Amended 9/14/06

 

LAW ENFORCEMENT

August 10, 2006

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, Don Reisig, Harry Moxley and Sean Bennett

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Nolan at 6:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

 

Approval of the July 13, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE JULY 13 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm. Copedge

 

Additions to the Agenda

4.         Project Sentry Update

5.         Jail Inmate Mentoring

6.         D.A.R.E. Officer – Information

7.         Ordinance Violators – Information

 

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

 

1.         Community Corrections Advisory Board – Resolution Authorizing a Temporary Salary Increase for the Administrative Specialist Position at Project Sentry for Fiscal Year 2006

 

2.         30th Circuit Court – Friend of the Court – Resolution to Implement Procedures for Handling Reimbursable Costs for the Friend of the Court Bench Warrants

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm. Copedge

 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Copedge

 

3.         Board Referral – 911 Service District Accounting Report

 

Mr. Neilsen explained the Accounting Report is an annual process.  The Report relates to telephone service providers.  He then stated that as of July 1, 2006, the monthly recurring rate will be decreased by $0.11 for a total rate of $0.25.  Recurring charges are defined as the amounts necessary for the ongoing operation of the system.  The charges are regulated by the Public Service Commission. 

 

Comm. Schafer stated this Committee had a very nice discussion at its last meeting regarding the proposed 911 consolidation.  Comm. Vickers thanked Mr. Neilsen for handling a question for a community newspaper on his behalf.  Comm. DeLeon stated Mr. Neilsen helped her with a Channel 6 interview regarding the 911 issue.  She expressed her appreciation for this assistance.

 

The Board Referral was received and placed on file.

 

4.         Project Sentry Update

 

Mr. Neilsen stated Project Sentry is funded through Fiscal Year 2006.  The County is providing a $198,000 subsidy to Project Sentry to help see them through 2006.  The Controller’s Office will not recommend continued funding at that same level for Project Sentry in its 2007 Budget Recommendation.  Mr. Neilsen further explained that it would cost approximately $100,000 to close Project Sentry.  This amount includes paying the landlord for the remainder of the lease. 

 

The Controller’s Office will recommend that the County subsidize Project Sentry in the approximate amount of $100,000 or, that it discontinue subsidizing the program after 2006.  All associated parties are working to reduce the level of subsidy to at least $100,000. 

 

(Comm. Copedge arrived at 6:12 p.m.)

 

Comm. Schafer suggested this Committee send a communication to Chief Judge Collette which informs him that the Board of Commissioners is entering its 2007 budget process.  The communication should restate this Committee’s stand on the issue of Project Sentry.  He then suggested a copy of the communication also be sent to the Sheriff’s Office, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Circuit Court and the Community Corrections Advisory Board. 

 

Comm. Thomas stated support is being sought for the continuation of Project Sentry.  Community leaders are being asked to lobby support of the program.  The Court, and other parties, are aware of this Committee’s position on Project Sentry.  Comm. Thomas further stated he believes people are aware of what needs to be done to continue the operation of Project Sentry. 

 

Chairperson Celentino stated this Committee should not receive a last minute funding request for Project Sentry late in the budget process.  Comm. Vickers suggested a copy of the resolution accompany the communication referred to by Comm. Schafer.  The resolution is very specific regarding the Board’s position. 

 

Chairperson Nolan stated a communication will be sent this week to the parties referred to above.  Comm. Thomas asked that the communication also inform the parties of the dates of the upcoming budget hearings. 

 

5.         Jail Inmate Mentoring

 

Comm. Copedge asked about the process of relaying information the Sheriff’s Office regarding the mentoring of jail inmates.  Chairperson Nolan informed Comm. Copedge that this issue should be brought before the Judiciary Committee.

 

6.         D.A.R.E. Officer – Information

 

Comm. Copedge reported that Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission’s funding of the D.A.R.E. program will be reduced from 75% to 25%.  The County may need to consider a contingency fund appropriation to continue the program.  Comm. Copedge also stated Capt. Forest expressed his concern, in an email, that the County may start charging municipalities for the housing of ordinance violators.

 

Comm. Thomas stated contingency funds may not be the right way to handle the D.A.R.E. funding issue.  He then stated a request may be placed on the Z list during the budget process for this issue. 

 

Mr. Neilsen stated the D.A.R.E. funding issue has been relayed to the Sheriff’s Office and the Controller’s Office.  The Controller’s Office may support the continuation of the D.A.R.E. program with a subsidy in the 2007 budget.  If not, the Sheriff’s Office may request funding through the Z list process. 

 

Mr. Neilsen addressed Comm. Copedge’s item regarding jail inmate monitoring.  He stated mentoring proposals should be sent to the Sheriff’s Office for consideration.  Comm. Schafer stated the mentoring issue sounds like a good discussion for the Sheriff’s Office.  Formal mentoring proposals should be submitted to the Sheriff’s Office.  The Sheriff’s Office needs to insure the Jail has high quality programs. 

 

Comm. Thomas suggested interested people should contact the Sheriff’s Office to learn of its immediate needs before submitting a proposal to the Office. 

 

Comm. Copedge stated the Jail commissary concerns have been expressed in regard to minority needs.  The minority populations have specific personal product needs. 

 

Comm. Vickers stated Michigan Works has a re-entry program in place for jail inmates.  Michigan Works is already involved in this type of mentoring.  Mr. Neilsen stated there are a number of mentoring programs within the community. 

 

7.         Ordinance Violators – Information

 

Comm. DeLeon stated this Committee has discussed the issue of ordinance violators in the past in relation to jail overcrowding.  A determination was made that it would cost the County in the long run to charge the City of Lansing for housing its ordinance violators.  Comm. Schafer stated the number of ordinance violators has dramatically decreased since this Committee last discussed the issue.  Mr. Neilsen stated this issue comes up when the Jail is experiencing a real overcrowding problem. 

 

Chairperson Nolan stated the County has contracted with Health Management Associates to review irregular healthcare billings.  Mr. Neilsen stated several meetings have been held regarding this matter and an update should be ready for this Committee’s next meeting.  Progress is being made in this area.  Efforts continue to define real costs from bad costs.  This is an ongoing process which involved a substantial amount of money.  The current system is being refined to avoid this type of problem in the future. 

 

Comm. Copedge asked if the current system includes an automatic letter to the insurance company when an inmate has been released from the Jail.  Mr. Neilsen stated the current system is automated.  New inmates are no longer an issue regarding healthcare insurance billings. 

 

Comm. Schafer asked if discussions have taken place regarding the Jail’s use of the County’s PHP program for its inmates.  Mr. Neilsen stated it is the Sheriff’s Office’s intent to use the PHP program.  The Sheriff’s Office supports the Controller’s Office’s budget recommendation to hand over Jail inmate healthcare to the Ingham County Health Department.  Efforts will be made to enroll eligible inmates in the PHP program so they will have that coverage when they are released from Jail. 

 

This discussion continued.  Chairperson Nolan requested that this Committee receive monthly updates regarding the Jail medical billing concerns. 

 

Chairperson Nolan asked if a date has been scheduled for the ribbon-cutting ceremony in regard to the new 911 communication system.  Mr. Neilsen stated the date will be scheduled with this Committee and the Board of Commissioners.  He suggested the Commissioners consider possible dates and times for the ceremony. 

 

Announcements

Mr. Neilsen updated the Committee regarding the Sheriff’s Office’s efforts to secure a contract for the use of Jail beds.  Mr. Myers is still negotiating with the Michigan Department of Corrections. 

 

Mr. Neilsen addressed Comm. Copedge’s concern regarding inmate to inmate assaults within their jail cells.  Mr. Neilsen stated the Sheriff’s Office emailed Comm. Copedge regarding this matter.  Comm. Copedge stated he would personally contact the Sheriff’s Office. 

 

Comm. DeLeon informed the Committee that a scholarship has been created in Mary Valescos’ name.  She is a former Commissioner. 

 

Chairperson Nolan welcomed Comm. Thomas back after a lengthy absence. 

 

Public Comment

Mr. Bennett, previous Ingham County resident, addressed the Committee regarding his ability to have law enforcement accountable and responsive to him regarding crime.  Efforts should be taken to ensure that law enforcement personnel act within the law.  Mr. Bennett stated he is between residences at this time; however, he will soon reside in the Detroit area.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff