Approved 5/12/04
LAW ENFORCEMENT
April 28, 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, Steve Dougan and Jared Cypher
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 6:02 p.m. in the Personnel
Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 14, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 14 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
6. Discussion Regarding Special Meeting – Road Patrol
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
2. Animal Control/Treasurer – Resolution to Authorize Budget Transfers from the Treasurer’s Office to the Animal Control Department’s 2005 Budget and to Authorize a Temporary Position
3. Sheriff’s Office/IJIS – Resolution to Implement a Patrol Vehicle Electronic Citation System for the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
5a. Controller’s Office – Resolution Authorizing the Ingham County Animal Control Department to Accept a Donation from the Estate of Aleen Marie LaPrise
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Animal Control Advisory Committee – Interviews
The Committee interviewed Monica Terrell, Julia Zielke and Lynne Davis for a vacant position on the Animal Control Advisory Committee.
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF LYNNE DAVIS TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Schafer indicated his support of Ms. Davis and then suggested this Committee send a special letter of appreciation to Ms. Terrell and Ms. Zielke for their volunteer service at the Ingham County Animal Control Shelter. They should also be encouraged to reapply for future vacancies.
4. Sheriff’s Office – Information Item: “I-96 Traffic Crash Law Enforcement after Action Report”
Chairperson DeLeon stated the Report was very informational. She then distributed copies of a letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, dated September 8, 2004, to the Committee for their review. Chairperson DeLeon explained the National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides the framework for governmental entities to respond to any domestic incident. The important steps outlined in this communication should be taken during FY 2005 to become compliant with the NIMS. Chairperson DeLeon stated this is a very important issue for the County.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the Action Report. Mr. Neilsen stated the consultant on the new 911 communication system will provide a full presentation regarding the system to this Committee in the near future.
5. Controller’s Office
b. Resolution Establishing Areas of Priority Emphasis Guiding 2006 Activities and Budget Process
Comm. Nolan expressed her concern that the Specific Enhancement for the Judiciary Committee’s priority of Providing Appropriate Sanctions is not as detailed as the other Enhancements in the document. Based on this concern, the Committee discussed possible alternative language for Judiciary’s priority for 2006. Chairperson DeLeon thanked Comm. Nolan for bringing this matter up. She then stated this discussion should be held by the Judiciary Committee.
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ESTABISHING AREAS OF PRIORITY EMPHASIS GUIDING 2006 ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET PROCESS.
Comm. Vickers stated the third BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph (“that the efforts to explore alternative funding means for county law enforcement services shall continue.) should be deleted because the County should not charge out-County residents for law enforcement services.
MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION BY DELETING THE THIRD BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED PARAGRAPH IN THE RESOLUTION.
Chairperson DeLeon explained that all funding alternatives should be placed on the table for discussion due to the current financial climate. She then stated the County needs to be more visionary. Comm. Vickers expressed his understanding of Chairperson DeLeon’s concern.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding this item. Comm. Thomas stated the Resolution would be more accurate if it clearly reflected where this County is headed regarding law enforcement services. Chairperson Grebner stated any changes to the current system is years from now. He then suggested the paragraph in question should indicate the County should explore alternative funding mechanisms and level of services for law enforcement services.
Chairperson DeLeon stated she does not envision a reduction in law enforcement personnel as a result of discussions regarding this service. Comm. Schafer stated the current law enforcement services should be enhanced as a municipality grows.
MOTION TO AMEND FAILED with Comms. Vickers and Schafer voting YES.
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO AMEND THE THIRD BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED PARAGRAPH BY REPLACING THE CURRENT LANGUAGE WITH “TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING MECHANISMS AND LEVELS OF SERVICE FOR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Schafer expressed his concern regarding Health Department fees. The County cannot provide all health care to all County residents.
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED with Comms. Schafer and Vickers voting NO.
c. Resolution Updating Various Fees for County Services
Mr. Neilsen stated the Controller’s Office is requesting approval of the fee schedule.
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPDATING VARIOUS FEES FOR COUNTY SERVICES.
Comm. Schafer expressed his concerns regarding the proposed low fees for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Mr. Neilsen stated the Targeted Percentages were established by the Board of Commissioners in cooperation with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office when the original Fee resolution was adopted.
Chairperson Grebner explained that it is a balancing act to determine the fees for this Office. Usually when residents are involved with the Office, they are not in a good financial situation. Mr. Neilsen also stated the fees should not be so high that residents would have to be placed in jail because they could not afford the fees. Adoption of this Resolution will maintain the originally adopted Targeted Percentages.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO REMOVE THE THREE FEES AS PROPOSED FOR THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS’ OFFICE.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the possibility of tabling this matter until the Prosecuting Attorney could be present to address concerns of this Committee. Mr. Neilsen stated the Prosecutor does support the proposed fees. The issue of increasing the proposed fees could be discussed with his Office.
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO TABLE THIS RESOLUTION UNTIL THIS COMMITTEE’S NEXT MEETING WHEN IT WILL HAVE A RESPONSE FROM THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE (IN PERSON OR IN WRITING). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Discussion Regarding Special Road Patrol Meeting
Chairperson DeLeon stated the May 26 proposed date is the same night as the Road Commission meeting. Comm. Vickers suggested the Committee could meet in Mason to have this Special Meeting. After further discussion, the Committee agreed to meet on 4:30 p.m. on May 26 at the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office.
Announcements
Chairperson DeLeon informed the Committee that the Ingham Control Animal Shelter activities will be held on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff