Approved 11/1/07

LAW ENFORCEMENT

October 11, 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, Stuart Dunnings, Jamie McAloon- Lampman, Brian

                                        Smith, Lorna Elliott, Barbara Kimmel and others

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Copedge at  6:04 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the August 16, 2007 Joint Minutes, September 13, and September 27, 2007 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 16, SEPTEMBER 13 AND SEPTEMBER 27 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Tennis

September 13, 2007 Minutes were amended to reflect the following:

Page one, Comm. Schafer clarified that he would not be present for this meeting due to school conferences.

September 27, 2007 Minutes were amended to reflect the following:

Page four:   “Comm. Holman stated efforts should be made to address those inmates who do not qualify for specific services.” 

This statement was changed to: “Comm. Holman stated the County has similar programs for the inmates.  The County should limit its efforts to explore if some inmates are slipping through the cracks. ”

Limited Public Comment:          None

Chairperson Copedge informed the Committee that Comm. Tennis would not be present this evening as he is ill.

Additions to the Agenda

5.      Revised Resolution

7.      Consolidation Update – Plant Moran – Brief update

Comm. Schafer asked about the maintenance contract for 911 radios.  Mr. Neilsen stated this Committee should receive the recommendation from the 911 Committee at its next meeting.

1.         Interviews – Community Corrections Advisory Board

The Committee interviewed Stephanie Musser and Jean Capriotti for positions on the Community Corrections Advisory Board.

MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENTS OF STEPHANIE MUSSSER AND JEAN CAPRIOTTI TO THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ADVISORY BOARD.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Tennis

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO WAIVE THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR STEPHANIE MUSSER.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Tennis

2.         Animal Control Shelter Advisory Board – Recommendation on the Complaint Submitted by Ms. Barbara Kimmel

Ms. McAloon-Lampman stated Ms. Kimmel requested a refund for veterinary bills which were incurred after she adopted a dog from the Shelter.  She then stated Ms. Kimmel was informed of the Shelter’s adoption policy before she left the Shelter with the pet.   The policy does not allow such a refund.  Ms. Elliott explained the Animal Control Shelter Advisory Board does not want to set a precedent by granting this request.  She further stated she interviewed the staff and the veterinarian about this dog.  There was no indication that the dog was ill or that it would become ill once it had been adopted. 

Comm. Schafer asked about the conciliatory gesture.  Ms. McAloon-Lampman stated the Advisory Board offered Ms. Kimmel another dog. 

Ms. Kimmel stated she took the dog home from the Shelter on a Friday afternoon. The dog became sick Saturday morning.  She explained that she called her vet Saturday and was advised to monitor his situation.  Ms. Kimmel stated she took the dog to Lansing Veterinary Urgent Care late Saturday afternoon.  The Vet diagnosed the dog with pneumonia and said the dog should be hospitalized through Monday morning.  This would have cost approximately $1,200.00.  Ms. Kimmel stated she could not afford to hospitalize the dog.  

Ms. Kimmel stated she was very disappointed with the Advisory Board’s determination. She had to pay over $400 in urgent care and euthanasia costs.  Ms. Kimmel stated her family has suffered enough.  This was an unreasonable situation. 

Mr. Smith stated page three of the adoption contract includes the following language:  “The County shall not be responsible for any veterinarian fees sustained by the purchaser.” 

Comm. Celentino stated he was very sorry for the dog and the Kimmel family.  He then stated the Advisory Board was established by the Board of Commissioners.  The Advisory
Board makes recommendations to this Committee.  Comm. Celentino asked if there was a break down in communications between the Shelter and Ms. Kimmel.  Ms. McAloon-Lampman explained the addendum language is read to the people who adopt animals from the Shelter.  This is the only change that was made to the current adoption process. 

Comm. Celentino requested clarification regarding the conciliatory gesture.  Ms. McAloon-Lampman stated the Shelter will refund the $168 adoption fee to Ms. Kimmel.  Ms. Kimmel has also been informed that her family may adopt another pet, at no cost, from the Shelter within one year.  Comm. Celentino asked if the Advisory Board offered to pay 50% of Ms. Kimmel’s veterinary bill.  Ms. Elliott stated it would not be good policy to offer this payment to Ms. Kimmel. 

Comm. Celentino asked Ms. Kimmel if she was aware of the adoption contract language, as referenced above.  Ms. Kimmel stated she was aware of this language.  She then stated it was reasonable for her to expect to adopt a healthy pet.  Ms. Kimmel stated she did not expect to spend over $400 in vet bills 42 hours after she brought her pet home from the Shelter.   

Comm. Holman asked how often this type of situation occurs.  Ms. McAloon-Lampman stated the Shelter does not have the resources to be open during the weekends.  She also stated the Humane Society does not know what to do about illnesses which occur during the weekends.   Ms. McAloon-Lampman further stated over the course of the year, the Shelter has received some calls from people whose adopted pets became ill over the weekend.  One other dog may have died over the weekend. 

Chairperson Thomas stated the Committee shares the feelings of the Kimmel’s family.  He then stated the Advisory Board did a thorough job of reviewing this situation.  This Committee should not take their work lightly.  We should be very sure of what we are doing if the Committee chooses to override County policy by overturning the Advisory Board’s determination. 

Ms. Rachel Kimmel stated she appreciated the offer of another dog; however, her family cannot emotionally or financially afford another dog at this time.    

Comm. DeLeon stated she agrees that it is reasonable to expect that a dog would be healthy.  It is also reasonable to expect something out of the norm, such as this case.  This is a sad situation.  Comm. DeLeon further stated she doesn’t know what else can be done other than what the Advisory Board has done. 

Comm. Holman indicated that something else should be done about this situation.  Comm. Schafer stated it’s a sad thing to lose a pet.  He then stated he concurs with Chairperson Thomas and the Advisory Board.  He also stated he respects the work that the Advisory Board has done in this matter.  Ingham County probably spends more money on pet adoptions than any other County per capita.  Comm. Schafer stated his position is protecting the tax payers in the long term.

MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO EXTEND A REPLACEMENT DOG OR A $90 PAYMENT FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND.

Ms. Elliott stated the Advisory Board will look at the weekend situation. 

Comm. DeLeon stated the motion should deal with the euthanasia expense. 

The Committee consented to a Friendly Amendment to the motion to indicate Ms. Kimmel has the choice between another pet or a $91 reimbursement for the euthanasia expense.

 Ms. Elliott expressed her concern about the tight budget.  Comm. Celentino stated the $91 would come from the Contingency Fund.   

Chairperson Copedge stated this Committee understands this is a unique case.  The Animal Control Department needs to consider this issue.  

Amended motion:  FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE ABOVE MOTION TO:  TO OFFER A REPLACEMENT DOG OR A $91 PAYMENT FOR THE EUTHANISIA OF THE KIMMMEL’S DOG.  THE $91 PAYMENT WILL BE APPROPRIATED FROM THE 2007 CONTINGENCY FUND.  THE COMMITTEE IS WAIVING COUNTY POLICY BY ALTERING THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD.  THIS IS A UNIQUE, ONE TIME SITUATION.  THIS APPROPRIATION WILL NOT SET A PRECEDENT.

Comm. DeLeon stated the Advisory Board should determine how to handle the weekend concerns. 

MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schafer voting NO.  Absent:  Comm. Tennis

Ms. Kimmel stated she appreciated this Committee’s attention to her concern.

3.         Sheriff’s Office – Resolution to Accept a $4,800.00 Donation from the Dart Foundation

MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A $4,800.00 DONATION FROM THE DART FOUNDATION.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Tennis

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

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2007 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Tennis

5.         Board Referral – Resolution from Saginaw County Expressing Opposition to House Bill 4852

The Board Referral was received and placed on file.

6.         Plante/Moran – Update

Mr. Neilsen stated this matter will be on this committee’s next agenda.

7.         Presentation – Prosecutor Dunnings and Mike Ferency:  Progress Report on the Consulting Contract on Developing a “Paperless” System at the Prosecutor’s Office

Mr. Dunnings stated his Office wants to move to a paperless system.  Eaton County has a paperless system and they save about $30,000 per year.  Livingston County went paperless and they withdrew a request for additional staff.  Mr. Dunnings asked for an extension on Mr. Ferency’s contract.  He further stated Courtview simply cannot do what the Office needs and he does not believe changes can make it work for the Office.  The MIS Department has been marvelous in assisting his Office with Courtview problems. 

Mr. Dunnings stated his Office needs to move to an electronic environment for the benefit of his staff and the public. 

Mr. Neilsen explained that CourtView was approved by the previous Prosecutor as well as the Sheriff’s and Court offices.  Mr. Dunning’s proposal is wholeheartedly supported by the MIS Director.  A lot of work and research is required before the Prosecutor’s Office moves to an electronic environment.

Comm. DeLeon asked why Maximus cannot respond to the Office’s concerns.  Mr. Dunnings stated Maximus has addressed the Office’s concerns; however, not all of them have been addressed satisfactorily. 

Mr. Neilsen stated the previous contract with Mr. Ferency authorized a $60 per hour rate with a maximum total payment of $9,000. 

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO EXTEND MR. FERENCY’S CONTRACT FOR A TOTAL OF 150 HOURS AT AN HOURLY RATE OF $60.00 FOR A MAXIMUM OF $9,000.  THE FUNDS WILL BE APPROPRIATED FROM THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE BUDGET.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Tennis

Comm. DeLeon stated Mr. Ferency should only do what is included in his contract.

Comm. Holman suggested Mr. Ferency should look into the WEBTec information.  WEBTec provided a presentation at this Committee’s last meeting. 

The Committee held a brief conversation regarding Mr. Dunning’s CourtView concerns. 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff