Approved 2/26/04
Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Mary Stid and Randy Schafer
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Stuart Dunnings, David Easterday, Robert Roach, Don Reisig, Sally Holewa and Christine Timmons
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:30 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the January 29, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. LYNCH, TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 29 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
Resolution Honoring Sandra J. Diehl
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons addressed the Committee regarding a Commissioner who is employed by a political action committee. She will file the necessary documents to remedy this situation if necessary. Ms. Timmons also spoke regarding the Friend of the Court Advisory Committee as it relates to child issues. She stated Camp Highfields is a good program for youth.
The Committee interviewed Robert Roach for a vacancy on the Friend of the Court Advisory Committee.
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT ROACH TO THE FRIEND OF THE COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant informed the Committee that during tonight's meeting and future meetings, Juvenile Justice stakeholders will be addressing this Committee. Tonight, Mr. Dunnings, Ingham County Prosecutor, will speak regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage.
Mr. Dunnings expressed his concern that a specific action is not being taken to meet the spirit of the Millage language. The language indicated that additional secure juvenile beds would be provided. He stated appropriate placement for youth at the front end of the process needs to be determined. Mr. Dunnings stated he believes the County does need more secure juvenile beds.
Comm. Grebner suggested a specific number of Ingham County Jail beds be set aside for use by juveniles when necessary. Mr. Dunnings explained there are "sight and sound" regulations regarding the placement of youth in the Jail. Mr. Reisig stated there are legal issues to be considered. However, this could be reviewed as an option. Comm. Grebner stated juvenile beds in the Jail would be considered as an annex to the Youth Facility. Mr. Dunnings stated his office would research this issue.
Comm. Schafer stated he strongly agrees with Mr. Dunning's concerns regarding the issue of secure juvenile beds. This issue should be addressed this year. Comm. Holman agreed that the issue of additional secure youth beds should be addressed first in regard to the use of the millage funds. The Committee continued this discussion.
Comm. Stid stated she does not believe the County should expand the Youth Facility at this time. Detailed reports will be available this year which should give us the answers to questions such as who is in the Facility and why a youth is in the Facility. The County is trying to prevent the need for more secure facilities (jails). Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated there are some low risk youth who do not need to be placed in the Facility. They do, however, need some other form of secure placement.
Comm. Schafer stated he would like to see a proposal regarding the expenditure of the millage funds this year.
Mr. Easterday stated a new jury system was implemented in 2001. Comm. Grebner stated the biggest question regarding the jury system involves how the County handles people who ignore their jury questionnaires. These people should be responsible for their actions. Mr. Easterday stated this issue was addressed by the Jury Board last month. Information regarding this matter will be available at a later date.
Comm. Grebner stated he would like to see a follow-up procedure implemented to handle those people who ignore their jury questionnaires. Mr. Easterday stated the number of those individuals has decreased. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she would have the Jury Board appear before this Committee in approximately four months if this Committee continues to have concerns.
Mr. Easterday stated he has been very pleased with the performance of the Court Services Officer.
Mr. Reisig stated the project is moving along very well. He also stated additional personnel will be needed to conduct the YLS Assessment process. The need for the additional personnel was outlined by Mr. Reisig. The additional personnel would allow the Assessment to be conducted efficiently. A formal request will be submitted to this Committee at its next meeting. This issue was discussed by the Committee.
In response to Comm. Stid, Mr. Reisig stated very preliminary data regarding the assessment process will be available in approximately 90 days. Comm. Stid expressed her concern that a 40% override is unacceptable. Dr. Latessa's report indicated the override rate should only be 10% to 15%.
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE CIRCUIT COURT, FAMILY DIVISION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH HIGHFIELDS, INC. FOR THE START PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH HIGHFIELDS, INC. FOR THE FAMILY INTERVENTION RESIDENTIAL SERVICES TEAM PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6a. Resolution Honoring Robin S. Foreback
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. LYNCH, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING ROBIN S. FOREBACK. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. LYNCH, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING SANDRA J. DIEHL. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons agreed with Mr. Dunning's position that the County needs more secure youth beds and that the Juvenile Justice Millage language indicated this would happen.
The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff