HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2013.03.12 - 36702BILL DWYER
Chairperson
MIKE BOSNIC
Vice Chairperson
HELAINE ZACK
Minority Vice Chairperson
March 12, 2013
Chairperson Dwyer called the meeting of the Public Services Committee to order at 11:3 0 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:
SHERIFF’S OFFICE Michael McCabe, Undersheriff
Dale Cunningham, Business Manager
LAKE ORION COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Marion Ginopolis, Superintendent
SOUTH LYON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Bill Pearson, Superintendent
WALLED LAKE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS Ken Gutman, Superintendent
BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS Daniel Nerad, Superintendent
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY Emily McIntyre, Victim Rights Supervisor
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH
AUTHORITY Chad Witcher, Manager
Mary Griffiths, Director
ALLIANCE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL Hope Cummins
Cheryl Patel
THE DETROIT NEWS Lauren Razzaq
THE OAKLAND PRESS John Turk
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Marcia Gershenson, Commissioner
Jim VerPloeg, Administrative Director
Sheryl Mitchell, Senior Analyst
Tracy Stolzenfeld, Committee Coordinator
Helen Hanger, Sr. Committee Coordinator
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
Taub moved approval of the minutes of February 26, 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
March 12, 2013
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. VerPloeg provided the Commissioners with a copy of the Oakfit Health Screening schedule and
encouraged all to participate. A block of time is set aside for Comm issioners. The screening is free
with a $100 incentive after filling out the survey form. Commissioner Zack commented that a
personal physician may screen as well.
Roy Salisbury, citizen and resident of Rochester, made a brief statement regarding Second
Amendment rights.
Jim Ellis, citizen and resident of Royal Oak, commented regarding jail diversion treatment
programs. Treatment rather than incarceration could be prescribed. A one -day seminar co-
sponsored with Sheriff Bouchard for Oa kland County police chiefs is planned to explain the jail
diversion treatment program.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CONTRACT AMENDMENT #1 FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
SERVICES IN THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF INDEPENDENCE 2013 -2015
The Sheriff is requesting authori zation to amend the contract with the Charter Township of
Independence to allow the Township to add one deputy and one vehicle. Undersheriff McCabe
stated that two deputies were laid off a couple of years ago and that the recently passed millage in
Independence Township allows one deputy to be added.
McGillivray moved approval of the attached suggested resolution. Supported by Bosnic.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
2. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CONTRACT FOR AUXILIARY DEPUTY SERVICES IN THE CITY
OF ORCHARD LAKE 2013
The Sheriff is requesting authorization to enter into a contract for law enforcement services with the
City of Orchard Lake during St. Mary’s fair and special events.
Taub moved approval of the attached suggeste d resolution. Supported by Zack.
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
THE COMMITTEE RECESSED FROM 11:43 -11:45 a.m.
3. COMMITTEE CHARGE PURSUANT TO MR #13017 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS –
EXAMINATION OF HOW OAKLAND COUNTY CITIZENS ARE PROTECTED FROM GUN
VIOLENCE – INPUT FROM SCHOOL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Chairperson Dwyer welcomed all to the second meeting on the gun violence issue and made a
short opening statement. The first panel of law enforcement representatives proved insightful. The
second panel of school superintendents was introduced by Commissioner Gershenson as follows:
Marion Ginopolis of Lake Orion Community Schools, Bill Pearson of South Lyon Community
Schools, Ken Gutman of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools an d Daniel Nerad of Birmingham
Public Schools, and each provided a brief statement. The focus of this discussion is to gain
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Page 3
March 12, 2013
information on what safety measures are in place in the representatives’ school districts and also
their recommendations to keep children safe in school.
The school superintendents thanked Chairperson Dwyer for the invitation to participate. In
response to committee members’ questions, the following information and suggestions were
discussed.
• Identifying students with mental illness – then combining identification with e arly
intervention and referral for treatment may be helpful for students with mental illness.
The school is not responsible for treatment. S ufficient access to mental health services
and financial resources must exist in order to assist these students . Awareness may be
an important factor for student/peer support and also family support. The panel relayed
that although some have had formal training regarding identifying mental health
problems in students, additional training would be required to adequately address these
types of issues. Many school social workers are tied to serving special education
interests and may not be able to identify or address early mental health issues in other
students.
• Daily safety plans and procedures – are being increased and carried out daily. Some
districts have a special committee to address safety issues. L ocked doors throughout the
day are common among schools now . General awareness is heightened more today than it
was ten years ago. A goal towards balance tend s to determine what, if any, drastic safety
measures are utilized . When funds are available video monitoring, swipe cards, cameras,
numbered doors, virtual school building maps and most recently active shooter training a re
examples of what school districts can add to increase safety. Several school districts have
sought out safety assessments by law enforcement and emergency preparedness
consultants. A current is sue being looked at relates to students at bus stops and the waiting
periods of time to get on and off the buses. A discussion regarding metal detectors
revealed that they may not be on the side of balance needed at this point. Background
checks and fingerprints are required and done on school employees. Several school
districts allow carrying of a concealed weapon by officers as protection inside the schools.
Cell phone use by students could be a safety factor in getting help from law e nforcement.
• Emergency plans – should be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Emergency plan notebooks
are placed in schools. Mandatory training standards for Michigan schools are six fire drills
and two lockdown drills. Future plans are being considered to increase lockdown drills in
some school districts.
• Outreach and collaboration with community – specifically with first-responders and
working with the law enforcement authorities, including the Sheriff’s Department, ensure
proper safety measures are in place. The gun violence issue could be viewed as a societal
problem. Community mental health is another area where collaboration may assist in
addressing these issues. Engaging with the faith-based community can provide good role
models and promote development.
• Video games and television – with negative models and violence can instill some
desensitization to violent acts. Parental control and supervision of violent video game
participation and monitoring television viewing may result in reducing future problems. (See
previous discussion on February 26, 2013 meeting minutes.)
• Legislation – is presently being introduced in Michigan to further protect our students.
Legislation may lead to a reduction in the amount of fire drills.
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March 12, 2013
• Reduction of Funding – has curtailed school resources. Budgets have been cut due to the
economy, which may play a role in reduced safety measures. Much is expected of schools
and teachers. The panel agreed that financial and human resources are limited.
The panel commented regarding teachers’ and parents’ role in decreasing violence in schools.
Closing comments were about finding balance. Ms. Ginopolis added that sensitivity and ca re
should be exercised to not frighten the children.
Chairperson Dwyer announced that at the upcoming Public Services Committee meeting on April 9
representatives from the U.S. Attorney, the State Police and the FBI will speak, at the April 23
meeting a panel made up of mental health experts will participate and at the May 14 meeting
individuals will present on Second Amendment rights. At the June 13 meeting the Committee will
consider a final report with recommendations to be given to the entire Board o f Commissioners.
COMMUNICATIONS
A. Prosecuting Attorney – FY 2014 Prosecutor’s Victim of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant
Program (VOCA) – Grant by Fiscal Services
Spisz moved to receive and file the communications. Supported by Taub.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at
12:50 p.m.
_____________________________________ ___________________________________
Tracy Stolzenfeld Jim VerPloeg
Committee Coordinator Administrative Director
NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.