Amended 10/13/05

LAW ENFORCEMENT

September 29, 2005

Minutes

Members Present:         Debbie DeLeon, Deb Nolan, Dale Copedge, Marc Thomas, Don Vickers

Members Absent:         Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Grebner

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Mike Leaf, Bryce Alford, Lance Langdon, Gene Tidd and Gerald Rodabaugh

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 6:05 p.m. in the Personnel

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

Approval of the September 15, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 15 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the Finance Committee approved this Committee’s requests for 2006 funding for D.A.R.E. and an Animal Control seasonal position.

1.         Sheriff’s Office/Emergency Operations – Resolution to Approve the Michigan Department of State Police, Emergency Management Division 2005 State Homeland Security Grant/Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program Grant Budget and Related Subcontracts

MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION 2005 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT/LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORISM PREVENTION PROGRAM GRANT BUDGET AND RELATED SUBCONTRACTS.

Mr. Neilsen stated the Board of Commissioners has already approved the acceptance of the 2005 State Homeland Security Grant/Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program.  The total grant was not to exceed $1,305,063 with no requirement of a local match.  The budget details $237,828.  The difference of $1,067,235 in unallocated funds will be presented with a spending plan at a later time.  This Resolution only authorizes the expenditure of $237,828. 

The Committee discussed this item briefly.  Mr. Neilsen stated he will submit a full report on expenditures at a later date. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent:  Comm. Schafer

2.         Controller’s Office

            a.         Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2005 Ingham County Budget

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

Comm. Vickers stated not all department generated revenues were included for the Drain Office and Environmental Health.  Mr.  Neilsen stated he would review this matter and a revised Resolution will be provided to the Finance Committee next Wednesday.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

b.         Update on the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Technology Interoperable Voice and Data Grant Attachment

Mr. Neilsen explained the City of Lansing applied for a number of regional grants.  A grant, with a 25% match, has been approved.  He further explained that the communities which benefit from this grant will come up with the 25% match.  This Grant will improve the 911 radio project’s inter-operability. 

All public agencies dispatched through Eaton or Clinton Counties will have the ability to stream data between police cars.  The Michigan State Police will purchase MA/COM radios for their area cruisers.  Once this project is completed, communications within the tri-county area will be greatly improved.  The specifics of this project will be forthcoming in a Resolution at a later date.

Comm. Nolan asked about emergency communications in the New Orleans area during the recent hurricanes.  Mr. Leaf explained that the MA/COM system did not fail during Hurricane Katrina until a piece of debris flew through the fourth floor building where the generator was housed.  Towers remained in tact and none of those sites were under water.  Flooding concerns were addressed during the planning stages for the New Orleans’ MA/COM system.

MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 15, MINUTES.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 15 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

c.         Mike Leaf, Project Manager – Presentation on 911 Public Safety Wireless Radio System

Mr. Neilsen stated the 911 Advisory Board believes this is a good point in the process to make this presentation tonight. 

Mr. Leaf had a portable radio, mobile radio and microphone for the Committee to see.  The features of the equipment were explained and then the equipment was shared with the Committee.

Mr. Leaf updated the Committee on the status of the new radio system.  A majority of the end user equipment is currently being housed in a MA/COM warehouse in Jackson.  The portable radio will provide 95% in-building coverage.  The mobile radio will provide 98% coverage.  Tower sites are up at the Dobie Road, Leslie Township and Dansville Township locations.  Construction on the Pennsylvania Avenue site will begin on Monday.  Mr. Leaf explained the purpose of the towers.

Comm. Thomas asked what would happen if the Pennsylvania tower became inoperable.  Mr. Langdon explained the repair response time has been 20 minutes to two hours.  This is a great improvement over the old contract.  Mr. Leaf stated the main repair shop is located in Jackson, Michigan.  MA/COM services systems all over the state. 

Mr. Neilsen explained that governmental towers were used whenever possible to avoid paying lease costs.  There were a few cases where leases had to be negotiated for various reasons. 

Comm. Copedge asked about back-up generators.  Mr. Leaf stated the four tower sites have back-up generators which can last five to ten days.  He also explained that all the tower sites are secure.

Comm. Nolan asked what entities would be using the new system.  Mr. Leaf stated the Sheriff’s Office, Volunteer Fire, and EMS units within the County would use the new system.  Comm. Nolan asked about private EMS providers.  Mr. Neilsen stated a recommendation regarding the private entities will be submitted to this Committee at a later date.  In response to Comm. Nolan, Mr. Neilsen stated he was not sure how the Airport would fit in with this new system.  He stated his belief that the Airport uses the Michigan State Police radio system.  Mr. Neilsen stated he will check on this issue further. 

This discussion continued.  Mr. Leaf used a power-point presentation to deliver the update to this Committee.  The presentation included photographs of the shelters, inside and outside. 

(Comm. Thomas left at 6:58 p.m.)

Mr. Leaf reviewed the time line for the radio project.  System optimization and coverage will take place between November 15 and December 30; Training and Equipment Installation is scheduled for December 15 through January 30; and the Punch List issues (System Acceptance) is scheduled for January 1 through February 15, 2006.

The new system will be phased in very carefully over a period of a few months.  Mr. Langdon further explained the phase-in process. 

Comm. Vickers expressed his sincere appreciation for the 911 Advisory Board’s work on this matter.  Mr. Leaf stated the Ingham County 911 Advisory Board if one of the most knowledgeable boards he has worked with.  Chairperson DeLeon stated this Committee is aware that the 911 Advisory Board has been very conscientious regarding the new radio system project.  This process has been fairly easy.

Chairperson DeLeon expressed this Committee’s appreciation to Mr. Leaf and the 911 Advisory Board for their work in the new radio system project. 

Announcements

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the Warrant Clerk position request from the Prosecutor’s Office has been resolved.  The Controller’s Office concurs with the Prosecutor’s Office that the cost of this request can be handled through its own departmental budget.

Comm. Nolan informed the Committee that Comm. Thomas has a wonderful PSA on public radio.

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff