Approved 9/28/06
JUDICIARY
September 14, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Tina Weatherwax-Grant
Others Present: John Neilsen, Melissa Pearson, Judge Collette, Nervy Oliver and David Easterday
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Holman at 7:30 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the August 10, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 10 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant
Additions to the Agenda
2b. Review of the Recommendations from the Chinn Report – This item was rescheduled for this Committee’s next meeting.
3. Resolution Supporting House Bill 5399 – This item was tabled until this Committee’s next meeting.
Limited Public Comment: None
4. Matt Wojack – Invitation to the Ingham County System of Care Kick-Off Event
Ms. Pearson informed the Committee that Mr. Wojack was not able to attend this meeting. She then expressed her appreciation to the Committee for the opportunity to share this information and to personally invite the Commissioners to the Kick-Off Event. The Event will be held on October 3, 2006 at the Otto Middle School from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
The Event was developed as a result of hard work during the past year on the System of Care. All the partners in the System of Care will sign an inter-agency agreement.
1. Circuit Court - Update on the Costs from Funds Authorized through Resolution Authorizing a Contingency Appropriation to the Circuit Court for Preparation of the Special Needs of the Court Associated with the Holland Case
Mr. Easterday distributed copies of Ingham County Circuit Court – Additional Expenses – Lisa Holland Trial. He stated the trial was originally to be a joint trial between Mr. and Mrs. Holland. Mr. Holland plead recently, therefore, Ms. Holland will stand trial.
Mr. Easterday stated the second jury box which was constructed for the joint trial has been stored for future use. He then reviewed the costs contained the Expenses information. To date, the Court has spent $11,599.00 of the $30,000 which was authorized by the Board of Commissioners. Future expenses may include additional juror expenses, court appointed counsel, expert witnesses and Mirage Technologies, Inc.
Mr. Easterday explained the Court will be reimbursed for the juror expenses through the State Court Administrator’s Office. Judge Collette stated the court appointed-attorney has spent a lot of his own time on this case. Judge Collette then stated he had not yet set a pay rate for the attorney.
In response to Comm. Nolan, Judge Collette explained that Ms. Fritze volunteered to act as the media coordinator on this case. Comm. Bahar-Cook asked how long the trial might last. Judge Collette stated he expects the trial to last three to four weeks. In response to Comm. Dougan, Judge Collette stated the national media was interested in this case at the start. Mr. Easterday explained if the national media plans to attend the trial, they would do so after the jury has been selected.
Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if the Court thinks it may spend more than the remaining $18,000. Mr. Easterday stated the Court may spend beyond the $18,000; however, the Court will be reimbursed for the jury expenses. Mr. Neilsen stated the Prosecutor has informed the Controller’s Office that he may need to ask for additional funds due to the costs associated with the Holland case and upcoming big cases.
Vice Chairperson Holman thanked Judge Collette and Mr. Easterday for their update on the Holland case.
2. Circuit Court/Family Division
a. Resolution Authorizing a Budget Amendment to the Circuit Court – Family Court Juvenile Division 2005/06 Budget
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT – FAMILY COURT JUVENILE DIVISION 2005/06 BUDGET.
Mr. Oliver informed the Committee the transfer of funds is needed due to the Camp Highfields’ situation. He stated funds are still available in the Camp Highfield’s budget line item.
Comm. Dougan stated some of the youth who were removed from Camp Highfields were placed in in-home detention. Mr. Oliver explained the County paid Camp Highfields for a number of beds, whether they were used or not. Mr. Neilsen explained the budget line item transfers are a re-allocation of existing Child Care Funds. The total amount transferred reflects General Fund monies and Juvenile Justice Millage dollars matched (50/50) with State Child Care funds.
Comm. Dougan asked if the contract with Camp Highfields will be revised. Mr. Oliver stated the Court has discussed the possibility of paying Highfields a per diem rate. He further stated the Court will place youth at Highfields soon. Chairperson Celentino asked if Highfields has brought back its original staff. Mr. Oliver stated approximately 53 of the original staff has returned after undergoing extensive training.
Mr. Oliver informed the Committee that Camp Highfields has scheduled an Open House this Sunday at the facility. He then stated the Court will place youth at Highfields for four to six month terms versus eight to twelve month terms.
Comm. Nolan stated she will support this Resolution. She further stated this matter has tugged at her heart the most during her term on the Board of Commissioners. Comm. Nolan stated her belief that the whole situation could have been handled more diplomatically. The County’s standards for the out-of-state placement centers are not the same as the standards for in-state centers.
Chairperson Celentino stated he understands Comm. Nolan’s frustration. The Board experienced frustration about this situation. He explained that, as Board Chair, he stands by the action he took on behalf of the Board of Commissioners at the time. The Judges were adamant that they would not place youth at Highfields; therefore, he signed the authorization to cancel the County’s contract with Highfields. Canceling the contract meant the County would not be paying Highfields for the unused beds. Chairperson Celentino further stated Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant handled the issue as well as she could.
Chairperson Celentino stated Camp Highfields will be better now with the changes and its new action plan. The County took the only responsible action it could as fiduciary of the residents’ tax dollars. Comm. Nolan stated she totally understands Chairperson Celentino’s position.
Mr. Oliver stated this situation was not a pleasant experience for Court Administrators and the Judges. Court Administration had spoken with Highfields regarding other situations during the year prior to removing our youth from the center. Mr. Oliver stated things will always occur at residential centers. Centers need to be transparent when situations do occur. Staffing changes at Highfields should have been made earlier.
Vice Chairperson Holman stated this Committee will consider budget adjustments in 2007 as new treatment programs are brought on line.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
c. Update – Continuum of Care Facility
Mr. Neilsen stated the search has been expanded to include both the purchase and rental of an area school. Mr. Hudgins will speak with the Lansing School District regarding this matter.
Comm. Nolan stated she is interested in obtaining a facility which is located on a bus line. Mr. Oliver stated the Court is aware of this preference. The facility would have to be easily accessible. Comm. Nolan further stated her preference that a facility be located in the 48910 or 48911 areas. Vice Chairperson Holman asked if the old Greater Lansing Board of Realtors facility has been considered. Mr. Oliver explained the facility would be appropriate for our needs; however, it is not near any resources.
Announcements
Comm. Nolan informed the Committee that Comm. Thomas will turn 40 on September 26, the date of the next Board meeting.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff