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DAKOTA COUNTY JAIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES March 14, 2008 Jail Conference Room
PRESENT: Committee Members: Bill McLarty, Sally Reinert, Marlin Millard, Vincent Kramper and Bob Giese. Non-voting committee members: Debra Fergen and Scot Ford. Also present were Terry Kern, Director of Corrections, Mark Nelson, Jail Sergeant, Jackie Hartnett, Commissioner, Sandy Dickens, Jail Administrative Assistant and Joan Spencer, Secretary. ABSENT: Committee Members: none. Non-voting committee members: James Wagner
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Chair McLarty. Roll Call was taken.
Vincent Kramper motioned, seconded by Sally Reinert, to approve the minutes of January 11, 2008 as printed. The spelling of Mr. Greenwald’s name will be corrected. Roll Call - All aye.
Update from Terry Kern, Director of Corrections, was given: Jail Occupancy: New Facility 89 Federal 33 Old Facility 22 Work Release 3 Juvenile 4 D&E 4 House Arrest __3 Total 122
Federal Marshal Contract: The number of federal prisoners and revenue are steadily increasing.
Mr. Kern has been in contact with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Since we have a federal contract in place, they can use our facility. There is a possibility of up to 20 inmates from ICE and most would be held 72 hours until transport to Omaha. We would provide transport, creating the need to purchase another van.
BIA prisoners would pay $96 per day and that cost would include Dakota County transporting on Monday and Thursday to tribal court and anytime an inmate would need doctor care. To house without transporting, the cost would be $65 per day. BIA can allocate $90,000 and when that money is expended, we would no longer house BIA inmates.
Terry Kern stated he is training six jailers as deputies to help with transport.
Discussion was had on whether the Board of Commissioners and/or Board of Corrections should sign the contracts for housing inmates versus the Department Head. It was the consensus of the Committee that the contracts should be signed by the Board.
Terry Kern thought there was a need for two transport vans. The van we currently own should be replaced soon and he would like to purchase a second cargo van with a stainless steal insert that would provide secure transport and be kept and used again when that van is sold. The cost for the insert is $5,000 to $6,000 and would be available within 2 weeks of order. The van would not be marked per safety issues and resale value. The cost of a cargo van is approximately $18,000.
There is now a GED program available for the inmates. Though their incarceration time would most likely not allow them to finish the course, it would help them get started.
Old Jail: Terry noted padlock safety issues, staffing, ventilation and roof leaking problems. Mr. Kern noted that we have a flat roof with rain and snow melt collecting in the center and unable to drain. He would like to see a bowed roof installed and eventually the ventilation issued addressed. He foresees the old jail requiring a lot of money to maintain.
Vincent Kramper moved, seconded by Bob Giese, to recommend the Board examine the cost to place a bowed roof or roof with trusses over the existing roof as a means of repair. Roll Call: All aye.
Bill McLarty pointed out the cost savings to purchase a used law enforcement vehicle either from Dakota County or South Sioux City for transports of a single inmate to a doctor appointment in Sioux City. South Sioux City Police Chief Scot Ford noted that they have two scheduled for replacement in June.
Sally Reinert moved, seconded by Vincent Kramper, to recommend to the Board the purchase of a new transport van with stainless steel insert and the purchase of a new or used car for single local transports. Roll Call: All aye.
Chair Bill McLarty noted the purchase of a new van was needed to protect our contracts.
Vincent Kramper asked to be updated on the status of the muffin monster. Terry Kern said the shop drawings are going to the engineer for review and he hopes to have it shipped within three weeks and installed by May 1st.
Discussion was had on why the new jail required a grinder when we didn’t have one in the old jail. Jackie Hartnett stated that Bob Peters, Dakota City Administrator, approached the Board with the sewer and sanitation problems they were experiencing from the old jail not having a grinder and requested we address the problem on this end if we build a new jail.
Bob Giese asked Terry Kern if they were coordinating transports as much as they could. Mr. Kern said they had to transport per judges orders. Debra Fergen said there was a time frame of “six hours on the judicial clock” they could work around. It was noted we do not have the facilities to house juveniles because we can not meet the sight and sound requirements. Debra Fergen stated juveniles are staff secure only.
Chair McLarty reiterated the Board of Commissioners never signed a contract with the Federal Marshal Service and that issue needs to be addressed and/or corrected. Scot Ford felt if a Department Head is expending public funds, the governing body should sign.
Chair McLarty adjourned the meeting at 8:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted, Joan Spencer Secretary, Jail Advisory Committee |
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