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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-01-2016-11-b - Amendment of Membership Roster and Make Appointment(s) to the Orange County Criminal Justice Advisory Council 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 1, 2016 Action Agenda Item No. 11-b SUBJECT: Amendment of Membership Roster and Make Appointment(s) to the Orange County Criminal Justice Advisory Council DEPARTMENT: Board of County Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Abstract from May 17, 2016 BOCC Caitlin Fenhagen (919) 245-2303 Meeting PURPOSE: To consider amending the membership roster of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council and make appointment(s) to the Criminal Justice Advisory Council. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Board of Commissioners created the Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) at its regular meeting on May 17, 2016. The Council replaced the short-term Jail Alternatives Work Group and is a permanent body of appointed criminal justice, court, law enforcement and community leaders and stakeholders. The Council coordinates, informs and enhances work in the criminal justice system and in the newly-created Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Office and its formation is aligned with the best practices for the administration of an effective, innovative and equitable criminal justice system. Commissioner Bernadette Pelissier has been an integral part of both the Jail Alternatives Work Group and the CJAC and is currently the Co-Chair of the CJAC. Commissioner Pelissier will be stepping down from the Board of Commissioners in December, and it has been suggested to add an Emeritus position to the current member roster for Commissioner Pelissier in order that she may continue in her role on this committee. This would require the Board to amend the membership roster to add this position. Commissioner Pelissier stepping down as a Commissioner will leave a vacant BOCC position on the roster since the membership currently has two (2) BOCC members, with Commissioner Barry Jacobs serving in the other position. Any appointments made will become effective December 1, 2016 (the next meeting of the Council will be December 9, 2016). FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. 2 SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board to amend the membership roster of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council to add an Emeritus position and appoint Commissioner Bernadette Pelissier to that position; and also that the Board appoint another Commissioner to the soon to be vacant BOCC position, with appointments becoming effective December 1, 2016. 3 ORANGE COUNTY C BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: 'i1 ° 17%j/j Action Agenda Item No. 7-a SUBJECT: Criminal Justice Advisory Council DEPARTMENT: Board of County Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Caitlin Fenhagen, 919-245-2303 1) Proposed Structure Commissioner Barry Jacobs, 919-245- 2) Proposed Charge 2130 Commissioner Bernadette Pelissier, 919- 245-2130 PURPOSE: To consider the creation, charge and member structure for the proposed Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) and, if approved, appoint two Board members to the Council and direct the Clerk to the Board to solicit applicants for potential appointment to the other respective Council positions. BACKGROUND: At its September 5, 2013 regular meeting, the Orange County Board of Commissioners created an Assessment of Jail Alternatives Work Group (JAWG). The Board stated that before the planning of a new jail began, a comprehensive assessment of jail alternative programs needed to be completed to assess the impact of each on the jail population. The charge of the JAWG was to investigate and make recommendations to the BOCC concerning alternatives to incarceration programs operating in Orange County, including but not limited to the following programs: Pretrial Release, Pretrial Diversion, Drug Court, Family Court and Adult Probation. The Work Group was directed to submit a Report back to the BOCC by March 31, 2014. At the recommendation of the BOCC, the composition of the JAWG included county and criminal justice leaders and stakeholders. Commissioners Barry Jacobs and Bernadette Pelissier also served as JAWG members. The last meeting of the JAWG was on March 1, 2016. At that last meeting, the JAWG discussed the future of this short-term Work Group. Staff and group members have learned from conversations with stakeholders that there is an interest and commitment to having a permanent Criminal Justice Advisory Council operating in Orange County. A permanent advisory council would coordinate, inform and enhance the work underway and being considered in the criminal justice system and in the newly-created Criminal Justice Resource Office and would be aligned with the best practices for the administration of an effective, innovative and equitable criminal justice system. 4 A Criminal Justice Advisory Council would be an appointed body of elected and senior justice system leaders and stakeholders that convenes on a regular basis to coordinate systematic responses to justice system issues and problems. Membership could include stakeholders from the executive branch of government, the courts, corrections, law enforcement, health and human services agencies, community-based organizations, and the faith and business communities. It is important to create a clear mission statement, a set of goals, a structure of leadership and a method for evaluating the group's effectiveness. It is recommended that a Chair and Vice-Chair be selected from within the Council, that sub-committees have an outlined purpose and that task force or ad hoc groups are carefully considered and limited to a specific task and time-frame. Typical goals for a Council include improving the jurisdiction's justice system through collaborative efforts and research, promoting safety, improving the just and efficient treatment of offenders and reducing incarceration rates, crime rates and recidivism. Attachment 1 outlines a proposed membership structure that reflects input from the JAWG from its March 1, 2016 meeting. Attachment 2 outlines a proposed Charge for the Criminal Justice Advisory Council FINANCIAL IMPACT: There no financial impact associated with the creation of a Criminal Justice Advisory Council. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) approve the creation of, suggested Charge and Structure of a Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC); 2) appoint two Board members to serve on the Council; and 3) direct the Clerk to the Board to solicit applicants for potential appointment to the other respective Council positions and present the list of applicants for potential appointment at the June 21, 2016 regular Board meeting. 5 Attachment 1 Proposed Structure of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council The proposed structure for the Criminal Justice Advisory Council is: Position Special Representation Appointee/Designee Number 1 Senior Resident Superior Court Judge or Designee (1) 2 Chief District Court Judge or Designee (1) 3 District Attorney or Designee (1) 4 Public Defender or Designee (1) 5 Clerk of Court or Designee (1) 6 Orange County Sheriff or Designee (1) 7/8/9 Municipal Police Chiefs (3) 10 Chief Magistrate or Designee (1) 11 Department of Social Services Director (1) 12 Health Department Director (1) 13 Mental Health representative (1) 14 Child Support Services Director (1) 15 Faith Community representative (1) 16 Probation Chief (1) 17 Substance Use Treatment Provider (1) 18 Re-Entry Advocate and/or Individual Formerly Involved in the Criminal Justice System (1) 19 Juvenile Justice representative (1) 20/21 Representatives from School Systems (2) 22/23 County Commissioners (2) STAFF SUPPORT Criminal Justice Resource Manager Deputy County Manager 6 Attachment 2 Proposed Charge of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council The proposed charge for the Criminal Justice Advisory Council is: • Creates systematic responses to specific problems • Reduces the duplication of efforts or conflicting efforts • Informs and improves the allocation of limited resources • Increases the communication, cooperation and coordination between stakeholders • Ensures the sharing of information and data between stakeholders • Improves the quality of services and programs by implementing best practices • Enhances accountability and transparency