Amended 2/01/07

JUDICIARY

January 11, 2007

Minutes

Members Present:         Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Andy Schor, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             Jared Cypher, Nervy Oliver, Dave Easterday, Judge Collette, Maureen Winslow and others

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bahar-Cook at 7:36 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the November 30, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 30, 2006 MINUTES AS AMENDED.

Page two, second paragraph of the Minutes were amended to reflect the following:

Comm. Holman’s statement:  Comm. Holman asked why the Court does not start with the transfer of out of state placements back to Michigan.

The statement will be replaced with:  Comm. Holman asked how Highfield’s closure affected the budget.

Additions to the Agenda

1a.       Substitute Resolution

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Circuit Court – General Trial Division

a.         Substitute Resolution to Change the Classification of a Court Recorder Position in the Circuit Court – General Trial Division

MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION TO CHANGE THE CLASSIFICATION OF A COURT RECORDER POSITION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT – GENERAL TRIAL DIVISION. 

Comm. Schor asked why the salary of the Court Recorders should be increased.  Mr. Cypher explained that a review of the Court Recorder duties determined a need for the pay increase.  Mr. Easterday stated he held discussions with the Human Resources Department regarding this matter.  The Human Resources Department has determined this position should be classified at a pay grade of UAW/G.  The current pay grade is UAW/E. 

Comm. Schor asked why a Court Recorder position was created in 2006 for the Circuit Court.  Comm. Nolan explained that Judge Collette spoke of his need for a Court Recorder during the 2007 Budget Hearings. 

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

b.         Information: Circuit Court Retirements

Mr. Easterday informed the Committee that Don Reisig and Nervy Oliver will be retiring.  Mr. Reisig’s retirement date is April 2, 2007.  Mr. Oliver’s effective retirement date is February 23, 2007.  The positions have been posted by the Human Resources Department. 

Mr. Easterday also informed the Committee that he has just learned that Travis Faulds will be leaving the County to work for Sequel, effective March 1, 2007. 

Comm. Schor inquired about the hiring process to replace the vacant positions.  Mr. Easterday stated Judge Collette will appoint the replacements.  He will meet with the Judges to determine who should fill the vacant positions. 

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee will miss Mr. Oliver and Mr. Reisig. 

Mr. Easterday encouraged Commissioners who have not participated in an orientation of the Circuit Court to contact him to schedule an orientation.

2.         Controller’s Office – Continuum of Care Facility Update  

Mr. Cypher stated Mr. Neilsen’s memorandum, dated January 8, 2007, to this Committee contains the history of this matter.  He then stated the Court toured a facility on Tuesday.  Mr. Oliver stated the Court toured the Our Savior Lutheran Church facility and property.  The facility was very nice.  The green space was more than adequate. 

Mr. Oliver described the physical structure to the Committee.  He stated there may be security concerns at this site due to the structure of the facility.  The most obvious negative concern about the structure is the church which is attached to the facility.  This church is beautiful.  Mr. Oliver stated the Court does not know what it would do with this portion of the facility at this time. 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding this property.  Mr. Oliver stated the asking price for the property is $3.2 million.  Comm. Schor asked if the County could purchase the property and then lease portions of the facility.  Mr. Oliver stated that would be possible; however, it could create problems with mixing populations within one facility.  Comm. Nolan stated there was interest in using this facility for the Southside Community Center.  The County and the City could occupy the facility. 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:        None

The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff