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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1988.09.22 - 17671July 14, 1988 MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION 88174 BY: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE, RICHARD D. KUHN, JR., CHAIRPERSON PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT - IN RE: DISTRICT COURT PROBATION/AUTHORIZATION TO IMPLEMENT A COMMUNITY SERVICE GARDEN PROJECT TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Mr. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS the 52nd District Court Probation Division is responsible for the probation activities ordered by the 52nd District Court Judges and administrates all activities relating to the Community Service Program; and WHEREAS the Court Community Service Program currently places nonviolent offenders at nonprofit agencies as ordered by 52nd District Court Judges and Oakland County Circuit Court Judges; and WHEREAS the Community Service Program is responsible for interviewing, screening, monitoring and reporting to the Judges, the progress of those defendants referred to the program; and WHEREAS the Community Service Program could provide the Judges with an additional sentencing tool through the implementation of a Community Service Garden; and WHEREAS the Judges have indicated a willingness to use the Community Service Garden as an alternative sentence to incarceration, resulting in an increased number of jail days saved; and WHEREAS the Division of Cooperative Extension has provided and will continue to provide technical assistance in the garden project, through the use of their professional staff and their Master Gardener volunteers; and WHEREAS the Community Service Garden will result in produce which will be donated to nonprofit and tax-supported agencies with an estimated value of $13,103.00; and WHEREAS a suitable two-acre site has been located off Brown Road on County property and the cost to prepare the garden in 1988 is estimated at $1,000.00, with an anticipated average annual cost of $10,797.00; and WHEREAS this cost will be offset by revenues generated through a $10,00 per day Community Service Fee (per defendant) with an annual anticipated revenue of $5,375.00 and by the $25,908.00 estimated savings due to the number of jail days saved; and WHEREAS a part-time, non-eligible (1,000 hours) supervisor position will be required to oversee and coordinate the Community Service Garden project. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners authorizes to 52nd District Court Probation and Court Community Service Division to implement a Community Service Garden on the Brown Road site. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners appropriates $1,000.00 in 1938 for site preparation; budgets $9,875.00 in 1989 for the Community Service Garden, and creates a 1,000 hour part-time, non-eligible supervisor position. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Service Committee be provided with biannual reports regarding the Community Service Garden by the 52nd District Court Probation and Court Community Service Division. Mr. Chairperson, on behalf of the Public Service Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE PR011 rTh September 22, 1988 REPORT BY: Personnel Committee, John P. Calandra, Chairperson TO: The Oakland County Board of Commissioners IN RE: MR .#88174 - PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT/DISTRICT COURT PROBATION/ AUTHORIZATION TO IMPLEMENT A COMMUNITY SERVICE GARDEN PROJECT Mr. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: The Personnel Committee, having reviewed the above referenced resolution, reports with the recommendation that said resolution be adopted with the following amendment: To add two additional paragraphs to the twelfth paragraph to read: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED to establish a new classi- fication titled Community Service Officer with the salary $10.02/hour, flat rate, and to create one (1) 1,000 hour/year, part-time, non-eligible governmental position within this classification in the District Court Probation Division; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that future existence of this position will be contingent upon continuation of the Community Service Garden program'. Mr. Chairperson, on behalf of the Personnel Committee, I move acceptance of the foregoing report. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE FISCAL NOTE BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE, DR. G. WITTJAM CADDELL, CHAIRPERSON IN RE: PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT - DISTRICT COURT PROBATION - AUTHORIZATION TO IMPLEMENT A COMMUNITY SERVICE GARDEN PROJECT - MISCEIIANEOUS RESOLUTION #88174 TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMISSIONERS Mt. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: Pursuant to Rule XI-G of the Board, the Finance Committee has reviewed Miscellaneous Resolution #88174 and finds: 1) The cost to prepare the Brown Road site for a Community Service Garden is $1,000 in 1988, which will be funded by contingency; 2) The 1989 start-up cost of $6,220 will be included in the 1989 Special Project Budget; 3) Annual program costs for a Community Service Garden are $10,875 in salary and fringes and $3,800 in operating cost for a total budget of $14,675; 4) The program is anticipated to generate revenue in 1989 of $5,375 through probation oversite fees; 5) The balance of cost is $9,300 in 1989 and will be funded by contingency; 6) The program offers the potential for jail days not served at an estimated savings of $25,908; 7) The estimated value of produce is $13,103 Which will be donated to non-profit agencies; 8) Funds are available and it is recommended that funds be transferred as follows: REVENUE 3-10100-174-05-00-2073 TOTAL REVENUE EXPENSES 4-10100-174-05-00-1001 4-10100-174-05-00-2074 4-10200-174-05-00-3574 4-10100-174-05-00-3779 4-10100-174-05-00-4857 4-10100-174-05-00-6313 4-10100-174-05-00-6735 4-10100-909-01-00-9900 TOTAL EXPENSES TOTAL Community Oversite Fees Salaries Fringes Personal Mileage Water Purchases Grounds Supplies Land and Grounds Insurance Contingency 1988 1989 BUDGET BUDGET $ 5,375 $ -0- $ 5,375 -0- 10,020 855 -0- 500 -0- 700 -0- 1,000 1,000 500 1,100 (1,000) (9,300) $ -0- $ 5,375 $ -0- $ -0- ===. 9) Further, it is recommended that the eighth "Whereas" be amended by replacing "$10,797" with "$14,675"; FINANCE COMMITTEE 10) Further it is recommended that the first "Be if Further Resolved" be agended by replacing "$9,875" with "$14,675". 11) The produce generated from the garden should be used first for meals served at the Oakland County jail, with the excess then being donated to charitable agencies. 12) The community service fee of $10.00 per day charged to the offender with rates to be reviewed by Public Service Committee six (6) nenths after the start of the program. fndistrict c) CURT Ser-vice -Pr A COLRMICC,'1,Nn uNI-7\,.EFCT PROPOSAL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMMUNITY SERVICE GARDEN FOR NON-DANGEROUS OFFENDERS IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION Prepared By: Deborah J. McAleer, M.A., C.S.W, Probation Officer Supervisor 52nd District Court As Directed By: John Paul Jones, Ph.D. Chief of 52nd District Court Probation .& Court Community Service Division TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary • .......... • ..... ........ — ....... Court Community Service Garden Proposal 3 Objective of Proposal ..... 009 n 009•0•9.“. ..... ........ 0••• ..... 3 Benefits to Oakland County 3 Administration of Program 3 Collateral Services • *00•0000•1300 0 ••0 9 ....... •0•615000O00.0. ..... nn •••-• 4 G arden Location • . • ............ • .......... ••••00 ....... • • a. 0000 4 Target Population 4 R evenues ........ • . • • . • • • • • ....................... +sem 5 Staff Requirements 5 Garden Costs ..... .. • 600•000••••••••0 ....... V ....... 09 ..... • ..... 90- Proposed Budget 7 Graphs Costs vs Benefits 8 & 9 Li ability Issues ......................... • ........... • ..... • a • • • • • 10 Target Date 600•09•0000000••eos•0•66“••Meti•O••••0 ...... 10 C onclusion .....................— • • ....... • • .apees.•n•••* 10 Oakland County Court Community Service Garden Calendar „ . _ — ....... 11-15 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Court Community Service of Oakland County is responsible for the administration of the community service orders as imposed by the 52nd District Courts, Divisions I, II, III and Oakland County Circuit Court. We are proposing a program in which non-dangerous offenders, both male and female, will be ordered to complete community service work at a garden site, in lieu of incarceration. These offenders will participate in the ground preparation, planting, and harvesting of vegetables from a Community Service Garden. Our current thinking is that the produce will be donated to nonprofit agencies and governmental organizations for food distribution to the needy and tax-supported facilities, e.g., jails. Approval of this project by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners will result in the following benefits: • Provide the Judges with an alternative to incarceration. • Increase the number of jail days not served. • Teach defendants new skills while exacting retribution. - Promote defendants as the "helper" rather than the helped. - Provide positive role models and interaction with Master Gardener citizen volunteers. • Promote community involvement in the judicial system. - Generate food for nonprofit and tax-supported facilities. - Generate revenues to support the project. County property will be used for the garden site, and a location of two acres, behind the Brown Road Trusty Camp, has been deemed appropriate for the project needs. Assistant City Manager for the City of Auburn Hills, Mr. Glen Schoonfield, indicates that use of County property would not require special zoning permits for the project. Oakland County Sheriff, :John F. Nichols, supports the concept of the Community Service Garden, survey of the 52nd District Court Judges (Divisions I, II, III) and Oakland County Circuit Court Judges indicates Judge's support the use of a Community Service Garden in lieu of incarceration and would utilize this as an alternative sentencing tool. The money savings for the County in terms of jail days not served will be approximately $25,908.00. Judges are willing to impose a $10.00 per day Community Service Oversight Fee for all offenders working in the Community Service Garden, generating approximately $5,375.00 in revenues. The harvested produce will be donated to nonprofit and tax-supported agencies with a retail value of $13,103.00, as estimated by the Office of Cooperative Extension Service. The Office of Cooperative Extension Service has agreed to facilitate the Community Service 'Program in this project, promoting the internal cooperative effort of County agencies. -1- The Brown Road location facilitates security, in that the Oakland County Deputies will provide a random patrol of the garden site. Security will also be enhanced by the fact that a fence will surround the garden property. Continuity of the project from year to year will be enhanced by the hiring of an on-site supervisor. This will be a 1,000 hour per year position with no cost for fringe benefits. The garden location also lends itself to convenience of rest room facilities for the defendants working in the garden, in that Carl Anderson of the Animal Shelter, has offered the use of his facility to take care of the offenders needs, A tool shed facility is also being offered for our use by Mr. Anderson.. Approval of the garden project will facilitate the defendants in developing new skills and interacting with positive Master Gardener volunteers for exposure to positive role models. An additional benefit is that the community becomes involved in the judicial system, The Community Service Garden Project has the potential of providing benefits to the judicial system, nonprofit, and tax-supported agencies, the defendants involved in the criminal justice system, and the community at large. The average amount of appropriations being requested per year is approximately $10,798.00, but this investment could result in an average yearly benefit of $34,604.00. COURT COMMUNITY SERVICE GARDEN PROPOSAL OBJECTIVE: Implementation of a Community Service Carden in which nonviolent offenders sentenced to do community service work in lieu of incarceration, will participate ;1-1 the ground preparation, planting, weeding, hoeing, and harvesting of vegetables in a Community Service Carden. The produce will be donated to nonprofit agencies and tax-supported facilities. Initially, only referrals from the 52nd District Court and Oakland County Circuit Court will be accepted for placement at the garden site. If the project is successful, and upon Oakland County Board approval, the garden site may be expanded and other Oakland County District Courts will be able to make referrals to the garden program. It should be noted that both males and females from all over the County are potential candidates for working at the garden site as ordered by the Oakland County Circuit Court, BENEFITS TO OAKLAND COUNTY: The Community Service Garden will give the 3udges of Oakland County an alternative sentencing tool for those nonviolent male and female offenders who will be sentenced to jail. A survey of the Circuit Court and 52nd District Court Divisions I, ii , and III indicated the following: of the fourteen Circuit Court Judges, six responded that, yes, they will utilize the Community Service Garden. Of the six District Court iludges questioned, four responded that, yes, they will utilize the Community Service Garden. It should be noted that the 3udges failure to respond does not necessarily mean that they do not support the project. The money savings for the County in terms of jail days not served has been approximated at $25,908.00. The number of offenders that could be placed at the garden site during the 1989 growing season is forty-three offenders (9 offenders per work group X 12 hours per offender per week X 20 weeks in the season = total community service work hours available 2,160 per season + by 50 hours of Community Service work, average sentence per offender = 43 offenders). The number of jail days saved will be 516 (average District Court jail sentence is 12 days X 43 offenders = 516 days). The money savings for the County in terms of jail days not served will be $25,908.00 (516 X $50.21 per day jail costs . $25,908.00). The County of Oakland will also benefit in that any produce harvested from the garden will help support nonprofit agencies or will be utilized by tax-supported facilities such as the jail. The Oakland County Sheriff's Department has expressed an interest in utilizing any produce that is harvested. The Office of Cooperative Extension Service, Master Gardeners, have estimated that in 1989 the potential retail value of the produce would be $13,103.00. Not only does the garden project provide the Judges with an alternative sentencing tool, it places the defendant in the role of the "helper" rather than the "helped". It also provides the defendant an opportunity to learn new skills and to interact with positive citizen role models within a community environment, thus involving the citizenry in the judicial system. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: The administration of the program will take place through the 52nd District Court Probation and Court Community Service Division. -3- COLLATERAL SERVICES: The Office of Cooperative Extension Service has agreed to act as an advisor to the garden project. Their Agricultural Agent will be willing to take soil samples and make recommendations for proper ground preparation and fertilization. The Horticultural Agent will be able to give advice on the planting of seed which wi!1 grow at the garden. The Master Gardener Program, which is overseen by the Office of Cooperative Extension, will also facilitate this project by recommending proper planting of seeds and seedlings as well as advising the offenders working at the garden. (See pages 11-15 for proposed Community Service Garden Calendar, submitted by the Office of Cooperative Extension Service.) Master Gardeners are volunteers who have received extensive training in the field of horticulture by Cooperative Extension Service staff., Participants took part in a 1.0 week series of classes (40 hours total) on the following topics: vegetab l es, house plants, herbaceous flowers, home-invading insects, fruit crops, animal control, landscaping, lawn management, trees and shrubs. Master Gardeners take and must pass a final exam to test their proficiency. As a part of their commitment, participants must contribute 40 hours of volunteer time to earn a Certified Master Gardener Certificate from Michigan State University. While many volunteers far exceed the 40 hour contribution, it is proposed that 24 Master Gardener units be leveraged to carry out this project. Projections indicate that some 960 hours of Master Gardener Assistants will be contributed to the program. If these volunteer hours were converted to a dollar price, at $6.00 per hour, $5,760.00 worth of volunteer assistance will be rendered. GARDEN LOCATION: Cooperative Extension Service has identified a site for a location of the Community Service Garden. The site is located on Brown Road, near the Oakland County Trusty Camp and the Oakland County Animal Shelter. The site recommended for use at this time is approximately two acres in size. Soil samples have been taken and analyzed with results indicating that with proper fertilization, this site is appropriate for our needs. Contact with the Trusty Camp indicates that a Community Service Garden outside their boundaries should not cause any kind of security problem at the Brown Road location. Mr. Carl Anderson, who heads up the Oakland County Animal Shelter on Brown Road, has indicated that his facility can be used for a lunchroom and lavatory purposes, for both defendants and Master Gardener staff. Additionally, Mr. Anderson indicated that there is a tool shed available at the Brown Road site which could be utilized for our project. This location is attractive in that security is increased by the routine patrol of the Oakland County Sheriff's Department Deputies. Solicitation of Sheriff Nichols opinion regarding this project indicates that he is not opposed to the implementation of a garden. TARGET POPULATION: The target population of this project will be any nonviolent offender who is sentenced to do Community Service work in lieu of a jail sentence. Judges will be able to order these offenders to complete Community Service work at the garden site. The Court Community Service Coordinators will screen offenders to assure that they are appropriate candidates for the program and that their physical well-being will not be endangered by doing this type of work. Those offenders with medical documentation indicating their inability to perform this type of work, will be excluded from participation. Offenders will be responsible for providing their own transportation to the garden. -4- Those offenders in which "protection of the community" is an overriding consideration are not eligible to participate in this program. Those of fenders who fall into one of the following categories will be excluded from participation: A. Offenders who are extremely aggressive or have a reported history of physically assaultive behavior towards others, whether convicted or not; B. Offenders who are firmly dependent on drugs or alcohol; C. Offenders who are reportedly involved in delivery of drugs and/or convicted of the same; D. Offenders who in the last five years have demonstrated criminal acts on or against children, the elderly, the blind, the handicapped and/or other such disadvantaged citizens, when it is clear from the record or other information that these citizens were known to the defendant as "easy prey"; E. Offenders who are seriously mentally ill and without the faculties needed to perform Community service adequately; . Offenders who are not physically able to perform even gardening type work because of a . medical problem; G. Offenders who have a history of sexual crimes that suggest or leave one to reasonably believe that such behavior could result in undue embarrassment or physical confrontation to others. REVENUES: Judges would be asked to impose a $10.00 per day Community Service Oversight Fee for all offenders working at the Community Service Garden, generating approximately $.5,375.00 in revenue. Those fees would help offset the cost of the garden project. A recent: survey of community service fees was conducted by Dr. John Paul 3ones in March of 1988. He found that in the State of Michigan, the eleven community service programs that are presently functioning, charge anywhere from a $15.00 per day to a $75.00 per day community service fee. Revenues will also be augmented by donations from various clubs and businesses within Oakland County, who are supportive of community corrections. Oakland County Corporation Counsel indicates that a separate account for donations received to support the Community Service Garden will not be contrary to County policy. STAFF REQUIREMENTS: An on-site supervisor will be required to oversee the garden and maintain continuity of the project from year to year. Ideally, an individual Who has knowledge of the probation system and prior experience in supervising offenders will be hired for the Garden Supervisor. The supervisor will need to work approximately 20-30 hours per week during the growing season. Responsibilities will include the supervision of offenders at the garden; scheduling of the offender work crews, and ensuring enough Master Gardener staff were available to help educate the offenders working at the garden. This supervisor will also need to possess skills required for problem intervention in regard to offender behavior and performance at the garden. This person will need to possess knowledge of investigating, documenting, and report writing in regard to the offender's performance or lack of performance while at the garden. -5- He or she will be responsible for writing reports to the Courts and verifying the offender's work performance. The individual would act as a liaison between the Court Community Service Division, Cooperative Extension Service, and the Master Gardener staff. This supervisor will be responsible for the inventory and safekeeping of all equipment used at the garden site. Should the Garden Supervisor unexpectedly become III, we do have staff who work on a full-time basis, overseeing the Community Service Program, who will fill in for the supervisor for a very short period of time. The individual hired to perform this type of work should receive a rate of pay of approximately $12.15 per hour. This rate is equivalent to the base pay of a beginning Deputy (Oakland County 1988 Salary Schedule). It is recommended that mileage be paid (approximately 3,000 at $.25 per mile equals $750.00). No cost for fringe benefits will be included in the supervisor's position since he/she will not be working more than 1,000 hours per year. ESTIMATED GARDEN COSTS: The Office of Cooperative Extension Service has recommended that the ground preparation begin in the fall of 1988 and for this reason $1,000.00 is being requested in 1988. It is anticipated that this $1,000.00 will cover the cost of the clearing, disking, and spreading of herbicide to prepare the garden site for 1989 planting. The experts at Cooperative Extension Service indicate that an irrigation system for this type of project is mandatory. At this time, irrigation costs have been estimated to be - approximately $2,000.00. This is an initial investment for a good quality aluminum system that will last for years and is easily resalable. The City of Auburn Hills Department of Public Works Director, Mr. Bruce Pottholf, assures us that water is available at the Brown Road site. It is estimated that tap-in fees for the irrigation system will run approximately $1,800.00. Subsequent to the original tap-in fees, the garden will produce an annual water bill estimated at around $700.00. Initially, equipment will be needed for the operation of the garden. The cost of start up tools (rakes, shovels, trowels, spades) is estimated by the Office of Cooperative Extension Service to be $600.00. It should be noted that many of the tools utilized at the garden site last for years, and we do not anticipate high replacement costs. (See proposed budget on page 7, and graphs on pages 8 and 9.) Cost of Jail Days Not Served Cost of Garden PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE COURT COMMUNITY SERVICE GARDEN 1988 1989 1990* 1991 -k 1992* Start Up Costs Ground Preparation 600 Access Ramp 400 Water Tap & Meter 1,820 Irrigation 2,000 Fencing 1,800 Tools 600 6,220** Program Continuation Costs Salary 6,075 6,379 6,698 7,033 Mileage 500 525 551 578 Insurance 1,100 1,155 1,213 1,274 Seeds 500 525 551 578 Fertilizer & Pesticides 500 525 551 578 Water 700 735 772 810 Replacement Tools 200 210 220 Ground Preparation 500 525 551 578 Total Program Costs 1,000 9,875 10,569 11,097 11,649 Expected Revenues -5,375 -5,375 -5,375 -5,375 4,500 5,194 5,722 6,274 Retail Value of Produce 25,908 25,908 25,908 25,908 -4 2 500 -5,194 -.5,722 -6,274 Potential Savings to Oakland County 21,408 20,714 20,186 19,634 +13,103 +13,758 +14,446 +15,168 Total Benefit 34,511 34,472 34,632 34,802 ** Assumes 5% inflation factor (rounded to nearest whole number). Department of Facilities and Operations will recommend that $6,300 from the 1989 "Special Projects Budget" to cover start up costs. Therefore, these costs are not included in the Total Program Budget Request. 1989 1990 Year 1991 1992 1111 County Costs County Benefits COURT COMMUNITY SERVICE GARDEN COSTS VS BENEFITS Dollars 48, 000 E- 44, 000 40, 000 36, 000 r 32, 000 }- t' 28, 000 - E 24, 000 I-- 20, 0001-- 16, 000 t- 12, 000 6000 4000 i- T- r 0 -- -- 1988 xRevenue, Confinement Costs Saved and Retail Value of Produce 1$ii, 649 1992 $0 r NM. link.* 4 11041, 41,044, t.** AP. • A. talka. F7,75119?"15W7,57711R7?NnT1F7Y, i624.401, 1988 1989 1990 199 1992 $44,366 45, 041 $45, 729 $46, 451 COURT COMMUNITY SERVICE COST VS BENEFIT County costs 1988k$1000 1989 1990 1991 .711-17Lmi ;n124J-11_i__P4 1$i0. 569 $IL 097 County Benefits 4(Revenue, Confinement Costs Saved and Retail Value of Produce -9- LIABILITY ISSUES: In a memorandum received from Mr. Gordon Wyllie, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the County of Oakland, it was indicated that Court liability is not potentially a problem for the proposed Community Service Garden. "It is an area of the law which is constantly changing, but it can be said for the most part, when a governmental agency is engaged In the exercise of the discharge of a government function, it is immune for tort (negligence) liability." Insurance and Safety Coordinator for the County of Oakland, Mr. Gerald Matthews indicated that the cost of insurance for the garden will be approximately $1,000,00. This insurance will cover any expenses if an individual is inadvertently injured at the garden, consistent with any and all claims against the County. As previously noted, the location of the garden site promotes random security checks by the cruising Oakland County Sheriff's Deputies, who are constantly going in and out of the Trusty Camp. We feel that the random patrol of the Deputies will increase the security at the garden. Additionally, a fence will be erected in an effort to discourage any intruders, The Trusty Camp and the proximity of the proposed site of the garden are distant enough that mingling of the trustees and the probationers is not anticipated as being a problem, TARGET DATE: We are seeking the approval of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 1988 with the goal of planting the first garden in the spring of 1989. The Office of Cooperative Extension Service has submitted a tentative Community Service Garden calendar and this calendar is attached for your review. (See pages 11-15) CONCLUSION: The 52nd District Court Probation and Court Community Service Division feel that a Community Service Garden is a worthwhile project and request the Board's approval for implementation. Our staff in conjunction with the staff of the Cooperative Extension Service and Master Gardeners, will make every effort to make this a successful and beneficial project to all parties concerned. It is our belief that this will provide the ;Judges of Oakland County with another sentencing option especially in those cases where non-violent offenders will be ordered to work at the garden in lieu of serving jail time. The County will benefit in that there will be a savings in jail days not served. The donating of food to nonprofit agencies for the needy and government supported facilities will also reduce the burden borne by the taxpayers. Offenders will benefit in that they will be learning new agricultural skills as well as interacting with positive citizen/Master Gardener volunteers who will be assisting the offenders at the garden. We feel that this will truly be "A COMMUNITY SERVICE PRO7ECT". -10- OAKLAND COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICE GARDEN CALENDAR NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 1987 District Court Probation staff contacted Judges and Cooperative Extension Service staff regarding the Community Service Garden concept for Oakland County. IL District Court Probation staff, with Extension Horticultural Agent and Extension Agricultural Agent, explored County land areas suitable for gardening. Torn Lepping, Grounds Department, was brought in to discuss possible locations. County Service Center, 1200 N. Telegraph ruled out due to major construction plans, Brown Road site ruled as potential site provided Extension Horticultural Agent verifies soil and nutrient analysis prove to be sufficient to sustain vegetable crop production. JANUARY - MARCH 1988 Upon spring thaw, soil samples were taken and two of three sites at Brown Road location determined to be adequate for Community Garden site. Further, soil nutrient analysis provided by Michigan State University indicated that fertilizer • application could correct soil fertility acceptable to garden production. H. District Court staff developed preliminary proposal drafts for the Community Service Garden project. HI. Via Extension Master Gardener training conducted during February and March, volunteers were solicited having an interest in working with planning and operating the Community Service Garden. APRIL 1988 I. Contacts were made with District and Circuit Court Judges to determine their interest in Community Service Garden concept as a sentencing alternative to jail. Determined that irrigation would be required in order to guarantee garden production, especially during dry periods, Extension Horticultural Agent and Tom Lepping obtained information regarding necessary irrigation equipment requirements. Contacts made with Auburn Hills regarding the cost of tapping municipal service lines for irrigation water. MAY 1988 1. Probation Supervisor communicates with Extension Master Gardener Coordinator who will in turn work with volunteer Master Gardeners to develop plans for following: A. Plan layout/size of garden. B. Select types of crops to be planted. C. Determine number of seeds and/or plants needed. -11- D. Determine quantity of seeds needed for each individual variety of vegetable to be planted. E. Approach nursery centers to determine best buy on seedlings and transplants. F. Project the quantity and value of production. Probation Supervisor contacts Auburn Hills regarding water tap-in charges. Extension Master Gardener Coordinator projects cost rate for irrigation equipment and water use. Investigates justification for amount of waterline pressure and appropriate tap size for irrigation system. Projects tools and supplies to be used on the garden. IV. Probation Supervisor finalizes proposal for County Administration and Board of Commissioners. JUNE 1988 1. Finalize and present proposal to County Executive Office and County Board of Commissioners for funding. JULY - SEPTEMBER 1988 I. Probation Supervisor will meet with Tom Lepping and arrange for fall site preparation (i.e., brush removal, herbicide treatment, tilling, lime application, and seeding winter cover). H. Determine specific requirements for irrigation equipment. Place order for April 1989 delivery. Arrange for irrigation water tap-ins and install water meters. OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1988 1. Request and obtain appropriations for 1989 garden season. JANUARY MARCH 1.9S9 I. In January, Probation Supervisor selects and employs a Garden Supervisor. Garden Supervisor makes contacts for potential donors of garden seed. If donors are unavailable, make arrangements for purchase of quantity seed supplies. Contact Northwest Oakland Vocational Skills Center regarding the possibility of their raising seedlings that could be donated to the Community Garden project. Arrange for the appropriate seeds and materials needed by the Northwest Oakland Vocational Skills Center and establish the various transplant material that would need to be planted to coincide with April and May periods. IV. Garden Supervisor works with the Master Gardener Coordinator of Cooperative Extension Service to determine Master Gardener volunteer needs throughout the growing season.. The 1989 class of Master Gardeners wilI be si.;rveyecl for volunteer time contribution. -12- V. Non-profit, tax-supported agencies who will receive .the grown produce will need to be informed about the project and -their initial interest for receiving the raised produce will need to be made known to the District Court Probation Supervisor. FEBRUARY 1989 I. Probation Supervisor will alert the Judges to begin alternative sentencing. The garden project begins when weather is appropriate and the work force is available. MARCH 1989 1. Garden Supervisor works with Greg Patchan, Extension Horticultural Agent, to obtain new soil samples from garden sites for nutrient analysis at M.S.U. Soil Science Laboratory. Greg Patchan will make recommendations based on laboratory findings. 11. Extension Horticultural Agent will project the amounts of fertilizer to be purchased and the Garden Supervisor will acquire the necessary amount. Master Gardener Coordinator will canvas the Master Gardeners for volunteers. IV. Garden Supervisor will arrange for tilling. V. Garden Supervisor will arrange for the delivery of irrigation equipment to the garden site. VI. Garden Supervisor will arrange for irrigation water connection. APRIL - MAY 1989 I. All parties will meet concerning the project and discuss plans for coming activities. ll Garden Supervisor will need to schedule work detail that needs to be carried out by the probationers and also, coordinate the work detail as appropriate with the Master Gardener volunteers who will demonstrate appropriate procedures. Garden Supervisor will contact the person for plowing and preparing the garden sites. IV. Garden Supervisor will coordinate garden activities with Carl Anderson, Animal Control, and the appropriate representatives of the Sheriff's Trusty Unit. V. Garden will be in full operation by the third or fourth week of April, weather permitting. 'Root crops, such as onions, potatoes, carrots, and beets can be planted regardless of cold weather. The seedlings are not planted until the last threat of frost has passed, which is usually the third to fourth week in May. VI. Garden Supervisor will pick-up seeds and seedlings. -13- VII. Once the garden has been planted, it will then be necessary to have Advisory Committee meeting to determine who is goin„7, to receive the produce at harvest time The Advisory Committee will decide which nonprofit agencies are going to receive the produce. It would seem most appropriate if the produce were used by the following agencies: A. Salvation Army (dispense food to needy) B. Baldwin Avenue Community Center (Soup Kitchen) • C. Focus I-lope (dispense food to needy) D. Lighthouse (dispense food to needy) E. Haven (on-site) VIII. Once the Advisory Committee agrees upon who is going to receive the produce, a meeting will be held between the Probation Supervisor and the agencies to work out the administrative details with respect to when and how the produce will be picked up. It is important that the agencies understand their responsibilities: A. Be responsible for the dates and times assigned. Produce is perishable and agencies not appearing on dates and times assigned could easily result in wasted produce. Receiving organizations must be committed to the project. JUNE 1989 I. Garden Supervisor will make arrangements for containers and/or boxes to be used in harvesting the crop. Opportunities should be explored for donations of boxes, however, if they are unavailable, they will need to be purchased. IL Based on experience-to-date, project operating procedures and costs for 1990 gardening season for County budget purposes. Probation Supervisor will provide quarterly report to cooperators, County Administration and County Commissioners. JULY 1989 Harvest produce the first week of July. A contact with the receiving agencies must be made as soon as there is enough produce for them to pick up. Agencies need to be advised that the harvest rapidly picks up the second and third week of July and it is then time to contact the agency receiving the produce to schedule the dates and times when they are to pick up their appropriate vegetables. AUGUST - OCTOBER 1989 I. Making and evaluating notes throughout the season is important. Since this will be the first year, many new ideas will come to mind that will improve the procedure and process for 1990. When the last produce has been picked up in the fall, arrangements should be made for disking the field and, if possible, replanting the area to winter cover of wheat or rye grass. -14- Garden Supervisor will inventory tools. Prior to completing hisiher seasonal work, will project recommendations for the following year, along with an appropriate timetable of events. HI. The Garden and Probation Supervisors will prepare a summary report of the year's activities and report back to the County Executive, Board of Commissioners, and the public. PRON. -15- this 22nd 'day of e_atember I D88 ALLEN, County Clerk/Register of De LYtI SepteMber 1988 .Resolution # JR8174 Moved by Richard Kuhn supported by Crake the Planning and Building Committee report be accepted. A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the report was accepted. Moved by Richard Kuhn supported by Gosling the Personnel Committee report be accepted. A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the report was accepted. Moved by Richard Kuhn supported by McDonald the resolution (with Fiscal Note attached) be adopted. Moved by Richard Kuhn supported by McDonald the resolution be amended as recommended in the Personnel Committee report. A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the amendment carried. Vote on resolution (as amended) AYES: Aaron, Caddell, Calandro, Crake, Doyon, Gosling, Hobart, Jensen, R. Kuhn, S. Kuhn, Lanni, Law, Luxon, McDonald, A. McPherson, R. McPherson, Moffitt, Page, Pernick, Rewold, Skarritt, Wilcox. (22) NAYS: Rowland. (1) • A sufficient majority having voted therefor, the resolution, as amended, was adopted. STATE OF MICHIGAN) COUNTY OF OAKLAND) I, Lynn D. Allen, Clerk of the County of Oakland and having a seal, do hereby certify that I have compared the annexed copy of the attached resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting held On September-2:2, 1988 with the original record thereof now remaining in my office, and that it is a true and correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole thereof. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at Pontiac, Michigan