Approved 5/31/07
LAW ENFORCEMENT
May 10, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Dale Copedge, Victor Celentino, Debbie DeLeon, Dianne
Holman, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: Todd Tennis
Others Present: John Neilsen, Karen Chadwick, Edward Forest and Mark Grebner
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Copedge at 6:03 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 26, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 26 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Tennis
Limited Public Comment: None
Additions to the Agenda
4. Communication from Animal control Director re Kennel Questions
5. May 7, 2007 Communication from Mary Sabaj Regarding Administrative Order 2004-09
2. 911 Advisory Board - Resolution Authorizing a Contract with M/A-COM, Inc. for a Multi-Site Enhancement to the Public Safety Wireless Voice Communication System
Mr. Forest, Lansing Police Department, was introduced as a new member of the 911 Advisory Board.
Mr. Neilsen distributed a May 9, 2007 letter from M/A-COM, Inc. to the Committee. The letter indicates M/A COM will reduce its overall project cost by $49,570 for a total project cost of $405,000. Mr. Neilsen further stated the project is financed through a combination of unbudgeted 911 Emergency Telephone Dispatch Services -911 funds for Management and System Improvements, less any Homeland Security 2006 funds from Ingham County and the City of Lansing.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this matter.
Comm. Schafer expressed his concern about using Homeland Security funds for this project. Mr. Neilsen explained funds are available within the 911 fund to pay for up coming projects. After a brief discussion, Comm. Schafer stated he could now support this item.
The Committee consented to a Friendly Amendment to the Resolution: The $455,000 amount was changed to a not to exceed amount of $405,000 throughout the Resolution.
Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern about emergency communication problems within a specific area of Lansing. She stated the facilities within that area should have been tested further during the initial testing phase.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Tennis
Chairperson Copedge addressed the issue of emergency communication capabilities in new construction. Mr. Neilsen stated research has been done regarding the building code. The County can send a communication to municipalities which encourages them to require proper equipment in new construction projects for emergency communication needs.
1. Discussion of DRAFT Resolution - Resolution in Opposition of State Sentencing Guidelines that Require Counties to Accept More State Prisoners
Mr. Neilsen stated he forwarded a copy of this Resolution to the Prosecutors Office but has not received a reply as of this date.
MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Tennis
3. Sheriff’s Office
a. Resolution to Accept up to $18,000 from the Lansing Police Department for the Drive Michigan Safely Task Force Grant for FY 2006-2007
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT UP TO $18,000 FROM THE LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DRIVE MICHIGAN SAFELY TASK FORCE GRANT FOR FY 2006-2007. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Tennis
b. Homeland Security 2006 Grant
Mr. Neilsen updated the Committee regarding this matter. Once the grant funds have been prioritized, the Committee will receive further information regarding additional funds. The Committee held as brief discussion regarding this item.
4. Controller’s Office – Resolution Updating Various Fees for County Services
Mr. Neilsen explained the Resolution will authorize the adjustment of various fees for County services to be effective January 1, 2008. If the fee adjustments are approved as proposed, additional revenue would total approximately $360,395. Any additional revenue will be recognized in the 2008 Controller’s Recommended Budget.
Comm. Holman expressed her concern regarding the point of sale fee increase. The increase is too high. Mr. Neilsen stated he would forward her concern to the County Services Committee. He further stated he would notify the Health Department of her concern.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPDATING VARIOUS FEES FOR COUNTY SERVICES AS THEY RELATE TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Tennis
5. Discussion – County/City Office of Community Corrections re Administrative Order 2004-09
Mr. Neilsen explained the JUCC is recommending that Category I of the Administrative Order be modified to allow the release of inmates who are scheduled for release within three days rather than the current two days. This recommendation would continue until the Jail count is reduced to the rated capacity. The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item.
Comm. DeLeon stated this Committee realizes this is a multi-faceted issue, and we look forward to a major resolution by the end of this year. She then requested this Committee send a letter to the Court and the JUCC thanking them for their quick consideration of one of the recommendations to amend the Administrative Order 2004-09 for Jail Overcrowding to allow more inmates to be released quicker if they are in Category 1.
Chairperson Thomas stated this is a very small part of fixing the problem. We need to determine which recommendations to follow through with.
The Committee continued their discussion of this matter.
Announcements: None
Comm. DeLeon suggested the Committee pay attention to the Governor’s position on regionalism.
Public Comment
Comm. Grebner addressed the issue of overcrowding. He stated the Committee should never think the BOC’s recommendations will directly affect the elected officials. The Board should take formal actions regarding Jail overcrowding. Formal concessions are needed from the Court before the BOC will consider increasing the size of the Jail. Comm. Grebner further stated the overcrowding problem will be resolved on a per Judge basis, i.e., jail bed allocation.
After a brief discussion, Comm. Grebner stated he would draft his recommendations and submit them to this Committee.
The Committee appreciated Comm. Grebner’s comments.
The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff