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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2006.07.11 - 36100JEFF POTTER Chairperson WILL MOLNAR Vice Chairperson HELAINE ZACK Minority Vice Chairperson July 11, 2006 Chairperson Potter called the meeting of the Public Services Committee to order at 1:38 p.m., in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jeff Potter, Helaine Zack, Sue Ann Douglas, Thomas F. Middleton, Eileen Kowall, John Scott, Vincent Gregory, George Suarez, Marcia Gershenson COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: Will Molnar OTHERS PRESENT: CIRCUIT COURT Kevin Oeffner, Court Administrator COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS Barb Hankey, Manager CORPORATION COUNSEL Judy Cunningham, Corporation Coun sel Traci Carey, Law Clerk Alex Zurawskys, Law Clerk EXECUTIVE OFFICE Robert Daddow, Deputy County Executive HUMAN RESOURCES Brenthy Johnston, Analyst MEDICAL EXAMINER Bob Gerds, Administrator SHERIFF’S OFFICE Michael McCabe, Undersheriff Dale Cunningham, Business Manager Chuck Snarey, Captain Ann Russell, Corrections OAKLAND COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION Chad Engelhardt, Counsel MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF POLICE Joel E. Felt, Labor Relations Specialist THE DETROIT NEWS Roneisha Mullen Reporter 50TH DISTRICT COURT Judge Leo Bowman PONTIAC POLICE DEPARTMENT Valard Gross, Chief of Police BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Mattie Hatchett, Commissioner, District #10 Tim Melton, Commissioner, District #11 Larry Doyle, Administrative Director Julia Ruffin, Commissioner Liaison Sheryl Mitchell, Senior Analyst Harvey Wedell, Senior Analyst Pamela Worthington, Committee Coordinator OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0470 Telephone (248) 858-0100 FAX (248) 858 -1572 PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Sue Ann Douglas Thomas F. Middleton Eileen T. Kowall John A. Scott Vincent Gregory George Suarez Marcia Gershenson PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 2 July 11, 2006 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENT None APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Scott moved approval of the minutes of June 6, 2006, as printed. Supported by Douglas. Motion carried on a voice vote. AGENDA ITEMS 1. CIRCUIT COURT – USE OF MEDIATION FUNDS The Oakland County Board of Commissioners established the Circuit Court Civil Mediation Fund by adopting Miscellaneous Resolution #90177. This fund is to be used to help pay for Circuit Court enhancements and improvements as requested by the Circuit Court and approved by the Board of Commissioners. The Circuit Court is requesting to use $130,000 for furniture, equipment and to offset mediation administrative expenses from the Oakland County Bar Association. The resolution authorizes the use of $130,000 for the Circuit Court Mediation Fund for the above-mentioned purposes. Zack moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Suarez. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Molnar absent. 2. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES/COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS – MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND APPLICATION FOR FY 2007 The State of Michigan offers funding to local communities under Public Act 511 of 1988, which is targeted to divert non -violent offenders from prison into local jail or sentencing alternatives. Public Act 511 of 1988 requires that the “County Board or Boards of Commissioners of the County shall approve the proposed comprehensive plan prepared by their advisory board.” Oakland County Community Corrections wishes to apply for $3,860,297 in grant funding from the State Office of Community Corrections for plans , services and probation residential services. The resolution reflects that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approves the proposed Comprehensive Plan for the purpose of continuing programs contained within the Office of Community Corrections FY - 07 grant application for offenders who meet Public Act 511 of 1988 eligibility. Douglas moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Scott. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Molnar absent. 3. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – FY 2006 BJA CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED AWARDS – PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 3 July 11, 2006 REGIMENTED INMATE DISCIPLINE PROGRAM (RIDP) – BOOT CAMP U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE – OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS GRANT The U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Program s awarded the County of Oakland, through the Sheriff’s Office, $493,614 in grant funding for the period of June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2008. The funds w ould be used to create an aftercare component to the existing Sheriff’s Regimented Inmate Discipline Program (RIDP) – Boot Camp. Additionally, the award would allow the enhancement of the existing program with educational training and job skills enhancement and prisoner re-entry issues that would be tailored and administered on an individualized basis. There is no County match required. The resolution authorizes the acceptance of the $493,614 grant award. The resolution also authorizes the creation of two Special Revenue 1,000 hrs/yr part-time, non-eligible Inmate Caseworker positions in the Sheriff’s Department/Corrective Services -Detention Facilities Division/Inmate Program Services Unit. One 28/30 passenger school bus would be added to the County fleet. Acceptance of this grant does not obligate the County to any future commitment, and future level of service, including personnel associated with this program , is contingent upon future levels of grant funding. Zack moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Suarez. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Molnar absent. 4. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CONTRACT FOR COURT SECURITY AT THE 50TH DISTRICT COURT – PONTIAC FOR 2006/2007/2008 Judge Bowman had sent a request to the Oakland County Sheriff asking that a contractual relationship be entered into, similar to contracts that the Sheriff’s Office has entered into in the past with communities for security services. On June 30 th, 2006 Judge Bowman entered a court order for the Oakland County Sheriff to provide deputies at the 50th District Court for security services. The resolution authorizes a contract between the County of Oakland and the 50th District Court in Pontiac. Corporation Counsel has approved this contract. The resolution authorizes the execution of the contract between the County of Oakland and the 50th District Court for court security for the Fiscal Years 2006/2007/2008. The contract calls for the creation of one full-time eligible Deputy II position (for supervisory purposes), four full-time eligible Deputy I positions and four part -time, non-eligible 1,000 hrs./yr. Court Deputies. The contract includes adding six prep radios, two PCs with printer, and five Tasers to the County inventory. Future level of service, including personnel, is contingent upon the level of funding associated with this contract. Pontiac Police Chief Gross expressed his concerns about the City of Pontiac, which is already a fiscally and financially strapped city. He stated that they just rec ently had to lay off police officers. He said that the police department cannot do anymore cutbacks, and this contract would cause them to have to lay off more police officers. Commissioner Hatchett stated that the 50th District Court needs security and needs security from people who have arrest power and understands Judge Bowman’s position; however, she understands the concerns that Chief Gross has as well. She made an appeal to the Public Services Committee to not vote on this resolution today and postpone this issue until the August 15th Public Services Committee meeting to allow some time for Judge Bowman and Chief Gross to find a compromise that would provide the level of security that is PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 4 July 11, 2006 needed for the court. There was a situation last year whereby individuals that were in custody had escaped. Since then, the Court has made some modifications. Judge Bowman stated that he did not make the decision lightly to contract with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. He indicated that after the incident happened in 2005 with the four individuals who had escaped from the 50th District Court, he had made a commitment both to his colleagues on the bench, every employee that works there and everyone who enters the building to take a complete look at the Court’s security operations top to bottom, ask the experts to review it and give him an expert analysis of what the deficiencies of the Court were and what they needed to address. He invited the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department to come in and do a complete review of the Court, their operations, their staffing and everything that they do. They returned with an analysis of the Court and pointed out some deficiencies of the Court operations, and there were some recommendations made. The Judge asked for proposals from both the Sheriff’s Department and the Pontiac Police Department on what it would cost to add more officers. After seeing the proposals and the costs he decided to wait for the budget proceedings that occur in May or June of the Fiscal Year. On or about March of this year there was a change that necessitated the court addressing the security issue immediately. The Judge issued a court order, which represents the six Sheriff’s Deputies that are now at the Court. The Judge began to meet with the Mayo r of Pontiac and City officials advising them that the Court was moving forward. He has met with the City of Pontiac several times. He met with the Mayor and the City Council President. He attempted to work on other solutions and all during this course they maintained the inadequate security situation at the Court, but he continued to meet with them. The Judge stated that if the Public Services Committee chooses to honor Commissioner Hatchett’s request to postpone consideration of this issue, that’s fine with the Court, but he stressed that this now is an issue brought to his attention by the Supreme Court, that there is an issue, a Federal issue, which has to do with a legal separation of powers in having the Pontiac Police Department there. Chief Gross responded by stating that he has some proposals that he would like to bring to the table with Judge Bowman and his staff that would work. He suggested that video arraignment would prevent the transportation of prisoners to the Court, and that is one of the proposals that he would offer. Commissioner Melton expressed his concerns about the contract where it states that the County has a right to take money from the City of Pontiac Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund (DTRF) if the Court or the City of Pontiac fails to timely pay the County the amounts required under this contract. He expressed his concerns about the financial situation that the City of Pontiac is in and whether they would be able to afford a contract with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department for court security. He also supported postponing consideration of this resolution. Douglas moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Gershenson. Zack moved to postpone consideration of this resolution until the August 15th Public Services Committee meeting. Supported by Douglas. PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 5 July 11, 2006 Motion carried on a roll call vote with Molnar absent. 5. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CONTRACT FOR SERVICES BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF WAYNE AND THE COUNTY OF OAKLAND FOR WARRANT ENFORCEMENT PAROLE ABSCONDERS The Wayne County Sheriff has requested that the Oakland County Sheriff participate in a Parole Absconder Unit, and the Oakland County Sheriff agreed. The Unit has arrested 25 parole absconders and sent them back to the State prison. To perform t hese duties adequately, the Oakland County Sheriff is requesting one Deputy II and a vehicle. Wayne County has agreed to fund up to $6,250 a month towards this effort for at least 14 months. The Oakland County Sheriff has agreed to fund the remaining port ion fro the Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Enhancement Account. The resolution authorizes the use of the Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Enhancement Account to fund one Deputy II and authorizes the Chairperson of the Board to sign the attached contract for the period of July 29, 2006 through September 30, 2007. It also authorizes the creation of this Deputy II position in the Sheriff’s Technical Services Division/Special Teams Unit. One unmarked vehicle with mobile radio and prep would be added to the County fleet. Future level of service, including personnel, is contingent upon the level of funding associated with this contract. Zack moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Douglas. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Molnar absent. 6. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CY 2006 MARINE SAFETY PROGRAM GRANT ACCEPTANCE The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded Oakland County $260,100 in grant funding, which includes $230,000 from the State and $30,100 in Federal funds. Th is is a $25,100 increase compared to the CY 2005 award. The funds would be used to conduct Marine safety activities for the period of January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006. The resolution authorizes the acceptance of $260,100 in grant funding from th e Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Suarez moved approval of the suggested resolution. Supported by Douglas. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Molnar absent. 7. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – USE OF FORFEITED FUNDS FOR EQUIPMENT The courts have distributed $327,901.66 (balance as of 6/30/06) as a result of Sheriff’s Office forfeiture efforts. The Sheriff is requesting that a portion of these funds be used to pay for equipment. The estimated expenses are $96,000. The resolution authorizes the use of $96,000 from the Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Enhancement Account to purchase four American Chariots to patrol the complex and parking lots; weight/exercise equipment for physical and fitness training; 26 GPS units for the Narcotics Enforcement Team; and four laptop computers. Kowall moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Scott. PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 6 July 11, 2006 Motion carried on a roll call vote with Molnar absent. INFORMATION ITEMS None. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:13 p.m. _____________________________________ ___________________________________ Pamela L. Worthington Lawrence Doyle Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.