Amended 3/16/06

LAW ENFORCEMENT

March 2, 2005

Minutes

 

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

 

Members Absent:         Debbie DeLeon and Randy Schafer

 

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Mary Sabaj, Gene Wriggelsworth, Judge Collette, Judge Giddings, Comm. Dougan, Comm. Grebner, Jude DeLuca and others

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Nolan at 6:04 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

 

Approval of the February 16, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 16 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comms. DeLeon, Thomas and Schafer

 

Additions to the Agenda

2.         Ingham County Police Agency Equipment Inventory

 

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

1.         Sheriff’s Office – Resolution Authorizing Ingham County to  Enter into a One (1) Year Inter-Local Agreement with the City of Lansing to  Share Proceeds from the 2006 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Award

 

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INGHAM COUNTY TO ENTER INTO A ONE (1) YEAR INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LANSING TO SHARE PROCEEDS FROM THE 2006 BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM AWARD. 

 

Chairperson Nolan asked for specifics regarding the grant.  Mr. Neilsen explained the County and the City of Lansing would divide the total grant award of $104,952.  The funds would be used to purchase the following:  a video arraignment system, mobile video recorders, lap top computers and operating technology/servers.  Negotiations are ongoing regarding the exact disbursement of the funds.  The City has agreed to spend the money as specified.

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comms. DeLeon, Thomas and Schafer

 

2.         911 Advisory Board – Resolution Authorizing Contracts with Various Ingham County Municipalities and/or Public Safety Authorities for Communication Equipment for the Ingham County Public Safety Radio Communications System Project

 

MOVED BY COMM. VICKERS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACTS WITH VARIOUS INGHAM COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES AND/OR PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORITIES FOR COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT FOR THE INGHAM COUNT Y PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROJECT. 

 

Mr. Neilsen stated the Board of Commissioners approved the expenditures of these funds as part of the overall budget and primarily as part of the M/A-COM, Inc. contract when they adopted Resolution #03-324.  The 911 Advisory Board and the Project Manager have approved the final end users’ communications equipment list request.   The Equipment Inventory list was distributed to the Committee.  Mr. Neilsen stated the two municipalities would be responsible for all costs associated with the maintenance, repair, replacement and support for all end users’ communications equipment they receive.

 

Comm. Vickers asked when the equipment would be delivered.  Mr. Neilsen stated a tentative date has been scheduled for a weekend in the near future.  The new system should be fully operational by May or June of this year. 

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comms. DeLeon, Thomas and Schafer

 

3.         Controller’s Office – Project Sentry, Discussion and Recommendation

 

Mr. Neilsen explained that he informed this Committee at its February 2, 2006 meeting that Project Sentry would be running a deficit estimated to be $160,000 through the remainder of the year based on expenditure and revenue projections.  He has met with Ms. Sabaj, and Dr. Gallagher to review the situation and to look at alternatives to bring back to this Committee tonight.  Mr. Neilsen stated Dr. Gallagher has advised him he would retire effective April 2, 2006. 

 

Mr. Neilsen stated he is recommending the County continue operating Project Sentry through FY 2006 with a reorganization of the Department which would include one less position due to the retirement of the Director and the realignment of the duties of the current Office Administrator effective April 1, 2006.  This reorganization would still require a County subsidy of approximately $127,700 that was not budgeted this year.

 

The alternative would be to close the program.  Closing the program would require a one time cost of approximately $114,500 and would require a number of tasks to close the program.  This would include paying off a lump sum to the landlord under the terms of the current lease, employee payouts, the elimination of their services to the judicial system, the need to store the records at some facility, the transition of current cases to new vendors and some transition costs yet to be defined. 

 

The agenda packet includes the Project Sentry, 2006 Cost Comparisons of Alternatives.

 

(Comm. Thomas arrived at 6:17 p.m.)

 

Ms. Sabaj introduced Dr. Gallagher to the Committee.   She stated Dr. Gallagher founded and has maintained Project Sentry.  Dr. Gallagher is nationally recognized as an expert in forensic toxicology.  He has provided thousands of witness testimonies at various courts. 

Ms. Sabaj stated there is a day and night difference between Project Sentry’s credentials and those of other vendors. 

 

Project Sentry has never operated solely on program revenues.  Grant funds paid for the operation and costs of Project Sentry for nine years.  During those years, Project Sentry accumulated program revenues which have been used to fund the program since the elimination of the grant.  Project Sentry is the largest company of its nature in the County and possibly the State. 

 

Ms. Sabaj stated the program has operated at a high-quality level for several years without requesting financial assistance from the County.  Newer vendors advertise they can provide the same services faster and cheaper than Project Sentry. 

 

Dr. Gallagher stated he approached the Board of Commissioners several years ago regarding implementing testing services.  He started providing services at the Ingham County Jail.  Dr. Gallagher stated his philosophy of providing fair, chemically accurate treatments which do not contaminate the court system.  Project Sentry clients are aware they will receive accurate testing which is very important for maintaining their jobs, homes and families. 

 

On-site testing have higher rates of false positives and false negative results.  Project Sentry’s costs are higher; however, the courts know they can rely on the test results.  Dr. Gallagher further stated he has never charged for his expert testimony in relation to any cases that he was asked to provide expert testimony. 

 

Mr. Wriggelsworth stated Dr. Gallagher is tough and runs a tough program.  Project Sentry clients are aware of the program’s reputation.  Area defense attorneys believe Dr. Gallagher provides noble expert testimony.  The County needs to determine if it wants to maintain the high-quality services of Project Sentry. 

 

Judge Collette stated he is present this evening with Judges Giddings and Garcia to express their support for Project Sentry’s services.  The number one problem in our society is drug and alcohol abuse.  Receiving quality test results allows the Judges to sentence defendants in the most appropriate manner.  County Probation Officers believe Project Sentry provides quality services.  Project Sentry is a law enforcement tool.

 

Judge Giddings stated jail overcrowding has been a major issue over the past several years.  Adequate drug testing means people are not sentenced to jail due to false positive results.  Project Sentry is a preeminent testing clinic. 

 

Judge DeLuca stated he saw first hand as a private practitioner the quality of care which goes into the Project Sentry program.  Project Sentry is recognized by the legal community as a quality program. 

 

In response to Mr. Neilsen, Dr. Gallagher detailed the services provided through Project Sentry.  He also stated PBT testing is performed everyday, including holidays and weekends.  Other services are provided during various hours of the day.  Drops are monitored by trained staff and all tests are conducted at Project Sentry. 

 

Mr. Neilsen asked Dr. Gallagher why he would not raise the testing fees if the court orders a defendant to pay for his/her testing.  Dr. Gallagher explained he decreased fees to remain competitive.  He believes Project Sentry will lose business if the fees are increased. 

 

Comm. Thomas asked for the number of local vendors who provide testing services.  Ms. Sabaj stated there are three or four local vendors.  Some vendors provide on-site testing services.  She further explained the other vendors have decreased Project Sentry’s base. 

 

The Committee continued this discussion.  Comm. Thomas asked how Project Sentry would maintain its quality services once Dr. Gallagher retires.  Ms. Sabaj explained that Dr. Gallagher could be retained as a consultant to provide expert testimony and to assist with the transition after his retirement. 

 

Comm. Vickers stated his preference to keep Project Sentry in operation.  He further stated he has former students who have had positive experiences with Project Sentry. 

 

Comm. Grebner stated the current location of Project Sentry is not as accessible as the previous location.  Ms. Sabaj stated she did notice a decline in Project Sentry clients when the facility was moved; however, there could be multiple factors influencing this decline.  Dr. Gallagher stated there is no successful business operation within 1,000 feet of Project Sentry. 

 

Judge Collette stated his belief that County Courts should use County facilities, such as Project Sentry.  He will meet with the 55th District Court Judges in the near future and he will bring up the issue of Project Sentry. 

 

It was the consensus of the Committee to direct Staff to draft a resolution to continue the Project Sentry program with a subsidy from the County.

 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff