Amended 6/10/04



JUDICIARY

May 27, 2004

Minutes





Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Mary Stid, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Celentino



Members Absent: None



Others Present: John Neilsen, Mary Sabaj, Don Reisig, Jeff Venn, Sue LeDuc, Nervy Oliver, Donna Rummel, Dave Buck, Maureen Winslow, Joe Lessard, Matt Wojack, Christine Timmon and Penny Adrian



The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:02 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the May 13, 2004 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE MAY 13 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Lynch



Additions to the Agenda: None



Limited Public Comment

Ms. Timmon spoke about her concerns regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage and the Latessa report. She also expressed her concerns regarding HIV/AIDS.



Agenda items 1 and 2 were discussed as one agenda item.



Comm. Stid stated the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition Committee (Coalition) was formed in 1994. This Coalition consists of the City of Lansing and Ingham County. Currently, the Coalition is being restructured. The new Co-Chair is Willard Walker. Since he is new to the Coalition, he is not yet up to speed on the juvenile justice issues.



The Coalition consists of key leaders in this community who deal with juvenile justice issues on a daily basis. Comm. Stid informed the Committee of the make up of the Coalition Steering Committees. The Steering Committee consists of a total of 15 members. However, the entire Coalition has approximately 30 members.



Comm. Stid stated juvenile crimes are decreasing in the State and across the nation. However, these rates are increasing in Ingham County. The Coalition started addressing the need for an assessment tool before the County began its discussions of same. Through a Resolution, the County designated the Coalition as its advisor on juvenile justice. A huge compromise is needed between the County and the Coalition in order to determine the best methods for allocating the Juvenile Justice Millage funds.



The Coalition believes it is taking a long time to allocate the Millage funds. However, it also understands the County must act wisely as stewards of the tax payers monies. Tried and true programs must be implemented to assist the County's youth.



Programs of the Coalition in local schools are funded through the MSU Extension. Comm. Stid updated the Committee on some of the Coalition's current projects. She then spoke regarding the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) approach. The goals of BARJ include public safety, competency development and accountability. The model stakeholders of BARJ include the victim, the offender and the community. BARJ pulls these stakeholders together so that the offenders can understand the impact of their actions on the victims.



Comm. Schafer stated the lack of appropriate parenting leads most of the offenders to commit crimes. Offenders are often abused and/or neglected by their parents. Comm. Stid concurred with Comm. Schafer's statements. She further stated the parenting problem is getting worse.

(Comm. Lynch arrived at 7:34 p.m.)



Comm. Stid stated the Coalition has encountered privacy issues when gathering appropriate data regarding youth for a community repository. These concerns are being addressed by the Coalition.



Comm. Holman asked why the Coalition data has not been before this Committee. She also wanted to know why this Committee and the Coalition are addressing the same issues separately. Mr. Wojack, Ingham Counseling Center, explained that steps are being taken to formalize a process by which the County and the Coalition can efficiently share data. The Committee discussed this issue briefly.



Mr. Wojack stated the BARJ Committee was formed approximately three years ago. It involves a diverse representation of the community. BARJ is used in other Michigan communities. The Lansing School District has participated in this concept from the beginning.



In response to Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant, Mr. Wojack stated BARJ is willing to work with any of the community agencies in order to help the youth. Ms. LeDuc stated the Lansing Teen Court has done a very good job in applying the BARJ concepts. Mr. Wojack stated the Teen Court is an excellent example of the application of the BARJ concepts. Comm. Stid also explained that it is very difficult to have the appropriate judges attend BARJ training.



Mr. Neilsen distributed information to the Committee regarding these issues. Item 3a addresses the descriptions and impacts of specific resolutions pertaining to the Juvenile Justice Millage. Item 3b describes the juvenile justice capacity in Ingham County. Some of the information addresses juvenile justice prior to and after the approval of the Juvenile Justice Millage.



Item 3b shows the following capacities that have been added since approval of the Millage:

Mr. Neilsen stated proposals for local female beds have been solicited and potential vendors are currently being evaluated. This issue will be addressed further in agenda item four.



Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated many of the programs are on-going programs which must be tracked. The Committee held a lengthy discussion regarding the financial impacts of the new and expanded programs.



Comm. Holman stated the Committee needs to define its approach to juvenile justice. Comm. Grebner stated the County's goal is to improve the current juvenile justice system. Comm. Lynch stated the next step is to review and implement proposals so that the County can determine their efficiency. If a specific program proves not to be successful, the County will make the necessary changes. Mr. Neilsen explained that this is a fluid process. The assessment tool will provide us with data so that the County can make appropriate decisions regarding treatment.



Comm. Schafer stated the County also needs to focus on prevention programs once the female transitional programs are in place. Comm. Holman stated the issue of holding beds is also important to address. (Language deleted)



Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated Commissioners should notify her if they have any other ideas for presentations.



Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant encouraged the Commissioners to attend the Teen and Truancy Courts. The appropriate schedules are included in tonight's agenda packet.



Mr. Neilsen stated two proposals have been issued for Female Short Term Group Homes and Female Transitional Group Homes. The County received the following proposals:



Female - Short Term

Gateway Community Services $317,440.00

Child and Family Services 406,580.00

Peckham 416,110.06

Highfields 467,960.00



Female - Transitional

Highfields $464,930.00

Sequel/Clarinda Academy 547,500.00



The Court and the Ingham County Purchasing Department have started the evaluation process on these proposals.



Mr. Reisig stated the Court should be able to present preliminary recommendations to this Committee at its next meeting.



Comm. Grebner stated once the proposals have been evaluated, this Committee will receive recommendations for discussion and consideration. He encouraged departments to make appropriate documents available for review if requested by the Commissioners.



Announcements: None



Public Comment

Ms. Timmon spoke regarding her continuing concerns related to the Juvenile Justice Millage.



Ms. Adrian distributed fliers to the Community which notified them of an Ox-Offender Dinner to be held on Thursday, June 10, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. The dinner will be held at the Lansing Diocesan Center, 228 North Walnut Street. To register call Restorative Justice Ministry at 343-2494



The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.



Respectfully submitted,





Debra Neff