Amended 4/26/07

JUDICIARY

April 12, 2007

Minutes

 

 

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

 

Members Absent:         Randy Schafer

 

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Jared Cypher, Maureen Winslow, Carol Read, Judge Aquilina, Anethia Brewer and others

 

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

 

Approval of the March 29, 2007 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE MARCH 29 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

 

The Minutes were amended to reflect the following change:

Page 4, last paragraph in agenda item 3, second line:  “and Finance if the Court exceeds its budget.”

 

Additions to the Agenda

5.         New JJM Community Agency Calendar

 

Limited Public Comment:          None

 

1.         District Court – Resolution Requesting Authorization for Two Temporary Positions at District Court to Assist in Meeting Case Management Demands

 

Ms. Brewer explained the request for the two temporary positions.  She explained the District Court has been looking forward to electronic functionality to assist with the rising caseload and additional workload for several years.  Several dates of completion have been provided to the Court; however, extensions were necessary each time.  Due to the extensions, staff has been manually entering tickets.  Ms. Brewer also stated the Court wants to keep the current temporary employees.  

 

(Comm. Weatherwax-Grant arrived at 7:36 p.m.)

 

(language deleted.) Ms. Brewer stated the Circuit Court is using the Court View system effectively.  The District Court has not been able to use the system as of this date.  Ms. Brewer addressed additional questions from the Committee.  She stated the only area which will experience an increase in ticket costs is speeding tickets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairperson Bahar-Cook asked if these costs will be anticipated in the 2008 budget.  Ms. Brewer stated she hopes the Court View problem will be resolved this summer.  The 55th District Court is the only District Court in Michigan with Court View. 

 

Chairperson Thomas asked if the District Court has reviewed software used by other District Courts.  Judge Aquilina stated the Court has looked into this issue.  Mr. Neilsen stated he appreciates some of the issues the Court has struggled with.  There are many implications if the County uses different software.  Judge Aquilina stated the Court has a new Maximus representative who seems to be a breath of fresh air. 

 

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked staff to find a solution to this problem which the Court has been experiencing for many years.  Staff should seek an explanation from the vendor regarding the ongoing problems with the system.  Mr. Neilsen stated he would look into this matter and report back to this Committee. 

 

Comm. Nolan suggested the 2008 list of priorities include the Court View issue. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FOR TWO TEMPORARY POSITIONS AT DISTRICT COURT TO ASSIST IN MEETING CASE MANAGEMENT DEMANDS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

 

Ms. Brewer stated the Court will keep this Committee updated on this matter.  Chairperson Thomas asked when the vendor contract expires.  Mr. Neilsen stated the County purchased the system in the mid 1990’s.

 

Judge Aquilina stated the County is not receiving the value of its purchase.  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the County’s consultant should provide a recommendation to this Committee, in writing or in person.    

 

Chairperson Bahar-Cook suggested staff have some answers by this Committee’s May 10 meeting.  This Committee wants to know what it will take to resolve the current Court View problems.    Mr. Neilsen stated that information can be provided by May 10; however, the information may lead to more questions.  The Committee may want to invite the IJIS Committee to appear before it to address the concerns.

 

2.         Update – Community Coalition Youth, Continuum of Care Status

 

Comm. Nolan submitted the following information to the Committee for its review:  Community Coalition for Youth Task Force Report – Continuum of Care Facility.  She then reviewed the information.  The information contained the contents of the actual report which will be presented to this Committee at its April 26 meeting. 

 

Comm. Holman asked if there have been discussions regarding compensation for services.  Comm. Nolan stated the Coalition has addressed that issue.  The Court approved service

 

 

 

 

 

providers will submit their bills to the appropriate agencies, organizations, etc.   Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated funding opportunities are available through specific agencies such as the Ingham Intermediate School District.  The Coalition should look into unique funding opportunities as soon as possible.

 

Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated once the report has been reviewed by this Committee, a task force will be formed which will consist of various individuals.  She then expressed her hope that the facility will be functioning by the end of this year.

 

3.         Controller’s Office

a.         2008 Budget Guidelines:  Discussion – Resolution Establishing Areas of Priority Emphasis Guiding 2008 Activities and Budget Process

 

Mr. Neilsen stated this is the second part of the three part budget process.  He then reviewed the 2008 Outlook and Issues as they pertain to this Committee. 

 

(Comm. Weatherwax-Grant left the meeting at 8:27 p.m.) 

 

Comm. Nolan asked for the Committee’s input regarding what information it would like to receive from the upcoming tour of the Wayne County facility.  This information can be provided to her prior to the scheduled tour.

 

Mr. Neilsen stated a draft priority resolution will be distributed at this Committee’s next meeting.  Suggestions from this Committee can be sent to him during the next two weeks.  Comm. Nolan stated she would prefer youth receive services in this County when the treatment is available.  Camp Highfields is willing to work with the Court to develop needed programs.

 

Chairperson Thomas stated he agrees with Comm. Nolan; however, the priority should not be too specific.  The priority language could indicate a preference for community-based services within Ingham County.  If the services are not available in this County, the next preference for placement is within this State.  Comm. Schor stated he would like to see the language before he determines his position on this matter.    

 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding priority suggestions.  Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated the Committee should not tie the Court’s hands in regard to unique placement cases.   Chairperson Thomas stated the County’s priority statement would not tie the hands of the Court.  Mr. Neilsen stated he would draft language indicating the Committee’s preference for community-based services within this County when available. 

 

Comm. Holman suggested the priority resolution include language regarding data collection, record keeping and automation.  The priority could reference Court View or remain generalized.  In response to Mr. Neilsen’s question, Comm. Holman stated she means the interdepartmental exchange of information. 

 

(Chairperson Thomas left the meeting at 8:41 p.m.)

 

Comm. Schor asked about the Jail Utilization Committee.  Mr. Neilsen explained there are a number of suggestions which came from the Law Enforcement Committee’s discussions

 

 

 

 

regarding jail overcrowding.  Comm. Schor expressed his concern that the Committee is setting priorities before reviewing the jail overcrowding recommendations.

 

            b.         2007 First Quarter Budget Adjustment

 

Mr. Neilsen stated vast majority of the adjustments involve the re-appropriation of funds.  Mr. Neilsen addressed general questions from the Committee regarding the adjustments.  Comm. Schor questioned the re-appropriation of funds as they pertain to the Women’s Commission, the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Environmental Affairs Commission.  Mr. Neilsen stated he will provide the Committee with detailed information regarding these cases via email. 

 

MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPODRATED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2007 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

 

Comm. Nolan stated she thought the day school and night reporting issues should be included in the priority resolution.  Mr. Neilsen stated these issues are addressed in the model programs information.  Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated staff could provide the Committee with the list of recommendations from the Chinn Report for this Committee’s review.  The Committee does not need the entire Chinn Report. 

 

4.         Board Referral – Letter from the Department of Human Services Regarding Office of Child Support – Fiscal Year 2006 State Paternity Establishment Results

 

The Board Referral was received and placed on file.

 

5.         Juvenile Justice Community Agency Process Calendar

 

Mr. Neilsen distributed the calendar to the Committee.  He then stated the Committee will adopt a resolution approving the calendar at its next meeting.  Comm. Nolan stated the County should ask the Community Agencies if the calendar will provide adequate time to submit their applications.  Mr. Neilsen stated the returning agencies are currently working on their applications.  He then stated the Committee could wait and approve the Resolution at its May 24 meeting to allow the new agencies an additional two weeks to complete their applications. 

 

6.         Sue Hull Letter

 

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that he verified that the youth referred to in this letter has very special needs.  The youth has been placed in a number of facilities and has not done well.  Due to the youth’s special needs, he was placed in a West Virginia facility which can accommodate his special needs. 

 

Chairperson Bahar-Cook asked for information regarding the type of facility where the youth was placed.  Ms. Winslow explained the placement is a hospital-type setting.  The West Virginia facility was presented to Judge Garcia as the one place which could meet the unique needs of the youth in terms of crisis intervention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairperson Bahar-Cook asked what has happened to bring the youth back to this community.  Ms. Winslow explained that community partners developed an after-care plan for the youth upon his release from the West Virginia facility. 

 

Comm. Holman asked about the tracking of the placements and their associated costs.  Ms. Winslow explained the Court tracks the placements and their per diems.  She further explained the youth referred to above is a DHS case; therefore, a DHS caseworker recommended the West Virginia placement, not an Ingham County caseworker.

 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Debra Neff