Amended 4/14/05

LAW ENFORCEMENT

March 31, 2005

Minutes

Members Present:         Debbie DeLeon, Deb Nolan, Dale Copedge, Marc Thomas, Randy Schafer, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Karen Chadwick and Steve Dougan

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 6:11 p.m. in the Personnel

Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Additions to the Agenda

1c.       Consumer Alert - Informational

5.       Announcement Regarding Special Law Enforcement Meeting to Discuss Road       

           Patrol Issues

Limited Public Comment:      None

1.         911 Advisory Board

a.      Resolution Authorizing a Contract Change Order #5 for the Wireless                                               Voice Communications System from M/A-COM, Inc.

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER #5 FOR THE WIRELESS VOICE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FROM M/A-COM, INC.

Mr. Neilsen explained the 911 Advisory Committee, with the assistance of the Project Manager, MLJ Consulting, Inc., have evaluated a proposed change order to the Final System Design and is recommending the Board accept the M/A-COM. Inc. Change Order to reduce the current contract amount by reducing the amount of end user equipment.  The net reduction in contract price would be $123,630.

During an evaluation of the shoulder microphones proposed by M/A-COM, Inc., and reference checks of existing MA-COM customers with the proposed shoulder microphones, it has been determined that another source/vendor’s equipment will better meet the needs of this County.

In response to Comm. Thomas, Mr. Langdon explained there are definite advantages for the County to use a different model of lapel microphones.  The different model will hook up to the headsets and will hold up better over time.  This is only a microphone, not the radio equipment. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

           b.      Resolution Authorizing Contract Amendments with Lansing and East Lansing for the 911 Center 2004/05 Operations

MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT AMENDMENTS WITH LANSING AND EAST LANSING FOR THE 911 CENTER 2004/05 OPERATIONS.

Mr. Neilsen stated this item was previously before this Committee and it was referred to the 911 Advisory Committee for consideration.  The 911 Committee is recommending the approval of this Resolution.  The two dispatch centers did not receive full funding for this fiscal year due to the operational budgets exceeding the 80% cap as established by the Board of Commissioners. 

Mr. Neilsen stated there are not sufficient funds within the 911 Center’s 04/05 operational budget to fully fund the requests.  Therefore, the request of $4,566,000 from Lansing will be funded at $4,108,073 and the request of $1,228,360 from East Lansing would be funded at $1,105,167.  The 90% cap should meet the needs of the 911 Center for the near future.

The Committee held a lengthy conversation regarding the cap.  Comm. Schafer stated he would approve this Resolution if each unit was reimbursed at the same percentage.  He further stated this funding concern has been developing over the past several years.  Monies should be set aside for capital expenditures.  Comm. Schafer stated he is very sympathetic to 911 issues.  However, he is very leery of approving these funding requests.  A long-term plan is needed to keep costs down.  There will be severe cuts to 911 personnel if a long-term plan is not developed and implemented. 

Chairperson DeLeon stated discussions are taking place at the City (Lansing and East) level regarding the consolidation of 911 centers and the creation of a 911 authority.  Staff will research what other counties are doing regarding this issue and present that information to this Committee.  A consolidation would reduce costs and create a regionalization in 911.  Comm. Holman expressed her support of a consolidation.

Mr. Neilsen explained that the consolidation would be a multi-year process.  Comm. Thomas stated he would need a lot of convincing to support a consolidation.  It would be a surprise to him if a consolidation would save money. 

Chairperson DeLeon called for a vote on the motion at this time.  Comm. Thomas voted in support of the motion.  However, the Committee determined that further discussion was needed before voting on this item.

The Committee discussed the possible effects of voting for or against this item.  Chairperson Deleon stated a “no” vote would force the Cities to dip into their general funds.  It would not necessarily nudge either party to move quicker toward a consolidation of the two centers.  Chairperson DeLeon stated Lansing and East Lansing want to consolidate the 911 operations in time for their 2007 budgets, or to be transitioning to a consolidation by that time.  Chairperson Grebner suggested the Committee approve this request and then look to the voters to increase the telephone surcharge. 

MOTION CARRIED with Comms. Copedge, Thomas, Nolan and Schafer (reluctantly) voting YES.

                             c.    Consumer Alert – Information

Ms. Chadwick informed the Commissioners that the next hurdle for the 911 Advisory Board is the issue of internet telephone service providers that do not provide 911 service to their customers.  Many of the customers are not aware they do not have access to 911.

2.       Sheriff’s Office – Resolution to Authorize a Reorganization in the Sheriff’s           Medical Clinic

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A REORGANIZATION IN THE SHERIFF’S MEDICAL CLINIC.

Comm. Nolan expressed her concern regarding the increase in full-time-equivalent positions.  Mr. Neilsen explained these items are contained the Sheriff’s Office’s 2005 Budget.  He further explained this request was made as part of the Jail Medical Accreditation process conducted in 2001 by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.  The County Jail has not been accredited by this organization since 2001.  With this increase in staff for the nursing section, we are hopeful of regaining Jail Medical Accreditation.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.            Law Enforcement Committee – Resolution Honoring Samuel Gatesy

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING SAMUEL GATESY.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

4.            Controller’s Office

a.   Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2005 Ingham County Budget

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2005 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET.

Mr. Neilsen stated this is the first quarterly adjustment of this year.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

b.    Introduction of 2006 Strategic Planning Information Report – Information from County Offices, Departments and the Courts Regarding 2006 Strategic Planning and Budget Process.  This Report includes background information, activity indicators and performance measures.

Mr. Neilsen explained the Report contains background information on County departments.  He encouraged the Commissioners to read this information as it will be helpful during the upcoming budget hearings.  At this Committee’s next meeting, it will approve a Resolution which establishes the Board’s priorities for 2006.

5.  Special Law Enforcement Meeting to Discuss Road Patrol

The Committee held a brief discussion regarding possible dates for a special Committee meeting to discuss road patrol issues.  Mr. Neilsen will email the Commissioners to determine an appropriate date for this meeting.

Announcements:    None

Public Comment:   None

The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff