Approved 3/29/07

JUDICIARY

March 15, 2007

Minutes

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

Members Absent:         Randy Schafer

Others Present:             John Neilsen, David Easterday, Mike Botke, Maureen Winslow, Carol Read, Latisha Heath, Sara Deprez and others

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

Approval of the March 1, 2007 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE MARCH 1 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Schafer and Weatherwax-Grant

Additions to the Agenda

4.         CCY – Update

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Presentation, Mike Botke and Latisha Heath – Teen Court

Mr. Botke thanked the Committee for its continued support of Teen Court.  Mr. Botke highlighted information contained in the Management Report – Grant Period:  July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007.  This Report is contained in the agenda material.  Ms. Heath detailed her job responsibilities.

(Comm. Weatherwax-Grant arrived at 7:45 p.m.)

Comm. Schor asked about recidivism rates.  Mr. Botke stated 91% of teens completing the program have not committed any additional crimes.  This data concerns only Ingham County.  Mr. Botke addressed additional questions from the Committee. 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding Teen Court. 

2.         MSU Ingham County Cooperative County Extension – Resolution to Authorize Increase in Funding for Staff Positions to the Community Coalition Youth for the 2007 Fiscal Year   

MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR STAFF POSITIONS TO THE COMMUNITY COALITION YOUTH FOR THE 2007 FISCAL YEAR.

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that Mr. Bell could not be present this evening. He then stated the $38,800 amount in the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph should be changed to $33,800.  The Committee accepted this change as a Friendly Amendment to the Resolution. 

Comm. Schor asked if the County received any guarantee from the City of Lansing regarding there financial support for this matter.  Mr. Neilsen explained the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph indicates the County’s funding will be matched “dollar for dollar” with the City’s contribution.  The funding will not be appropriated unless the City puts up its funding.

Comm. Nolan stated she spoke with Ms. Joan Jackson-Johnson regarding this matter.  Ms. Jackson-Johnson made it clear to her she would work hard to come up with the City’s extra $10,000, but could not promise funding for the next year.  The City is going to focus primarily on homelessness.  Comm. Nolan stated the juvenile justice issue is an issue of the County, not the City.

Comm. Schor asked for clarification regarding the City’s contribution.  Comm. Nolan stated the $10,000 will be for the present budget cycle.  Comm. Schor stated he does not believe its good to appropriate funds on a piece-meal basis.  He then stated if the City’s funding is for the 07-08 year, he is satisfied.

Mr. Neilsen stated the County will only match the amount the City appropriates up to $10,000.   He further stated, Mr. Bell has agreed this matter will be a normal part of the County’s budget process from now on.

Comm. Nolan stated its time to rethink moving this issue into the JJM budget to pay for Community Coalition expenses.  Comm. Holman agreed it is time to think of this in terms of a County-wide matter and as a normal part of the budget.

Comm. Schor stated he would like to know what the County actually appropriates in this matter.  Comm. Holman stated if the City does not contribute this year, the County should reconsider its position.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

3.         Circuit Court – Family Division – Resolution to Appropriate Funds from the Juvenile Justice Millage Money for the IMPACT System of Care and to Amend the 2006/2007 Child Care Fund

MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE MILLAGE MONEY FOR THE IMPACT SYSTEM OF CARE AND TO AMEND THE 2006-2007 CHILD CARE FUND.

Ms. Winslow stated a great deal of progress has been made in the implementation of the IMPACT System of Care services.  The Circuit Court is optimistic the System goals will be met.

Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she is pleased to approve this expenditure.  Comm. Holman asked if this funding is for new services.  Ms. Winslow assured Comm. Holman the funding is for new services.

In response to Comm. Nolan, Ms. Winslow distributed a System of Care Case Rates informational sheet to the Committee.  She then reviewed this information.  The rates are for October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007. 

The Committee held a general discussion regarding the program and its services. Comm. Schor commended the CCY for their efforts on this program.  Comm. Nolan stated she is excited about this program and the funding partners.  Chairperson Bahar-Cook commended everyone on this program.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Schafer

4.         CCY Update – Continuum of Care Facility

Comm. Nolan stated a very productive meeting was held this afternoon.  At the conclusion of this meeting, everyone left with a homework assignment to write their vision of this facility.  She then requested the Commissioners to do the same.  Mr. Neilsen stated he will email the Commissioners with Ms. Schorsch’s email address and the date to submit the information.  Ms. Schorsch will compile the information from the homework assignment and present it on March 29, 2007 at the Human Services Building prior to this Committee’s next meeting.

Mr. Paparella stated he is also excited about the progress being made.  He then stated he may need to request a minor extension on the date when the CCY is to submit a report to this Committee. 

This discussion continued.  Chairperson Bahar-Cook commended Mr. Paparella for putting this information together.

Announcements

Comm. Nolan reminded the Committee of the May 7 trip to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Woodward. 

Comm. Holman stated she recently visited the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center.  She then spoke about her visit.

Chairperson Bahar-Cook stated she would appreciate a report on the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center’s community based sex-offender program.

Comm. Nolan informed the Committee that a program regarding what is happening with youth in Ingham County will be held May 31, 2007 from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hannah Community Center. 

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff