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DAKOTA COUNTY JAIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 2, 2007 Jail Conference Room
PRESENT: Committee Members: Bill McLarty, Marlan Millard, Sally Reinert, Vincent Kramper and Bob Giese. Also present were Randy Walsh, Assistant Jail Administrator and Joan Spencer, Secretary. ABSENT: Non-voting committee members: Ed Matney, James Wagner, Rod Herron and Scot Ford.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Chair McLarty. Roll Call was taken and Chair McLarty noted the posting of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.
Vincent Kramper motioned, seconded by Sally Reinert, to approve the minutes of September 19, 2007—recessed to September 28, 2007, as printed. Roll Call: All aye.
Chair McLarty stated the agenda item to review resumes received for position of Director of Corrections be moved to the end of the meeting.
Randy Walsh gave an update on the jail. Jail occupancy is 99 inmates in the new facility, 34 inmates in the old facility; 2 juveniles and 1 on house arrest for a total of 136. Of that total there are 30 Federal inmates and 5 on work release.
There are no BIA prisoners. BIA has sent another temporary contract for signature which shows a $15,000 increase.
In discussing the problem of plastic in the sewage slicer pit with Denny Macomber, Jail Standards, he suggested contacting Lancaster County to get information on a machine they use. It is called a muffin monster, manufactured by JWC Environmental. Lancaster County has had one of these machines since 1991 and the only maintenance has been to replace a couple bad bearings. A representative from Electric Pump, Omaha, came to the jail and had a video demonstration of the muffin monster grinding up plastics. With the current sewage slicer submerged in water, the plastic floats to the top and needs to be cleaned out. Vincent Kramper asked why we installed a sewage slicer and not something similar to the muffin monster. Randy Walsh thought the slicer met the specs. Sally Reinert questioned if we would have to remodel the space if we would purchase a muffin monster. Randy thought we would have the space to accommodate this machine. It is a machine made for institutions and prisons and the cost would be approximately $30,000 installed.
Randy told the committee that they just discovered the current DVR installed has a 16 day retention for audio/video rather than the desired 90 day retention needed for most court cases down the calendar since most lawsuits are not filed within 16 days. The current systems starts recording over at day 17. Comtec is looking at supplying more storage.
Jail Standards will be doing a facility inspection on November 14th.
Denny Macomber , Jail Standards, looked at what it would cost to remodel the old jail as use for housing juveniles. More space is needed to house juveniles than adults. The north half could be renovated to hold 8 to 10 juveniles at the cost of approximately one million dollars. Considerations would be a commissary, a separate exercise area, sally port and class rooms, schooling, jailers trained to handle juveniles, removing the current mesh wire, booking area, temporary hold cells, teachers and separate medical care rooms.
Mr. Macomber also looked at Bryant School. He thought it was a good building and could be remodeled at the approximate cost of $750,000 to $1,000,000/$1,500,000 to house 20 – 23 juveniles.
Vincent Kramper noted that Woodbury is often full and won’t keep juveniles once they are sentenced. He also noted that West Point is expanding for juveniles. Expanding seems cheaper than renovating.
Randy said Scotts Bluff is sending them material on how they addressed juveniles being sight and sound removed. Our options are (1) contract to expand, (2) Bryant School, (3) remodel old jail or (4) continue to outsource.
The inmate programs are still the same, but noted there is a new Hispanic church group.
Vincent Kramper appreciated the netting installed on the exercise yard fence. He wondered if another layer could be added, but Randy thought they needed the air to move freely to keep the snow from piling up in the winter and getting too hot in the summer. Randy said there was discussion on painting a yellow line the inmates could not cross two foot from the edge of the fence.
Bob Giese asked where the trash was coming from that was causing problems with the sewage grinder and if that could be addressed by removing the plastic? Randy said the trash is coming from the cells. They have put trash containers in the cells, but Jail Standards will not allow plastic wrappers to be removed from the food and candy commissary offers.
Gordon Krogh asked from the audience if the work release figure on the jail report was counted in the total? Randy Walsh said yes, part of jail population.
Mr. Krogh also asked if Woodbury County was still taking our juveniles if they had room? Bill McLarty said yes, Woodbury wants our juveniles and we have a good relationship with them. Randy Walsh noted that they have a problem with bed space of 18 – 20 and some other restrictions.
Chair McLarty reported on his trip to Washington D.C. He did not meet with the Federal Marshalls—decisions to house are made on a local level. BIA representative was out of town, so he could not meet with them either.
Randy Walsh understood that the BIA budget was not set yet. Frank LaMere is satisfied and trying to facilitate the arrival of BIA inmates.
Vincent Kramper asked if the Merit Commission would continue? Bill McLarty said it would stay the same. Possibly a name change, but everyone is happy with the way it is currently working.
There were no other concerns.
Chair McLarty asked for public comment. Betty O’Neill asked from the audience if the Board of Corrections would review the applications for Director of Corrections? Chair McLarty stated it would be on Monday’s agenda to do so.
No mail or emergency business.
Vincent Kramper moved, seconded by Sally Reinert, to go into executive session per personnel issues to review the resumes received for the position of Director of Corrections. Roll Call: All aye -- 8:10 a.m.
Bob Giese left the executive session at 8:25 p.m. Marlan Millard left the executive session at 8:28 p.m.
Vincent Kramper moved, seconded by Sally Reinert, to reconvene in open session. Roll Call: All aye – 9:22 a.m.
Vincent Kramper moved, seconded by Sally Reinert, at 9:25 a.m. to recess this meting to next Friday, November 9, 2007, 7:30 a.m., South Sioux City Hall conference room.
Jail Advisory Committee November 9, 2007, 7:30 a.m. South Sioux City Hall Conference Room
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