Approved 4/6/04
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Members Present: Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Lisa Dedden, Debbie DeLeon, Marc Thomas, Thomas Minter and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, Nervy Oliver, Christine Timmons, John Jacobs, Chris Swope, Rodney Taylor, Aileen Gow, Pat Hudson, Kerry Gray, Pam Sievers, Patrice Klein, Kim O'Leary, Roderick McDonald and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Lynch at 6:00 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the March 3, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO APPROVE THE MARCH 3 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
3b. Resolution amended by Judiciary
7b. Resolution amended by Human Services
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons addressed the Committee regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage and agenda item 3a.
The representatives from the following agencies addressed the Finance Committee regarding the Community Agency process and the proposed changes to the process for 2005. They expressed the importance of County funding to their organizations. The organizations also questioned the County's definition of "basic needs" as it relates to the Community Agency process.
Roderick Macdonald Patrice Klein
National Council on Alcoholism Ele's Place
Kim O'Leary Kerry Gray
Sixty Plus Elder Law Clinic Ingham Conservation District
Pam Sievers Aileen Gow and Pat Hudson
Girl Scouts of Michigan Capital Council Urban Options
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
a. Resolution to Authorize a Two Year Agreement for Law Enforcement Services Between Ingham County and Delhi Township
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. DELEON, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO REFER THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY AGENCY ALLOCATION PROCESS FOR 2005 TO THE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE.
Mr. Ambrose stated the Finance Subcommittee has been meeting regularly after the Finance Committee meetings to review the current Community Agency Allocation Process.
Chairperson Lynch stated the community agencies which addressed the Committee during Limited Public Comment will be notified of the next Finance Subcommittee meeting date.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION REGARDING CREATION OF A POSITION OF ATTORNEY/REFEREE WITHIN THE JUVENILE DIVISION/FAMILY COURT AND AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT/FAMILY DIVISION 2003/04 CHILD CARE FUND BUDGET.
The Committee held a lengthy discussion regarding this item. Comm. DeLeon expressed her concerns regarding the 'piece-meal' nature of the Juvenile Justice Millage expenditures to date. She was also concerned that the millage funds would be used up before a juvenile justice plan is in place. Comm. DeLeon stated she would not support any further expenditures from the millage until a plan is in place.
Comm. Grebner stated he understands the time issues involved in making some of the decisions regarding the millage funds. A general rule of thumb is that if one has a doubt of how something should be done, then the decision should be deferred until more information is available. If a decision does not require debate, the decision should be made to go forward.
Comm. Minter stated he shares Comm. DeLeon's concerns regarding the approach being used to expend funds from the millage. This issue was discussed at Judiciary last week. Mr. Ambrose explained that the judges are on line with this request as it is a court proposal. Chairperson Lynch stated Mr. Oliver was present at the Judiciary and County Services meetings to address questions from the Committees. Comm. Minter explained he was not concerned about the qualitative issue. Chairperson Lynch further explained that concerns have been expressed since this Resolution was approved by the Judiciary Committee.
Comm. Grebner stated the Court has been pushed for the past few years to establish some form of assessment process. The Court said an increase in staff would be necessary to conduct an assessment of each child entering the system. This Resolution is a part of implementing the assessment process. Judiciary thought of this request as a part of moving toward the establishment of an assessment process.
Comm. Minter expressed his concern that the Board of Commissioners approved the implementation of an assessment process. However, this process has created other problems. Comm. Grebner stated the assessment process will create an additional work load for the current staff. Staff must be available to conduct the assessment process in order to proceed to the next step. Comm. Minter stated he believed the assessment software was to help staff improve the current process. This may have been a misunderstanding on his part.
This discussion continued. In response to Comm. Dedden, Mr. Ambrose stated using the millage funds for the proposed position is legal. Also, the Board of Commissioners, as a whole, has pushed the Court to institute an assessment process. This is the third step in that process. If this position is approved, its continuation will be reviewed.
Comm. Thomas stated the 2003 Judiciary Committee was very clear that an assessment process should be implemented as soon as possible. This request should be supported to allow the Court to begin the assessment process. It would be inconsistent of the Board to not approve this request.
Comm. Dedden stated it should be made clear to the Court that approval of this position will not automatically extend past the original time period.
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. THOMAS, TO ADD THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE TO THE RESOLUTION:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 SHALL CREATE NO EXPECTATION OF THE CONTINUATION OF THE POSITION IN THE 2005 BUDGET; AND
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE LEVEL OF PERSONNEL HOURS REQUIRED IN CONTINUING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW ASSESSMENT PROCESS SHALL BE EVALUATED FURTHER PRIOR TO THE 2005 BUDGET PROCESS; AND
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR SUCH A POSITION IN 2005 SHALL BE MADE ONLY AS PART OF THE COUNTY'S BROADER DETERMINATION OF PRIORITIES IN THE NEEDS OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Comm. Minter stated he could not support the amendment. His concern regards the merit of the position, not just the funding of the position. Comm. Dedden stated Comm. Minter has a valid point. Chairperson Lynch stated the start date for the position could be changed to when the Court actually needs the position. Comm. DeLeon agreed with this suggestion.
(Comm. Grebner left the meeting at 7:09 p.m.)
Mr. Oliver informed the Committee that the Court has actually started putting together the assessment process. It will take some time to implement this process for the County. The Court has been working with three intake referees which handle all new cases, with the exception of truancy cases. The assessment process will be housed in the intake division of the Court. Additional support will be needed to fully implement this process. Attorney Referees will handle the more difficult cases.
(Chairperson Celentino left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.)
Mr. Oliver further stated the Court will assess youth during the first week of April. The Court will be able to address this process during the next round of meetings.
Comm. Minter stated he could not support the Resolution tonight. He will review this matter prior to the next Board meeting. He may change his mind after this further review.
MOTION TO AMEND: Carried with Minter and Lynch NO absent: Grebner
MOTION AS AMENDED: Carried with Minter NO Absent: Grebner
MOVED BY COMM. MINTER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENTS TO THE CIRCUIT COURT/FAMILY DIVISION 2003/04 CHILD CARE FUND BUDGET TO PROVIDE PRIMARILY ADDITIONAL FEMALE BEDS.
Chairperson Lynch stated that approval of this Resolution would free up 12 beds in the Youth Center. Comm. Minter expressed his appreciation for this material. However, he would like to contact the Court prior to the next Board meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Grebner
(Comm. DeLeon left the meeting at 7:36 p.m.)
7c. Health Department - Resolution to Authorize a Practice Management System/Consulting Contract with Plante Moran
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/CONSULTING CONTRACT WITH PLANTE MORAN.
Comm. Minter asked why this process could not be conducted in house. Mr. Taylor explained that the RFP process is extremely important. It will become the basis for the contract document. All expectations must be defined early. An outside vendor will have a better idea of what the County may need.
Chairperson Lynch asked if Health Management Associates was considered for this contract. Mr. Taylor stated the Associates were one of the three bids received.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Grebner and DeLeon
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. MINTER, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION OPPOSING HOUSE BILL 4234. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Grebner and DeLeon
(Comm. Thomas left the meeting at 7:44 p.m.)
Mr. Ambrose stated this Letter will be forwarded to the Economic Development Committee.
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons expressed her concerns regarding agenda item 3a and the Juvenile Justice Millage. She believes the JJM should be rescinded.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff