Amended 10/27/05

LAW ENFORCEMENT

October 13, 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 and Ethan Conley

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 29, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 29 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Nolan

Additions to the Agenda

3.         RFP Process Regarding Inmate Public Telephone Service

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Sheriff’s Office – Ingham County Sheriff’s Office Bed Rental Agreement with Oakland County

Mr. Neilsen stated Oakland County is no longer going to be using the County’s Jail to house their inmates.  Revenue from this arrangement was anticipated within the 2006 budget.  The Undersherifff is attempting to secure other jurisdictions’ commitments to rent as many of the 103 beds as possible.  He is also contacting the Michigan Department of Corrections and the Federal Government INS as possible sources.

Comm. Schafer asked if Jail overcrowding was the reason Oakland County is not continuing their informal agreement with the County.  Mr. Neilsen stated Oakland County’s main concern is its budget.  Chairperson Grebner stated Oakland County realized that other counties are conducting early releases to ease overcrowding situations.  They will now adopt this scenario. 

(Comm. Nolan arrived at 6:13 p.m.  She had a flat tire.)

Chairperson DeLeon expressed her concern that the beds once rented to Oakland County will now be filled on a local basis.  Chairperson Grebner stated that once the current situation is resolved, the number of available local beds could be reduced via a resolution.  Chairperson DeLeon stated her hope that the Oakland County situation will be resolved by the next Committee meeting.

Mr. Neilsen stated addressing the current situation may mean closing a currently a post at the Jail.  The Committee held a general discussion regarding the rental rates for the Jail beds.  During the next round of meetings, staff will present an analysis and budgetary recommendations to address this situation.  If additional agreements are not secured, expense reductions will be necessary.

2.         Controller’s Office – Update on Law Enforcement Referral to the 911 Advisory Committee

Mr. Neilsen stated this Committee discussed the requests from Tri-County Metro Narcotics Squad, the Tri-County Medical Control Authority and the Lansing – Mason Area Ambulance requests for 911 funding in February 2004.  The requests were referred to the 911 Advisory Committee.  He then explained that the information in the agenda packet outlines the 2004 Law Enforcement Committee’s thoughts on the three requests. 

The 911 Advisory Committee recommended that this Committee wait to address the requests at a later date.  The Advisory Committee thought Homeland Security Grant funds could be used to fund the requests for radios.  Mr. Neilsen explained that the Metro Narcotics Squad and the Medical Control Authority are not directly dispatched by the 911 Center.  The Lansing – Mason Area Ambulance is a private agency, but it is also a secondary dispatch from the 911 Center. 

Comm. Nolan stated it would make sense to use Homeland Security Grant funds to address the three requests.  Comm. Vickers asked about Leslie Area Ambulance.  He will check on that issue.  Mr. Neilsen stated he would also look into this matter. 

Comm. Nolan asked how far the County should go regarding private ambulance services.  Chairperson Grebner stated the County has to draw a line that it feels comfortable with and that is reasonable to it and the private services. 

Comm. Schafer congratulated the 911 Advisory Committee for its work and effort put forth in making recommendations to this Committee.   He also congratulated Mr. Neilsen for his efforts on the recommendations.   Comm. Schafer then stated the 911 Advisory Committee should be allowed to make a recommendation on the requests.  They are the experts in public safety. 

Chairperson Grebner inquired as to the possible merger between the Lansing and East Lansing systems.  Mr. Neilsen stated Plant & Moran are in the discovery phase at this time.  Next week it will conduct on-site visits.  Chairperson DeLeon stated this study should be completed by the end of this year.  The Committee discussed this issue further. 

3.         RFP Process Regarding Inmate Public Phone Service

Mr. Neilsen distributed copies of his January 31, 2005 memorandum to this Committee for its review.  This Committee, at that time, recommended Alternative #2 as outlined in his memorandum.  Since that time, the Board of Commissioners implemented its preference for the use of local vendors for County projects.  Staff interviewed the four respondents to its Request for Proposals.  The Sheriff’s Office and the Controller’s Office will each make their recommendations to this Committee at its next meeting. 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding the four proposals.  Mr. Neilsen stated that during the RFP process, he learned that Michigan and Texas allow the highest charges for inmate phone use.  This information was supplied by the Public Service Commission. 

Comm. Nolan stated she still has an interest in pursing Alternative #1 as outlined in the January 31 memorandum.  This Alternative did not allow the County to earn revenue from inmate phone use.  She would like the County to explore ways in which it can gradually wean itself off this source of revenue.  Chairperson Grebner stated there are costs to the County for providing inmate phone service.  Chairperson DeLeon stated the County should not go below its cost for providing the service. 

Mr. Neilsen stated this issue will be discussed further at this Committee’s next meeting. 

Comm. Nolan mentioned the issue of road patrol.  Chairperson DeLeon stated this issue may have a positive impact on the County. 

Announcements

Mr. Neilsen stated the Airport’s emergency communication system will be greatly enhanced with the new 911 system.

Public Comment

Mr. Conley stated he attended this meeting as a requirement for his journalism studies.  He also stated this meeting was very interesting.

The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff