Approved 11/10/05

JUDICIARY

October 27, 2005

Minutes

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

Members Absent:         None

Others Present: John Neilsen and Matthew Myers

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

Approval of the September 7, 2005 and October 13, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 7 AND OCTOBER 13, 2005 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Additions to the Agenda;          None

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Sheriff’s Office/Controller’s Office – Resolution Authorizing the Closing of a Post at the Ingham County Jail and Related Budget Adjustments

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CLOSING OF A POST AT THE INGHAM COUNTY JAIL AND RELATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS.

Mr. Neilsen explained that this resolution authorizes actions in response to an unanticipated decrease in revenue associated with the rental of Jail beds.  Post Three at the County Jail will be closed; a reduction in related expenses will be addressed, including six deputy positions; and a transfer from the Contingency Fund in the amount of $263,662.  The 472 beds currently used for local purposes will not be affected. 

Mr. Neilsen stated Mr. Myers has spent many hours trying to secure additional rental agreements for Jail beds.  He has secured a rental agreement with Washtenaw County for 30 beds. 

Comm. Dougan asked if the six deputy positions are currently vacant.  Mr. Myers stated the positions are vacant.  He further explained that when he learned the Sheriff’s Office might lose the Oakland County contract, he started to leave vacant deputy positions open since June of this year. 

Chairperson Holman asked how long it would take to reopen the closed Post when appropriate.  Mr. Myers explained the MDOC would have to verify the need for the additional beds prior to reopening the Post.  This process would take approximately two weeks.  Mr. Neilsen stated a resolution authorizing the reopening of Post Three would also have to be approved. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2.         Commissioners Holman and Weatherwax-Grant:  Update on Juvenile Justice Steering Committee

Chairperson Holman distributed copies of the Kick-Off Meeting agenda to the Committee for its review.  The Meeting with Karen Chinn, Chinn Planning, Inc. took place on October 18, 2005.  Chairperson Holman stated the goal of the Meeting was to determine if all interested parties were on the same page regarding the Steering Committee’s objectives. 

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated Ms. Chinn’s approach during the meeting was good.  However, the language in the RFP was vague, and this became evident during the Meeting.  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she would draft an approach which would address the concerns and frustrations expressed at the Meeting. 

Mr. Neilsen stated staff will crystallize the direction of the Board and share that information with the Steering Committee.  The next Meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2005.

Chairperson Holman stated participants in the Meeting also discussed the possibility of allowing parents of troubled youth to use a reporting center.  This would provide parents of troubled youth with some preventative assistance.

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated participants of the Meeting also debated what the term “continuum of care” meant.  The court was very adamant about needing a place to conduct assessments.  It would also like to have a day/night reporting center and to bring 30 of the out of state placed youth back to this County. 

Chairperson Holman stated her concern that parents are currently being informed that they may not receive help for their troubled youth until they enter the system.  Many measures can be tried before youth end up in the system.  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the key to addressing this concern is to have a resource center which is available to parents. 

Comm. Schafer asked if the CMH facility could be used to conduct the assessments.  He then stated he would not support a request to build an assessment center.  Mr. Neilsen explained that Ms. Chinn is assessing the County’s current resources prior to making any recommendations. 

Comm. Schafer stated his belief that Chairperson Holman and Comm. Weatherwax-Grant are doing a wonderful job on this issue.  Mr. Neilsen stated he believes the Steering Committee is moving in the right direction.

Announcements

Comm. Nolan stated she could schedule times for Commissioners to join the IRMC nurses’ march if they are interested.  She will email the rest of the Board regarding this matter.

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff