LAW ENFORCEMENT

Approved 6/1/06

LAW ENFORCEMENT

May 11, 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 and Stuart Dunnings

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 April 25 and April 27, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SUPPORTED BY COMM. TO APPROVE THE APRIL 25 AND APRIL 27, 2006 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Additions to the Agenda: None

Limited Public Comment: None

2. Prosecutor’s Office – Communication, Crime Data Statistics

Mr. Dunnings stated an April 7, 2006 memorandum which was prepared for the Board of Commissioners inadequately described the Office’s level of service activity. The Office’s work has not decreased. A more relevant indicator of the level of service activity would be the number of crimes charged by the Office.

Each arrest warrant requires a significant amount of work by the Office staff. Police reports must be reviewed by an attorney; entered into the CourtView system; a file must be prepared for use at all hearings; an Assistant Prosecutor will often work with the police to gather additional information; a victim-witness assistant contacts the victim, in many cases; and subpoenas must be prepared by the Office clerks.

A report of the number of criminal charges generated by CourtView shows that, for the time in question (2001-2004), the number of criminal charges was up by 11% and the number of felonies increased by 19.4%.

Mr. Dunnings stated the Prosecutor’s Office uses an investigative subpoena in order to compel people to come to the Prosecutor’s Office. The Office’s budget is low due in part to the use of the investigative subpoenas. They were used in the Ricky Holland case. This case will cost the Office a fortune. Mr. Dunnings informed the Committee that his Office will soon be involved with another case which will take more time and effort from the Prosecutor’s Office than the Holland case.

The Prosecutor’s Office will be submitted a supplemental budget request to see the Office through the remainder of this year. The dollar amount has not been determined as of this date. Mr. Dunnings stated the Sheriff’s Office budget is also very tight. Over-time in that Office must be enormous.

Comm. Thomas asked if the Prosecutor’s Office is taking into account the additional costs which will be associated with an upcoming case for the 2007 budget. Mr. Dunnings stated the Office is considering its costs involved with issuing investigative subpoenas, etc. The Office will try to save money where possible. He then stated the transcript of the Holland preliminary hearing will cost approximately $10,000. The Prosecutor’s Office cannot plan for these types of cases.

Comm. Thomas asked if the Prosecutor’s Office expects more high-cost cases. Mr. Dunnings stated he does not anticipate more high-cost cases this year. Chairperson Nolan asked where the data came from which was referred to in the April 7 memorandum. Mr. Neilsen stated that data was contained in the Uniform Crime Report from the Michigan State Police. Chairperson Nolan requested staff to provide this Committee with the 2006 Office data when it’s available.

Comm. DeLeon asked if the Prosecutor’s Office receives any reimbursement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for cases which reach that level of the court system. Mr. Dunnings explained his Office receives funding from the U.S. Attorney’s Office usually for drug forfeiture cases.

Chairperson Nolan expressed the Committee’s appreciation to Mr. Dunnings for providing the above information.

1. County Services Committee – Communication from the County Services Committee Regarding Review of Process for Making Appointments to Boards, Committees and Commissions

Comm. Vickers informed the Committee that he recently spoke with the Fair Board regarding interview questions for applicants to the Fair Board. The Fair Board stated background checks on Fair volunteers should be considered in the near future. Volunteers have a lot of contact with kids.

Chairperson Nolan asked what prompted this communication from the County Services Committee. Mr. Neilsen stated this issue is related, partly, due to interviews which were held for the Friend of the Court Advisory Board. Comm. Schafer expressed his support for making necessary changes to the interview process for commissions and boards.

Chairperson Celentino stated the County Services Committee spoke about this issue for some time. The Communication was forwarded to the Board’s liaison Committees.

Comm. DeLeon suggested the application form for County boards and commissions be reviewed and revised. Mr. Neilsen stated the County Services Committee has also discussed the issue of tailoring the application to specific boards and commissions.

Comm. Schafer stated it would be helpful to have applicants attach their resumes to their applications, where appropriate. Comm. Vickers stated there was also discussion about adding an extra page to the application. Comm. Schafer suggested the application request references.

Mr. Neilsen explained the County Services Committee discussed the practicality of implementing some of the proposed changes.

Comm. Copedge asked if the Board of Commissioners interviews all applicants. Comm. Thomas explained the Board interviews all applicants to the high profile boards and commissions, i.e. the Road Commission. Comm. Copedge expressed his concern about this process.

Comm. Thomas stated he is not in favor of requesting resumes. The current application form questions are to the point. Commissioners should ask their specific questions during the interview process. Comm. Schafer stated more applicant information should be made available for high-profile boards and commissions.

Chairperson Nolan suggested the application form be adapted to each board and commission. Comm. Vickers suggested the current application form remain the same and to add an extra page for questions which are adapted to each board and commission.

Mr. Neilsen stated Ms. Bennett has been informed of this discussion and is looking into the suggestions and the ramifications of such suggestions.

Comm. Thomas stated this Committee should clarify that it is only forwarding ideas, not actual recommendations. Comm. DeLeon stated if the application questions are more universal, an addendum would not be necessary.

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO DIRECT THAT THE CONTROLLER’S OFFICE REFER THIS COMMITTEE’S POSSIBILITIES FOR CHANGES TO THE PROCESS TO THE COUNTY SERVICES COMMITTEE: REQUIRE REFERENCES, REQUIRE RESUMES FOR HIGH-PROFILE, PAID POSITIONS.

Comm. Thomas asked if the County Services Committee would contact this Committee regarding their recommendations. Comm. DeLeon indicated that Committee would inform this Committee of their actions.

Chairperson Nolan requested staff provide this Committee with a list of boards and commissions that it appoints members to.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Law Enforcement Committee – Resolution to Honor Dr. Jerome Gallagher on His Retirement

MOVED BY COMM. COPEDGE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO HONOR DR. JEROME GALLAGHER ON HIS RETIREMENT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Comm. Thomas asked that Dr. Gallagher be invited to the next Board of Commissioners meeting. Mr. Neilsen stated Dr. Gallagher would be invited to that meeting.

4. Sheriff’s Office – Update on Washtenaw County Contract

Chairperson Nolan informed the Committee that she requested this update. Mr. Neilsen explained the Sheriff’s Office is working diligently on this matter with Washtenaw County and the Michigan Department of Corrections. Washtenaw County is still involved with some administrative issues. They have paid this County for their inmates through March 2006. Payment has not been received for April.

Mr. Neilsen further explained the Sheriff’s Office will not hire additional deputies until this issue is resolved.

Chairperson Nolan asked when this County regularly receives payment from Washtenaw County for the housing of its inmates. Mr. Neilsen stated Mr. Myers has not responded to this question as of this date. Chairperson Nolan asked if the County is still receiving inmates from Washtenaw County. Mr. Neilsen stated Washtenaw County inmates are still being received; and, that Mr. Myers is confident Washtenaw County will pay for the services.

Comm. Thomas stated Washtenaw County sent this County a letter regarding this matter. Mr. Neilsen stated the letter informed Ingham County that if it takes in more Washtenaw County inmates, they will do so at their own risk.

Chairperson Nolan asked that staff email the response to her question regarding the payment schedule when it is available. Past due payments could raise some concerns.

Comm. Schafer stated he has proposed the County raise its $35 per day cost to $45 per day. Mr. Neilsen explained Ingham County typically charges Washtenaw County and the Department of Corrections $35 per day. Comm. Thomas stated Mr. Myers informed this Committee last year that the $35 rate is very competitive.

Mr. Neilsen stated this Committee should consider when the County should tell Washtenaw County to remove its inmates, if necessary.

5. Law Enforcement Committee – Resolution to Honor the Mounted Unit of the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE MOUNTED UNIT OF THE INGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern that the Resolution highlights the Youth Education Wagon Train, not the Mounted Unit of the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office. Chairperson Nolan stated she requested this Resolution. The Wagon Train is a nine-year project which targets Lansing middle schools. She wanted to honor the Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit because it donates all of its time to the project.

The Committee discussed possible amendments to the Resolution.

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO AMEND THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION TO: RESOLUTION APPRECIATING THE MOUNTED UNIT OF THE INGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE YOUTH EDUCATION WAGON TRAIN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

6. 911 Advisory Committee – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with East Lansing for a New Trunked Logging Recorder for the 911 Center

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH EAST LANSING FOR A NEW TRUNKED LOGGING RECORDER FOR THE 911 CENTER.

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that a report on the proposed consolidation will be submitted at a future meeting.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

7. Controller’s Office – Discussion – 2007 Update on Fees: Draft – Resolution Updating Various Fees for County Services

Mr. Neilsen stated the annual review of the Fees has been completed and some adjustment recommendations have been made for consideration by the liaison Committees. The Committees will consider a resolution to adopt the new Fee schedule at their next meetings.

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that if all fee increases as recommended by the Controller’s Office are enacted, it is projected that an additional $163,016 would be generated in 2007. The current total revenue generated by the listed fees is approximately $3.38 million, so the fee adjustments would increase the base by about 5.0%.

The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the proposed 2007 fee schedule.

Announcements

Comm. Vickers invited the Commissioners to attend the Diabetic Walk at Hawk Island County Park on Saturday, May 13, 2006. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the walk starts at 9:00 a.m.

Public Comment: None

The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff