Approved 3/15/07

LAW ENFORCEMENT

March 1, 2007

Minutes

Members Present:         Dale Copedge, Tim Soule, Victor Celentino, Debbie DeLeon, Dianne Holman and Randy Schafer

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Gene Wriggelsworth, Greg Harless, Mary Sabaj, Judge Collette, Alan Spyke and others

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Copedge at 5:31 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the February 15, 2007 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 17 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Holman and DeLeon

Limited Public Comment:          None

Additions to the Agenda

4.         Additional Information

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

1.         Chairperson Thomas - Resolution Decreasing the Size of the Animal Control Shelter Advisory Committee

2.         Sheriff’s Office - Resolution Authorizing the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office to Accept a $5,000.00 Donation from the Dart Foundation

3.         911 Advisory Board /IJIS Committee/Sheriff’s Office - Resolution Authorizing the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office Participation in the COPS Grant Records Management System Project (RMS)

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent: Comms. Holman and DeLeon

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Holman and DeLeon

(Comm. Holman arrived at 5:34 p.m.)

4.         Jail Overcrowding

            a.         Sheriff’s Office Presentation

i.          Review of the Ingham County Correctional Facility

Mr. Harless conducted an overview of the Jail facility.  This information was provided to the Committee.  He also addressed general questions from the Committee. 

ii.          Discussion on Some of the Problems Encountered by Staff and Inmates from Overcrowding

(Comm. DeLeon arrived at 5:47 p.m.)

Mr. Harless reviewed each item contained on the Impacts of Jail Overcrowding at the Ingham County Jail information sheet.  The Committee was provided with this information. 

Comm. DeLeon stated the Committee needs to focus on the costs associated with handling inmates during overcrowding periods.  Sheriff Wriggelsworth stated he would work with the Controller’s Office to come up with a cost estimate.  Mr. Neilsen stated the contractual cost for inmates is approximately $13,000 per inmate. 

Ingham County Jail Needs -

Mr. Harless reviewed the information contained in the Ingham County Jail Needs material.  The needs included:

Enhanced Security Camera System; three walk-through metal detectors; one lobby officer (new position); at least two new security officers (one for days and one for nights); at least two new receiving officers; and one recreation officer. A recent proposal indicated a cost between $125,000 and $150,000 for an enhanced security camera system.  A cost estimate for a metal detector is $11,500. 

Comm. Soule asked for an estimate of the new positions listed above.  Mr. Neilsen stated this information would be contained in the 2008 budget request from the Sheriff’s Office.

The Committee discussed this item briefly.

            b.         Review of State Overcrowding Statute

c.         Review of Circuit Court Administrative Order

Mr. Harless reviewed the items above.  The Committee held a general discussion regarding items 4b and 4c.  Mr. Harless also stated Ms. Sabaj forwarded to him questions from Comm. DeLeon.  Responses to those questions are contained in the Circuit Court Administrative Order – Jail Overcrowding Questions material. 

Comm. Celentino referred to the Needs information from agenda item 4a.   He stated stress on the officers during overcrowding periods is a concern of this Committee.  Comm. Celentino then asked if the officers’ stress would be alleviated if the Needs were met.  Sheriff Wriggelsworth stated the additional staffing would help the situation.   Comm. Celentino stated this Committee should keep the stress issue in mind during these discussions. 

Mr. Neilsen distributed the following information to the Committee:

· The New York Times OP-ED – Monday, January 15, 2007 article

· A summary of responses to questions from this Committee.

Announcements:                       None

Public Comment    

Judge Collette addressed the Committee regarding the Jackson County dormitory style facility.  The cost to house inmates in this facility is $20 to $22 per day per inmate.  He then stated his belief that Ingham County could build a similar facility on the Jail property.  The cost of such a facility is approximately $2.6 million.  Judge Collette asked the Committee to consider touring the Jackson facility. 

Chairperson Copedge asked the Committee to check their calendars to determine a date to visit the facility in Jackson. 

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the Prosecutor, Probation Officers and representatives of the courts will be invited to their March 15 meeting. 

Comm. Schafer informed the Committee that he will not be present for the March 15 meeting due to school responsibilities.

MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO SUSPEND THE BOARD RULES TO ALLOW COMM. DELEON TO VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 

COMM. DELEON VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff