Approved 3/15/07
JUDICIARY
March 1, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Andy Schor, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan and Randy Schafer
Members Absent: Tina Weatherwax-Grant
Others Present: John Neilsen, Maureen Winslow, Sara Deprez, Randy Bell, Jim Paparella and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bahar-Cook at 7:39 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 15, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 15 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant and Comm. Nolan
The Minutes were amended to reflect a change to page 2, item b: Judge Law was changed to Judge Lawless.
Additions to the Agenda
3. Resolution to Authorize an Increase in Ingham County Funding for the Community Coalition for Youth Coordinator Position for the 2007 Fiscal Year
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Circuit Court – Family Division - Resolution to Authorize Entering into a Contract
with Michigan State University for the Adolescent Diversion Program
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOR THE ADOLESCENT DIVERSION PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Weatherwax-Grant and Nolan
2. Controller’s Office - Juvenile Justice Community Agency Process
Mr. Neilsen stated the Board of Commissioners approved a Resolution in 2006 to establish a Juvenile Justice Community Agency process. A pool of Juvenile Justice Millage funds were set aside to seek and fund proposals from qualified vendors to increase the capacity of the County juvenile justice system for the treatment of delinquent and disturbed youth.
Comm. Schafer stated he would like to see data from agencies that received funding last year. Mr. Neilsen stated he has received the first six month report from the agencies. They are seven months into the contract. The agencies will be scheduled for an upcoming meeting.
Comm. Schor asked if the three agencies also received Community Agency funding. Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated the Committee looked at agencies which were not funded through the Community Agency process. This process is out of sync with the normal budget process. The Juvenile Justice Community Agency process could be transitioned into the normal budget process.
(Comm. Nolan arrived at 7:47 p.m.)
3. Resolution to Authorize an Increase in Ingham County Funding for the Community Coalition for Youth Coordinator Position for the 2007 Fiscal Year
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AN INCREASE IN INGHAM COUNTY FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY COALITION FOR YOUTH COORDINATOR POSITION FOR THE 2007 FISCAL YEAR.
Mr. Neilsen reviewed the information contained in the Staff Review Sheet. This Resolution would recognize an additional $10,000 from the City of Lansing and an additional $10,000 from Ingham County. The final $5,000 would be used to temporarily expand staff duties to include additional responsibilities associated with the role of leading and facilitating the task force in the planning of the “Continuum of Care” facility.
Comm. Schor asked if the City of Lansing has approved its funding. Mr. Bell stated the City of Lansing is preparing its next budget. The City asked if the CCY has received funding from the County. Comm. Schor stated he is hesitant to approve the Resolution until the City has finalized its budget. The Resolution should indicate the County’s $10,000 appropriation is contingent on the City of Lansing approving their funding amount. Mr. Bell stated the CCY will probably close if it does not receive the funding from the City of Lansing.
Comm. Nolan stated this process should move forward in good faith with the full amount requested.
Comm. Holman stated funding for this matter should be taken from the JJM budget. Mr. Neilsen stated the Board has agreed that any new JJM funding requests should go through the County Attorney’s office. He further stated the $13,800 comes from the General Fund.
Comm. Schafer supported Comm. Schor’s position in this matter.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO ADD LANGUAGE TO THE RESOLUTION INDICATING THE FUNDING WILL BE APPROPRIATED WHEN THE CITY OF LANSING APPROVES ITS FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item. Comm. Schor stated the County should consider its next step if the City does not approve its funding for the CCY. Comm. Nolan stated the CCY is doing a fabulous job. Mr. Bell explained the CCY has funding to get them through May, when the City makes its funding determination.
Comm. Nolan suggested tabling this Resolution until she speaks with the City regarding this matter. Comm. Schor suggested dividing the Resolution to consider the two different funding levels.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO DIVIDE THE RESOLUTION TO CONSIDER THE TWO DIFFERENT FUNDING LEVELS.
Comm. Schafer stated this is a dangerous trend. We should either support the Resolution or not. The County should not negotiate with City departments.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO HOLD THIS RESOLUTION UNTIL THIS COMMITTEE’S NEXT MEETING.
Comm. Holman stated it would be better to table the resolution until further discussion takes place with the City of Lansing. Comm. Schor stated he would support tabling this item for two weeks.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schafer voting NO.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO AUTHORIZE THE $5,000 APPROPRIATION FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE MILLAGE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Bell stated a change is needed in the title of the Resolution. The word “Position” should be changed to “Staff.”
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO AMEND THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION AS FOLLOWS: “POSITION” IS TO BE CHANGED TO “STAFF.” MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Winslow addressed the Committee regarding Project IMPACCT. She informed the Committee that they will present a resolution soon to request JJM funds to pay for the services. The funds may be matched by the Child Care Fund.
Comm. Schor stated it would be helpful to have detailed budget information regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage. Mr. Neilsen stated he will provide that information to the Committee. The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the funding request.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff