Approved 11/30/06

JUDICIARY

November 2, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Deb Nolan, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino

Members Absent:         Dianne Holman

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Karen Beauregard, Greg Lawton, Krista Nordberg and Terry Cavanaugh

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

Approval of the October 12, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 12 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm. Holman

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Controller’s Office

            a.         Resolution Authorizing 2007 Agreements for Community Agencies

Mr. Neilsen stated the Board of Commissioners adopted the 2007 Budget.  The Budget includes funding levels for the liaison Committee’s Community Agency process.  This Committee will consider funding requests for the Dispute Resolution Center of Central Michigan ($10,000); Legal Services of South Central Michigan ($50,000); and Sixty Plus, Inc. ($6,000).

This Committee has $47,000 to appropriate to its Community Agencies.  The three agencies have requested a total of $66,000.

COMM. DOUGAN DISCLOSED THAT A CLIENT OF HIS IS AN EMPLOYEE AT SIXTY PLUS, INC.

Ms. Beauregard and Mr. Lawton addressed the Committee regarding the funding request for the Dispute Resolution Center.  Information was distributed to the Committee which outlined the Center’s objectives and delivery of services.  Ms. Beauregard reviewed this information.  She then stated she believes the Center meets the requirements of the County.

Chairperson Celentino asked how this program compliments other similar programs in other school districts.  Ms. Beauregard stated the Center’s programs are not duplicated in the other school districts. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she has heard from two people regarding their positive experiences with the Center’s programs.  Comm. DeLeon asked if the Center receives funding from other sources.  Ms. Beauregard stated the Center is looking for other sources of funding.  Comm. Schafer asked if the Schools provide any funds for the Center’s programs.  Mr. Lawton stated the Schools provide office space, a computer and photocopying for the Center. 

Comm. Schafer asked if the Center receives funding from the Juvenile Justice Millage.  Ms. Beauregard stated the Center received $24,000 from the Millage for schools which did not already have the Center’s services.   Comm. Schafer stated he believes the Center provides positive services to the community.

Ms. Nordberg, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, addressed the Committee regarding its funding request.  Legal Services implemented out-come based measures last year.  She further stated there is an enormous unmet need for this service.  The City of Lansing cut its funding by 33% for 2007.  Information was distributed to the Committee which included data regarding Counsel and Advice, Brief Services, Attorney Representation; and information regarding Documenting the Justice Gap in Michigan.

Ms. Nordberg explained Legal Services tries to intervene in cases where victims are too scared to report the crime.  Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if Legal Services received funding from the Department of Justice.  Ms. Nordberg stated funding was not received from their first application; however, Legal Services is reapplying.

Comm. Nolan asked if the City of Lansing reduced its funding level for Legal Services for 2007.  Ms. Nordberg stated the City reduced its funding level by 33% for 2007.  Comm. Nolan asked about the size of Legal Services’ office.  Ms. Nordberg explained Legal Services is housed in a large space with a very long lease.  The landlord has indicated it could reduce the space and reduce the rent by approximately $2,000 per month.  Currently, the lease expires in 2015.  Ms. Nordberg further explained that she inherited this lease; she did not negotiate the terms. 

Comm. Nolan stated Legal Services is paying a very high cost for rent.  Ms. Nordberg stated the landlord has also offered to maintain the lease amount for two years. 

Comm. Dougan asked why Legal Services increased its funding request from the County.  Ms. Nordberg stated the funding request was determined at a higher level than her position.  The request did not come from the Lansing office.  Comm. Dougan encouraged Legal Services to approach Judge Aquilina regarding obtaining some of the restitution funds for their programs. 

Mr. Cavanaugh addressed the Committee regarding the funding request from Sixty Plus, Inc.  Mr. Cavanaugh stated Sixty Plus provides services for people 60 years and older.  Sixty Plus does not engage in fee-generating cases. 

Chairperson Celentino requested a breakdown of the types of cases Sixty Plus engaged in during the past year.  Mr. Cavanaugh stated Sixty Plus assisted with wills, powers of attorney, etc. 

(The Committee recessed at 8:17 p.m.)

(The Committee was called back to order at 8:22 p.m.)

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROPRIATE $4,000 TO THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN, $4,000 TO SIXTY PLUS, INC., AND $39,000 TO LEGAL SERVICES OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN. 

Comm. Dougan stated he would like to see information regarding cash support the Dispute Resolution Center receives from other school districts.  Comm. Nolan asked that Ms. Nordberg inform her Board of Directors of this Committee’s concerns regarding its lease rate.  The amount is excessive.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm. Holman

b.         Information Item – Resolution to Establish a Jail Overcrowding Task Force

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant informed the Committee that the Law Enforcement Committee will handle the overcrowding issue with special Law Enforcement Committee meetings.  They will not implement the proposed task force.

2.         Board Referral – Letter from Leonard Dixon, Director, DHS Bureau of Juvenile Justice, Approving the Amending 2005-06 Annual Plan and Budget for Child Care Fund Expenditures

The Board Referral was received and placed on file.

Announcements

Comm. Schafer complimented the Controller’s Office and the Budget Office on the budget process.

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the next Judiciary meeting will be held on November 30, 2006.

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff