Amended 6/15/06

JUDICIARY

June 1, 2006

Minutes

 

 

Members Present:         Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino (amended to remove Bahar-Cook)

 

Members Absent:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant and Rebecca Bahar-Cook

 

Others Present: John Neilsen

 

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Holman at 7:33 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

 

Approval of the May 11, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE MAY 11 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comms. Weatherwax-Grant and Bahar-Cook

 

Additions to the Agenda

4.         Discussion – Chinn Report as it Pertains to the Monitoring and Collection of Data from the Courts

5.         Update – Community Agency Process Regarding Juvenile Justice Agencies

6.         Update – Verlinden

 

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

1.         30th Circuit Court – Resolution Authorizing a Contract with Maximus, Inc. for the Preparation and Negotiation of a Circuit Court Department Rate Study

 

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH MAXIMUS, INC. FOR THE PREPARATION AND NEGOTIATION OF CIRCUIT COURT DEPARTMENT RATE STUDY. 

 

Mr. Neilsen stated he met with Maximus to determine if the Court could further increase its revenues.  Maximus will contract with the County to prepare and negotiate a department rate study.  The study would allow the County to maximize the amount of reimbursement to the State Department of Human Services for the Friend of the Court and Child Care Funds by identifying the indirect costs associated with the Court’s administration of various programs under their purview.

 

Vice Chairperson Holman asked who initiated this matter.  Mr. Neilsen explained the Court and the Controller’s Office initiated this issue.  Vice Chairperson Nolan stated this is an attractive proposal because it will be completed within 30 days.

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comms. Weatherwax-Grant and Bahar-Cook

 

2.         County Services Committee – Communication from the County Services Committee Regarding Review of Process for Making Appointments to Boards, Committees and Commissions

 

Mr. Neilsen updated the Committee regarding its appointments to various boards and commissions.  This Committee appoints members to the Jury Board and the Friend of the Court Advisory Committee. 

 

Comm. Nolan stated this matter was brought up to determine if there are any additional questions which would be appropriate to ask when interviewing applicants.  The legality of asking questions pertaining to child support arrearages will be reviewed by the County Attorney.  Comm. Dougan stated his understanding that such information is available to the public once the case reaches the bench warrant status.

 

Comm. Schafer stated his position that the current application is appropriate.  Vice Chairperson Holman explained there has been some discussion about developing separate application pages for specific boards and commissions. 

 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding possible questions to add to the existing application process.  In regard to the child arrearage issue, Comm. Dougan suggested a reasonable time frame be determined to classify an individual as being in arrears.  Comm. Nolan stated she would prefer a simpler approach.  She suggested an applicant be asked if he/she is behind in child support payments.  Mr. Neilsen stated the applicants could be asked to explain why they are in arrears. 

 

Comm. Dougan suggested Jury Board applicants be asked if they have ever asked to be exempt from jury duty.  Comm. Schafer stated Commissioners could ask independent questions during the actual interview process.  Comm. Dougan stated an addendum to the current application form would be appropriate. 

 

The Committee will forward the following suggestions to the County Services Committee:

 

Jury Board – Has the applicant ever been granted an exemption from jury duty or asked for an exemption from jury duty?

 

Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee – Has the applicant been in excess of two months child support payments; and if so, explain the circumstances.

 

3.         Controller’s Office – Resolution Updating Various Fees for County Services

 

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPDATING VARIOUS FEES FOR COUNTY SERVICES, AS IT RELATES TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. 

 

Comm. Schafer stated the Law Enforcement Committee discussed what it would actually be voting on regarding this item.  He then stated his vote will be for those items related to the Judiciary Committee. 

 

Mr. Neilsen explained the Circuit Court determines it own fees; however, it does cooperate with the Maximus recommendations.

 

Vice Chairperson Holman asked for an update regarding the Point of Sale fees.  Comm. Dougan explained that if a second inspection is warranted on a property, a follow-up fee will be charged.  The presumption is that one inspection will be the norm.  Mr. Neilsen stated he would check whether mileage is associated with the fees.

 

Comm. Nolan stated some of the fees do not have target percentages.  Mr. Neilsen stated those fees have been implemented since the Maximus study.  Comm. Nolan stated it seems those percentages could be determined.  Comm. Dougan explained that governmental entities are not allowed to profit from fees. 

 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent:  Comms. Weatherwax-Grant and Bahar-Cook

 

4.         Discussion – Chinn Report as it Pertains to the Monitoring and Collection of Data from the Courts

 

Comm. Nolan stated there were some concerns regarding previous data this Committee received from the Court.  This information should be precise.  She then stated that, according to Mr. Oliver, the previous placement numbers included double placements. 

 

Comm. Nolan distributed information relating to the “Quantity of Work (semi-annual updates by mid February & August)” and “Patterns of Response to Delinquency Petitions (quarterly updates by mid February, May, August & November).”  This information was obtained from the recent Chinn report recommendations. 

 

Comm. Nolan stated the responses to the delinquency data are very important to her.  Youth within the Youth Center should have certain high YLS scores.  The updates referred to in the Chinn information should be provided to this Committee on a regular basis, as identified in the Chinn recommendations. 

 

Comm. Schafer stated he appreciated Comm. Nolan’s information.  Comm. Dougan stated Clarinda Transitional is not filled to capacity.  Comm. Schafer stated the required data should be computerized.  Comm. Nolan stated this Committee should know if the County is getting its money’s worth with the implemented programs. 

 

Mr. Neilsen explained it has been a challenge to obtain the data.  The agencies are committed to providing this data as requested by this Committee.  He then stated he would contact the Court regarding Comm. Nolan’s concerns. 

 

Comm. Nolan explained she added this item to tonight’s agenda for discussion.  She then stated she is serious about obtaining the data on a regular basis from the Court.  Mr. Neilsen stated the Court has indicated they would provide data to this Committee when it is requested.

 

Comm. Schafer requested updates on Peckham and the Clarinda Transitional programs.  Vice Chairperson Holman explained this Committee is requesting updates from the Court.  Mr. Neilsen explained the out-of-state placement numbers are high due to the closure of Camp Highfields. 

 

Vice Chairperson Holman suggested that when the Board of Commissioners authorizes a new program, the resolution should indicate the County’s finances are based on the submission of regular updates from the new programs. 

 

5.         Update – Community Agency Process Regarding Juvenile Justice Agencies

 

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that applications have been prepared.  A press release has been issued and the deadline to submit the applications is June 16, 2006.  A number of agencies have considered this process.  Further information should be available later this month. 

 

6.         Update – Verlinden

 

Mr. Neilsen stated the Board’s resolution was delivered to CB Ellis.  CB Ellis forwarded the resolution to the Lansing School District.  The District then indicated the County’s proposal should be in a specific format. 

 

The Lansing School District is meeting tonight and may approve a proposal.  If so, this information should be contained in the Lansing State Journal tomorrow morning.  Chairperson Celentino stated the District is considering three proposals.  They are not considering the County’s proposal. 

 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding this matter.  Mr. Neilsen stated Mr. Meyer and his firm will provide costs on potential facilities versus new construction.  They are currently preparing a proposal for the ideal facility and location.  This information would be supplied to the County’s realtor.  The City of Lansing will assist in locating a site or a facility.

 

Vice Chairperson Holman stated this Committee should be updated regarding this process on a regular basis.  Comm. Nolan suggested this be a regular agenda item.    Vice Chairperson Holman stated she would discuss this matter with Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant.

 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra Neff