Amended 4/1/04
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Members Present: Andy Schor, Mary Stid, Dianne Holman, Chris Swope, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Celentino
Members Absent: Tom Minter
Others Present: John Neilsen, Matthew Myers and Christine Timmons, Jim Webster and EricAnne Spence
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 26, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 26 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that Comm. Minter would not be present this evening due to a work conflict. He further stated Comm. Minter apologized for missing this meeting.
Additions to the Agenda
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons addressed the Committee regarding a Lansing State Journal article concerning gay marriage and also her position on this matter.
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
2c. Sheriff's Office - Sheriff's Office Contract with Holt & Mason Towing
Mr. Myers explained that the Sheriff's Office renewed a two-year agreement with Holt & Mason Towing. This contract will expire in 2005. The Towing agency has requested a price adjustment for this renewal period due to increased fuel costs, employee related costs and insurance premiums. Mr. Myers further stated this is a small contract in terms of the funds spent. Records indicate that the 2003 contract cost the Sheriff's Office $2,695.
The Controller's Office has recommended that our Office not renegotiate the price for this contract. The proper time to negotiate any price increases would be at the conclusion of the extension which is 2005. The County Attorney's Office has recommended that the County send Holt & Mason Towing a letter advising them the County does not renegotiate a contract half-way through the contract period. A Request for Proposals will be issued at the appropriate time.
Mr. Neilsen stated he would not recommend a renegotiation of the contract price at this time. The Committee agreed that the Sheriff's Office should inform Holt & Mason Towing in writing of its position.
Mr. Myers informed the Committee that the cost of the JBI contract has been reduced as a result of the efforts of Comms. Dedden and DeLeon. Mr. Myers expressed his appreciation to the Commissioners for their assistance with this matter.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION AND ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR OUIL III TREATMENT FUNDS FOR THE S TATE FY 2003-2004 CONTRACT YEAR.
Mr. Neilsen stated the CCAB approved the submission of this Grant Application at its March 9, 2004 meeting. This is a timely issue as the State wants this application as soon as possible.
Ms. Spence explained the nutritional and acupuncture therapy will be implemented to address the specific needs of a recovering alcohol addicted population. This therapy will be used in conjunction with current programming, including cognitive behavioral therapy. Funds for this therapy are currently available through the Michigan Department of Corrections Drunk Driver Jail Reduction and Community Treatment Program.
Mr. Webster and Ms. Spence further reviewed the aspects of the Treatment Program. This information was distributed to the Committee for their review. Comm. Schafer requested additional information regarding the Program's dietary requirements. Ms. Spence stated she would supply that information to Comm. Schafer. The Committee discussed this item further.
Comm. Stid explained that she understands the value of this Program. In response to Comm. Holman, Ms. Spence stated acupuncture is part of a treatment plan for OUIL III offenders. The only option to the acupuncture therapy is jail time. Acupuncture is a required component of this Treatment Program.
Chairperson Schor asked about receiving a report regarding the success of this Program. Ms. Spence stated the CCAB will conduct pre and post Program testing. Chairperson Schor requested the CCAB to provide this Committee with a copy of that information when available. The Committee reviewed the programming aspects of this plan.
Mr. Webster informed the Committee that the CCAB will request an enhancement of this Program next year.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Minter
Mr. Neilsen reviewed the information contained in the 911 Funding Source Summary which was contained in the agenda packet. The cellular telephone surcharge will sunset in 2005. The millage revenue has been in effect since 1987. The current levy is .7577 mills. The telephone surcharge was first enacted in 1997. The current monthly charge in this County is $0.92. Approximately $1.1 million in revenue is expected to be received by the County through this surcharge for 2003.
Ingham County's E911 Fund received approximately $400,000 in interest revenue in 2003. This is revenue from interest that accrues on the current $8.8 million fund balance in the E911 Fund. Interest revenue will be significantly less in the future as the large fund balance is utilized for the E911 radio project.
Comm. Swope stated he believes there have been a change to the cellular telephone surcharge sunset date. Mr. Neilsen stated he would look into this matter and report back to this Committee. The Committee continued their review of the millage information. Comm. Schafer expressed his continuing concern regarding the increase in cell phone use. He further stated it is very important to maintain the 20% arrangement the County has to set aside for capital improvements. This Committee needs to seriously consider how the 911 system will be funded in the future. Other units such be contributing to the funding of this system.
Comm. Grebner stated he likes the idea of offering voters a series of questions regarding the millage on the ballot. He strongly suggested the County place a .85 reauthorization on the ballot in August. This should be approved by the voters. On a separate ballot, the County could ask the voters to authorize a telephone surcharge of 10%. A question for a later ballot would be to reduce the property tax authorization by some amount.
The reauthorization would provide a higher ceiling for the County if needed. Comm. Schafer stated it appears that he and Comm. Grebner agree on this matter. This Committee should pursue these issues.
This discussion continued. Comm. Swope also agreed with Comm. Grebner's suggestions. He also stated he is fairly confident that the cellular telephone surcharge will be available through at least 2005. Comm. Holman stated she hopes the reauthorization language is approved by the voters. The Parks Board dealt with this same issue in the past.
Mr. Neilsen stated he will meet with the County Attorney to review the proposed ballot language.
Chairperson Schor stated he would like to see a breakdown of the funding requests. He agreed this Committee should begin drafting ballot language for a reauthorization as well as language for a future ballot to reduce the property tax authorization.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Finance Subcommittee's proposed changes are outlined in Mr. Ambrose's memorandum dated March 8, 2004. Comm. Schafer stated he does not favor the proposed changes. The current process is satisfactory. However, the system needs refinement. He further stated many community agencies are not unique to the Human Services Committee. Comm. Swope stated the proposed change to designate the Human Services Committee to review all Community Agency requests would be reviewed for the 2006 budget year. The focus will be redetermined every year.
Comm. Lynch stated this Committee's concerns should be placed in writing and then forwarded to the Finance Committee. Comm. Holman stated she agrees something needs to be done regarding the Community Agency allocation process. Chairperson Celentino agreed that the concerns should be forwarded to the Finance Committee. Interpretations of the proposed changes will vary among the Commissioners. Comm. Stid also stated the changes are open to too many interpretations.
The Committee consented to refer the Resolution Establishing a Community Agency Allocation Process for 2005 to the Finance Committee. This Committee's concerns will be expressed in writing.
Announcements
Comm. Schafer suggested this Committee address the issue of inmate billing in the near future.
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that Camp Highfields has invited the Judiciary Committee to hold an April meeting at its facility. He asked if this Committee would agree to meet at Highfields on the same night. Chairperson Schor stated this Committee would be willing to meet at Highfields. Mr. Neilsen stated he will coordinate the dates with the Judiciary Committee.
Chairperson Schor stated this Committee will be updated regarding the progress of the Animal Control Advisory Board.
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons repeated her concerns regarding same sex marriages. She also stated this Committee held a good meeting this evening.
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff