Title
Resolution to Accept and Appropriate Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office Drug Court Grant Funds and Approve Grant Contract ($150,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution seeks Council approval for a grant contract with the Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) to fund the 15th Judicial District Court Sobriety Court program, and further seeks authorization to accept and appropriate grant funds from the State Court Administrative Office Michigan Drug Court Grant Program (SCAO-MDCGP) for that purpose without regard to City Fiscal Year.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: No matching funds are required for acceptance of this grant award.
The 15th Judicial District Court Sobriety Court program is a problem-solving court that focuses on breaking the cycle of drug and/or alcohol addiction that results in criminal activity. The target population consists primarily of repeat offenders convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. As space permits, the Court also admits persons convicted of other crimes when there is a strong correlation between the crime and substance abuse. Eligible defendants are diverted into judicially supervised, community-based treatment to address the underlying problems. Participants are also linked with ancillary services such as education, housing, job skills or other individualized assistance. The program provides much needed treatment to participants while also helping the community by reducing jail time, recidivism rates, and court docket congestion.
At the discretion of the City Finance Director, the Court will establish a separate grant account with the City Finance Department and will take all other necessary steps to assure the effective administration of this grant.
Staff
Prepared by: Shryl Samborn, Court Administrator, 15th Judicial District Court
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) invited an application from the 15th Judicial District Court for Michigan Drug Court Grant Program funds to continue the operations of a specialized Sobriety Court;
Whereas, The 15th Judicial District Court applied for and was awarded $150,000.00 by SCAO pursuant to that invitation; and
Whereas, It is in the best interests of the City of Ann Arbor and in the best interests of justice to enter into a grant contract with SCAO and to accept and allocate grant funds awarded by SCAO for this purpose;
RESOLVED, That City Council accept the Michigan Drug Court Grant Award to the 15th Judicial District Court for expenditure without regard to City Fiscal Year and approve the Program Contract with SCAO;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the contract on behalf of the Court and the City following approval as to form by the City Attorney and as to substance by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That Council authorize the City Administrator to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize the Court to establish a separate grant account to receive, hold, disburse and account for funds awarded pursuant to this grant as the City Finance Director may determine appropriate.