HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2013.01.29 - 36694BILL DWYER Chairperson MIKE BOSNIC Vice Chairperson HELAINE ZACK Minority Vice Chairperson January 29, 2013 Chairperson Dwyer called the meeting of the Public Services Committee to order at 11:32 a.m., in Committee Room A, Commissioners’ Wing, County Service Center, Pontiac, Michigan. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT : Bill Dwyer, Mike Bosnic, Helaine Zack, Shelley Taub, Michael Spisz, Gary McGillivray COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: None. OTHERS PRESENT : CIRCUIT COURT Lisa Langton, De puty Administrator John Cooperrider, Business Administrator HUMAN RESOURCES Kelly Siddiqu, Analyst PUBLIC SERVICES Mike Zehnder, Director ANIMAL CONTROL Bob Gatt, Manager Joanie Toole, Administrative Supervisor COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS Barb Hankey, Manager Larry Doyle, Chief MEDICAL EXAMINER William Gerds, Administrator SHERIFF’S OFFICE Michael McCabe, Undersheriff Dale Cunningham, Business Manager Russ Yeiser, Sergeant OTHERS Carrie McGowan, Oakland Pet Advocate Vickie Krigner, Oakland Pet Advocate BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Jim Ver Ploeg, Administrative Director Sheryl Mitchell, Senior Analyst Helen Hanger, Sr. Committee Coordinator PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Taub moved approval of the minutes of December 4, 2013 as printed. Supported by McGillivray. Motion carried on a voice vote. OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 N. TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MI 48341-0470 Telephone (248) 858-0100 FAX (248) 858 -1572 PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Shelley Taub Michael Spisz Gary McGillivray PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 2 January 29, 2013 PUBLIC COMMENT Commissioner Zack expressed concern regarding the change in the regular meeting time f or this year’s Public Services Committee from 1:30 pm to 11:30 am. Ms. Krigner recognized the shelter and its staff for making some of the changes that her group had requested. This morning she received statistical data previously requested and had not yet had a chance to read the entire document but noticed that return-to -owner and rescue information was not included and asked that this data be provided on a regular basis. She distributed several handouts including the Humane Society of Huron Valley eu thanasia statistics and Dubuque(Iowa) Regional Humane Society Asilomar Accords Overview and suggested that Oakland County consider a pet evaluation matrix similar to the one done in Iowa. The matrix is prepared using animal advocates, the animal welfare community, veterinarians and Animal Control. AGENDA ITEMS 1. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES/COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS DIVISION – FY 2013 COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GRANT ACCEPTANCE Community Corrections is requesting authorization to accept Fisca l Year 2013 Community Corrections grant funding of $2,005,574 from the Michigan Department of Corrections. The amount awarded is the same as the application . Of the total funding $208,771 will be held by the MDOC to administer contracts for residential services. The remaining $1,796,803 will be administered by the County to maintain 16 positions in Community Corrections, including two that are 50% funded by the General Fund, and 5 positions in the Sheriff’s Office. No county match is required. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested resolution . Supported by Zack. Taub moved to amend the 9 th WHEREAS to strike “FY 2012” and insert “FY 2013.” Supported by Bosnic. Motion to amend carried on a voice vote. Main Motion as amended carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 2. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES /MEDICAL EXAMINER – INCREASE TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER DIVISION CREMATION PERMIT FEE The Medical Examiner is requesting authorization to increase its fee for Cremation Permits. This fee has not increased since 2003. A survey shows Oakland County’s cremation fee to be much lower than that of surrounding counties . Fourteen counties were surveyed with the lowest c remation fee being $25.00 and several counties charging as much as $75.00. A recommendation to increase the fee from $20 to $30 includes a cost analysis of direct and indirect costs. It is anticipated that permit revenue will increase approximately $46,000 annually. Commissioner Spisz asked why the recommendation is $30 when the average co st in surrounding counties is about $50 and the cost analysis indicates the average direct/indirect cost for this service to be $74.80. Mr. Zehnder explained that the Budget Task Force reviewed this information and c ame up with the recommendation to inc rease the fee to $30. PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 3 January 29, 2013 Mr. Gerds explained that if the death occurs within Oakland County and cremation is desired the request must be submitted to the county medical examiner (ME). The Oakland County ME prepares annually an average of 4,600 cases for cr emation. Cost includes the death certificate. Doctors do not have the authority to fill out the death certificate in these cases and the ME must investigate. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by McGillivray. Zack moved to postpone until the next regular meeting so that the Budget Task Force could provide its rationale for th e recommended fee of $30. Supported by Spisz. Motion to postpone carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3. CIRCUIT COURT/FAMILY DIVISION – INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR WRAPAROUND SERVICES WITH OAKLAND SCHOOLS Circuit Court/Family Division is requesting authorization to enter into a one-year intergovernmental agreement with Oakland Schools to participate in the Wraparound program for war ds of the court at a cost of $22,131. The Court has seen an increase in youth referrals with emotional disturbances, a special high -risk population with significant recidivism rates and out -of-home placement if left untreated. A wraparound partnership was established between the Court, the Michigan Department of Human Services, Oakland Schools and the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority to deal with this population. Outcome measures reflect Oakland County Wraparound has been successful in keeping more than 90% of the referred youth in their homes and communities, avoiding costly out-of-home residential, psychiatric or foster care placement. Ms. Langton explained that Oakland Schools has a program with facilitators team ing with families and the child to make sure they have referrals for assistance. The only problem is there are more kids needing this assistance then the court is able to refer. Payments are made as cases are referred. Zack moved approval of the attached suggested resolut ion. Supported by Spisz. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 4. PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT – ANIMAL CONTROL – INCREASE PAY RATE OF VETERINARIAN CLASSIFICATION Animal Control (AC) is requesting authorization to increase the salary range of the part-time, non- eligible Veterinarian classification to $42.516/hour Base; $45.817/hr 1 Year and $49.59/hr 2 Year. AC currently has one General Fund/General Purpose part -time, non -eligible Veterinarian position with 1,500 hours per year that is filled by two employees. At least one additional veterinarian is required to fully provide services which include immunizations and surgeries. This position was opened in February 2012 using extensive recruiting efforts and no applications were received. A local salary survey of similar positions revealed the current salary to be significantly lower than market average. Human Resources’ recommends an 8% increase to make the position more competitive in the labor market. Mr. Gatt explained that the averag e rate in Michigan is $50.96/hr and Macomb County pays $65.00/hr. However, the proposed salary recommendation is competitive in this area. A meeting was held last week with the v eterinarians who indicated that they would be satisfied with the salary PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 4 January 29, 2013 adjustment. Commissioner McGillivray asked to be provided with the salary comparison information. Bosnic moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by McGillivray. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 5. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – USE OF FORFEITED FUNDS FOR EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING The Sheriff’s Office is requesting authorization to use $69,580 from its Law Enforcement Enhancement Account to purchase equipment and training as outlined on Attachment A. The Federal Government is allowing the Sheriff to acquire two armored vehicles for use by its SWAT Team. These vehicles will be added to the County fleet with accompanying radios listed on Attachment A. Sgt. Yeiser provide d a more detailed explanation on some of the equipment. Mr. Cunningham explained that when the Sheriff decides to dispose of the Humvees they must give them back to the Federal Government. Chairman Dwyer noted that there was a recent press article on CLEMIS which noted that Detroit was unable to join the CLEMIS system due to budget problems. Undersheriff McCabe advised that they had worked with the Detroit Police Department and had agreed to help them pursue federal and state funds to offset the cost but Detroit did not pursue this opportunity. Taub moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Bosnic. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 6. MR #13017 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – STUDY GROUP ON FIREARM REGISTRATION COMPLIANCE The resolution was introduced by Commissioners Gershenson and Dwyer for the purpose of establishing a study group to make recommendations on how to strengthen background check reporting and identify situations where a person should be disqualified from purchasing a firearm. The study group would repo rt back to Public Services no later than April 9, 2013 in the form of a resolution to be forwarded to the Michigan Legislature, the appropriate mental health and criminal justice agencies with recommendations for action. The Group would be composed of representatives of mental health, law enforcement and one member each from the majority and minority parties of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Zack moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Spisz. Commissioner Gershenson explained that she ha s learned that Michigan’s LIEN system, which is used for handgun permit background checks, and the federal database system, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for Federal Firearms Licens ees (FFLs), used to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to purchase firearms or explosive, do not necessarily talk to each other. Michigan is a partial participant in NICS for long gun purchases. PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 5 January 29, 2013 Many states do not participate in the NICS. While researching this topic she was approached by individuals from Community Mental Health, Common Ground and the public who are interested in participating in this discussion and so joined with Commissioner Dwyer in proposing this resolution. Commissioner Dwyer agreed that there are loopholes in gun registration , issues of mental health and violent gaming and no easy solutions and that it would be worthwhile to have a discussion with all involved and interested parties to come up with some so lid recommendations to forward to the Legislature. Commissioner Taub stated that Public Services should consider this topic and assure the citizens it is being discussed. She suggested that representatives of the gun industry also be asked to participate. Undersheriff McCabe indicated that the Sheriff is holding active shooter training courses to school personnel in conjunction with Oakland Schools and Homeland Security. The Michigan LEIN system allows you to see if there are any mental health order s on file for known criminals. THE COMMITTEE RECESSED FROM 12:16 a.m. – 12:18 a.m. Zack moved to report to amend the resolution as follows. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, hereby creates a study group to mak e recommendations on how to strengthen background check reporting and identify situations where a person should be disqualified from purchasing a firearm. requests the Public Services Committee to meet to examine issues germane to gun violence in Oakland County and the role of the Board of Commissioners, departments and agencies in combating it. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study group will report its recommendations to the Public Services Committee, no later than April 9, 2013, and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, Oakland County Sheriff and Oakland County Executive in the form of a resolution, that shall be forwarded to the Michigan Legislature and the appropriate mental health and criminal justice agencies with the recommendations for action . the meetings shall take place during regularly scheduled Public Services Committee meetings which are televised, allow for public comment, recorded by minutes and are transparent to Oakland County citizens. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Service s Committee shall appoint the membership of the study group, which shall be comprised of: seek information from: • Representatives from the mental health community • Representatives from the law enforcement community • Other individuals deemed appropriate to pre sent by either the Chair, or Vice Chair of the Public Services Committee, upon recommendation of the Public Services Committee members, or other County Commissioners. • One Member from the majority party of the Oakland County Commission • One Member from the minority party of the Oakland County Commission PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 6 January 29, 2013 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Public Services Committee shall report the findings of these meetings to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners within 30 days of the conclusion of the me etings. Supported by Spisz. Zack moved a secondary amendment to the primary amendment to insert additional language as follows (see underlined language). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Services Committee shall appoint the membership of the study group, which shall be comprised of: seek information from but not be limited to: • Representatives from the mental health community • Representatives from the law enforcement community • Other individuals deemed appropriate to present by either the Chair, or Vi ce Chair, along with the Minority Vice Chair, of the Public Services Committee, upon recommendation of the Public Services Committee members, or other County Commissioners. • One Member from the majority party of the Oakland County Commission • One Member from the minority party of the Oakland County Commission Supported by Spisz. Motion on the secondary amendment carried on a voice vote. Motion on the primary amendment as amended carried on a voice vote. Bosnic moved to delete the 12 th WHEREAS. Supported b y Dwyer. WHEREAS leadership is needed to study the issues around identifying and surmounting any logistical, legal and political obstacles to compliance and to bridge the gap between state/local agencies and the state and federal gun registration databases. Motion carried on a voice vote. Bosnic moved to amend the first WHEREAS as follows. WHEREAS the incidence of homicides committed with a firearm in the U.S. is much greater than most other advanced countries. Every day, 282 people in America are shot and 86 people die from gun violence; and Supported by Taub. Motion carried on a voice vote. Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote. COMMUNICATIONS a. Friend of the Court Citizens Advisory Committee Minutes of 11/05/12 PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 7 January 29, 2013 b. Michigan Department of Human Services Letter of November 30, 2012 Re: Child Care Fund Expenditures Taub moved to receive and file the communications . Supported by Zack. Motion carried on a voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT There being no further busin ess to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 a.m. _____________________________________ ___________________________________ Helen A. Hanger Jim Ver Ploeg Sr. Committee Coordinator Administrative Director NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.