in four resumes being submitted for consideration. The subcommittee of Commissioners Koorndyk, Postmus, and Kuipers reviewed the candidates. The subcommittee recommends the appointment of Joan Krause to fill the unexpired term. No cost or funding is required. Mr. Vonk moved to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to appoint Joan Krause to the FIA Board to fill the unexpired 3-year term ending October 31, Supported by Mr. Kuipers. Mr. Mayhue said although he respects Ms. Krause and recognizes the knowledge and experience she possesses, he is disappointed that former commissioner Herschell Turner was not recommended for this appointment.

3 Page 3 Mr. Kuipers commented that the appointment of Ms. Krause is justifiable because of the experience she has having served on the FIA Board in the past as the Governor s appointee. Furthermore, this appointment is filling an unexpired term ending October 31 at which time the application process will again open up. V. HUMAN RESOURCES AMENDMENT OF THE KENT COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN Mr. Delabbio stated approval is requested to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to approve amendment of the Kent County Employees Retirement Plan, to incorporate the changes required by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of This request is proposed to go to the Board on April 22, A summary of the request follows: The Kent County Employees Retirement Plan has been amended from time to time since its adoption in 1948, the latest amendment occurring in September The amendment is a result of legislation known as the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001 and is intended to bring our plan into compliance with that legislation. Section 2.01(h), the definition of Compensation, is modified in format and makes changes to the maximum compensation to match the amount set forth in the Code. Section 6.04 amends the maximum annual county-funded benefit payable to the amount set forth in the Code. However, actual plan maximum cannot exceed 75% of the participant s final average salary. Section 7.09 is amended to allow for additional options for rollover of accumulated contributions. Specifically, after-tax contributions can now be rolled over to an IRA or another retirement trust as stipulated in the amendment. Tim Tornga of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett prepared the amendment and prepared a letter explaining the changes incorporated within the amendment. Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company, the plan s actuary, submitted a supplemental actuarial analysis of the proposed pension benefit change. No cost or funding is required. Mr. Mast moved to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to approve amendment of the Kent County Employees Retirement Plan, to incorporate the changes required by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of Supported by Mr. Kuipers. Mr. Mast asked if the Pension Board has reviewed and is recommending this.

4 Page 4 Mr. Delabbio explained that the Board of Commissioners has responsibility for plan amendments. This amendment will bring the plan into compliance with the law. VI. SHERIFF DEPARTMENT SOLUTION AREA PLANNER 2003 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM PART II Mr. Delabbio stated approval is requested to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to create the job classification Solution Area Planner (UAW 24) as required by the 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Part II to perform the research and data collection functions specified by the Grant Agreement; to add one Solution Area Planner position to the Emergency Management Division of the Sheriff s Department; accept a SHSGP Solution Area Planner Grant from the Michigan Department of State Police; and to appropriate $73,000 from Estimated Revenues to the Sheriff s 2004 Special Projects budget. This request is proposed to go to the Board on April 22, A summary of the request follows: The 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program Part II provides federal pass-through funds to the County to hire a Solution Area Planner to perform research and provide data to support community Homeland Security activities. There is currently no classification in the County that performs the functions specified in the Grant Agreement. The classification Solution Area Planner has been documented and assigned to UAW Range 24 based on job functions and required knowledge and skills. Adding a position in this classification will enable the Sheriff s Department to comply with the requirements of the grant. The total annual salary cost for the position, $53,987, will be funded by the grant. This is a grant-funded position, so pursuant to the County s Fiscal Policies on Grants, coupled with the current moratorium on adding new positions requiring a general fund appropriation, in the event that funding is eliminated, the position will be eliminated unless continuation of funding is approved pursuant to the Fiscal Policy on Grants. Grant Funds: $73,000. Accept $73,000 from the Michigan Department of State Police. No County General Funds are required. Mr. Vonk moved to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to create the job classification Solution Area Planner (UAW 24) as required by the 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) Part II to perform the research and data collection functions specified by the Grant Agreement; to add one Solution Area Planner position to the Emergency Management Division of the

5 Page 5 Sheriff s Department; accept a SHSGP Solution Area Planner Grant from the Michigan Department of State Police; and to appropriate $73,000 from Estimated Revenues to the Sheriff s 2004 Special Projects budget. Supported by Mr. Horton. Mr. Mayhue asked what the Solution Area Planner will be responsible for. Lt. VanBendegom, Emergency Management Coordinator, explained this position will analyze data and look at how well prepared the County s response entities are if there were a terrorist attack in the community and how well they would respond together and coordinate their efforts to protect the citizens. This position will also be responsible for looking at how the County can better utilize Federal funds for training, exercise equipment planning, etc. Mr. Bulkowski asked if this position would also help with the coordination of grants for the 911 central dispatch center. Lt. VanBendegom replied the Solution Area Planner grant has a very narrow scope and is a terrorism type grant that assists in terrorist planning for the community. Mr. Hiddema asked why there is a disparity of $20,000 between the total grant funds of $73,000 and the annual salary cost of the position of $53,987. Lt. VanBendegom explained that the $73,000 grant total is an allocated amount based on size and because of the combined effort the County has with the City of Grand Rapids and the City of Kentwood in its emergency planning efforts. Mr. Kuipers asked if this position is envisioned to have any contact with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and what the connection is between the airport and emergency management. Lt. VanBendegom stated that emergency management is all encompassing in that it looks at all hazards planning within the community including airports; and although airports do have separate regulations and the Transportation Security Administration is their focal group, emergency management does meet with them on a regular basis. VII. MISCELLANEOUS DeVos Place Parking Mr. Mayhue feels the County should renegotiate its contract with the City of Grand Rapids for parking in the Government Ramp, as parking in DeVos Place is an inconvenience. Chair Koorndyk stated that parking in DeVos Place is a cost-savings for the County.

6 Page 6 GVMC Luncheon Mr. Horton was unable to attend the GVMC Luncheon and asked for an update on the discussion that took place regarding the purchase of development rights. Mr. Bulkowski stated that discussion took place on farmland preservation and the purchase of development rights, investment and economic issues in preserving open space, and how the purchase of development rights in the long-run pays for itself. Boards, Commissions, and Committees Mr. Vonk inquired about a subcommittee to look at the make-up and term limits for citizens who serve on various boards, commissions, and committees. Chair Koorndyk stated that the Board Chair is reviewing the necessity of such a subcommittee. VIII. 9:10 a.m. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business for discussion, Chair Koorndyk adjourned the meeting at ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL FOR DISTRIBUTION prv

LEGISLATIVE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MINUTES. Tuesday, December 14, :30 a.m. Kent County Administration Building Room 310

LEGISLATIVE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. Kent County Administration Building Room 310 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Dan Koorndyk; Commissioners Tom Postmus, Dick Bulkowski, Marvin