JUDICIARY

June 16, 2005

Minutes

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

Members Absent:         Steve Dougan

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Al Taylor, Carl Taylor, Travis Faulds, Leonard Dixon, Matt Wojack, Jim Hines, Tamara Smith and others

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Holman at 7:18 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the May 12, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE MAY 12 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Dougan

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Interviews – Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee

The Committee interviewed Amy Bailey for a position on the Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee.

Mr. Vogl’s interview will be rescheduled for next month.

No action was taken on this item.

2.         55^th District Court – Resolution Authorizing an Appropriation to the District Court for Visiting Judges Services for Assistance During the Appointment Process

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DISTRICT COURT FOR VISITING JUDGES SERVICES FOR ASSISTANCE DURING THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS.

Comm. Nolan asked who negotiated the three-days per week for the East Lansing 54-B Judges.  Mr. Neilsen stated the Court Administrator negotiated this schedule.  Ms. Perry stated she hopes this arrangement will not create a backlog in cases. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Dougan

3.         Presentation  - Youth Violence Prevention Coalition, Lisa McGlone

Mr. Elam stated the Coalition was present this evening for the purpose of updating this Committee regarding their efforts during the past few months.  The Coalition also wanted Mr. Dixon to have an opportunity to address this Committee.

-  Leonard Dixon, President, National Juvenile Detention Association:  A  

    Discussion on National Models                            

Mr. Dixon presented his information to the Committee via power-point presentation.  The Committee was provided with written copies of the presentation.  The title of the presentation was “Considering Alternatives – Bureau of Juvenile Justice.”  Mr. Dixon stated he reviewed the County’s continuum of care project and stated he was very impressed with that information.

Mr. Dixon then explained that communities need to improve services at the front-end of the process.  This would provide a cost savings versus handling all the youth problems at the back end.  People should consider how they would want their children handled if they ended up in the court system. 

Detention should be viewed as a process, not as a facility.  “Detention as a Process” was outlined in the presentation material.  Mr. Dixon stated this Process involves a non-traditional staff schedule (3 p.m. until 7 p.m.). 

Mr. Dixon reviewed Cook County’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Continuum.  This Continuum process includes:  court notification, community outreach supervision, home confinement, evening reporting, S.W.A.P., electronic monitoring and a staff secure shelter.   The Cook County Home Confinement Program has a 91% successful completion rate, and the Evening Reporting Centers has a successful completion rate of 90%. 

Mr. Dixon stated Ingham County needs more community-based programs.  He then distributed copies of “Kent County JABG Program” information to the Committee for their review. 

In response to Chairperson Holman, Mr. Dixon stated that working with the youth will naturally lead to their parents.  He then explained that Chicago has an evening reporting system which is housed in a bricks and mortar facility.  Mr. Hines stated Detroit uses vacant store fronts and homes within the communities to provide an evening reporting service.  The program is important, not the facility.  This matter was discussed further by the Committee.

Mr. Taylor stated it is very important to educate the public.   The media would be an effective tool in this matter.  Mr. Taylor further stated community representatives should be included in discussions regarding their youth.  

The Committee viewed a ten minute video entitled “Transforming Detention Centers in Three Cities.”  Comm. Nolan asked if the video would be available to the Commissioners.  Mr. Dixon stated the video would be free and he would supply the Commissioners with copies of same. 

- An Update on the Local Development of the Continuum of Care Model

Mr. Elam stated key leaders within this community have engaged in the discussion of the Continuum of Care Model (Model).  The leaders are being asked to support the community and its community-based initiatives.  Letters of support will hopefully be received by this fall. 

Mr. Elam further stated the YPVC has initiated discussions with Dr. Taylor regarding the tracking of youth within the court system.  Comm. Schafer stated the tracking should include villages and townships.  Mr. Elam stated those areas would be added to the tracking process. 

Mr. Hines stated it has been a slow process to bring in new key leaders to this matter.  Comm. Schafer expressed his concern that all areas should be included in this process.  Mr. Elam stated judges are included as key leaders.  They should not be separated from the other key leaders.  Chairperson Holman stated the YVPC is a partner in this process.

Mr. Faulds agreed that the judges should be included in the discussions.  They are committed to this process.  The judges have indicated that 30% to 40% of the low risk youth who are currently in the court system could be placed in community-based programs if they were available.  Mr. Faulds stated the court and the YVPC are engaged in very productive dialogue.  He then explained that he has been designated as the representative of the courts for this matter.

Comm. Schafer stated he enjoyed tonight’s presentation.  He further stated there are industrial educational opportunities within this community.  Mr. Hines stated Lansing Community College is working on this issue.  Comm. Schafer expressed his appreciation to those present this evening for their efforts on this important issue.

4.         Controller’s Office

            b.         Update on Feasibility and Needs Study RFP

Mr.  Neilsen stated the latest draft of the RFP was received yesterday.  The BOC will review this draft and, if approved, the RFP will be issued.  Chairperson Holman explained that she suggested a portion of the RFP language be removed because it was too broad and not necessary at this time. 

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked about the timeframe regarding the RFP.  Mr. Neilsen explained vendors will have 30 days to respond to the RFP.  Interviews should be scheduled this summer, but the consultant may not be hired until September. 

            a.         Private Institutional Placements, Family Court

Mr. Neilsen stated the FY 04/05 budget for Private Institutional Placements is $1,270,200.  Based on staff projections, it is estimated that Placement expenditures will exceed the budget by over $600,000.  The Court is reviewing this projection and is in essential agreement with it.  Mr. Neilsen then stated the court will meet internally and will propose a plan to balance their budget during this Committee’s July meeting. 

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated if the court proposes using Contingency Fund monies to help balance their budget, the judges should be present to address her many concerns.  Comm. Nolan stated she also would not support the use of Contingency Fund monies for this matter.  She then stated she would like to know how many beds are being used by each of the judges. 

c.         Update on the CCAB Recommendation – Referred Back to the Law Enforcement Committee by the Board of Commissioners

Mr. Neilsen explained that the Board of Commissioners tabled this item at their most recent meeting.  The CCAB will review their recommendations and the suggestions of the Board of Commissioners.  They will present their revised recommendations to this Committee in the fall. 

Comm. Swope suggested the CCAB reach out to the community members who had concerns regarding this issue in the past. 

Announcements

Comm. Nolan distributed Teen Help cards to the Committee.  A new version of this card will be available soon.

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff