Amended 4/12/07
JUDICIARY
March 29, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Andy Schor, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: Tina Weatherwax-Grant
Others Present: John Neilsen, Nancy Schertzing, Larry M. Watson, JoEl Watson, Sara Deprez, Judge Lawless, Maureen Winslow, Tanesha Grace, Malisa Pearson, Matt Wojack, Elizabeth Schrock, Ruth Hill-Schorsch, Jim Paparella, Warren Henson, Tamiekco Smith, David Easterday, Nervy Oliver, Al Way, John Evans, Gretchen Cochran and Carol Read
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bahar-Cook at 7:30 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the March 15, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE MARCH 15 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Presentations
a. Dispute Resolution Center – Nancy Schertzing
Ms. Schertzing distributed the following information to the Committee:
Ms. Schertzing reviewed this information. She stated the Restorative Justice program has been very successful. The Long-Term Survey Responses (September 1, 2006 – January 19, 2007) indicate a very high degree of positive responses. This program is most effective in middle schools.
Ms. Schertzing addressed various questions from the Committee. Judge Lawless wholeheartedly supported this program. Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated the County is looking for outcome measures in relation to programs funded through the JJM. She thanked Ms. Schertzing for this information.
b. JoEl C. Watson – Damian Murchison, Seeds 2 Succeed Program
Mr. Watson stated his Program has grown due to the funding it received from the County. The Commissioners received information regarding the Program for their review. Mr. Watson then stated the next phase of the Program will involve the court. Judge Lawless stated the youth are benefiting from this Program.
Mr. Watson stated he would like the Program to follow-up with the youth once they leave the Program. He then stated he truly appreciates the funding he received from the County. Mr. Watson stated the Program staff needs to learn about the life the youths return to at the end of the day. Many of the youth return to bad homes and/or bad environments.
Comm. Schor stated the letter from the Youth Center is very impressive. The fact that the youth want to attend the program instead of watching a video makes a positive statement about the Program. Comm. Holman asked if the Program has changed where it will deliver its services since the funding request was approved. Mr. Watson stated the Program was to be held at a church; however, the Program would be more effective with youth at the Youth Center.
Comm. Nolan stated the Program could adapt forms from Restorative Justice to fit its needs in order to track the youth. This information is very valuable in the County’s budget process. Mr. Watson stated the Program is gathering the data which will be compiled.
Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated she hopes this Committee can see the outcome measures to justify granting another funding request from the Program. Mr. Watson stated he will present that information to this Committee.
2. Judiciary Committee – Resolution to Continue the Juvenile Justice Community Agency Process
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO CONTINUE THE JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMUNITY AGENCY PROCESS.
Comm. Nolan stated she is happy to see this item on the agenda this evening. She then stated she would like the amount of available funding to be increased.
MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO INCREASE THE $75,000 AMOUNT IN THE THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED PARAGRAPH TO $150,000.
Comm. Holman stated the County has seen positive results from the first Juvenile Justice Community Agency Process. Comm. Schor stated he would like to see how the proposed increase would affect the Juvenile Justice Millage fund. Mr. Neilsen stated the current JJM fund balance is $7,182,516; and, the annual unreserved balance is $494,325. Comm. Schor asked the Committee if it should wait to increase the funding amount until the Committee receives the funding requests.
Chairperson Thomas asked if the funding requests from the first process exceeded the available funding. Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated the requests far exceeded the available funding.
Comm. Nolan stated the Seeds 2 Succeed Program changed its programming from its original intent. The current use of the funding does not appear to meet the requirements of the JJM.
The Committee discussed this item further. Comm. Schafer stated he is comfortable with the Resolution as written. This Committee has been receiving information from Continuum of Care people. Comm. Nolan stated the Continuum of Care people are working with County residents.
Comm. Schor stated he would not support the motion to amend; however, he may change his mind later. Chairperson Thomas stated this Committee has deemed this a successful process. He then stated this Committee should determine the available funding. The requests should fit within our determined formula. The available funding could be increased, but probably not doubled. Comm. Schafer stated he would like to see the requests prior to making a funding determination. He then stated he could support $100,000.
Comm. Holman stated she didn’t literally mean to double the amount. She would like to see it increased.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO AMEND THE MOTION TO AMEND TO CHANGE THE AMOUNT TO $100,000 FOR 18 MONTHS. MOTION FAILED with Comms. Bahar-Cook, Nolan and Holman voting NO. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED with Comms. Schafer and Schor voting NO. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY as amended. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
3. Circuit Court/Family Division – Resolution Authorizing a Budget Amendment to the Circuit Court – Family Court Juvenile Division 2006/07 Budget
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT – FAMILY COURT JUVENILE DIVISION 2006/07 BUDGET.
Ms. Winslow explained the Court is asking to transfer funds from within the Court’s existing 2006/07 appropriation to increase their Private Institution Placement budget line item.
Comm. Schor asked how many youth are being sent far from home. Ms. Deprez stated the Court uses many programs within the State and some programs are outside of the State. As of today, placement beds are down eight beds.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding placements. Comm. Holman asked if the budget could be changed to have a line item for Camp Highfields and other programs. Mr. Neilsen stated that would be possible.
Comm. Nolan expressed this Committee’s concerns regarding the high number of out of state placements. Ms. Perez stated the last time she was here the number of out of state placements
was 35; today its 29. She also stated there is a commitment at the court level to use local programming. Judge Lawless provided a snapshot of the youth currently in the Ingham County Youth Center. Many of the youth in the system have committed very serious offenses and need residential placements.
MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO TABLE THIS ITEM FOR FOUR WEEKS.
Chairperson Thomas asked for the number of different facilities the Court uses for its youth. Ms. Perez stated the court uses approximately 15 facilities in Michigan and 6 facilities out of state.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schafer voting NO. Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant
Chairperson Thomas requested a statement regarding how much money has been paid for per diem cases. He also asked for information regarding the amount of funding the Court has used for private institutions this year. Mr. Neilsen stated $1.3 million was reserved for Camp Highfields. Chairperson Thomas stated he would like financial data concerning the last two fiscal years.
Chairperson Thomas asked what will happen if the Court has a funding emergency within the next four weeks. Judge Lawless stated Mr. Neilsen would inform the Court if such an emergency occurs. Mr. Neilsen stated if the Court has a funding emergency, he will notify the budget office to approve the expenditure for placements.
Chairperson Thomas asked Mr. Neilsen to inform the Chair of the Board, the Chairs of Judiciary and Finance if the Court exceeds its budget. Judge Lawless stated she is not concerned about the funding over the next four weeks.
4. Update – Community Coalition for Youth – Continuum of Care Status
Comm. Nolan stated the next meeting is April 12, 2007 at this facility. The Coalition is currently asking agencies for their input regarding the size needed for a day treatment and night reporting facility, and ideas of other services to be provided within the facility.
5. Controller’s Office - Introduction of the 2008 Strategic Planning Information Report – Information from County Offices, Departments and the Courts Regarding 2008 Strategic Planning and Budget Process. This Report includes background information, activity indicators and performance measures.
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee of the budget process timeline.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Winslow invited the Commissioners to attend a free Gang Awareness Training session on April 20, 2007 in the Jury Assembly Room in the Veterans Memorial Courthouse.
The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff