Approved 11/10/05
LAW ENFORCEMENT
October 27, 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, Jerry Ambrose, Matthew Myers, Ross Herzig, Janiel Valentine and Comm. Dougan
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 September 14 and October 13, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 14 AND OCTOBER 13 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
3. Resolution Designating the Month of November, 2005 as “Animal Cruelty Awareness Month” in Ingham County
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Purchasing Department/Sheriff’s Office – Resolution Authorizing an Agreement for Local and Long Distance Service for the Inmate and Public Pay Telephones
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE SERVICE FOR THE INMATE AND PUBLIC PAY TELEPHONES.
Comm. Thomas stated he was very pleased with staff’s work on this matter. The reduced rates in this new contract will result in fewer burdens on the inmates and their families.
Mr. Ambrose explained the RFP required that the County receive $410,000 annually for the first three years of the contract. It also guarantees the County receives $415,000 annually for the last two years of the contract. This revenue was built in to the 2006 budget.
Comm. Copedge asked about the other responsive bids. Mr. Ambrose stated the agenda packet contains a Price Comparison – Inmate Phone Vendors information sheet. This information compares the rates of Infinity, Encartele, Evercom and SBC. Comm. Copedge then asked if the loss of the Oakland County contract would affect this contract. Mr. Herzig, Infinity, stated the loss of the contract would not be a problem over the period of this contract.
Chairperson DeLeon asked about Infinity’s staffing situation in Ingham County. Mr. Herzig stated Infinity will employee a technician to be available to the County Jail on a regular basis. Infinity also has technicians in Grand Rapids and Sault Ste. Marie. The company’s corporate office is located in Austin, Texas.
Comm. Thomas asked if a person receiving a call from the Jail would be informed of the caller’s name before accepting the collect call. Mr. Herzig stated his company offers a service which would allow the Jail to specify phone numbers that individual inmates could call. The Jail has decided against this service. He then explained inmate families could purchase a “Keeping Connected” plan which would provide families with a specific number of minutes and a pin number. An additional option would be for the salutation recording to indicate the name of the caller.
Comm. Copedge asked if people would be informed of the rates before they accept a collect call from the County Jail. Mr. Herzig stated collect call recipients would be informed of the call rates before they accept the call.
Comm. Nolan stated she appreciated the efforts from all involved in obtaining lower phone rates. Chairperson DeLeon also expressed her appreciation for the lower phone rates. Families of Jail inmates will also appreciate the new rates.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Controller’s Office – Resolution Authorizing the Closing of a Post at the Ingham County Jail and Related Budget Adjustments
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CLOSING OF A POST AT THE INGHAM COUNTY JAIL AND RELATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS.
Comm. Vickers asked if the Sheriff’s Office was to obtain a new contract for the Jail beds tomorrow, would the Contingency Fund be replenished. Mr. Ambrose explained if the Sheriff’s Office obtained a new contract, staff would come back before this Committee requesting direction regarding the opening of the closed post. The Controller’s Office will be diligent regarding the Contingency Fund issue.
Mr. Myers assured the Committee that his Office would continue its efforts to find replacement contracts. He then stated most counties are in the same financial situation.
Chairperson DeLeon applauded the Office’s efforts to find a resolution to the loss of the Oakland County contract.
In response to Chairperson Grebner, Mr. Myers explained what is involved in closing a post at the Jail. He then stated regular MDOC inspections will continue at the closed post. The post which is being closed is one of the oldest posts at the Jail.
Chairperson DeLeon asked if the Office has heard any response from the Courts regarding the closing of a post. Mr. Myers stated he spoke with Judge Collette recently. Judge Collette informed him that he understands the Office’s situation. Chairperson DeLeon stated the number of Jail beds allocated for local use will not change.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Resolution Designating the Month of November, 2005 as “Animal Cruelty Awareness Month” in Ingham County
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2005 AS “ANIMAL CRUELTY AWARENESS MONTH” IN INGHAM COUNTY.
Comm. Thomas stated the Animal Control Advisory Board has been working on the issue of animal cruelty for a number of months. Animal Control would like to raise the awareness of animal cruelty and designating a month to this cause is a positive way to get the message to the public. Comm. Thomas encouraged the Committee to approve this Resolution.
Chairperson DeLeon suggested the Advisory Board engage other organizations in this effort, such as the Ingham County Youth Commission.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Announcements
Chairperson DeLeon congratulated Ms. Valentine on the prestigious award she recently received which recognizes her efforts in the Purchasing Department.
Comm. Nolan informed the Committee that the MEA is picketing this evening with the Ingham Regional Hospital nurses. She stated the Commissioners are welcome to attend tonight or any other evening.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff