Amended 7/12/07
JUDICIARY
June 14, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Andy Schor, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Deb Nolan and Randy Schafer
Members Absent: Dianne Holman
Others Present: John Neilsen, Daman Murchison, Judge Aquilina, Anethia Brewer, Latisha Heath, Mike Botke, Jim Paparella, Jay Stark-Dykema, Tamiekco Smith and Joel C. Watson
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bahar-Cook at 7:35 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the May 31, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE MAY 31 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. Schor and Holman
The Minutes were amended to reflect the following:
Page Three: second paragraph above item 4; “Dr. Turke stated they will share data with this Committee at a later date” was changed to “Dr. Turke stated they will share data with this Committee.”
Additions to the Agenda
3. Walter French Academy - Discussion
Limited Public Comment: None
1. 55th District Court: Temporary Employees
Judge Aquilina stated the District Court requested additional funds in April 2007 to keep temporary personnel due to a major clerical backlog. The original request to this Committee noted use of the $3,000 allocated for court officer and court recorder vacation coverage. Judge Aquilina further stated the Board approved an additional $32,432 for temporary coverage due to a lack of electronic programs for case processing. The Court realized the funds allocated would still cover summer vacations and unexpected leaves of absence even though the initial discussion regarding this matter did not include comments about future coverage for court recorders and court officers.
Court Officers are the only authorized personnel to transport inmates. This leaves the Court in a bind on high volume days as the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office can only assist with transportation when prior notice is given. Ms. Brewer explained the decision to hire a temporary court officer was made to avoid problems with the ICSO and with court dockets on high volume days during the summer months. The person selected for the position has the appropriate background, was cleared by the ICSO and knows the courthouse environment.
The decision to delay the training of the temporary court officer was due to the misperception of the goals of the District Court and has caused problems with future coverage for very serious hearings. Ms. Brewer stated the temporary fund line has been executed the exact same way since she began as Court Administrator in 2004.
Ms. Brewer requested a separate line item for court officer and court recorder coverage to avoid future problems.
Judge Aquilina informed the Committee that two knives entered the court in one week after being searched by security personnel recently. Comm. Nolan asked if this issue has been addressed. Judge Aquilina stated she put Mr. Terrill on notice that he has one month to resolve the security concerns with the new security company. If the situation has not improved at the end of the month, she stated she would like to hire a separate security firm for the District Court.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Court’s request for a temporary security officer is appropriate. Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated she did not remember a request for an officer in the prior discussion. That is her only concern.
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO HAVE A SEPARATE LINE ITEM FOR COURT OFFICER AND COURT RECORDER COVERAGE AT THE DISTRICT COURT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Holman
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked which department is responsible for hiring the security firm. Ms. Brewer stated the Facilities Department hires the security firm. She further stated she met with the Facilities Department Director today and they reached an agreement about communicating security concerns. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she would like to be notified if there are any additional security concerns at the District Court. Employees should feel safe in their work environments.
Comm. Nolan asked if the Courtview problems have been resolved. Ms. Brewer stated the Court is receiving a lot of service now. The minor in possession issue is not totally resolved but is being addressed. Headway is being made on the Courtview concerns.
(Comm. Schor arrived at 8:04 p.m.)
Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated Mr. Ferguson is to be copied on any concerns that are referred to Maximus.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO ENTER INTO A CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OPINION REGARDING THE COMMUNITY AGENCY JUVENILE JUSTICE MILLAGE PROCESS. MOTION APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: COMMS. BAHAR-COOK, SCHOR, WEATHERWAX-GRANT, NOLAN AND SCHAFER - ALL YEAS. Absent: Comm. Holman
The Committee returned to Regular Session at 8:19 p.m.
2. Controller’s Office
a. Presentations from Juvenile Justice Community Agencies:
Mr. Neilsen stated the total Agency request is $271,086 which is $121,086 more than the $150,000 available for this purpose.
· Child and Family Services, Capital Area
Mr. Paparella stated the “at risk” youth category involves youth escalating in behaviors which makes them at risk of court involvement. This year’s proposal is small compared to the actual demand for this type of service. Mr. Paparella explained the services which would be provided with the requested funds. He then stated Child and Family Services is the most qualified agency to provide this type of service.
Comm. Nolan asked Mr. Paparella what the agency would do if a youth turns out not to be disturbed or delinquent. Mr. Paparella explained that funds are available for those situations. If a youth does not display any symptoms, the youth will not be assessed. Mr. Paparella assured Comm. Nolan that the JJM monies will not be used for youth who do not meet the established criteria.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked Mr. Paparella if his staffing could be reduced. Mr. Paparella explained that part-time staffing is used to save on benefit costs. The proposed services could be conducted with less staff if necessary. He further stated he is willing to sacrifice internally to make the program work for the youth.
Chairperson Bahar-Cook asked how Child and Family Services will quantify their services after the initial assessment period. Mr. Paparella explained the program will track the youth to determine if they did not engage in more serious behavior. He further explained that JIF is a mini-assessment tool that can determine needed services in most cases. If there is a doubt about needed services after the JIF has been administered, the youth will be assessed by other means.
· Dispute Resolution Center of Central Michigan
Mr. Stark-Dykema, Dispute Resolution Center of Central Michigan (Center), explained the Center’s proposal is to continue work already started and to add a diversion option for law enforcement officers. Priority effort is to continue working within the schools. Mr. Stark-Dykema stated if necessary, the Center could put off adding the diversion option.
Mr. Stark-Dykema stated he developed this budget on a twelve month time frame. Based on an 18 month budget, the Center’s request would have been approximately $100,000.
Mr. Stark-Dykema explained the services that would be provided to the eligible youth. The services would involve the Restorative Justice program.
Chairperson Bahar-Cook asked how this program would meet the JJM Community Agency funding criteria. Mr. Stark-Dykema explained the RJ program would provide the police departments with another intervention option.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding this item. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated when this funding process was established, this Committee was adamant that outcome data be provided to this Committee with future funding requests. She then asked if the Center had any additional data this Committee should consider at this time. Mr. Stark-Dykema stated the Center’s services saved suspension days in the Lansing School District. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated her hope that out-County specific data will be included with the Center’s next funding request.
Chairperson Bahar-Cook asked Mr. Stark-Dykema if he thought his program would have a place in the County’s future continuum of care facility. Mr. Stark-Dykema it is possible that his program would have a place in the facility. He further explained the Center’s hope that schools will implement the Restorative Justice program on their own initiative. If the RJ program is included in the facility, the RJ coordinator could handle some of the cases. Restorative Justice conferences could be held at the facility.
Comm. Schafer stated the Restorative Justice program was established several years ago. He asked why it has been so slow to enter the schools. Mr. Stark-Dykema stated that is a good question. He explained that limited resources at the schools limit the use of the Restorative Justice program.
· Lansing Teen Court
Mr. Botke distributed copies of his Presentation Packet to the Committee. He explained that he submitted a revised 18 month budget to the County. His first budget was based on a 12 month period. Mr. Botke then reviewed the Funding/In Kind Accomplishments material contained in the Packet. The Lansing Teen Court received $24,000 from the County last year. This funding was used to leverage additional funding.
Mr. Botke reviewed the Program Outcomes. The Court met all its goals for the past year. Seven high schools are now involved in the Teen Court process. Approximately 322 students were trained and served as Peer Jurors, Bailiffs and Clerks for the Teen Court.
The Budget continues current services and also includes taking the program throughout the County. Mr. Botke stated the Teen Court wants to make it easier for out-County youth to participate in the program. To help accomplish this goal, the Teen Court is asking for funding for a three-quarter time support staff position.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated it would be helpful to have a benchmark with the information provided this evening. Mr. Botke stated he would like to provide that information. He then explained that youth who complete the Teen Court program are invited back to act as peer jurors, bailiffs and clerks.
· Larry M. Trice, Outreach Services
Mr. Watson stated Outreach Services was actually blessed to (“not” was deleted) receive County funding last year. Outreach Services is used within the Ingham County Youth Center. Mr. Watson also stated the Lansing School District has requested that Outreach Services work with 9th and 10th graders within the District. Approximately 217 Lansing School District youth participate in the program.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked if Outreach Services has any outcome data to submit to this Committee. Mr. Watson stated he should have written data next Wednesday from youth who actually participated in Outreach Services. He then stated the impact of participation in Outreach Services is not known for some years after the youth leave the program.
Comm. Schafer stated he respects what Outreach Services is doing as far as acting as role models for the youth.
Mr. Watson addressed as question from Chairperson Bahar-Cook regarding Outreach Services’ prevention program.
(The Committee recessed from 9:58 p.m. until 10:04 p.m.)
b. Resolution Authorizing 2007/08 Agreements for Community Agencies
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING 2007/08 AGREEMENTS FOR COMMUNITY AGENCIES WITH THE FOLLOWING DATA:
$75,000 FOR CHILD AND FAMILY
$36,000 DISPUTE RESOLUJITON
$36,000 LANSING TEEN COURT
$3,000 Larry M. Trice, Outreach Services
The Committee discussed the above motion. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated Outreach Services is in the same position as last year. They need to provide this Committee with more outcome data. She then asked that Outreach Services document their services over the next 18 months. If this data is not available during the next funding process, this Committee will not appropriate funds to the Larry M. Trice, Outreach Services program.
Comm. Schafer expressed his concern that the Dispute Resolution program has not taken off as expected. The Outreach Services provides very important services within the community.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO AMEND THE ABOVE MOTION AS FOLLOWS:
$75,000 for Child and Family Services
$30,000 for Dispute Resolution Center
$40,000 for Lansing Teen Court
$ 5,000 for LMTS
MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED with Comm. Nolan NO. Absent: Comm. Holman
Comm. Nolan stated she supports funding the Dispute Resolution
in the amount of $36,000 and the Larry M. Trice Outreach Services in the amount of $3,000.
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO AMEND THE ABOVE MOTION BY FUNDING THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,000 AND THE LARRY M. TRICE, OUTREACH SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000. MOTION DIED due to lack of support.
MAIN MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Holman
4. Walter French Academy – Discussion
Chairperson Bahar-Cook informed the Committee of the condition of the Walter French Academy facility. She then stated leasing the facility is an option at this time. Comm. Nolan stated the north wing is in move in condition. (language deleted.) The Church wants to move to another facility within the year. The facility has been on the market for four years.
Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated this Committee should speak with the neighbors of a proposed facility.
The meeting adjourned at 10:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff