Approved 3/11/04
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Members Present: Andy Schor, Dianne Holman, Chris Swope, Randy Schafer, Mary Stid and Board Chairperson Celentino
Members Absent: Tom Minter
Others Present: John Neilsen, Matthew Myers and Christine Timmons
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 6:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 12, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 12 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
Additions to the Agenda
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons addressed the Committee again regarding the Board of Commissioner's Ethic's Policy and her allegations that a Commissioner is violating same.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
1a. Sheriff's Office - Update - Resolution Authorizing a Contract with Justice Benefits, Inc., to Secure Federal Entitlement Benefits for Ingham County Based on the Ingham County Correctional Facility Operations
Mr. Myers stated the Sheriff's Office reviewed this contract and the concerns regarding same expressed by some Commissioners. It appears that many other companies which contract with JBI have lower fees. He further explained that JBI is not enhancing any revenues for the Office. Maximus was asked to provide a bid regarding this project. The Office just received a letter from Maximus indicating their interest in bidding on this contract. However, Mr. Myers stated it would not be economically feasible for the Office to pursue another contract at this time. The contract can be bid out again in June or July 2004.
Chairperson Schor thanked Mr. Myers for his update regarding this item. The Committee consented to the Office moving forward with this matter.
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that Mr. Ambrose addressed this issue due to concerns expressed by some Commissioners. The specific information is contained in his February 10, 2004 memorandum. Mr. Hailey conducted the necessary research. This memorandum has been submitted to the County Services and Finance Committees. Mr. Neilsen stated he believed it was appropriate to submit the same information to this Committee and the Judiciary Committee tonight.
Further work will be conducted to determine the feasibility of hiring employees versus contracting for employment in other situations in this County. Chairperson Schor stated he would appreciate having this Committee updated as necessary.
Mr. Neilsen stated his memorandum of February 20, 2004 provides this Committee with additional information on this item as requested at its February 12 meeting. As previously discussed, the original agreement required that any unused in-kind services would be carried over to be used in future years. However, the renegotiation authorized by Resolution 97-222 now accounts for not only the Jail Medical Services but all the in-kind services including TB Services, Youth Center Services, Medical Services - HR, and Workers Comp. Therefore, since 1997 any unused in-kind services are to be paid to the County in cash at the end of the year.
Mr. Neilsen further explained that actual data reflecting in-kind service payments from IRMC is often unavailable before the County closes its books for the year, an estimate is often made based on prior year experience. When actual payments are made, the current year is then adjusted to correct for the prior year estimate. This is why the payments for Jail Medical and Human Resources Medical Services appear to be exactly the same in 1998 and 1997.
a. Letter of Request from Tri-County Emergency Medical Control Authority to Incorporate EMS Unit to Hospital Communications Capability into the Ingham County Radio System Project
Chairperson Schor stated this item (#3) should be referred to the 91 Advisory Committee for further review. Comm. Schafer agreed to referring this matter to the 911 Advisory Committee. However, he also stated the County should consider paying its proportional share.
Mr. Neilsen stated the three requests in agenda item three were not part of the original proposal. The 911 Advisory Committee also does not understand the requests. However, they will research this issue. The Advisory Committee would appreciate guidance from this Committee.
Comm. Schafer stated the request in item 3c should not be considered. Mr. Neilsen agreed and stated radios for Lansing-Mason Ambulance were not from the County.
The Committee discussed the requests further. Comm. Holman stated the 911 Advisory Committee should review the three requests and then submit their pros and cons for funding or not funding the three agencies to this Committee. Mr. Neilsen explained the requests are not a part of the original proposal. Therefore, the 911 Committee would only review the requests and submit their findings to this Committee. They would not take action on the requests.
It was the consensus of this Committee that a letter be sent to the 911 Advisory Committee requesting their review of items 3a and 3b. They are to provide this Committee with a clear understanding of those requests.. Also, this Committee will not consider paying anything above its proportional share. This Committee requested the 911 Committee to provide justification for the request in item 3c.
Mr. Neilsen stated he would let the 911 Committee know that this Committee has a healthy skepticism regarding the appropriation of 911 millage funds to for-profit companies.
Mr. Myers addressed questions from the Committee regarding ambulance service.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE MATRICULA CONSULAR AS A FORM OF IDENTIFICATION.
Chairperson Schor explained that this item was submitted to this Committee late in 2003. He promised Comm. DeLeon that he would place it on the agenda for consideration by this Committee.
Mr. Myers stated the matricula consular is one form of identification. It would not take the place of a drivers license or other normally recognized forms of identification. It would be up to each elected official or County department to determine if it would or would not accept this form of identification.
Comm. Stid asked if a person's residence status is questioned when applying for this identification. Mr. Myers stated he does not think this question is asked. Comm. Stid expressed her concern that the County should not provide a form of identification to illegal residents. Mr. Myers explained the Sheriff's Office would also ask for a green card when a matricula consular identification is provided by an individual.
Comm. Schafer explained his reason for supporting the matricula consular as a second form of identification. There are many people within this County who may benefit from this form of identification.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING ANTHONY DEMOREST. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons spoke regarding her understanding of agenda item number four. She also addressed an issue concerning the ICSD. Her concerns regarding the Ethic's Policy were also restated at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff