Amended 3/13/08

JUDICIARY

February 28, 2008

Minutes

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

Members Absent:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Maureen Winslow, Sara Deprez, Dawn Kepler, Elizabeth Schrock, Tonya Avery, David Easterday, Warren Henson and Tamiekco Smith

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Tennis at  7:30 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the February 14, 2008 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 14 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment

Comm. Copedge thanked the Commissioners for all of their hard work on the Continuum Care Facility meeting last night.  He stated he was very pleased with Ms. Winslow’s efforts on the meeting as well.  Judge Garcia provided an outstanding presentation to the residents.  The residents are looking forward to a continued dialogue with the County.  Many residents have expressed an interest in serving on the CCF advisory board.  Comm. Bahar-Cook did an excellent job providing the history on the CCF project.    Comm. Copedge stated words could not express his appreciation to everyone involved in this process. 

1.         Interviews – Friend of the Court Advisory Committee

The Committee interviewed Angela Pruitt and Mae Tanner for positions on the Friend of the Court Advisory Committee. 

MOVED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF ANGELA PRUITT TO THE CUSTODIAL PARENT POSITION ON THE FRIEND OF THE COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

MOVED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF MAE TANNER TO THE CHILD ADVOCATE POSITION ON THE FRIEND OF THE COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent: Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

2.         Circuit Court

            a.         EVE, Inc., Personal Protection Order Office Report

Mr. Easterday stated the Personal Protection Order Office provides tremendous services to the Court. 

Ms. Avery thanked the Committee for its support for the program and the Office.  Ingham County was the only County to step up and provide emergency funding when the Office lost State funding last year.  Ms. Avery then reviewed the information in the Report.  The Office is now open until 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays.  The additional hour was added last December.  Many people take advantage of the extra hour.  Ms. Avery stated the Office may add another hour on a different day of the week. 

Comm. Nolan thanked Ms. Avery for reporting back to this Committee.  It’s great to see how the Office spent so little money so well.  Comm. Schafer asked about other revenue sources.  Ms. Avery stated the Office’s annual budget is $73,000.  This amount includes the County’s funding. 

Mr. Neilsen stated the County appropriated one time funding to the Office due to cuts at the State level.  He asked if the Office will receive restored funding in the next fiscal year.  Ms. Avery stated it appears the Office can anticipate a regular budget next year.

            b.         Family Division – Last Quarter of 2007 Report

Ms. Winslow distributed copies of the Quarterly Data Report to the Committee.  Ms. Winslow and Ms. Deprez reviewed the Report.  Ms. Deprez stated the 26 youth in out of state placements is a decrease from the previous report.   

The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the Report.  Comm. Bahar-Cook stated the Report format keeps improving.  The Committee appreciates the improvements. 

3.         Controller’s Office

            a.         Update on the Continuum of Care Our Savior Lutheran Property

Ms. Winslow stated the Court was absolutely thrilled with how the meeting went last night.  Mr. Easterday stated the meeting turned out overwhelmingly better than the Court anticipated.  He thanked the Commissioners who were present at the CCF meeting.  The presence of Ms. Winslow, Ms. Deprez and the management team at the meeting showed the community that the Court and the County are very committed to this project.  Judge Garcia and others did an excellent job of explaining the project.  Mr. Easterday stated he appreciated this Committee’s support. 

Comm. Tennis stated the presentation was very touching to him.  He further stated he is aware of a young man who would have benefited from the CCF a few years ago.  Comm. Tennis encouraged and urged the Court and the County to keep their promises to the community.  The CCF should be a safe environment for the community.  We want to show that any fears are unwarranted.

Mr. Easterday stated his staff has wholeheartedly embraced this project.  Mr. Henson and Mr. Smith have been very dedicated to the project. 

Comm. Bahar-Cook thanked everyone involved in this process.   Comm. Schafer stated every Commissioner is supportive of this project.  Comm. Holman stated this wraps up the first five years of the JJM.  The County has taken time to ensure that it does things correctly.  Comm. Nolan thanked everyone who came to the meeting last night and for making the project a reality.  She also stated a member of the public indicated she would like to volunteer at the CCF.  

Comm. Tennis stated it is the County’s intention to ensure there is a way for local residents to have a say and to have their concerns addressed quickly. 

Board Chairperson Thomas stated he visited the Ingham Academy a few weeks ago.  He was moved by the level of commitment the students had for the Academy.  Board Chairperson Thomas stated he hopes the Court and the ISD will address what the youth will do once they graduate from the Academy. 

Ms. Deprez stated the ISD is looking to have a part-time career counselor in their next budget for the Academy.  Board Chairperson Thomas stated the County should have some responsibility for the youth in the next phase of their lives.

b.         DRAFT for DISCUSSION (Continuation from February 14, 2008 Meeting) – Resolution Authorizing the Creation of a Continuum of Care Facility Advisory Board

Mr. Neilsen distributed a memorandum to the Committee.  The memorandum contained this Committee’s suggestions from its February 14 meeting regarding the CCF Advisory Board.  He reviewed the recommendations.

Comm. Bahar-Cook stated she believes there should be one Advisory Board with two subcommittees.  The Advisory Board should include a few Commissioners.  A person from the Facilities Department should attend the Advisory Board meetings.  Mr. Neilsen stated if a facilities item is on an agenda, a Facilities staff person will attend that meeting. 

Comm. Nolan stated the CCF should have one Advisory Board.  The Advisory Board could make the determination regarding the two subcommittees.  Comm. Nolan also suggested that a youth from the CCF should be on the Advisory Board.  Ms. Winslow stated it would be possible to have a representative of the CCF student body on the Board.

Board Chairperson Thomas suggested the youth be made a regular member of the Advisory Board so that she/he will have voting rights.  Comm. Tennis stated he thought there should be two separate committees.  The committees would consist of a few people who serve on both committees.  He further stated he would like one committee to deal with facility issues and another committee to handle neighborhood issues.

Comm. Bahar-Cook stated separating neighborhood residents from another committee would make them feel alienated. 

Ms. Deprez stated the Advisory Board should also include a parent of a youth in the CCF.  This would increase the parent’s participation in their youth’s education. 

Comm. Holman asked about the Advisory Board’s reporting process.  Mr. Neilsen stated the Advisory Board would report to this Committee.  The Draft Resolution indicates the Board will report to the Court and this Committee. 

The Committee determined it would set the number of Advisory Board members at their next meeting when Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant is present. 

Comm. Nolan stated a member of this Committee should sit on the Advisory Board.  That Commissioner could report to this Committee on a regular basis.  Mr. Neilsen stated the reporting process for the Animal Control Advisory Board would be a good comparison for the CCF Advisory Board.  Board Chairperson Thomas stated recommendations should go to this Committee and to the Court.  There is a shared governance of the CCF. 

Board Chairperson Thomas stated the make up of the Advisory Board should be flexible.

Ms. Schrock, CCY, stated the members of the CCY are happy with the draft Resolution.  A few of the CCY members are supportive of one advisory board with sub committees.  Ms. Schrock further stated the CCY would be happy to have a representative on the Advisory Board. 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked about having representatives from the Prosecutor’s and Sheriff’s Offices on the Advisory Board in the third phase of this project.  Comm. Tennis stated that issue can be addressed at the appropriate time.

Announcements

Comm. Nolan stated the CCY is in a very exciting mode.  She explained the CCY is writing a grant application.  The grant funding would be used to change people’s perception of 11 to 18 year old men of color in our community.  Comm. Nolan stated she will keep this Committee updated regarding the CCY’s funding efforts. 

Comm. Bahar-Cook stated the work of the CCY on the Continuum of Care Facility issue is greatly appreciated.

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff