January 6, 1999
University Club, Lansing

Attendees

R. Nelson
T. Davis
K. Benghauser
D. Nickerson
B. Maughn
J.P. Lark
R. McFarland
E. Williams
J. Doig
S. Feldman

Excused Absences

K. Hansen
D. Royal
W. Fulkerson
J. Gage

The meeting convened at approximately 6:45 p.m. on January 6, 1999, at the University Club. In the secretary's absence, minutes were taken by S. Feldman. On motion by D. Nickerson, seconded by T. Davis, the agenda was approved. On motion by D. Nickerson, seconded by E. Williams, the minutes of the last meeting were approved.

No treasurers report was given due to the absence of Treasurer W. Fulkerson.

A list of standing committees was distributed and discussed. With regard to the Quarterly newsletter committee, Chair E. Williams is recruiting help with the Administrative Law Section Quarterly. T. Davis, J.P. Lark, and S. Feldman volunteered to help. It was concluded that the Diversity Committee was no longer functioning, had been previously disbanded, and need not be listed as an active committee. The Administrative Rulemaking Committee, merged with the Legislative Committee, was assigned to S. Feldman (chair), D. Royal, K. Benghauser and J. Doig. The Transportation Law Committee is chaired by Mary Low. R. McFarland volunteered to talk to her about convening a meeting of that committee. The Membership/Exhibit Booth Committee was changed to the Membership Committee, with W. Fulkerson assigned as chair. The Public Access to Government and Public Education Committees were combined into the Access to Government Committee and assigned to D. Royal (chair). It was noted that Ms. Royal's current project gathering information on agency procedures fell squarely within the work of this committee, as it promotes both access to government and public education. With regard to the Public Utility Law Committee, Dennis O'Connell is chair of that committee, and was expected to hold a meeting at the end of January. The Program Committee is chaired by E. Williams and meets regularly to plan the Spring '99 program. The Judicial Review Committee was assigned to R. McFarland (chair). The ALJ Committee was deemed to be unnecessary at this point.

Council members are encouraged to think of potential speakers for the Annual Meeting of the State Bar in September, 1999.

With regard to the Perry case, Fred Baker's brief on behalf of the section will be posted on the section's website. E. Williams' motion to reimburse Mr. Baker for out-of-pocket costs, seconded by T. Davis, was approved.

We discussed the pending request for funding from the Access to Justice program, including a discussion of the contributions of other sections. There was a general sense from the comments made that the council wanted to make a contribution, but we agreed to defer final determination, including determination of the amount to contribute, until the next meeting when we could expect a Treasurer's Report.

The program for the Spring Seminar was discussed. The program committee is meeting on February 3, 1999, at 6:00 p.m. at the Parthenon. The next meeting of the council was set, but has subsequently been changed by the chair to February 16, 1999, at 6:00 at the University Club.

On T. Davis's motion to adjourn, seconded by J.P. Lark, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.