Approved 8/11/05

LAW ENFORCEMENT

July 14, 2005

Minutes

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

Members Absent:         Marc Thomas

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Mary Sabaj, Vicki Harrison, Karen Chadwick, Dennis Palmer and others

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 6:06 p.m. in the Personnel

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

Approval of the June 16, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE JUNE 16 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Copedge and Thomas

Additions to the Agenda

3c.       Update – 911 Communication Concerns

3d.       Discussion – Lansing Mercy Ambulance

 (Comm. Copedge arrived at 6:08 p.m.)

Limited Public Comment

Mr. Palmer, Lansing Mercy Ambulance (Mercy), addressed the Committee regarding dispatching issues.  Mercy was not dispatched to assist with the highway accident earlier this year.  He stated he followed protocol at that time to inform the appropriate people that his service was available to respond to the accident.  Mr. Palmer further stated Mr. Myers contacted Mercy the following day and explained that an inadvertent mistake was made regarding the dispatching the day of the accident.

Mr. Palmer stated he does not believe these concerns exist at the County level.  It would be better for the emergency services’ businesses to have the 911 Center operation clarified.  Mr. Palmer then stated residents have the right to choose which ambulance service they prefer in a non-life threatening situation.  He requested that Mercy be a part of the 911 system as a back-up service.   He then asked if the 911 dispatching issue could be placed on a future Law Enforcement Committee agenda for further discussion. 

Chairperson DeLeon informed Mr. Palmer that his issued has been added to tonight’s agenda.

Ms. Harrison, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, updated the Committee on the search for Ricky Holland.  Over two-thousand volunteers assisted in the nine-day foot search.  The volunteer foot search ended Sunday.  The Office believes the area has been searched completely.  She then stated the Office is continuing its 24-hour per day search for the young boy.  All leads are being documented and followed-up on.  Resources are still being poured into this search.  Ms. Harrison further stated that many business organizations are donating services and money to assist in the search. 

Comm. Vickers stated he has been impressed with the Office’s handling of the search for Ricky Holland.  The search was very coordinated and the entire Sheriff’s Office should be commended.  He further stated the Office could not have conducted such a search without the assistance of volunteers and volunteer organizations. 

Ms. Harrison stated this search will cost the Office approximately $30,000.  This is a very rough cost estimate.  Some people will always believe that more can be done in these types of situations.  The Office is doing many things to help find the young man.  The public is not aware of everything that is being done. 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1.         Community Corrections Advisory Board – Resolution Authorizing Submission of a Grant Application and Entering into a Contract with the Michigan Department of Corrections for the Ingham County/City of Lansing Community Corrections for Fiscal Year 2005-2006

2.         Sheriff’s Office

a.         Resolution Authorizing Ingham County to Enter into a One (1) Year Inter-Local Agreement with the City of Lansing to Share Proceeds from the 2005 Byrne Justice Grant (JAG) Program Award

b.         Resolution for the Sheriff’s Office to Purchase a Speed Trailer and Accept a $4,000 Reimbursement Grant from the Office of Highway Safety Planning

3.         Controller’s Office

a.         Resolution Authorizing a Contract with Health Management for a Review of Jail Medical Expenses

b.         Resolution Authorizing the County Clerk to File a Notice of Intent to Function as a PSAP within the Clinton County 911 Service District

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Thomas

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Thomas

3.         Sheriff’s Office

            3c.       Update – 911 Communication Concerns

In response to Chairperson DeLeon, Ms. Chadwick explained that recent out-County fire services experienced outages due to an antenna problem.  The outage occurred on June 9, 2005.  State Electronics was called on that date, but did not respond for two hours.  A new part was installed two days ago and out-County fire has not experienced any additional outages.  The system is being tested twice a day.

Mr. Neilsen explained that out-County systems and towers are, for the most part, owned by Ingham County.  State Electronics has been contracted to service the systems and towers for the past several years.  He then stated he did not know when this contract was last put out for bid. 

Mr. Neilsen stated he has had several conversations with Mr. Alford and area Fire Chiefs regarding State Electronics.   State Electronics’ answering service did not relay the outage call to the appropriate parties.  They made several attempts to fix the problem before being successful.  Out-County fire officials are concerned regarding State Electronics’ lack of immediate attention to their problems.  Mr. Nielsen stated this issue is on the 911 Advisory Board’s agenda next week.

Comm. Schafer stated he has heard numerous complaints regarding outages from the out-County over the past several years.  These concerns create doubt within the community about the 911 service.  This is unacceptable.  He then stated he appreciated staff’s attention to this matter.  There should be accountability for the chain of command. 

Mr. Neilsen stated the new 911 system will automatically notify the appropriate parties of problems when they arise.  Chairperson DeLeon agreed with Comm. Schafer that State Electronics’ inefficient response to calls is unacceptable. 

3d.       Discussion – Lansing Mercy Ambulance

Chairperson DeLeon asked Ms. Chadwick if she had any response to Mr. Palmer’s comments during Limited Public Comment.  Ms. Chadwick explained that it is up to each individual municipality to determine which emergency response agency to send to an incident call.  Mr.  Neilsen stated the practice of sending the closest emergency response agency to a call is not an edict. 

Mr. Neilsen explained that very clear letters were sent to all municipalities regarding the new 911 system.  The communication also asked them to indicate their preference for emergency response agencies.  The replies were given to the 911 Center.  Municipalities are responsible for relaying any changes regarding their preferences to the 911 Center. 

The Committee discussed this matter further.  Comm.  Schafer stated it may be worthwhile to send a communication to the Tri-County Medical Control Authority regarding the above concerns and ask them for feedback.  Chairperson DeLeon stated her belief that Lansing Mercy Ambulance should make the request to Tri-County.  

Chairperson DeLeon informed the Committee that the Lansing Ambulance and Looking Glass emergency response agencies are each adding one new ambulance. 

Announcements

Comm. Schafer asked when the CCAB would be back before this Committee with revised recommendations.  Mr. Neilsen stated the CCAB’s next scheduled meeting is in September 2005.  Therefore, the revised recommendations will not be submitted until this fall. 

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff