Amended 1/11/07
JUDICIARY
November 30, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Rebecca Bahar-Cook
Others Present: John Neilsen, Nervy Oliver and Jim Paparella
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:37 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the September 13 and November 2, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 MINUTES AS AMENDED:
3. The Total was changed to: TOTAL: $124,557
1. Disclosure should read as follows: COMM. DOUGAN DISCLOSED THAT ONE OF THE PART-TIME TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES (name removed) IS ONE OF HIS CLIENTS.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 2, 2006 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook
Additions to the Agenda
1a. Substitute Resolution
Limited Public Comment
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant informed the Committee that she has provided treats for this evening in honor of her last meeting as Chair of this Committee. She thanked her fellow colleagues, court personnel, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office and the former YVPC for the great strides that have been made this year in various areas. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant also thanked Mr. Neilsen for his service and excellent work for this Committee.
1. Circuit Court/Family Division
a. Substitute Resolution Authorizing a Budget Amendment to the Circuit Court – Family Court Juvenile Division 2006/07 Budget
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT-FAMILY COURT JUVENILE DIVISION 2006/07 BUDGET.
Comm. Dougan requested clarification regarding the community programs. Mr. Oliver explained that substance abuse services will be provided within the County. The services will not be provided to residential programs.
Comm. Nolan asked why the Staff Review contains a breakdown of the various contracts. Mr. Neilsen explained this information is necessary to track the Juvenile Justice Millage funds. Comm. Holman asked about Highfield’s spending. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant explained these funds were allocated for this year. The funds will be re-allocated for these purposes.
This issue was discussed further. Comm. Schafer asked if the court uses Project Sentry services for juveniles. Mr. Oliver stated the Court uses Project Sentry’s services on a regular basis. Comm. Nolan stated she was curious why the Court will not use Highfields’ services in the up-coming year. He further explained Highfields has a new program, Phoenix. This is a 14-day residential program. The Judges are discussing this program. If the Court uses a short-term residential program, strong community-based programs will be needed for an after-care program.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Update on Continuum of Care Facility Search
Mr. Oliver stated the Court has not received any additional news from the realtors. Mr. Neilsen stated Mr. Hudgins confirmed the realtors have been asked to cross-reference sites and to look for rental sites.
Comm. Nolan requested the Our Savior Lutheran Church be added to the list of sites to visit. This site is listed for $3.2 million. Comm. Nolan further stated this site has 22 acres and is a solid-brick facility. It is possible that the County could partner with the City of Lansing. The City has determined this site as its first pick for the Southside Community Center. Comm. Nolan also stated she would like to schedule site tours with the Judges.
Comm. Holman asked about the Black Child & Family Institute facility. Mr. Neilsen stated he passed this information to the realtors.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated her hope that site tours can be scheduled next year. The County should also consider new construction.
2. IJIG Committee – Resolution Authorizing a Career Quest Contract Extension for the Integration Phase of the Integrated Justice Information System
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CAREER QUEST CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR THE INTEGRTION PHASE OF THE INTEGRATED JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM.
Comm. Nolan noted this item comes up every year.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook
3. Child and Family Services – Resolution Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation for a 2006 Agreement for the Child and Family Services Angel House Program
(Staff made a technical correction: The date in the Resolution should be May 1, 2006 through December 31; not December 1.)
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR A 2006 AGREEMENT FOR THE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES ANGEL HOUSE PROGRAM.
Mr. Neilsen distributed a November 22, 2006 communication to the Committee from the Prosecutor’s Office.
Comm. Dougan requested a Friendly Amendment to the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph to change the December 30 date to December 31. The Committee accepted this Friendly Amendment.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked this Committee for its consideration of this matter. The Prosecutor has expressed his gratitude for this Committee’s consideration.
Mr. Paparella reviewed his November 11, 2006 letter to the Controller’s Office. The Angel House opened in May with a $350,000 construction debt. The Ingham County Department of Human Services allocated an additional $408,000 in its 2006 Child Care Fund for the use of Angel House on a per diem payment system.
Since Angel House opened, it has averaged approximately four children per day; therefore, the Court has not come close to spending down the $408,000 or tapping significantly into the Title IV-E funds. The Angel House budget projects a larger operational deficit; however, this projection is falsely positive due to the fact that large donations were quickly consumed because of this sad scenario: large donations that otherwise could have been used to pay off the construction debt, or to help fund non-shelter services, or placed in a reserve or endowment, were quickly consumed by the operational deficit resulting from the low average daily census.
The low shelter census is partly due to the new Family to Family model of foster care that has rolled out statewide and in our County. The Department of Human Services has assured Child and Family Services that there is still a critical need for emergency shelter placement. Angel House has broadened its shelter model to include emergency respite care, children at risk to disrupt from a foster home or transitioning to a new foster home after disruption.
Child and Family Services has been assured by its collaborative partners that there is plenty of need for 15 beds, especially if we continue to broaden our scope of services. Child and Family Services have initiated strategic discussions on what the broadened scope will look like. The Board of Commissioners will be updated on these discussions.
Mr. Paparella further stated he is hoping to convince the County that Angel House is eligible for Juvenile Justice Millage funds.
Comm. Dougan asked if staff has been cut from Angel House. Mr. Paparella explained there are some swing positions. These employees come in when they are needed. Mr. Neilsen stated Child and Family Services have several things in the works for long-term solvency.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she is pleased the community still recognizes the need for emergency placement. Angel House serves as a pilot program in this community. This Committee would be supportive of investing in this program.
Comm. Holman asked if DHS is supportive of an assessment center. Mr. Paparella stated DHS loves the idea of an assessment center; however, it does not want to pay for the center.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook
4. Controller’s Office – Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2006 Ingham County Budget and Authorizing the Controller to Make Year End Budget Adjustments
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2006 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET AND AUTHORIZING THE CONTROLLER TO MAKE YEAR END BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS.
Comm. Dougan stated this Resolution does not pertain to this Committee. Mr. Neilsen explained the Resolution contains several technical adjustments.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook
Announcements
Comm. Nolan stated this Committee has been scheduled for a December 29 tour of the Juvenile Assessment Center. All Commissioners are welcome to tour the facility. Ms. Bennett will notify all Commissioners, the new Commissioners and the Judges of this date.
Public Comment None
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff