Approved 2/14/08

JUDICIARY

January 31, 2008

Minutes

Members Present:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Todd Tennis, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             John Neilsen and Elizabeth Schrock

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at  7:37 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the January 10, 2008 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. TENNIS, TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 10 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Minutes were amended on page three to reflect the following:

Sixth paragraph, last sentence:  “She also stated the new Lansing Airport Director is considering offering international flights.”

The sentence was changed to:  “She also stated the Lansing Airport is offering international flights.”

Seventh paragraph, first sentence:  “Comm. Bahar-Cook stated MSU is constructing a new art museum.”  This sentence was removed from the minutes. 

Additions to the Agenda

5.         Elizabeth Schrock – Michigan Coalition for Youth

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Circuit Court – Information Regarding Increase to Rates for Michigan Assigned Appellate Counsel Rates (MAACS)

Mr. Neilsen stated Ms Swayze could not be present this evening due to illness.  She asked that the Commissioners contact her if they have any questions regarding this matter. 

Comm. Tennis stated he asked Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant to have the Michigan Coalition for Justice to provide a joint presentation to this Committee and the Law Enforcement Committee.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she would place this issue on an upcoming agenda.  She then stated if the courts are not interested in making any changes, the presentation should be brief.  Chairperson Thomas stated Judge Collette has been against a public defender office. 

Comm. Nolan asked if the $8,450 amount in the Resolution is an annual amount.  Mr. Neilsen stated the $8,450 is only for appellate cases. 

Comm. Schafer strongly recommended that Judge Collette and the Court be contacted prior to having someone come in with the presentation.  Mr. Neilsen stated the Court would like to discuss this issue with the Committee.

2.         Circuit Court/MIS – Resolution to Enter into an Agreement for a Policy for the Operation of Computer Network, Internet Access and Email with the Circuit Court

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR A POLICY FOR THE OPERATION OF COMPUTER NETWORK, INTERNET ACCESS AND EMAIL WITH THE CIRCUIT COURT.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.         Controller’s Office – Update on the Continuum of Care Our Savior Lutheran Property

Mr. Neilsen stated the phase one environmental testing is under way and the architectural inspections are completed.  A final report from the architect will be available by the end of next week.  Mr. Neilsen also stated the report has been divided into mandatory improvements and recommended improvements. 

Comm. Nolan requested the final report be emailed to the Commissioners when ready.  Mr. Neilsen stated he would email the report.  Comm. Nolan suggested the classrooms in the facility should have telephones for emergencies and for staff to contact parents.  Mr. Neilsen stated Ms. Winslow is working with the Ingham Intermediate School District to determine the needs of the facility. 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked that the Court develop a list of what they want for the facility.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this information will be useful when we discuss the build out and design of the facility.  Mr. Neilsen stated he would work on this matter.

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated will create an oversight board for the facility.  

Mr. Neilsen stated he contacted Mr. Sheehan regarding a model for discussing this issue with the neighborhoods.  This information has been shared with Ms. Winslow and the Court.  The Court will draft an informational letter from this information.  Mr. Neilsen further stated the Court will work with the Board of Commissioners to provide notice to the appropriate residents. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked Mr. Neilsen for his work on this matter and she asked him to thank the Court and Ms. Winslow for their efforts. 

Board Chairperson Thomas asked if the notice to the residents will happen in the next 45 days.  Mr. Neilsen stated he believes the notice will be provided within the next 45 days.  The Court will share its draft of the letter with this Committee before it is circulated.  This is a priority for the Court. 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if the County is interested in purchasing additional property in that area.  Mr. Neilsen stated this is still being reviewed.

4.         Board Referral – Letter from Jim Paparella, Capital Area Child and Family Services, Regarding Angel House Forensic Interviewer Position

Comm. Bahar-Cook stated a meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2008 with Judges Lawless and Garcia, Ms. Hull, Mr. Myers and Mr. Neilsen to discuss this matter. 

Comm. Nolan asked about the 2006/2007 deficit.  Comm. Bahar-Cook stated the end of the year deficit is approximately $400,000.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee and the Board of Commissioners has a long standing commitment to the Angel House.  The Board is aware of the financial concerns.  Staff is working with the Court to identify other sources of funding for Angel House.

5.         Michigan Coalition for Youth

Comm. Nolan stated the Community Coalition for Youth (Coalition) was asked to work with the County on the Continuum of Care Facility.  The Continuum of Care Facility Task Force Report documents what the facility could be and how it fits with the needs of the County. 

Ms. Schrock, Michigan Coalition for Youth, explained how the recommendations in the Report were determined.  Comm. Nolan stated its exciting to see how much has been done since the Report was developed. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated it will be the charge of this Committee to determine the stakeholders.  She stated the Coalition should share any of its stakeholder recommendations with this Committee.  This matter will be discussed at this Committee’s next meeting.  The task force should be created in February. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant invited Ms. Schrock to participate in as many of these meetings as she wishes. 

Comm. Schafer stated it’s important to keep people involved and active and meeting on a regular basis.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the task force could use some of the resources of the Coalition. 

Ms. Schrock stated the Commissioners should let her know if she can provide any additional information. 

Announcements

Comm. Schafer asked Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant to provide a calendar of when specific discussions will take place as well as action plans.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she did commit at this Committee’s last meeting to provide an outline of the issues to address this year. 

Board Chairperson Thomas informed the Committee that Judge Aquilina had an opportunity to address the press regarding the overloaded court docket a few days ago. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she will share her calendar with this Committee and ask for any recommendations. 

Comm. Nolan stated the new Road Commission Director stated on the radio recently that he will lower the weight restrictions on some of the County bridges due to infrastructural needs.  The Country is spending so much money in Iraq but the County does not have money to fix the bridges. 

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff