Approved 8/16/07

LAW ENFORCEMENT

July 12, 2007

Minutes

Members Present:          Dale Copedge, Todd Tennis, Victor Celentino,

                                       Dianne Holman, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Marc

                                       Thomas

Members Absent:           Debbie DeLeon

Others Present:               John Neilsen, Tim VanDerWoude, Alan Spyke, Gene Wriggelsworth   

                                        and Stuart Dunnings             

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Copedge at  6:05 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the June 14, 2007 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE JUNE 14 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. DeLeon

The Minutes were amended to reflect the following:

Page 4

Second paragraph:

Ms. Sabaj stated Project Sentry has experienced some improvements.  She then stated Project Sentry improved its financial situation in the first five months of the year.  However, the program is operating on a skeleton crew and with annual lease payment increases; it will continue to struggle to generate enough revenue to keep the County subsidy within an acceptable range. 

Seventh paragraph:

Chairperson Copedge stated he thought Project Sentry would look at other sites to perform testing.   Plans to implement an on-line learning program were not pursued due to the uncertainty of continuation.  A lot of work went into the development and implementation of the EIP classes at MSU, but to date there has been no referrals.  Although it is expected that EIP will improve by the fall, it is clear that it will not be the revenue generator originally anticipated.

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment

Mr. Dunnings informed the Committee that his Office is looking into using paperless warrants.  Eaton County has gone paperless and has saved a significant amount of money on paper and copying costs.  The only cost associated with this effort is the cost of purchasing lap top computers for the attorneys.  The MIS Department will visit Eaton County to speak with them about their paperless system.  Ms. Dunnings stated the Office hopes to test the paperless system with MSU and East Lansing by September 1, 2007. 

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

4b.       Controller’s Office – Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2007 Ingham County Budget

5.         Animal Control Advisory Board – 2 Letters

            a.         Increase in Allowable Expenditure for Emergency Veterinarian Care

            b.         Ingham County Animal Control Shelter Advisory Board Appropriation

7.         Board of Commissioners – Resolution Honoring Sergeant Todd Jenkins

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. DeLeon

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

1.         East Lansing and 911 Advisory Board – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with the City of East Lansing for a New CAD for the 911 Center

Mr. Neilsen explained the Resolution will authorize an additional appropriation and a contract with East Lansing for a new CAD.  An RFP process was conducted in 2006 to identify a vendor (VisionAIR) for this project.  The 911 Advisory Board has reviewed this request and has recommended it to the Board of Commissioners for approval.

MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF EAST LANSING FOR A NEW CAD FOR THE 911 CENTER.

Mr. VanDerWoude, East Lansing Police Department, stated the City of East Lansing asked why this purchase is necessary when a 911 Centers may be consolidated.  Mr. VanDerWoude stated the consolidation will take three to five years to implement and new CAD is needed now.  The CAD performs adequately but it is not known how much longer is will be functional.  The current mapping system is old and a computerized mapping system is desired. 

Chairperson Copedge asked how many agencies are using this equipment.  Mr. VanDerWoude stated the seven TIC agencies, including the Cities of East Lansing, Williamston, Mason, Ingham County, Meridian Township, MSU and Lansing Township, currently use this system.  He then stated the new CAD will enhance the interoperability in Ingham County.    

Comm. Tennis asked if the equipment could be transferred to the consolidated center.  Mr. VanDerWoude explained the CAD server will be placed in the Ingham County 911 center.   Adding Lansing to the CAD system would cost approximately $2,000.  This system is used throughout the U.S. and is used by several agencies throughout the state. 

Comm. Holman asked how much time went into reviewing this matter by the 911 Advisory Committee.  Mr. VanDerWoude explained the Advisory Committee and the TIC agencies conducted a thorough and lengthy review before selecting VisionAIR.

Mr. Neilsen stated the County uses the same system for record management. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. DeLeon

2.         Commissioner Schafer

            a.         Inmate Billing Program

Comm. Schafer stated the inmate billing program issue has been visited a number of times over the past years.  He then stated he believes it’s appropriate to pursue the matter at this time.  Comm. Celentino requested clarification regarding Comm. Schafer’s intent.  Comm. Schafer stated he would like the County to be more aggressive regarding inmate billing.

Sheriff Wriggelsworth stated the Sheriff’s Office has some ideas regarding inmate billing which could be submitted at a future meeting for discussion.  One idea to generate additional revenue is to acquire inmates’ money from their commissary accounts when they are released from the jail. 

Comm. Tennis asked about the hardship exemption.  Comm. Grebner explained that if an inmate does not have money, a home, or a car, etc., the Sheriff’s Office should not pursue payment from them.  Sheriff Wriggelsworth stated inmate bills are referred to the credit agency which contracts with the County. 

Chairperson Copedge asked if funds placed in the commissary account by family members would be taken.  Sheriff Wriggelsworth stated if the money is placed in the commissary account, it can be taken. 

Comm. Schafer asked for further discussion on this matter.  Sheriff Wriggelsworth stated his Office will put some information together soon to bring to this Committee. 

            b.         County Policy for Ordinance Violators

Comm. Schafer stated he likes to bring the issue of Ordinance Violators up every few years.  He stated the County does not receive money from housing ordinance violators in the Ingham County Jail.  The County should at least look at recovering fines and fees for the ordinance violators.  This issue is open for discussion.  The number of ordinance violators has decreased but is still substantial.

Mr. Neilsen stated the County can determine to recover the fines and fees for housing Ordinance Violators.  Sheriff Wriggelsworth spoke about Kent County’s efforts regarding Ordinance Violators. 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item.  Chairperson Thomas stated it was good for Comm. Schafer to bring this issue up for discussion.  He then stated the Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committees will hold a joint meeting on August 16, 2007 to discuss jail overcrowding. 

Judge DeLuca stated every branch of government is experiencing financial difficulties.  It doesn’t make sense to try to ease one branch’s financial situation by seeking money from another branch. 

Mr. Dunnings explained ordinance violators have to be put in jail at times.  He then stated the County should seek a jail Millage.   

This discussion will be continued at the Joint Law Enforcement/Judiciary Committees’ August 16 meeting.

3.         Commissioner Copedge – Discussion on Road Patrol Millage

Chairperson Copedge stated Comm. Grebner drafted Road Patrol millage language.  He then stated this issue should be entertained or be put to bed. 

Mr. Neilsen distributed information regarding Ingham County Basic Police Services by Jurisdiction to the Committee for their review.  The Committee discussed this item.  Chairperson Thomas stated this issue was discussed at a recent Board Leadership meeting.  The Board was presented with the realization that the County is facing a major budget deficit in 2008.  That will be the worst budget year in many years.  During the Board Leadership meeting, there was minimal interest in pursing a public safety millage.  Chairperson Copedge stated he understood from the Leadership meeting that some of the Commissioners would be interested in pursuing a public safety millage if the Sheriff’s Office took the lead on the matter.

Comm. Grebner stated he would not support a millage unless it is at least three mills.  Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the deadline for submitting the language to the Clerk’s Office is August 28, 2007.

Chairperson Copedge stated this issue would be addressed at the next Board Leadership meeting.

4a.       Controller’s Office

Mr. Neilsen stated the agenda material includes some basic information on the City of Lansing’s and East Lansing’s budget requests for the 911 Operational Contracts for 2007-08 Fiscal Year.  The information also illustrates how funds would be allocated to the two dispatch centers for this fiscal year because of the cap of 80% of annual 911 revenue as established by Board Resolution #00-278.

The requests are as follows:

City of Lansing                                     $5,450,163

            95% eligible for reimbursement $5,177,655

City of East Lansing                                          $1,269,795

            95% eligible for reimbursement $1,206,305

Total eligible for reimbursement:                        $6,383,960

(Comm. Holman stated a Drainage Board meeting was scheduled for this conference room at 7:00 p.m. this evening.  She left at this time to attend the meeting in a different room)

Mr. Neilsen stated this is a heads up because Lansing and East Lansing may be back to ask for additional funds.

6.         Circuit Court – Communication – Administrator David Easterday, Jail Overcrowding Administrative Order 2007-02

Mr. Neilsen stated the order has been approved by the SCAO and is now in effect. 

8.         Board Referral – Resolution from Lake County Expressing Support to Prepaid Wireless Communication Services and Wireless 911 Emergency Service Fees and Surcharges

Chairperson Copedge asked the Committee to review the letter and determine if it should approve a resolution at this Committee’s next meeting.

3.         Continued

Chairperson Copedge asked Comm. Grebner if he would consider drafting a letter to the unsubsidized municipalities regarding his proposed Plans A and B.  Municipalities would receive certain services under Plan A and Plan B.  Comm. Grebner stated the Board of Commissioners should discuss this matter further before he sends such letters.  He further stated the Board should be on the same page as this will be a very difficult process.

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff