Washtenaw County commissioners Leah Gunn and Conan Smith, who both represent districts in Ann Arbor, exchange hand gestures before the start of the June 6, 2012 board of commissioners meeting. (Photos by the writer.)

Commissioners were briefed by Dick Fleece, the county’s top public health official, about the new effort to eliminate the sale of synthetic marijuana – known as “spice” and sold legally as K2, Yucatan Fire and other brand names – as well as other synthetic drugs. The “carrot-and-stick” approach will encourage businesses to remove the products voluntarily, Fleece said, and highlight that decision with a decal that stores can use to indicate compliance. But if businesses don’t comply, the county has the authority to issue a public health order against them and, if necessary, get a court injunction to force compliance.

While commissioners acknowledged that synthetic drugs are dangerous – effects can include hallucinations, aggression, paranoia, and seizures – there were some questions for Fleece about why the county is targeting these particular products, which are sold legally. Fleece indicated that there’s heightened concern among residents and coverage of the issue in nearly every media outlet nationally. Some commissioners expressed skepticism about the approach, indicating a preference for a broader educational campaign about the dangers of legal and illegal substances.

Other public health items on the June 6 agenda included hiring Alice Penrose as the county’s new medical director, and approving the application for a state grant to pay for water quality monitoring at five local beaches. The board also appointed 15 members to the new Washtenaw Food Policy Council, and approved the application for federal funding of a summer meal program for low-income children.

Commissioners also voted to schedule a special working session on June 14 to discuss a four-party public transit agreement that’s intended to set the stage for a possible countywide transit authority. A new transit authority – tentatively called The Washtenaw Ride – would expand the governance and service area of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority. Some commissioners intend to bring forward amendments to the agreement, which the board is expected to vote on at its regular July 11 meeting. If the county board does amend the four-party agreement, it would need to be reconsidered by the other three entities involved, which have already approved it: the city councils of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and the AATA board.

During the time allotted for communications, commissioners discussed the decision by the state not to reimburse local communities for emergency expenses related to the March 15 tornado touchdown near Dexter. Also, Verna McDaniel highlighted the state’s approval of a $1 million grant to fund brownfield cleanup at the former Georgetown Mall in Ann Arbor, for a residential project called Packard Square. The board had approved the grant application a year ago, following a contentious discussion about the project.

Other actions during the June 6 meeting included: (1) authorizing a grant agreement for up to $60,000 in emergency housing assistance for residents facing eviction from Camp Take Notice; (2) taking a final vote to set the 2012 county general operating millage rate at 4.5493 mills; and (3) giving final approval for re-funding of previously-issued bonds, a move that’s expected to save $889,000 over the life of the bond repayments.

Program to Fight Synthetic Drugs

Dick Fleece, the county’s public health officer, briefed the county board about a program to eliminate the sale of synthetic marijuana – known as “spice” and sold legally as K2, Yucatan Fire and other brand names – as well as other synthetic drugs. The program was being launched by the Washtenaw County public health department, and did not require any action by the board.

County administrator Verna McDaniel introduced the briefing by telling commissioners that a group of county officials had met earlier in the day to develop a response for what’s perceived as a dangerous public health threat. The group included McDaniel, Fleece, other public health officials, sheriff Jerry Clayton, county prosecuting attorney Brian Mackie, and county corporation counsel Curtis Hedger. McDaniel reported that the county had been receiving emails from concerned parents – about 20 or so – as well as calls to the county’s help desk. They are trying to be proactive in their response, she said.

Fleece began by saying he wouldn’t focus on details of the health effects – commissioners could read about that in a packet of materials that was handed out at the meeting. Instead, he wanted to describe the coordinated approach that’s being put in place to respond to these very dangerous products.

County officials had decided to respond with a carrot-and-stick approach, he said. The plan entails asking businesses to voluntarily stop selling these products – and if they agree, they’ll be given a decal indicating that they are part of this program. If they refuse, Fleece said he has the authority to issue a public health order that would direct the businesses to remove these products from their shelves, but he hoped those orders would be “few and far between.” If the businesses don’t comply with the order, they can be taken to court, he said. It will take a community effort to apply pressure, making businesses realize that they’re doing harm and that it’s not worth whatever profit they’re making.

Fleece told commissioners that his department planned to issue a press release with additional details about the program later in the week. The press release was subsequently issued on Friday, June 8. [.pdf of press release] [.pdf of public health notice] A website also is set up with details of the program.

Synthetic Drugs: Board Discussion

Rob Turner asked how people would find out about this program. Fleece replied that in addition to the press release, information would be posted on the county’s website, and businesses would be able to sign up online to participate.

Turner described it as an important effort, noting that when he served on the Chelsea school board, he had learned of the problem. At the time, it was primarily happening in Canada, he said, but “now, it’s here.” He was glad the county is taking a proactive approach.

Dick Fleece, the county's public health officer, briefed commissioners on a program to combat synthetic drugs in Washtenaw County.

Felicia Brabec asked about the consequence of receiving a public health order. Fleece said if the business doesn’t comply, the county could go to court and get an injunction that would force the business to stop selling the products. Brabec said she had recently attended a county symposium on the dangers of prescription drug use, and she thanked Fleece for his department’s efforts.

Wes Prater asked about plans for follow-up, noting that some businesses might abuse the program by signing up and getting the decal, even though they’d continue to sell the products. Fleece replied that they’ll have a way for the public to report such abuses.

While commissioners acknowledged that synthetic drugs are dangerous – effects can include hallucinations, aggression, paranoia, and seizures – there were some questions for Fleece about why the county is targeting these particular products, which are sold legally. Fleece indicated that there’s heightened concern among residents and coverage of the issue in nearly every media outlet nationally.

Alicia Ping asked if there had been specific problems related to synthetic drugs in Washtenaw County. Therese Doud, prevention coordinator for the county’s public health department, said there hadn’t been a lot of reported cases to date, but she indicated that the use of these drugs is assumed to be higher than just the reported cases, based on national trends. There haven’t been a lot of cases in local hospital emergency rooms, but the county wants to be proactive, Doud said. Fleece noted that nationwide, 11% of high school seniors have reported using synthetic drugs.

Ping noted that lots of legal products – like glue or aerosol cans – can be used in dangerous ways, and yet they aren’t being outlawed. Will the county be providing a broader effort to educate parents and others about these dangers? Doud replied that they’ll take a look at that. Other communities, such as Macomb County, have helpful informational websites, Doud said.

Rolland Sizemore Jr. picked up that issue, asking if there are other products that the county should be discussing in conjunction with synthetic drugs. Fleece replied that almost everything relates to public health, so the county has to prioritize its efforts. This issue of synthetic drugs is front and center now, he said, so that’s why they’re strategizing about it.

Sizemore asked if the county had formed an advisory committee of local businesses to help with the effort. No, Fleece said, at this point they haven’t tried to create a broader coalition. The issue only came to prominence recently, Fleece added, and the county wanted to take action ahead of anticipated state legislation. Sizemore suggested that the board should schedule a working session on the issue.

Yousef Rabhi said it was fascinating to watch the recent heightened concern about these products, given that they’ve been available for years. He noted that the legalization of natural marijuana would obviate the need for synthetic versions. The state’s continuing efforts to constrain the use of medical marijuana – even though voters overwhelmingly approved the legalization of that drug for medical purposes – should be part of the discussion, he said.

Dan Smith asked Fleece to elaborate on the public health directive, and how it relates to both legal and illegal substances that might be abused. What’s the reason for focusing on synthetic drugs? Fleece said the directive is focused on K2 and other synthetic drugs primarily in response to concerns from citizens. It isn’t focused on illegal drugs like marijuana or heroin. The synthetic drugs are legal now, but pose serious health consequences that can be addressed by this directive, Fleece said. If businesses voluntarily stop selling these products, the county wants to applaud that, he said, and publicize that decision. If not, the county will declare it as an imminent health threat and go to court.

Commissioners Dan Smith and Alicia Ping.

Ping advocated for putting a priority on education rather than enforcement, alerting people to the dangers of these and other products – legal and illegal – that can be used in harmful ways. She noted that the state is expected to take action against synthetic drugs, and she felt the county was rushing to do something that it didn’t need to do.

Dan Smith also expressed concern about spending county funds on prosecuting something that’s legal. The prosecutor’s office already has a lot of work to do, he noted, and he didn’t like the idea of spending even more money on attorney fees.

Prater argued that the county needed to act now, because the danger is immediate.

Conan Smith asked Fleece to explain how resources would be allocated for this program. Fleece replied that they don’t know what the demand will be, but it’s expected that a lot of merchants will remove the products voluntarily. There will be a few stragglers, but he didn’t expect there would be many cases where the county would need to take a business to court. He hoped it would be more of a public education campaign, and businesses will take care of the problem on their own.

Conan Smith noted that there’s sensitivity to the problem of synthetic drugs, but also a concern about its strategic importance when weighed against other public health issues. He encouraged Fleece to connect with commissioners individually, and to ”use your powers appropriately on our behalf.”

Prater pointed out that gas stations and convenience stores were the places most likely to sell these products, and the businesses are just interested in making money. It would be wrong for the county simply to do nothing, he said.

Outcome: The board was not asked to take any action. The measures outlined by Dick Fleece are within his authority to implement.

County Medical Director

In another item related to public health, commissioners were asked to authorize the hiring of Alice Penrose as the county’s public health medical director, effective July 30 at a salary of $130,000. The position is currently vacant, and those state-mandated services are being provided under contract with the Oakland County medical director, Pamela Hackert. Both Penrose and Hackert attended the board’s June 6 meeting.

Under the Michigan Public Health Code (Public Act 368 of 1978), Medicare services provided by the county – including immunizations and the maternal infant health program – require that a licensed medical doctor on staff bill Medicare, via the state, for reimbursement.

Alice Penrose will be Washtenaw County's new medical director, effective July 30.

Penrose is a licensed physician in the State of Michigan, with a medical degree and a master’s degree in public health. She is board certified in preventive medicine and internal medicine. She most recently has served as a primary care practitioner at the Packard Health clinic in Ann Arbor. [.pdf of Alice Penrose's résumé]

The previous medical director, Monique Reeves, had been appointed by the board just a year ago at the June 1, 2011 board meeting, with a salary of $125,000. Reeves tendered her resignation in a letter dated March 15, 2012 and effective April 13. In the letter, which did not indicate her reason for resigning, Reeves states: ”It was my distinct privilege to serve the citizens of Washtenaw County during my brief tenure. Although it was my sincerest hope that things would have worked out differently, I believe that an amicable parting of the ways is the best course of action at this juncture.” [.pdf of resignation letter]

Responding to a query from The Chronicle after the meeting, county administrator Verna McDaniel said the decision by Reeves to resign had been a “sad loss for us.” She described Reeves as a visionary, and drew an analogy to speed limits, saying that the public health department had a 45 mile an hour speed limit, while Reeves needed to drive at 80 miles an hour.

County Medical Director: Board Discussion

Dan Smith noted that the county has been contracting out for the medical director’s work. How’s that going? he asked.

Dick Fleece, the county’s public health officer, introduced Pamela Hackert, Oakland County’s medical director. Fleece noted that Hackert has served on an as-needed basis, to fulfill the state requirement. She isn’t working on a full-time basis, so there is outreach work that isn’t being done, he said, but it’s been a good interim solution.

Smith asked what the cost of the contract is with Hackert, compared to having a full-time medical director. Fleece replied that he didn’t have that detail in hand, but the contract with Hackert was cheaper. However, he added, the county needs a full-time medical director. He introduced Alice Penrose, who also was attending the meeting.

Outcome: Commissioners voted to approve the hiring of Alice Penrose as medical director, effective July 30, 2012.

Public Beach Water Quality

A third item related to public health was a resolution that asked that the board approve an application for a Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality’s water quality monitoring grant for $7,654. It requires at least a 25% local match, which will be provided primarily as an in-kind contribution of county staff time. The total project budget is $11,147. The state funding runs from May 1, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2014. The monitoring program previously has been paid for with general fund dollars.

Results from the monitoring will be posted on the MDEQ’s beach water monitoring website.

Public Beach Water Quality: Board Discussion

Felicia Brabec asked which beaches are being monitored. The question was fielded by Dick Fleece, the county’s public health director. The five beaches are located at Bruin Lake, Half Moon Lake, Independence Lake, Silver Lake and Sugarloaf Lake.

Brabec asked if other beaches are eligible. Fleece replied that this program has been sampling water at local beaches for over 35 years, but it’s not a mandated program. The county is relying on the grant to be able to do the monitoring, he said. Brabec called it a wonderful public health service.

Outcome: Commissioners approved the water quality monitoring grant application.

Countywide Transit

In an item added to the agenda during the June 6 meeting, commissioners were asked to schedule a special working session for Thursday, June 14 to discuss a four-party public transit agreement that’s intended to set the stage for a possible countywide transit authority. A new transit authority – tentatively called The Washtenaw Ride – would expand the governance and service area of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.

The effort is spearheaded by the AATA. Yousef Rabhi – who chairs the board’s working sessions – noted that AATA had originally hoped the board would act on the agreement at its June 6 meeting. However, Rabhi said, there was some hesitancy among commissioners to do that. They wanted a robust discussion about the agreement, but didn’t want to wait until their next regular meeting on July 11. [During the summer, the county board holds its regular meetings only once a month.]

Rabhi said that a compromise was to schedule a special working session on the issue. He hoped they could talk through all the issues at that point, so “come prepared for a lengthy discussion,” he said. The board could then vote on the four-party agreement and articles of incorporation at its July 11 meeting.

From left: Washtenaw County administrator Verna McDaniel and commissioner Yousef Rabhi, who'll be chairing the June 14 working session on the four-party transit agreement.

The other three entities in the agreement – the AATA board, and the city councils of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti – have authorized the accord.

The process of ratifying the four-party agreement has been somewhat complex. The Ypsilanti city council had initially approved the agreement on May 15, 2012, but amended it in a way that required the Ann Arbor city council, which had approved an earlier version on March 5, to reconsider the amended version. The Ann Arbor council did that on June 4, 2012, but Ann Arbor did not accept all of the Ypsilanti amendments. So the agreement went back to Ypsilanti city council, and on June 5, Ypsilanti councilmembers voted to match the amended agreement that was approved by the Ann Arbor city council the previous day. That version, now approved by both bodies, provides for different treatment of a 1% municipal service charge by each city.

Under the agreement approved by both councils, Ann Arbor will extract a 1% municipal service charge before forwarding its transit millage revenues to a possible new transportation authority to be formed under Act 196 of 1986. Ypsilanti will not assess the charge, and will forward the full amount of its millage revenues to the Act 196 authority. The service charge would be roughly $90,000 for Ann Arbor, and about $3,000 for Ypsilanti – based on the revenues raised by the respective transit millages in those cities.

The fourth party in the four-party agreement – the AATA board – had approved the accord on May 16, 2012, but may now review and revote its approval in light of the amendments made by the two city councils.

At the county board’s June 6 meeting, Rabhi said he hoped that the board could reach a consensus on the agreement at the working session, even though a formal vote wouldn’t take place until July 11. He suggested that commissioners take a straw poll on any amendments they’d like to offer, so that the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti city councils would have the opportunity to respond before the board’s July 11 vote. None of the other commissioners voiced objections to that approach. At least one commissioner has indicated to The Chronicle an intention to bring forward specific changes to the agreement.

Outcome: Commissioners voted to schedule the special working session on June 14. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at the county administration building, 220 N. Main in Ann Arbor.

Funds for Camp Take Notice Residents

Commissioners took up a resolution authorizing a grant agreement for up to $60,000 in emergency housing assistance for residents facing eviction from Camp Take Notice, a homeless encampment on state-owned land in Scio Township. The funds will come from the Salvation Army of Michigan, to be provided to the county’s Barrier Busters Unmet Needs Fund. No general fund dollars will be used.

According to a staff memo, residents living in Camp Take Notice have been told by the Michigan Dept. of Transportation – which owns the land off of Wagner Road, where the camp is located – that they’ll need to leave by June 22. Several community groups – including the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, the county’s office of community and economic development, the county sheriff’s office, and local nonprofits serving the homeless – are working with state agencies to help identify housing and support services for these individuals. Staff of the county’s Community Support & Treatment Services Project Outreach Team (PORT) are also involved.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is providing $270,000 in housing subsidies for the 50-70 people who are currently staying at Camp Take Notice. The $60,000 in funds from the Salvation Army will be used for emergency transitional housing in motels, and for security deposits when more permanent housing is found. The MSHDA funds will be managed by Michigan Ability Partners (MAP) and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, and those agencies will help find permanent housing for Camp Take Notice residents. The office of community and economic development will manage the $60,000 in funds for Barrier Busters, which helps coordinate efforts of local human services agencies.

Funds for Camp Take Notice Residents: Board Discussion

Yousef Rabhi called it a very positive item, and noted that there had been a rally recently to oppose the eviction. But if the eviction goes through, he said, these funds will help.

Outcome: The board approved the grant agreement for Camp Take Notice residents.

Food Policy Council

Commissioners were asked to appoint 15 members to a new Washtenaw Food Policy Council, and to pass amended bylaws. The board of commissioners had given final approval to create the council at its March 21, 2012 meeting.

Members appointed with one-year terms are: Bill Alt (faith-based organization); Amanda Edmonds (urban agriculture); Dena Jaffee (food service); Liz Dahl MacGregor (citizen); Nicole Miller (emergency food system); Lindsey Scalera (education); Dayle Wright (health care); and Patti Smith (human services).

Members appointed to two-year terms are: Jenna Bacolor (Washtenaw County public health); Nicole Chardoul (Waste management); Gretchen Hofing (nutrition); Tim Redmond (food manufacturer and distributor); Michaelle Rehmann (economic development); Kenny Siler (rural agriculture). County commissioner Yousef Rabhi had previously been appointed by the board to a two-year term.

The Washtenaw Food Policy Council aims to support local “small and mid-sized farmers by fostering policies that encourage local food purchasing and production,” according to a staff memo. Among other activities, the council could also: recommend policy changes at the local, state and national levels; provide a forum for discussing food issues; encourage coordination among different sectors of the local food system; evaluate, educate, and influence policy; and launch or support programs and services that address local food needs.

A separate item related to approval of bylaws for the council [.pdf of food policy council bylaws].

Board chair Conan Smith clarified that the original bylaws did not clearly indicate what entity would be responsible for making these appointments. The amended bylaws clarify that the county board is responsible for appointing the policy council members. This time, the appointments will be people who are already serving, he said, “to avoid bad blood.”

Rabhi noted that all of the people who are being appointed have submitted résumés to the county and are very experienced. He fully supported their appointments.

Outcome: The board unanimously voted to appoint members of the Washtenaw Food Policy Council and to amend the bylaws.

Millage Rate

Commissioners were asked to give final approval to set the 2012 county general operating millage rate at 4.5493 mills – unchanged from the current rate.

Several other county millages are levied separately: emergency communications (0.2000 mills), the Huron Clinton Metroparks Authority (0.2146 mills), two for county parks and recreation (0.2353 mills and 0.236 mills) and for the natural areas preservation program (0.2409 mills). That brings the total county millage rate to 5.6768 mills, a rate that’s also unchanged from 2011.

This is an annual procedural action, and not a vote to levy new taxes. With a few minor exceptions, the county board does not have authority to levy taxes independently. Millage increases, new millages or an action to reset a millage at its original rate (known as a Headlee override) would require voter approval.

Initial approval had been given at the county board’s May 16, 2012 meeting. At that meeting, commissioner Wes Prater expressed concern that the county parks & recreation department was building up a fund balance that is higher than necessary, and suggested that perhaps the entire millage for parks & rec did not need to be levied. Several commissioners defended the use of millage proceeds, noting that several large capital projects are on the horizon, including a possible recreation center in downtown Ypsilanti.

Millage Rate: Public Hearing

Only one person – Thomas Partridge – spoke at a public hearing on the millage rate, and cited the need for additional revenues. He criticized the county’s “casting off” of the Head Start program. There are feral dogs and cats that are abandoned and that cause a grave danger to the public because of potential bites and rabies. The county can’t house the homeless who are virtually on the doorsteps of local governments, he said. Partridge advocated for tax reforms and for placing a Headlee override on the ballot.

Outcome: Without discussion, commissioners voted to set the 2012 county general operating millage rate at 4.5493 mills.

Summer Food Grant

Washtenaw County commissioners were asked to authorize the application for a $108,364 federal grant – available through reimbursements from the Michigan Dept. of Education – to fund a summer food program for children of low-income families. The program will be supplemented with $37,386 in additional federal Community Services Block Grant funding.

The program will serve about 13,000 breakfasts, 37,000 lunches, and 21,000 snacks to children at 12 sites throughout the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area, including schools, recreation centers, community centers, or other community-based organizations. It will be administered by the office of community and economic development, a joint county/city of Ann Arbor unit. The county has administered this program for more than two decades, according to a staff memo.

Summer Food Grant: Board Discussion

Felicia Brabec noted that there is a big jump in the number of meals this year compared to last year. In 2011, the program served 8,180 breakfasts, 16,229 lunches, and 8,000 snacks. Does that reflect an increase in need? she asked.

Susan Sweet Scott, the county’s human services manager, explained that the numbers for this year are estimates, and are probably optimistic. Because the program is funded on a reimbursement basis, she said, there’s no concern about the county’s ability to cover the costs, regardless of how many meals are served.

Outcome: Commissioners approved the application for the summer food grant.

Bond Re-Funding

A resolution giving final approval for the re-funding of bonds previously issued by Washtenaw County was on the June 6 agenda. The action – advised by the county’s bond counsel, John Axe of Axe & Ecklund of Grosse Pointe Farms – consolidates two previous bond issues and is expected to save $889,000 over the life of the bond repayments. Initial approval was given at the board’s May 16, 2012 meeting.

In 2004, the county board had approved a bond sale of $6.365 million to fund energy efficiency improvements in county facilities. Chevron Energy Solutions was hired to oversee that effort, which is known as the Chevron project. About $4.69 million in principle is owed on that bond. [Commissioners were last updated on this project at their June 2010 working session.]

In 2005, the board approved a bond sale of $11.475 million to re-fund a 1999 bond issued for projects that included capital improvements for the juvenile detention center, buildings at 110 N. Fourth and 200 N. Main, and the environmental services building on Zeeb Road. About $7.835 million in principle is still owed on that bond issue.

Because of current low interest rates, Axe has advised the county board to authorize the sale of a single re-funding bond issue not to exceed $12.35 million. The re-funding bonds will be called the County of Washtenaw Capital Improvement Re-funding Bond Series 2012.

Outcome: Without discussion, the board approved the re-funding of bonds, as well as a separate resolution authorizing continued disclosure on the re-funding bond issue, as required by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).

Project LIFT

Commissioners were asked to give final approval to apply for a $1,348,853 federal grant from the U.S. Dept. of Labor to fund Project LIFT, a jobs training and service program for juvenile ex-offenders run by the county sheriff’s office. The program aims to serve 100 youth. [.pdf of program description] The grant application had received initial approval at the board’s May 16, 2012 meeting.

A staff memo notes that while Washtenaw County “has the best employment rates compared to its neighbors, it also has the highest rate of criminal recidivism in the state, with 80% of released prisoners being re-imprisoned 2-3 years later. In addition, many at-risk youth reside in communities that serve as a revolving door for offenders returning to society from our jails and prisons. With community-based reintegration in Washtenaw County still in its infancy, there is a need to engage youth before they are introduced to the criminal justice system as adults, within their own communities, that will deter them from criminal behavior.”

According to the staff report, the sheriff’s community action team estimates there are 12-13 gangs active in Washtenaw County, with 9-10 gangs active in one neighborhood alone. The largest gang has an estimated 25 members.

Outcome: Without discussion, commissioners gave final approval to apply for the Project LIFT grant.

Communications & Public Commentary

There are various opportunities for communications from commissioners as well as general public commentary. These are some highlights.

Communications: Dexter Area Tornado

Felicia Brabec noted that the county had received a letter from the state denying a request for emergency assistance related to the March 15, 2012 tornado touchdown in the Dexter area. She asked for an update.

The letter had been sent by Thomas Sands, deputy state director of emergency management and homeland security. [.pdf of letter from Thomas Sands] It was in response to a request sent to Gov. Rick Snyder in April by board chair Conan Smith, asking for the state to reimburse local municipalities for costs incurred as a result of the devastation. Local governments had itemized about $1 million in costs, but the total – primarily in damages to residences – is estimated at over $9 million. [.pdf of Smith's letter to Snyder] [.pdf summarizing tornado-related expenses]

Smith told Brabec that this means there won’t be any reimbursement from the state, “so it’s money out of our pocket.” The county’s share of those costs is less than $200,000. Smith noted that the board had previously allocated up to $500,000 for tornado relief – they had voted unanimously to do that at their March 21 meeting, using funds from capital reserves to pay for overtime costs for staff and costs for dumpsters to haul away debris, among other things.

Rob Turner, who’s been acting as point person for the response – because he represents District 1, which includes the Dexter area – said he’d provide a final report with updated numbers to the board. He noted that residents are very appreciative of the county’s efforts.

Ronnie Peterson said he was pleased with the county’s response, but he wondered if there was a policy regarding how the county responds to emergencies – whether it’s a tornado or an ice storm or something else. At any time, such an emergency could hit any community, he noted.

Conan Smith noted that at the beginning of each year, the board chair signs a comprehensive emergency management plan prepared by the county’s emergency management division, which is led by Marc Breckenridge. Breckenridge and his team had coordinated the response to the Dexter tornado touchdown.

Peterson said he was proud of the county’s response, and it’s unfortunate that the state didn’t perceive it as an emergency. But he said it was important to revisit the county’s emergency protocol.

Turner agreed, saying it’s important for local governments to know what kind of help the county can provide. He said he’d been glad to serve as a point person for the tornado response, but something more formal and comprehensive would help  make it easier for local communities to get what they need.

Wes Prater suggested that Breckenridge give a presentation to the board about what’s already in place. It would be good for the board to review and understand, he said.

Communications: Packard Square

County administrator Verna McDaniel reported that she had received a letter from state Sen. Rebekah Warren, congratulating the county on the cleanup of the Packard Square development at the former Georgetown Mall in Ann Arbor. [Warren is married to county board chair Conan Smith.] On May 11, the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality issued a press release announcing that the state had awarded a $1 million brownfield redevelopment grant for the project.

McDaniel reminded commissioners that they had approved the brownfield plan and grant application last year, which she said will allow the site to be redeveloped. It’s been a long time coming, she added, and any time there’s the opportunity to clean up a contaminated site, they should take it.

By way of background, the board approved the brownfield plan and grant application at its May 18, 2011 meeting, after a contentious discussion. The developers, The Harbor Cos., had asked the board to approve a $1 million loan application to the MDEQ, as well as a request to authorize designation of the county’s full faith and credit as a guarantee for any loan that might be awarded, up to $1 million. The loan request spurred a board discussion about the need to develop a broader public-private investment policy.

The Harbor Cos. later decided not to apply for the MDEQ loan. Some commissioners – notably Leah Gunn – weren’t sure such a broader policy was necessary. Ultimately no further action was taken on developing a policy.

Since then, the board has approved several other brownfield plans, including plans for (1) Arbor Hills Crossing, a proposed retail and office complex at Platt and Washtenaw in Ann Arbor; (2) Ford Motor Co’s Rawsonville plant in Ypsilanti Township; and (3) the LaFontaine Chevrolet redevelopment project in Dexter.

As part of their packet of communications for the June 6, 2012 meeting, commissioners also received the 2011 annual report of the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Program. [.pdf of 2011 brownfield report] It was not discussed at the meeting.

Communications: Public Commentary – Ypsilanti Township

Hal Wolfe of McKinley Street  in Ypsilanti Township addressed the board on several issues. He noted that he’s been involved in his neighborhood watch group, and that there are a lot of mental health facilities in the area. One of them is so small that it falls below the level of scrutiny, he said. Yet there are all sorts of incidents there, and it’s tearing his neighborhood apart. Police come regularly, and there’s even been a case of physical assault, he said. It’s becoming exceedingly difficult to live on his street. Wolfe said he’s been trying to find out how these facilities are funded by the county, and he’s meeting with township supervisor Brenda Stumbo to address the issue, too.

Wolfe also expressed concern about the increase in rental housing. Some tenants are good, but some aren’t. He’d hate to see his street turn into a blighted urban slum, but he wasn’t sure what the county’s role would be in addressing that.

Finally, Wolfe raised the issue of towing. He knew that negotiations were ongoing with the county sheriff’s office to renew a towing contract. He reported that he had been towed and had to pay the lion’s share of $500 to Budget Towing – he wasn’t sure it had been legal. Wolfe planned to meet with county officials about it, and he argued that there should be a more equitable rate structure.

By way of background, commissioners have previously heard complaints about the towing contract. Billy Salamey – who’s the owner of Budget Towing, Stadium Towing and Glen Ann Towing – had addressed commissioners at their Feb. 1, 2012 meeting, responding to accusations made by one of his competitors that he had submitted a fraudulent bid. A request for proposals (RFP) had been issued for the contract in June of 2011.

At the June 6 meeting, board chair Conan Smith responded to Wolfe by pointing out that housing issues are handled by the county’s office of community & economic development – he noted that its director, Mary Jo Callan, was in the room. Smith said that Callan could give Wolfe the assistance he needed.

Ronnie Peterson also responded, saying the situation in the eastern part of the county warranted discussion. [Peterson represents District 6, which covers Ypsilanti and part of Ypsilanti Township.] That part of the county shouldn’t be a dumping ground, he said. While he supports residential mental health programs, there shouldn’t be a saturation in particular neighborhoods. He didn’t want Wolfe to feel ignored, and said he was taking an interest in the situation. Peterson also expressed concern that because the real estate market was so depressed, some people in the more affluent parts of the county were taking advantage of that to buy houses for rental property.

Communications: Public Commentary – Thomas Partridge

In addition to the public hearing noted above, Thomas Partridge spoke during two other opportunities for public commentary. He reported that he is a Democratic candidate for state representative in District 53, representing Ann Arbor. [The district is now represented by Democrat Jeff Irwin, who is seeking re-election. Irwin is a former county commissioner.] Partridge said he was there to advocate for the most vulnerable residents, especially those who are in need of shelter, countywide transportation, affordable health care and free education.

Present: Felicia Brabec, Leah Gunn, Alicia Ping, Ronnie Peterson, Wes Prater, Yousef Rabhi, Rolland Sizemore Jr., Conan Smith, Dan Smith, Rob Turner.

Absent: Barbara Bergman.

Next regular board meeting: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the county administration building, 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. The ways & means committee meets first, followed immediately by the regular board meeting. [Check Chronicle calendar listing to confirm date] (Though the agenda states that the regular board meeting begins at 6:45 p.m., it usually starts much later – times vary depending on what’s on the agenda.) Public commentary is held at the beginning of each meeting, and no advance sign-up is required.

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The previous medical director, Monique Reeves, had been appointed by the board just a year ago at the June 1, 2011 board meeting, with a salary of $125,000. Reeves tendered her resignation in a letter dated March 15, 2012 and effective April 13. In the letter, which did not indicate her reason for resigning, Reeves states: ”It was my distinct privilege to serve the citizens of Washtenaw County during my brief tenure. Although it was my sincerest hope that things would have worked out differently, I believe that an amicable parting of the ways is the best course of action at this juncture.” [.pdf of resignation letter]

Responding to a query from The Chronicle, county administrator Verna McDaniel said the decision by Reeves to resign had been a “sad loss for us.” She described Reeves as a visionary, and drew an analogy to speed limits, saying that the public health department had a 45 mile an hour speed limit, while Reeves needed to drive at 80 miles an hour.

Under the Michigan Public Health Code (Public Act 368 of 1978), Medicare services provided by the county – including immunizations and the maternal infant health program – require that a licensed medical doctor on staff bill Medicare, via the state, for reimbursement. Penrose is a licensed physician in the State of Michigan, with a medical degree and a masters degree in public health. She is board certified in preventive medicine and internal medicine. She most recently has served as a primary care practitioner at the Packard Health clinic in Ann Arbor. [.pdf of Alice Penrose's resumé]

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building, 220 N. Main in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

From left: Washtenaw County public health officer Dick Fleece, newly appointed public health medical director Monique Reeves, interim deputy county administrator Kelly Belknap, and county commissioner Wes Prater. Commissioners approved the hiring of Reeves at their June 1 meeting. (Photos by the writer.)

While the board’s previous meeting drew supporters from a range of human services groups, on Wednesday most public commenters spoke against funding of one specific nonprofit: Planned Parenthood of Mid and South Michigan. Their arguments on financial and moral grounds were ultimately unpersuasive to commissioners, who voted unanimously to approve support for Planned Parenthood and several other agencies, totaling $1.015 million through fiscal year 2013, including $53,040 from the county for Planned Parenthood.

Two commissioners raised concerns that county funding for human services in general is inadequate, especially in light of proposed changes that could bump thousands of beneficiaries statewide off the welfare rolls later this year.

In a vote that also holds budget implications, the board’s move to set the price for a contract sheriff’s deputy was remarkable mainly for its lack of debate – historically it’s been a contentious issue. Commissioners gave initial approval without comment. The price set in 2012 for a police services unit (PSU) is $150,594 – unchanged from this year. That’s followed by 1% annual increases through 2015. The difference between the actual cost of a PSU and the amount charged – roughly $25,500, based on current figures – would be covered by the county. The item will return to the board’s July 6 meeting for a final vote.

Meanwhile, a 2006 lawsuit filed against the county over the amount it charged at that time for contract deputies remains unresolved. Judge Joseph Costello of the 38th Circuit Court Chief has ordered the county and Augusta and Ypsilanti townships into non-binding facilitation, in a meeting set for June 22.

During Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners also approved a raft of other items, including: (1) the hiring of Monique Reeves as new medical director; and (2) five drain projects in Ann Arbor that require bonds backed by the county’s full faith and credit. The board also voted to add five new working sessions to its calendar: on June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 13. All are focused on the 2012-2013 budget.

Finally, at the end of its meeting the board went into executive session for about an hour to address three issues: (1) a collective bargaining strategy; (2) possible settlement of pending litigation; and (3) review of a legal opinion.

Funding for Human Services Nonprofits

On the agenda was a resolution for final approval to allocate $507,500 in children’s well-being and human services funding for 2011, as well as additional funds in 2012 and 2013, contingent on the board’s approval of those budgets later this year. In total, the board was asked to allocate $1.015 million through 2013.

The allocations for these awards were recommended by a coordinated funding review committee. The committee focused on six priorities for the entire county: housing/homelessness, aging, school-aged youth, children from birth to six, health and food. The process is being managed by the joint county/city of Ann Arbor office of community development, which is coordinating the funding efforts of the county, the city of Ann Arbor, the United Way of Washtenaw County, and the Washtenaw Urban County. The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation is participating in other parts of the effort. [.pdf of funding recommendations]

The board had given initial approval for funding at its May 18 meeting, when they also heard from about 20 people during public commentary, mostly urging commissioners to continue support for various nonprofits. Three people at that meeting spoke against funding Planned Parenthood of Mid and South Michigan.

At the June 1 meeting, most of the public commentary came from 10 residents who opposed funding for Planned Parenthood. Two people spoke in support of funding Planned Parenthood. Commissioners did not change the recommended allocation – a total of $67,440 was earmarked for the nonprofit, including $53,040 from the county.

Ccommissioners had approved the coordinated funding process at their Nov. 3, 2010 meeting. They had been briefed on the effort at an Oct. 7 working session, and most recently discussed the process at their May 4 meeting. The governing bodies of all other coordinated funding groups have now approved the allocations, including the Ann Arbor city council, which took a final vote at its meeting on Tuesday, May 31.

Related to this funding, the office of community development released a 16-page report last week that attempts to quantify the economic impact of the local nonprofits that are funded by the county and city. In 2011, the combined investments from the city and county in those nonprofits totaled $2.7 million. According to the report, those funds leveraged more than $34 million in non-local revenue.[.pdf of nonprofit investment report]

Funding for Human Services Nonprofits: Public Commentary

At Wednesday’s meeting, a dozen people spoke on the issue of funding for human services, 10 of them objecting to funds allocated to Planned Parenthood of Mid and South Michigan (PPMSM). Here’s a summary:

Brigid Kowalczyk of Ann Arbor said she applauded the board’s support of nonprofits, but urged them to defund Planned Parenthood. She noted that several people were at the meeting to outline reasons for defunding, and that they had provided a handout to commissioners as well. [.pdf of document given to the board – the 2008 IRS Form 990 for PPMSM, and portions of the nonprofit's 2009 annual report.] Kowalczyk highlighted some of the funding data from the nonprofit’s tax return, concluding that Planned Parenthood didn’t have a problem raising money, and didn’t need money from the county. There are other organizations more deserving and that help people who are truly in need, she said.

Karen Walacavage of Superior Township told the board that she had looked at the tax returns for some of the other nonprofits that the county planned to fund, and that none of them get as much revenue and grant funding as Planned Parenthood. It’s fiscally irresponsible for the county to fund Planned Parenthood, she said.

Joshua Wade and Jeffrey Brown – both Ann Arbor residents – and Joe Lipa of Lodi Township also argued against funding PPMSM. Wade noted that the large amount of contraceptives provided, as well as the number of abortions, resulted in fewer births of Washtenaw County taxpayers. The nonprofit doesn’t care about children’s well-being, he said. Lipa pointed out that there are other options for low-income women, including clinics at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and the Corner Health Center, as well as federal health care centers in surrounding counties.

Paul Malocha of Ann Arbor urged commissioners to fund nonprofits that don’t provide contraceptives and abortions. Planned Parenthood asks people to view pregnancy as a sort of sickness, he said, when it’s clearly normal and healthy. The Planned Parenthood view results in more out-of-wedlock pregnancies, he said, and promotes a disordered and amoral society.

Paul Dobrowolski of Pittsfield Township said he’d learned that a commissioner had talked with the head of the county’s human services department about funding of Planned Parenthood, and was told it would be almost impossible to remove the funding. If Planned Parenthood funding was pulled, then others on the board would ask that county funding be pulled from faith-based organizations, using a separation of church and state argument. But laws exist for freedom of religion, he said, not freedom from religion. It’s disturbing that some people would apply blackmail and pressure tactics. He noted that the county was hiring a firm to do an internal audit – maybe looking at this issue is a good place to start, he said. Dobrowolski reminded the board that president Barack Obama and former president George Bush both supported faith-based initiatives, especially for social services.

John Donnelly of Ypsilanti said there is videotaped evidence of Planned Parenthood workers offering no objection when a man posing as a pimp tried to get deals on abortions and contraceptives for his prostitutes. Donnelly said it proved Planned Parenthood was willing to do anything to make the prostitution ring possible. [Donnelly was referring to a videotape released by the anti-abortion group Live Action and filmed at a Planned Parenthood clinic in the Bronx. The incident and video were reported in a Feb. 11, 2011 New York Times article.] Donnelly described other instances in which he said that Planned Parenthood staffers urged underage clients to lie about their age when they became pregnant by older men. “I don’t know how we can tolerate this,” he said.

Steve Gendregske of Superior Township and Sandra Weathers of Pittsfield Township each read from medical texts with graphic descriptions of late-stage abortion procedures. Gendregske said he got hung up over the words “decapitate” and “dismember,” and he hoped that commissioners did, too. He didn’t want his tax money supporting Planned Parenthood. Weathers said she wanted her tax dollars to fund St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and the Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti, both of which offer prenatal programs.

Two people spoke in support of Planned Parenthood. Bernie Klein of Pittsfield Township said he was a volunteer for the nonprofit. He said that contraception causes abortions like umbrellas cause rain. One of the anti-Planned Parenthood speakers regularly comes to the PPMSM clinic and yells at women, he said, telling them they should go to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital or Corner Health Center. The answers that women give, he said, are that St. Joe’s doesn’t take their insurance, and Corner Health Center is full. Planned Parenthood provides the services that women want, Klein said. ”I stand with Planned Parenthood.”

Later in the meeting, Thomas Partridge also voiced his support for funding Planned Parenthood.

Joshua Wade again spoke during an additional opportunity for public commentary, asking commissioners to address the concerns directly that they’d heard expressed about Planned Parenthood. He said the speakers during public commentary were deeply interested in the board’s opinions, and he asked that those opinions be openly shared and discussed.

Funding for Human Services Nonprofits: Commissioner Discussion

Commissioners gave no follow-up to public commentary, nor did they discuss Planned Parenthood funding specifically.

Ronnie Peterson, who has previously raised concerns about how the process for allocating this funding has been handled, again asked for clarification about the process, and how much each funder would be paying.

Mary Jo Callan, director of the county's office of community development, and Brett Lenart of the economic development & energy department work on their laptops during a break in the June 1 county board of commissioners meeting.

In total – including funds from the county, city of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Urban County and Washtenaw United Way – 63 programs will receive $4,027,933. Mary Jo Callan, director of the joint county/city of Ann Arbor office of community development, reviewed the coordinated funding process and emphasized that nonprofits realized the second year of a two-year funding cycle was contingent on budgets that haven’t yet been approved.

Peterson commended the Ann Arbor city council for its generosity in funding these nonprofits. [At its May 31 session, the council allocated $1,159,029 – amending the amount to include 9% more than the review committee had recommended.] He said the issue is how to attack problems that face the county in the future, especially in light of proposed legislation that would tighten the amount of time that residents are eligible for welfare. If signed into law, an estimated 12,600 welfare beneficiaries who’ve been receiving aid for more than 48 months would no longer get benefits.

Some of those people live in Washtenaw County and will turn to local governments and nonprofits for assistance, Peterson said, calling it an unfunded mandate. The county needs to prepare for this storm, he said.

Barbara Bergman agreed, saying the money they’ve allocated to nonprofits won’t begin to address the need. She called the proposed reform criminal, adding that the county doesn’t have the resources to adequately respond. Bergman noted that the current director of the state Department of Human Services, Cynthia Maritato, is from this area – she was former director of the Washtenaw County department of human services. They should organize a meeting with Maritato and other community leaders, Bergman said, to strategize about how to deal with this problem.

Outcome: The board unanimously approved allocating the recommended amounts to human services nonprofits. Yousef Rahbi was not in the room at the time of the vote, and Rob Turner was absent. Although Dan Smith had voted against the allocations when they were given initial approval at the May 18 meeting – citing an objection to funding Planned Parenthood – he voted in favor of all the allocations for this final approval.

Sheriff’s Contract Deputy Pricing

With no discussion, commissioners gave initial approval to the price that municipalities will pay for a contract sheriff’s deputy through 2015. The police services steering committee recommended setting the price in 2012 for a police services unit (PSU) at $150,594. The board had been briefed on the recommendation by sheriff Jerry Clayton at a May 19 working session.

The price in 2012 will remain unchanged from the 2011 rate of $150,594, which was a 4% increase over 2010 rates. In each of the following three years, the price per PSU increases about 1%: to $152,100 in 2013; $153,621 in 2014; and $155,157 in 2015.

In late 2010, the committee brought forward a recommendation to the board that set the cost of providing a PSU at $176,108. At its Dec. 1 meeting, the county board voted to accept that amount, with the understanding that commissioners would need to make a much harder decision at a later date – about the price that the county would charge for a PSU. The difference between the cost of a PSU and the amount charged – roughly $25,500, based on current figures – would be covered by the county.

Clayton attended the June 1 meeting, but was not asked to address the board. The only comment made by commissioners came from board chair Conan Smith, who commended the sheriff, the county’s finance staff and members of the police services steering committee for their work in putting together the proposal.

For additional background on this issue, see Chronicle coverage:

• “What’s Next for Washtenaw Police Services?” (Jan. 4, 2011)
• “County Board Acts on Budget Items” (Dec. 4, 2010)
• “Washtenaw Board Debates Budget Issues” (Nov. 22, 2010)
• “Washtenaw Police Services: What’s It Cost?” (Nov. 8, 2010)

Outcome: Commissioners voted unanimously to give initial approval to set the price of a police services unit (PSU) at $150,594 in 2012, with 1% annual increases through 2015. A final vote is expected at the board’s July 6, 2011 meeting.

On a related note, a lawsuit filed against the county in 2006 over the price of contract deputies remains unresolved. Three townships – Augusta, Salem and Ypsilanti – originally sued the county, disputing the amount that was charged for police services. The court has held that the townships are liable to the county for additional amounts to cover police services that the county provided to them between Jan. 1 and Dec. 5, 2006 – at $24 an hour more than the townships had paid under a previous contract.

In mid 2010, the county settled with Salem Township, which agreed to pay the county $48,000. The county has been seeking more than $2 million from the other two townships – the bulk of that from Ypsilanti Township, which has the largest number of contract deputies.

The case is being handled by 38th Circuit Court Chief Judge Joseph Costello, who has ordered the townships and county into non-binding facilitation before James Rashid, a retired Wayne County Circuit Court judge. Rashid’s business, Judicial Resource Services, provides mediation and facilitation for these kinds of cases. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22.

Medical Director, Other Appointments

Diana Torres-Burgos, the county’s public health medical director, recently announced her resignation – she’ll be leaving her job later this month. At their June 1 meeting, commissioners were asked to approve the hire of her replacement – Monique Reeves – at an annual salary of $125,000. She’ll start the job on June 20.

Reeves was introduced by Dick Fleece, the county’s public health officer. He told commissioners that she has more than 10 years of experience in emergency medicine, with a medical degree and a masters degree in public health, both from the University of Michigan. She’s been working as a resident with the county in preventive medicine – she’s intelligent, funny, and will do a wonderful job, Fleece said.

Under the Michigan Public Health Code (Public Act 368 of 1978), Medicare services provided by the county – including immunizations and the maternal infant health program – require that a licensed medical doctor on staff bill Medicare, via the state, for reimbursement.

Commissioner Wes Prater described Reeves’ resume as impressive. Rolland Sizemore Jr. thanked her for attending the meeting, saying it was always good to see how they’re spending the county’s money. Conan Smith also complimented Reeves, but joked that he didn’t see anything on her resumé indicating that she was qualified to handle Fleece.

Reeves spoke briefly, telling commissioners that after nearly 11 years in emergency medicine, she decided she wanted to do more than just put a Band-Aid on the problems she’d been treating. She felt public health was the best way to do that, even though it meant she’d be taking a significant pay cut.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously approved the hiring of Monique Reeves as the county’s public health medical director.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners approved appointments to two of the county’s volunteer boards and committees. There was no discussion on these items.

Bob Grese was named to a two-year term on the Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee, which oversees the county’s natural area preservation program. The term expires Dec. 31, 2012. Grese is director Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum and a professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.

The board also appointed Mark Creekmore to a three-year term expiring March 31, 2014 for the Washtenaw Community Health Organization (WCHO) board, a partnership between the county and UM. Creekmore is founder and executive director of the nonprofit Community Service Systems Inc.

Outcome: Commissioners approved the appointments of Bob Grese and Mark Creekmore.

Drain Projects in Ann Arbor

Commissioners were asked to give initial approval to five projects planned by the county’s water resources commissioner.

Commissioner Dan Smith talks with Janis Bobrin, the county's water resources commissioner.

The projects, which require the county to back bond payments totaling up to $6.54 million, are all located in Ann Arbor: (1) Allen Creek drain cistern installation, downspout disconnection and tree planting – up to $330,000; (2) County Farm drain stream bank stabilization – up to $1.2 million; (3) Malletts Creek drain/Burns Park porous alley; Malletts Creek cistern installation, downspout disconnection, and tree planting; and Malletts Creek stream bank stabilization – up to $3.48 million; (4) Swift Run cistern installation, downspout disconnection, and tree planting – up to $75,000; and (5) Traver Creek cistern installation, downspout disconnection, and tree planting; and Traver Creek stream bank stabilization – up to $780,000.

Leah Gunn asked Janis Bobrin, the county’s water resources commissioner, to describe the projects and the grants she’s received to help pay for them.

Bobrin told commissioners that 50% of the project costs would be funded with a low-interest loan – now at 2.5% – from a state revolving loan fund. More importantly, she said, the remaining 50% would be funded through federal stimulus dollars. The projects met certain “green” requirements that many other applicants didn’t meet – that news resulted in a round of applause from commissioners.

Dan Smith pointed to an item of communication in the board’s meeting packet – a resolution passed by the Gratiot County board of commissioners, urging support of state legislation that includes creation of a delinquent special assessment revolving loan fund. He noted that the Gratiot resolution mentioned revenue from special assessment districts – used to make bond payments – is declining, because of decreasing property values. The proposed Ann Arbor drain projects would be in special assessment districts, and he asked Bobrin to talk about that.

Bobrin said that Ann Arbor is the chief partner in virtually all these bonds, and it collects stormwater utility fees from all residents to pay for these types of projects. All of these projects are in the city’s capital improvements plan, she said, and funding has been secured. There are no rate increases associated with the projects.

Conan Smith observed that although the projects being approved that night were all in Ann Arbor, other drain projects are often done throughout the county.

Outcome: The board gave initial approval to the five drain projects in Ann Arbor. Commissioners are expected to take final action on these items at their July 6 meeting.

Brownfields: LaFontaine, Packard Square

The brownfield plan for the LaFontaine Chevrolet redevelopment project in Dexter was up for final approval from commissioners at their June 1 meeting. Though heightened attention had been given to another brownfield project – the Packard Square development at the former Georgetown Mall site – there was no discussion of the LaFontaine project at Wednesday’s meeting. The plan had received initial approval at the board’s May 18 meeting.

The LaFontaine brownfield plan would enable the use of up to $330,330 of tax increment financing (TIF) for four years to pay for cleanup work, including asbestos and lead abatement. Of that amount, $25,410 would support the county’s brownfield program management, and $50,820 would be deposited into the county’s Local Site Remediation Revolving Fund. The project is expected to retain 76 jobs and create 50 new ones, and to increase the annual tax revenues to the county from $4,516 to $11,119 after the TIF ends.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously approved the LaFontaine Chevrolet brownfield plan.

Brownfields: Packard Square

There was no agenda item on June 1 related to the Packard Square development. At their May 18 meeting, commissioners had approved the project’s brownfield plan, as well as a $1 million grant application to the state Dept. of Environmental Quality for brownfield cleanup at the proposed $48 million development.. Wes Prater had voted against both those items.

Also at the May 18 meeting, the board had postponed action on a $1 million loan application to the MDEQ for Packard Square, as well as a request to authorize designation of the county’s full faith and credit as a guarantee for any loan that might be awarded, up to $1 million. They also discussed but ultimately postponed action on a broader public-private investment policy they’re developing, a policy spurred in large part by the request to back the MDEQ loan.

They’d initially planned to take up both those topics again on June 1. But at a May 24 agenda briefing, the board learned that Packard Square developers had decided not to pursue a state loan. That prompted commissioners to defer action on the broader policy issue, with the intent of taking more time to develop it before bringing it back to the board for consideration.

At the June 1 meeting, Prater asked staff to give an update on the status of Packard Square. Brett Lenart of the county’s economic development & energy department told commissioners that the loan request had been pulled, and that the brownfield grant application would likely be submitted to the state next week. He said no other board action would be required.

Prater told Lenart he still had questions about the project, including who would ultimately be responsible for the brownfield remediation. There was no other discussion about the project.

Budget & Finance: Millage, New Work Sessions, Internal Audit

Commissioners acted on several other items related to budget and finance at Wednesday’s meeting.

Budget & Finance: General Operating Millage

At their May 18 meeting, commissioners had given initial approval to establish the 2011 county millage rate at 5.6768 mills. That includes the general operating millage rate at 4.5493 mills, unchanged from the current rate. Several other county millages – including those for parks and recreation, emergency communications and the Huron Clinton Metroparks Authority – are levied separately, bringing the total county millage rate to 5.6768 mills. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s state equalized value, or SEV.

On Wednesday, a public hearing was held on the action. One person – Thomas Partridge – spoke. He said the county doesn’t have sufficient revenues to meet its current obligations, especially not in this economy. As he outlined some of the county’s needs, Partridge was advised by board chair Conan Smith to stick to the topic of the public hearing – the millage rate. Partridge replied by challenging Smith’s leadership, saying the commissioner was not pushing to set property taxes at a level that would support county services adequately. “Do you not understand that?” Partridge asked.

[With a few minor exceptions, the county board does not have authority to levy taxes independently. Millage increases, new millages or an action to reset a millage at its original rate (known as a Headlee override) would require voter approval.]

Outcome: Without discussion, commissioners voted to give final approve to set the total tax for Washtenaw County at 5.6768 mills.

Budget & Finance: Working Sessions

A resolution was added to the agenda at the meeting, adding five new working sessions to the board’s calendar focused on the 2012-2013 budget. The dates are June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 13 – all Thursdays.

Currently, the meetings are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. at the county administration building boardroom, 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. However, it’s possible that some or all of the added working sessions will be held elsewhere, at locations throughout the county. Those decisions will be made at a later date.

Outcome: Commissioners voted to add five new budget-related working sessions to its calendar.

Budget & Finance: Internal Audit

The board was asked to give final approval to hire the professional services firm Experis (formerly known as Jefferson Wells) to perform internal auditing services for the county for one year, with the possibility of extending the contract over additional years. The board had authorized the county administration to issue requests for proposals for these services at its Dec. 1, 2010 meeting. The county received 10 responses, and a review team narrowed the selection and held interviews with three firms. The team’s recommendation for Experis was unanimous, according to a staff report.

The total cost for internal audit work in 2011 is $87,500. It would include: (1) overall internal control review and risk assessment; (2) more detailed internal control review for two county departments; (3) establishing a fraud hotline; and (4) eight hours of internal control training for county staff.

The contract was originally proposed for a five-year period. At their May 18 meeting, several commissioners raised concerns about the expenditure to an outside firm, and the resolution was amended to shorten the contract to one year.

Representatives from Experis attended the June 1 meeting, but commissioners did not ask them to address the board.

Outcome: The board voted unanimously to hire Experis for internal auditing services.

Grants: Community Corrections, Weatherization, Summer Food

On the agenda for final consideration were several grants that had received initial approval at the May 18 meeting.

Final approval was sought for a grant application for the county’s community corrections program, operated by the sheriff’s office. The grant of $421,801 – for the period from Oct. 1, 2011 through Sept. 30, 2012 – is only a portion of the program’s $1.01 million budget.

Other revenues include $215,983 from the county’s general fund, $76,386 from the program’s fund balance, and an estimated $295,890 in program-generated revenues, including fees from tethering and drug testing.

Programs run by community corrections are designed in part to provide sentencing alternatives to the Washtenaw County Trial Court. Programs include pre-trial screening, drug testing, electronic tethering, supervised release, and educational efforts, such as the “Thinking Matters” program offered in partnership with the nonprofit Dawn Farm.

Outcome: Commissioners voted to give final approval to the community corrections grant application.

Two items on the June 1 agenda related to the county’s employment training and community services (ETCS) department.

Commissioners were asked to approve the acceptance of $455,000 in federal stimulus funds – from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – to pay for weatherization assistance. The funds were originally granted to other municipalities but weren’t used, and are being redistributed. Washtenaw County has already been granted $4.3 million in weatherization funds from 2009-2011, and has finished work on 611 residences. The new funding will pay for about 70 additional residences. The services – including home inspections, refrigerator efficiency testing and consumer education – are available to residents with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. That’s $23,448 for a single person, or $45,088 for a family of four.

A grant application to fund a summer food program for children was also on the agenda. Nearly $116,000 in federal funds, distributed through the state Dept. of Education, are available to pay for breakfasts, lunches and snacks to low-income children at 30 sites throughout the county.

Outcome: Final approval was given to the weatherization and summer food program grants.

Urban County Annual Plan

On the agenda was a resolution for final approval of the Washtenaw Urban County annual plan from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

The plan must be submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), outlining specific projects and programs that the Washtenaw Urban County will undertake with HUD funding from several sources: the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program; HOME grants; and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG). The county is expected to receive $3,602,480 from these programs during the coming fiscal year. A $448,920 in-kind county match is required. [.pdf of fiscal year 2011 Washtenaw Urban County plan]

The Urban County is a consortium of 11 local governments that receive federal funding for programs that serve low-income residents and neighborhoods.

Outcome: Commissioners gave final approval to the Washtenaw Urban County annual plan.

Misc. Communications

During her report to the board, county administrator Verna McDaniel noted that this was the last week on the job for Joanna Bidlack.

Joanna Bidlack talks with Bob Tetens, director of the county's parks & recreation department. Bidlack has served as a management analyst with the county, a role that in part included working as support staff for the county board. June 3 was her last day on the job.

Bidlack has been a management analyst in the county administrator’s office, a role that in part included serving as support staff for the county board. For example, she was the point person for compiling agendas, and previously led the board’s agenda briefings.

Bidlack has taken a job with General Electric’s operation in Van Buren Township. McDaniel told the board it would be a huge loss for the county – Bidlack is intelligent, loyal and a great communicator, she said. They’ll all miss her, McDaniel said, but they wished her well.

Commissioners and others attending the meeting gave Bidlack a round of applause.

Misc. Communications: Public Commentary

Thomas Partridge spoke five times during the evening – at a public hearing, and the four opportunities for general public commentary. In addition to the commentary reported earlier in this article, Partridge also:  (1) urged commissioners to support the recall of Gov. Rick Snyder; (2) questioned funding of the county’s public outreach team (PORT) because it supports a homeless soccer team with money that could be used for shelter or other services; (3) chastised the board for not seeking the maximum available revenue from grants and other sources to pay for needed county services; and (4) advocated for an agenda item that would address protection of residents from exposure to medical marijuana and other harmful substances.

Executive Session: Labor, Legal

At the end of the meeting, the board went into executive session for about an hour to address three issues: (1) a collective bargaining strategy; (2) possible settlement of pending litigation; and (3) review of a legal opinion. Under the Michigan Open Meetings Act, public bodies must state the reason for entering into a closed session. They can – but are not required to – provide details about the topics they’ll be discussing. In this case, no additional information was provided.

Present: Barbara Levin Bergman, Leah Gunn, Kristin Judge, Ronnie Peterson, Alicia Ping, Wes Prater, Yousef Rabhi, Rolland Sizemore Jr., Conan Smith, and Dan Smith. Rob Turner was absent for most of the meeting, arriving after the start of the board’s executive session.

Next regular board meeting: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the county administration building, 220 N. Main St. The Ways & Means Committee meets first, followed immediately by the regular board meeting. [confirm date] (Though the agenda states that the regular board meeting begins at 6:45 p.m., it usually starts much later – times vary depending on what’s on the agenda.) Public comment sessions are held at the beginning and end of each meeting.

The board will also hold a Thursday, June 16 working session focused on the budget and starting at 6:30 p.m. in the county administration building, 220 N. Main.

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Medicare services provided by the county – including immunizations and the maternal infant health program – require that a licensed medical doctor on staff bill Medicare, via the state, for reimbursement.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]