Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Regular MeetingLansing, MI · November 21, 2018
Minutes
DRAFT
MINUTES
Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 @ 8:30 a.m.
Council Conference Room, City Hall
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:31 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Member Kathie Dunbar, Chairperson
Council Member Brian T Jackson, Vice Chairperson
Councilmember Peter Spadafore- excused
OTHERS PRESENT
Sherrie Boak, Council Staff
Jim Smiertka, City Attorney
Bryan Crenshaw, Ingham County Commissioner- NW Lansing
Derrell Slaughter, Ingham County Commissioner- District 3
Todd Tennis, Ingham County Commissioner – South Lansing
Joan Austin, West side resident
Mary Derby, West side resident
Kristie Dickinson, West side resident
Jodi LeBomhard, Ingham County Animal Control Director
Caitlin Stewart, Officer with Ingham County Animal Control
Jim Smiertka, City Attorney
Lisa Hagen, Assistant City Attorney
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No Public Comment
Introductions
MINUTES
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPADAFORE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM
SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 2-0.
DRAFT
DISCUSSION
Residents explained their concern and complaints with the Ingham County Animal Control. This
included a statement on a certain property (2005 N. Genesee) that they were requesting the
City of Lansing to adopt an ordinance to allow the LPD to work with Ingham County Animal
Control on taking an animal that is in distress. Ms. Dickenson informed the Committee that she
was told by Ingham County Animal Control that the City did not have an ordinance that allows
animals in distress to be taken. She continued with her five (5) suggestions for the ordinance:
1st violation– with the complaint send a warning to the landlord and tenant
2nd violation– subsequent visit; fine to the pet owner and landlord.
3rd violation if not yet removed, remove and fine
If the animal is taken away they should not be able to get another pet.
Lastly she requested that that animals not be allowed to be chained and unattended.
Council Member Dunbar asked Ms. LeBomhard what the County policies were. Ms.
LeBomhard acknowledged that prior to this meeting she was aware the discussion would be on
the specific property, so was not able to answer specifics. However, she was able to outline
that they presently respond to cruelty and neglect complaints during business hours and the
LPD addresses evening and night. She was not able to explain why the LPD cannot remove
animals, but understood cruelty can be addressed. She was hopeful that the LPD would get
involved and if no action could be taken by them, they would follow up with animal control in
morning. Regarding being “chained up” there is a tethering law, 3 times length of the dog, from
nose to tail, and if they have adequate shelter and adequate bedding for warmth they cannot
take them. If Animal Control gets dispatched to the complaint, and owners were receptive to it,
they would educate them on what they need, and could provide them shelter with a dog house
and straw. Once they become educated, the action is documented and if there are further
complaints, they would take further action. Ms. LeBomhard agreed on the suggestion of fining
the landlord as well.
Mr. Slaughter asked if Animal Control has a repeat offender fee. Ms. LeBomhard stated it
would be on a case by case basis; if they are removed from the home, because it is a voluntary
surrender, there would be no evidence to prosecute. To prohibit no further animals in the future,
would require a court order. In the case mentioned earlier, Ms. LeBomhard stated it could have
been a situation where the owner admitted she did wrong and that is why they did not remove
the animals. Mr. Tennis added to the discussion that the County does not have the power to
create an ordinance other than what the State law allows them to do. He offered to speak to the
State elected officials to make changes. The residents continued outlining the details on the
specific case mentioned earlier. Ms. LeBomhard encouraged repeat calls to Animal Control
because it gives them reason to go to the residence to collect evidence and document
additional concerns. Council Member Jackson asked the County how capable they were on
investigating complaints. Ms. LeBomhard confirmed they address complaints within the day,
and it is high priority for neglect cases. Mr. Smiertka added to the discussion that the City
currently only addresses dogs under the noise ordinance for barking dog and a leash law, and if
the County follows State statute, the City is not pre-empted from enacting an ordinance.
Council Member Dunbar recapped the discussion; there is a State law that exists and LPD can
enforce but the City can create a stricter law, then asked the County representatives if other
municipalities have something different and if so how do the go about educating. Ms.
LeBomhard reminded the Committee that the County cannot enforce City ordinances.
Council Member Jackson suggested the option that the City ordinance make the LPD an
investigative agent where they will then report to the County for removal, and combined
DRAFT
evidence to prosecute. Ms. LeBomhard offered to provide training with LPD on what they look
for and what facts need to be documented.
The Committee determined that a discussion needs to be held with the City Attorney, LPD and
the Administration and if they set fines, they would be in addition to the State fines.
The group discussed the evidence need to prosecute, and if a video or recording can be
brought into evidence when the resident files the complaint. Ms. Hagen stated she would have
to research that, but they would still need a person to testify. Depending on the penalty, the
case could go to District Court, but if the amount exceeds the limits it would a County court.
Council Member Dunbar stated that a future meeting they would continue the discussion and
bring in Court Judges that address County cases, the County Prosecutor, future State
Representative Sara Anthony, Mr. Boyce with the City IT Department to discuss the options on
the City Connect complaint website, and representative from the Mayor’s office and code
enforcement.
Council Member Dunbar went through the August 15, 2018 minutes; the last time the group
met. Regarding the health clinic update, Mr. Tennis stated they decided to hold off on new site
on the north site because of timing. They are looking at moving Willow Teen Clinic with the
potential of partnering with Lansing Community College.
Mr. Crenshaw stated they are still holding conversations on court consolidations, which include
discussions with MSU, but admitted they are on a time frame and need to break ground in 2020
to build the jail in Mason or near MSU. Council Member Jackson asked where the
conversations were being held. Mr. Crenshaw stated they initially started in the courts but have
now begun group settings organized by Mr. Singh, and meeting are including all 55, 54A and
54B courts, administrators, Mayors, and County representatives. Council Member Jackson
asked that Council Member representation be invited to a future meeting. Mr. Crenshaw stated
he would let Mr. Singh aware Council is interested.
Mr. Tennis stated there were no new updates on the VOA facility take over by Holy Cross.
Adjourned at 9:42 a.m.
Submitted by,
Sherrie Boak, Recording Secretary,
Lansing City Council
Placed on File
Agenda
AGENDA
Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 @ 8:30 a.m.
Council Conference Room, City Hall 10th Floor
Council Member Kathie Dunbar, Chair
Council Member Brian T. Jackson, Vice Chair
Council Member Peter Spadafore, Member
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
3. Approval of Minutes
October 29, 2018
4. Discussion/Action:
A.) DISCUSSION with the Members on the Ingham County Board of
Commissioners
5. Other
6. Adjourn
MINUTES
Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Monday, October 29, 2018 @ 1:00 p.m.
Lansing School Board Administration Offices
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Member Kathie Dunbar, Chairperson
Council Member Brian T Jackson, Vice Chairperson
Councilmember Peter Spadafore
Nino Rodriguez, Lansing School Board Member
Gabrielle Lawrence, Lansing School Board Member
OTHERS PRESENT
Sherrie Boak, Council Staff
Jim Smiertka, City Attorney
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No Public Comment
DISCUSSION
The Committee along with the members of the School Board discussed recent meetings with
the Greater Lansing Realtors Association and the collaboration of sales in the school district.
The group suggested asking the realtors to provide a list of all the schools, public and private at
all showings. They also suggested their IT Director forward informational links on the school
district to the GLRA to use.
The Committee then spoke on meetings that the Chamber holds with different entities and
school districts. It was determined that neither the City nor the Lansing School District were
invited to them, though other school districts and municipalities were. Ms. Lawrence reached
out to Mr. Japinga for the future dates, and it was provide November 7th at 8 am at the Crown
Plaza, and November 21st at a location to be determined on the east side.
Council Member Dunbar suggested the schools look into “senior discounts” to get the residents
who no longer have kids in school to attend events at a cheaper rate.
Council Member Dunbar asked why the LPD pays for the crossing guards and the Lansing
School District does not, but other school districts do. Ms. Lawrence was not aware of why, but
her opinion was that because it is City property (sidewalks and streets). She was going to reach
out to Ms. Stamanski for details.
Council Member Jackson presented his proposal on a Junior City Council. The group
discussed the current Lansing Junior School Board and determined the City IGR Committee
would attend the next Junior Board meeting to introduce themselves and propose a Junior City
Council, established from their members. The next meeting of the Junior Board is November
13th from 1-3 at the Lansing School Board Administration Building.
Adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
Submitted by,
Sherrie Boak, Recording Secretary,
Lansing City Council
Approved by the Committee on_________________
NOTE FROM THE LAST MEETING OF
THE TWO GROUPS
MINUTES
Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 @ 8:30 a.m.
Council Conference Room, City Hall
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Member Kathie Dunbar, Chairperson
Council Member Brian T Jackson, Vice Chairperson
Councilmember Peter Spadafore- left at 8:58 a.m.
OTHERS PRESENT
Sherrie Boak, Council Staff
Bryan Crenshaw, Ingham County Commissioner
Todd Tennis, Ingham County Commissioner
Jim Smiertka, City Attorney
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No Public Comment
MINUTES
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPADAFORE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM
MAY 16, 2018 AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
DISCUSSION/ACTION
Mr. Crenshaw updated the Committee on the recent jail millage that passed, and
informed them they have already begun the bidding process with the intention to break
ground late fall 2019. The jail will be located in Mason off the current jail which will sit
on land they already own, will house the same number of beds (440) and once it is built
they will demolish he current structure leaving only the kitchen. This is because the
current structure was built in the 1960’s. They will also be increasing their treatment
center, substance abuse focus, mental health focus, and increasing the electronic
monitoring program. In addition the funds will go towards providing pre-trial services,
and expanding their educational programming. Council Member Jackson asked if there
were plans to change the transportation from lock-up to the jail. Mr. Tennis stead it was
not part of the millage and Mr. Crenshaw added that the Sheriff is open to discussions
and they have an initial meeting with the Mayor scheduled. It was also stated that the
Sheriff stated he cannot operate a 24/7 lock up in the City for cost options, and he
would discuss options if the City went away from 24/7 lock up and they could transport
to Mason. The discussion went back to the new facility which would be reconfigured
for better design.
Council Member Jackson asked if there were any talks or new developments on the
court consolidation. Mr. Crenshaw confirmed they had a meeting schedule for later
after this meeting, but they already know to move forward it would require legislative
changes at the State level and the local bodies have to agree to it.
Mr. Tennis informed the Committee that he currently sits on a County Ad Hoc that is
tasked to look for a new location in North Lansing for a clinical operation. They are
currently leasing property at Willow and that is the last one they do not own outright.
The intention is to have a large facility on the north side and close Willow but they are
open to options. Mr. Crenshaw added that Willow is a general focus teen facility.
Council Member Jackson encouraged them to look for sites with close public
transportation access, and they agreed that was a strong point.
Council Member Jackson encouraged the County members to reach out to Rena Risper
about the services before leaving the Willow neighborhood.
Mr. Tennis confirmed the County Health took over the VOA operations in the medical
piece, but have not taken over the dental at this time because they have a mobile dental
unit that is working around Lansing.
Mr. Crenshaw stated that he recently has been attending the monthly City Ward
meetings, and inquired into the status of a recent submission to Council for a rezoning
at 1141 Pine Street for the purchase of a former superintendent building. Council Staff
confirmed that it was tabled at the Committee meeting on 8/6/2018 waiting on further
information, and will be taken back up on 8/20/2018.
Mr. Tennis asked the Committee members to continue to pursue work and funding on
the roads, and he was specific to Miller Road. Mr. Miller also added that during his
campaigning on the south side he heard a lot of issues with crime and concerns on
enforcement.
Council Member Spadafore left the meeting, but before he did he acknowledged the
County Commissioners on their continued discussions on a future lock up site, and
discussions on if that would translate into the reduction of cost of running two lock up’s
and therefore utilizing those funds for more officers. The group briefly discussed the
concerns with filling positions due to the lack of applications and those meeting the
qualifications.
Mr. Crenshaw updated the Committee on the position of the Director of Animal Control.
He confirmed there is an Interim Director, and they have started the process on hiring a
permanent Director. He added that they have also decided to eliminate their Sunday
hours, and extend their weekday hours on certain days, which was all done because of
a cost analysis.
The group continued its discussion on recruiting officers and the difficulty in hiring which
they believed had to do with the pay packages and benefits not being adequate.
Council Member Dunbar added that her understanding was with the City it was more
the issue of not getting the number of qualified candidates.
The members present all agreed to meet again on November 21, 2018 to follow up on
the items discussed, the election that will be held November 6, 2018 and plans for 2019.
Adjourned at 9:14 a.m.
Submitted by,
Sherrie Boak, Recording Secretary,
Lansing City Council
Approved by the Committee on September 5, 2018