Amended 3/2/06

LAW ENFORCEMENT

February 16, 2005

Minutes

 

Members Present:         Deb Nolan, Dale Copedge, Debbie DeLeon, Marc Thomas, Randy Schafer, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino

 

Members Absent:         None

 

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Steve Dougan, Mark Grebner, Jamie McAloon-Lampman, and Steve Hummel

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Nolan at 6:06 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

 

Approval of the February 2, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 2 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

1.         Animal Control Department – Resolution to Authorize a Contract with MSU for Animal Control Shelter Veterinary Services

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT WITH MSU FOR ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER VETERINARY SERVICES. 

 

Ms. McAloon-Lampman stated it would be a wonderful opportunity for the Animal Control Department to collaborate with Michigan State University.  Dr. Valerie Chadwick, MSU, has been assigned to this contract. 

 

Chairperson Nolan asked if the Department would transfer pets to MSU for veterinary treatment.  Ms. McAloon-Lampman explained MSU would treat the pets at the Animal Control Shelter.  Pets may be transferred to MSU if time is an issue. 

 

Comm. Vickers stated this is a great opportunity for the Animal Control Department and its animals. 

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

2.         Commissioner Grebner

 

a.         Discussion on Contract for Enforcement of the City of East Lansing Ordinance as it Pertains to People who Provide Large Amounts of Food to Stray Cats

 

Comm. Grebner stated stray cats are a remarkable and consistent problem in the community.  People deal with this problem by calling the City of East Lansing.  The City then refers the caller to the Ingham County Animal Control Department.  Ingham County does not have a stray cat ordinance; therefore, it doesn’t have the authority to deal with calls regarding stray cats.   East Lansing has a cat ordinance but does not have sufficient resources to enforce the ordinance.

 

Comm. Grebner explained that he asked the County Attorney to draft a contract to enforce the ordinance for local governmental units to adopt.   Local governmental units would contract with Ingham County to enforce their stray cat ordinances.  The model ordinance provides that people cannot feed stray cats more than one-half pound of food per day. 

 

Comm. Grebner explained that Ms. McAloon-Lampman is concerned that such an ordinance would create a substantial enforcement burden on her Department.  He further stated the draft contract also provides the County will receive the fines and costs associated with the contract.  This will probably be a small amount of money on an annual basis. 

 

Ms. McAloon-Lampman stated two or three calls a year would not be a problem for the Department.  Comm. Grebner suggested the Department contact PACE (East Lansing’s Code Compliance Unit) to investigate ordinance calls. 

 

Comm. Thomas stated he does not understand why Comm. Grebner selected food as the source of violation versus other options.  Comm. Grebner explained that counting cats would be very difficult.  Comm. Thomas asked if Ms. McAloon-Lampman thought the amount of food specified in the draft contract is correct.  Ms. McAloon-Lampman explained she would not know until the contract has been in effect for some time. 

 

Ms. McAloon-Lampman asked what would happen if another jurisdiction wants to adopt the same ordinance.  Comm. Grebner stated he hopes the draft ordinance would be adopted by Meridian and Delhi Townships.  The Committee held a brief discussion regarding charter townships. 

 

Mr. Neilsen explained he could structure the draft contract to incorporate ideas from this Committee.

 

Comm. Schafer stated if a jurisdiction adopts such an ordinance, it should enforce the ordinance.  The Animal Control Department probably will receive many calls once the word gets out regarding the ordinance.  He also stated PACE could provide the same service. 

 

Comm. Grebner explained the draft contract would detail the amount of food per day, not per feeding.  Calls regarding the ordinance will be screened through East Lansing.  The County will only enforce the very serious cases.  Comm. Schafer explained his main concern is for the protection of the Animal Control Department.  If the County received a call from PACE, this would indicate there is a real problem which the County should address. 

 

Comm. Thomas stated his neighborhood considered handling a stray cat problem itself because there is no formal way to address this problem.  The County should move forward with Comm. Grebner’s concept. 

 

Comm. DeLeon stated she does believe the stray cat problem falls within the realm of the Animal Control Department.  She further stated the proposed contract should contain language which will protect the County financially.  Mr. Neilsen recommended the County adopt the proposed contract for a one-year period.  At the end of the year, any concerns regarding the ordinance can be addressed.   Comm. DeLeon stated the County should address any concerns which arise prior to the end of the contract. 

 

Ms. McAloon-Lampman expressed her concern that her staff may have to spend too much time in court.  Mr. Neilsen stated this is one reason why the ordinance should be approved for one year initially.  Comm. Vickers suggested East Lansing be billed after the Animal Control Department has received three ordinance calls.  Comm. Grebner explained the contract will include a 30-day termination clause. 

 

Comm. Schafer stated it would be reasonable to deputize a PACE Officer to provide enforcement services related to the contract.  Mr.  Neilsen stated that may be an option to pursue.  He then stated there is also the issue of whether it is appropriate for the County to provide the enforcement services for public health reasons. 

 

Ms. McAloon-Lampman stated dealing with stray cats is the number one concern of the Department.  It would be interesting to approve an ordinance for one year to see what is actually going on in the community.  She also stated her concern that her Department has adequate resources to handle the ordinance calls.

 

The Committee discussed the financial aspects of the contract as outlined in Ms. McAloon-Lampman’s memorandum to this Committee, dated February 9, 2006.  Ms. McAloon-Lampman explained the figures in her memorandum are conservative.  She also suggested the Committee consider what role the Animal Control Advisory Board would have regarding the contract.  It would be beneficial to receive that Board’s input before finalizing the draft contract. 

 

Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern that code officers are not trained to deal with animals.  It is the County’s role to provide this service and to foster relationships with the local units of governments.  

 

Comm. Grebner explained the officers would not deal with the animals.  They would only determine if a person is feeding a large number of stray cats. 

 

Comm. Thomas stated the Advisory Board’s role is broad enough to include providing input on the proposed contract.  He then asked what the next step is in this issue.

 

Mr. Neilsen explained the Committee would need to authorize a resolution which would approve a contract to enforce services through inter-governmental cooperative acts.  The current draft contract can be amended to include ideas from this Committee.  The Animal Control Advisory Board can review the contract before its final approval. 

 

b.         Update on Status of Potential Ballot Language for County Wide Law Enforcement Millage

 

Comm. Grebner informed the Committee that he has determined he cannot develop a county-wide ballot which would be approved by the community.  This type of ballot was considered regarding a county-wide recycling plan.  This was not approved. 

 

A county-wide law enforcement millage is a good idea which probably would never work.  Comm. Grebner stated another option to consider would involve rural police services.   The County will lose its revenue sharing in 2010.  This would result in a $5 to $6 million deficit in the County’s budget.  The Committee should plan for this.  Local units of government should be given a few years to determine how they would provide for their own rural police services without County funds.  A plan should be developed for an orderly transition when the revenue sharing funds are gone. 

 

Comm. DeLeon stated she spoke with people from Lansing and East Lansing who thought a county-wide law enforcement millage was a good idea.  Comm. Grebner stated the language could be placed on the November ballot. 

 

Chairperson Celentino stated Mr. Daher expressed his interest in exploring a county-wide law enforcement millage. 

 

3.         Controller’s Office – 55th District Court Analysis of Delhi Township Ordinance

 

Mr. Neilsen explained it had been estimated the County would lose as much as $100,000 in revenue as a result of Delhi Township’s new ordinance.  The Court was asked to provide some analysis to determine the true affects of this change.  Details of this analysis are included in the agenda information for this item.  The actual net loss to the County for each “over 10” speeding ticket written under local ordinance rather than State law is $1.66.  The actual net loss for each stop sign ticket issued under the local ordinance rather than State law is $-0-.  The major loss would be to the State’s Library Fund.

 

Using the 2004 Annual report figures, the Township issued 3,392 citations.  If every citation is for an “over 10” speeding ticket, the maximum loss to the County would be $5,631. 

 

Comm. Schafer asked if the Ordinance would affect the Judges’ Retirement Fund.  Mr. Neilsen explained the Court funds cover retirement issues.  

 

4.         Announcement – Chief Deputy Vicki Harrison Awarded a Fellowship from the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO SEND A LETTER TO CHIEF DEPUTY HARRISON CONGRATULATING HER FOR BEING AWARDED THE FELLOWSHIP.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff