Approved 8/12/04

LAW ENFORCEMENT

July 15, 2004

Minutes

 

 

Members Present:         Andy Schor, Mary Stid, Dianne Holman, Chris Swope and  Randy Schafer

 

Members Absent:         Tom Minter

 

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Mike Leaf, Jerry Ambrose, Matthew Myers, Karen Chadwick, Peter Cohl, Christine Timmon and others.

 

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 June 10, 2004 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE JUNE 10 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent Comms.:  Minter and Holman

 

Additions to the Agenda

3a.       Additional Information

  1. Resolution Authorizing Contract with Lansing for the Public Safety Radio Communications System Project 911 Center Electrical Upgrades

 

Announcements

Mr. Myers informed the Committee of the new Delhi Township Emergency Facility open house which is scheduled for July 29, 2004.

 

Limited Public Comment

Ms. Timmon addressed the Committee regarding her continuing concerns relating to same-sex marriages.  She then spoke about Ms. Bingham.

 

(Comm. Holman arrived at 6:05 p.m.)

 

  1. Sheriff’s Office

a.                   Update on Jail Renovation and Department of Corrections Contract – Resolution to Authorize the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office to Enter into a Contract with Michigan Department of Corrections to Rent 90 Beds to the Michigan Department of Corrections

 

Mr. Myers stated the renovation project is proceeding as scheduled.  The facility will be turned over to the Sheriff’s Office on August 1, 2004. 

 

The Committee held a brief discussion regarding this matter.

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE INGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO RENT 90 BEDS TO THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Minter

 

b.                  Resolution to Proclaim August 3, 2004 as “National Safe Night Out” in Ingham County

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 3, 2004 AS “NATIONAL SAFE NIGHT OUT” IN INGHAM COUNTY.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Minter

 

  1. Citizen Complaint – Animal Control Department

 

Comm. Stid informed the Committee that the Citizen Complaint was referred to this Committee by the Animal Control Advisory Committee.

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO REFER THE CITIZEN COMPLAINT BACK TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

 

Chairperson Schor stated the Animal Control Director Search Committee will be addressing the issue of customer service during the search for a new Animal Control Director.

 

Comm. Holman stated the complainant should receive a letter informing her of the actions being taken to address her concerns.  Mr. Neilsen stated the complainant will be notified that her complaint was referred to the Animal Control Advisory Committee.  That Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for September. 

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Minter

 

  1. Prosecuting Attorney – Resolution Authorizing a Reorganization of Certain Positions in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

 

Mr. Neilsen stated the Prosecutor’s Office agreed to hiring delays in the 2004 Budget process which would offer savings to the County in the amount of $165,467.  This plan resulted in a net vacancy of .50 FTE.  The reorganization request is being made due to the volume of warrant work and the need to produce warrants in a timely fashion for police agencies.

 

Comm. Schafer expressed his concern that the Sheriff’s Office does not have the luxury of requesting additional personnel.  The Committee discussed this matter briefly.

 

MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORZING A REORGANIZATION OF CERTAIN POSITIONS IN THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Minter

 

  1. 911 Advisory Committee – Resolution Authorizing Contract with Lansing for the Public Safety Radio Communications System Project 911 Center Electrical Upgrade

 

Mr.  Neilsen explained that the City of Lansing has requested funds from the Public Safety Radio Communications System budget for the City of Lansing 911 Center’s electrical upgrade in order to function with the new Public Safety Radio Communications System.  The Resolution authorizes up to $85,000 for the upgrade.  Mr. Neilsen further explained that the project will probably be less than $85,000. 

 

Mr. Leaf addressed Chairperson Schor’s concerns regarding this request.  He stated this Committee will receive information regarding the actual cost of this project when it is available.  Mr. Neilsen stated it would behoove the City of Lansing to clearly identify this project before the funds are appropriated. 

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Minter

 

6.         Controller’s Office

            a.         Update on PENN AVE TOWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT

 

Mr. Neilsen stated Requests for Proposals have been submitted since the last update to this Committee.   The Proposals are due by the end of this month.  A fundamental project proposal should be submitted to this Committee at its next meeting.

 

            b.         Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2004 Ingham County Budget

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2004 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Minter

 

            c.         Update on 2005 Budget

 

Mr. Ambrose stated the Budget will be the main focus of the next Board Leadership meeting in August.   He then stated he hopes to propose a Budget for 2005 without any position eliminations or loss of services.  However, the Budget may include a hiring freeze. 

 

Chairperson Celentino stated the August Board Leadership meeting will be very important since the main item of discussion will be the 2005 Budget.    Comm. Schafer requested the Leadership meeting be scheduled after August 16.

 

d.                  Analyses on Areas of Priority for 2005 Budget – Dog Licenses

 

Chairperson Schor stated this Committee will be updated regarding various Areas of Priorities during its upcoming meetings.  The Committee held a discussion regarding the information contained in the agenda material.  Comm.. Swope expressed his concern regarding the decline in the number  of dog license renewals.  Comm.. Holman also stated her concern that the three-year license is a long time in the life of dogs.  Comm.. Stid explained to Comm. Holman that dog owners have the choice between a one or a three-year license.  Comm. Schafer stated Clinton  County has an aggressive dog licensing process.

 

4.         County Attorney – County Regulation of Veterinarians – discussion

 

Mr. Cohl recommended the Committee enter an Executive Session to discuss his written legal opinion. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S WRITTEN LEGAL OPINION.  MOTION APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Comms. Schor, Stid, Holman, Swope and Schafer.  Absent:  Comm. Minter

 

The Committee entered into a closed session at this time.

 

The Committee returned to regular session at this time.

 

MOVED BY COMM. STID, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO REQUEST THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE DOG LAW.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Minter

 

Comm. Stid expressed her concern that it would be inappropriate for the County to consider anything that has not been approved by the County Attorney.

 

6e.       Draft of Revised Jail Overcrowding Administrative Order

 

Chairperson Celentino stated he received a communication from Councilman Jeffries expressing his concerns of the Order.  Councilman Jeffries requested the County to revisit its policy regarding the lease of jail beds to other counties and states. 

 

Mr. Neilsen stated the Order has been circulated to the appropriate people for review and recommendations.  This item will be on this Committee’s August meeting agenda. 

 

Announcements

Chairperson Schor thanked the Commissioners for the flowers he received from them in honor if his first child’s birth. 

 

Public Comment

Ms. Timmon  congratulated Chairperson Schor on the birth of his first child.  She then spoke regarding her concerns relating to the incarceration of women and same-sex marriages.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff