JUDICIARY

Approved 4/14/05

JUDICIARY

March 31, 2005

Minutes

Members Present: Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Chris Swope, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner

Members Absent: Tina Weatherwax-Grant

Others Present: John Neilsen, Harry Moxley, Don Reisig, Judge Aquilina and Shawn Perry

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Holman at 7:19 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Additions to the Agenda

2-10-05 Judiciary Minutes: MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO AMEND THE AMENDED FEBRUARY 10 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Weatherwax-Grant and Swope

Limited Public Comment: None

1. 55^th District Court – 55^th Judiciary District Court and Meridian Township Pilot Project

Ms. Perry explained the Pilot Project’s concept is primarily based on priorities identified by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners in reference to providing optimal and efficient services to the citizens of the County.

Information outlining this Project was contained in the Committee’s agenda packet. The plan is the 55^th District Court will send a judicial officer (magistrate) to perform civil infraction and informal traffic hearings one day per week beginning the week of April 11, 2005. This service will continue through the end of September 2005. At that time, the pilot project will be reviewed and the plan adjusted to meet the needs in Meridian Township and the resources of the court.

(Comm. Swope arrived at 7:27 p.m.)

Meridian Township will be responsible for providing a secure hearing room for use by the court and appropriate space to allow the public to gather as they await their turn before the court.

Judge Aquilina stated that, based on caseload statistics, there is a need to spend two full days conducting informal hearings for Meridian Township alone. The only cost to the County at this time is the payment of services to the judicial officer and expenses for travel mileage. The temporary magistrate is paid two hundred dollars per day for his services.

The Committee discussed this item. Comm. Schafer stated he would not support an additional courtroom in Meridian Township. Ingham County cannot afford to expand at this time. He will, however, support this short-term project. Comm. Dougan asked where the resources would be allocated from if this project continues past the pilot phase. Judge Aquilina stated the magistrate cost would remain $200 per day for the remainder of this year. The County would only be funding the magistrate cost. Comm. Schafer commended Judge Aquilina for this effort. Chairperson Grebner stated the consolidation of the 55^th and 54-B District Courts would be needed for the long-term.

Judge Aquilina informed the Committee that Judge McCabe’s retirement reception will be scheduled in the near future. This Committee will be advised of the date and time of this event.

2. Friend of the Court

a. Update on the Friend of the Court Operations

Mr. Reisig stated this update is primarily meant for the new Commissioners. Mr. Moxley provided a power-point presentation regarding the FOC Operations. Copies of this presentation were distributed to the Commissioners. The presentation was prepared by MAXIMUS, Inc. Data used in this presentation represents Fiscal Year Ending December 30, 2004.

Once the presentation was concluded, the Committee held a brief discussion regarding incentives.

b. Friend of the Court Update on JASP/Jail Overcrowding Program

Ms. Perry stated the JASP program (program) began in April 2004. As part of this program, three crews work at three different County parks. Many participants of this program are proud of their work. The program provides hands-on-training for the participants.

Once participants complete the program, they may receive letters of recommendation from the County Parks Department. Some of the participants have been hired as seasonal employees for the Parks Department. Efforts are being made to engage the City of Lansing, Ingham County Road Commission and the Ingham County Medical Facility as possible employers of the participants upon their completion of the program.

Mr. Reisig explained there is a downside to the program. Some of the participants abscond while on their job sites. Absconders are re-arrested. The positives, however, outweigh the negatives of the program.

The Committee thanked Ms. Perry and Mr. Reisig for this information.

3. Family Court – Resolution Honoring David R. Buck

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING DAVID R. BUCK. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

4. Controller’s Office

a. Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2005 Ingham County Budget

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2005 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

b. Introduction of 2006 Strategic Planning Information Report – Information from County Offices, Departments and the Courts Regarding 2006 Strategic Planning and Budget Process. This Report includes background information, activity indicators and performance measures.

Mr. Neilsen encouraged the Commissioners to become familiar with the background information on the County departments. At the next Judiciary meeting, a Resolution will be offered which approves the priorities for 2006.

5. Board Referral – Resolution from County of Newaygo in Support of the Michigan Youth Correctional Facility

The Board Referral was received and placed on file.

Announcements

Chairperson Holman informed the Committee that a tour of the Washtenaw facility is scheduled for April 4, 2005. Mr. Neilsen stated those interested in attending this tour will meet at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 8:00 a.m. and then return around 2:30 p.m.

Public Comment: None

The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff