Approved 1/28/05

JUDICIARY

January 13, 2005

Minutes

Members Present:         Dianne Holman, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Deb Nolan, Chris Swope, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner

Members Absent:         Randy Schafer

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Judge Collette, David Easterday, Nervy Oliver, Jeff Venn, Harry Moxley, Don Reisig, Kay Taylor, Rhonda Gorman and others

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Holman at 7:05 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the December 2, 2004 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 2 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Schafer and Weatherwax-Grant

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Controller’s Office

a.         Long Term Objectives and Areas of Priority Emphasis Guiding 2005 Activities for the Judiciary Committee

Mr. Neilsen explained the Long Term Objectives and Areas of Priority is a historic Ingham County document.  This document outlines the Board of Commissioner’s priorities for 2005. The priorities are addressed via liaison committee.  He then reviewed some of the priorities as contained in the agenda packet.

b.         Memorial to Deceased Ingham County Attorneys – Resolution Authorizing the Placement of a Memorial at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse

Judge Collette stated the Ingham County Bar Association has raised the monies needed for this memorial.  The Bar Association is requesting this Committee’s approval for the placement of the memorial on County property.

(Comm. Weatherwax-Grant arrived at 7:11 p.m.)

In response to Chairperson Holman, Judge Collette explained the memorial would not contain the names of attorneys.   Mr. Neilsen stated Veteran’s Affairs has approved the placement of the memorial at the Veteran’s Memorial Courthouse or the Courthouse in Mason.  They have outlined some guidelines which must be followed.  The Committee discussed this issue briefly.

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PLACEMENT OF A MEMORIAL AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL COURTHOUSE.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

2.         30^th Circuit Court – Overview of the Courts Organizational Structure, Judge William E. Collette and David Easterday

Chairperson Holman stated she thought this Overview would be beneficial for the new Commissioners.  Mr. Easterday welcomed the new Commissioners to this Committee.   He then stated court staff members would summarize their responsibilities.  This information was included in the agenda packet.  The following staff members addressed the Committee regarding their responsibilities:

            David Easterday                                   Circuit Court Administrator

            Rhonda K. Goram                                Deputy Circuit Court Admin/GTD/General                                                                    

                                                                        Court Operations

            Donald Reisig                                       Dep. Court Admin./Director FOC/

                                                                        Family Division

            Kay Taylor                                           Chief Deputy Court Clerk

            Harry Moxley                                       Asst. FOC/Operations M12

            Nervy Oliver                                        Juvenile Division Administrator

Mr. Reisig reviewed some goals for the Circuit Court this year.  Those goals include:  full implementation of the Juvenile Assessment instrument; data generation via Court View; and handling the retirement of key staff members.  The two female group homes will open this year.  Mr. Reisig distributed copies of the 30^th Judicial Circuit Court Annual Report to the Commissioners for their information.

Mr. Reisig invited the new Commissioners to visit any portion of the court facilities. 

They may call him with any questions or concerns they may have about Circuit Court matters.

3.         YVPC Jurisdictional Planning Team – Presentation by Matt Wojack, Williard Walker and Paul Elam

This item was tabled until the next Judiciary meeting when the presenters would be available.

4.         Board Referral – Letter from the State Court Administrative Office Regarding the Fourth Quarter Disbursement from the Court Equity Fund

Mr. Neilsen stated he will keep this Committee up to date regarding this matter.

Announcements

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee of Chairperson Grebner’s suggestion during the Law Enforcement Committee meeting regarding the touring of County facilities.  He suggested special times be set up for Commissioners to tour specific facilities.  The Committees would not hold meetings during these times.  This Committee discussed other options regarding the touring of facilities. 

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the East Lansing 911 Center is hosting an Open House on January 25, 2005 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  The Commissioners have been invited to attend this Open House.

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff