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DAKOTA COUNTY JAIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES January 11, 2008 Jail Conference Room
PRESENT: Committee Members: Jackie Hartnett, acting chair, Sally Reinert, Marlin Millard and Bob Giese. Non-voting committee members: Ed Matney. Also present were Mark Nelson, Interim Jail Administrator and Ted Piepho, acting secretary. ABSENT: Committee Members: Vincent Kramper and Chair Bill McLarty. Non-voting committee members: James Wagner and Scot Ford The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Acting Chair Hartnett. Roll Call was taken.
Sally Reinert motioned, seconded by Bob Giese, to approve the minutes of November 30, 2007, as printed. Roll Call - All aye.
Update from Interim Jail Administrator, Mark Nelson, was given: Jail Occupancy: New Facility 96 Federal 38 Old Facility 29 Work Release 2 Juvenile 4 D&E 1 House Arrest __4 Total 134
Mark Nelson addressed jail concerns. He noted that we have not housed any BIA prisoners and that in speaking with Lt. Rich Greenwold there was a delay on his receiving the signed paperwork from Dakota County on the $15,000 dollars allocated to house BIA prisoners with us. It was confirmed that the signed paperwork was sent registered mail on November 2nd.
Jackie Hartnett asked what our jail capacity was. Mark Nelson replied the new facility will hold 124 prisoners, but to stay in compliance with Jail Standards we can only bed 93 prisoners (80%). The old facility has a capacity for 52, but to stay in compliance with Jail Standards, we can only bed 42 prisoners. (93 + 42 = 135)
Sally Reinert stated she is in Winnebago every Thursday and will stop by Lt. Rich Greenwold’s office to keep the line of communication open.
Mark Nelson thought we should pursue contracting with ICE rather than BIA. They have more activity/detention. Immigration has concerns regarding the medical/full time nurse on staff and transports.
Mark Nelson had budget concerns with the new contract with the Sheriff’s department regarding the jail budget paying for two deputies and reimbursing the Sheriff for the cost of transports. County Attorney Ed Matney thought the budget issues could be easily resolved by the Board if money budgeted in one fund is now being paid out of the other fund. Mark Nelson also had concerns with the amount budgeted for uniforms for new hires not being adequate with increasing turnover.
Sewage Slicer. Mark informed the Advisory Committee the Slicer Pump motor was clogged with a flushed towel, over heated, shut down and over flowed with water backing up into a cell block drain. He consulted with Electric Pump from Omaha who sells the muffin monster and they were appalled at the design and said the muffin monster would have to sit in the pit, which would make the pumps hard to access. The pumps are not designed to handle institutions. A temporary fix would be a basket to catch the debris before it enters the pit/pumps. G.A. Johnston needs to be contacted again before the year warranty expires. Bob Giese asked if the staff could track who flushed the towel. Mark said they were not aware of it soon enough.
Sally Reinert motioned, seconded by Bob Giese, that a recommendation be given to the Board of Corrections that a letter be sent to the Construction Manager, Jerry Johnston, that the sewage system is not adequate. Roll Call. All aye.
Upcoming Needs. The Jail Standards Inspection addresses having a full time nurse, the showers and slicer/grinder. Fire sprinklers will be inspected soon. Mark Nelson has installed the shower curtain and is looking at replacing the 30 degree shower heads with 17 degree shower heads as this will help to direct the water flow towards the floor more.
The water heater problem has been fixed as well as the work release heating problem.
Staff. Mark Nelson informed the Advisory Committee on new hires to fill vacancies and is waiting to hear from Denny Macomber on staff required for this facility.
Bob Giese the reasoning behind the capacity for the new jail being only 80% to comply with Jail Standards. Mark will get clarification on that from Denny Macomber, Jail Standards.
Inmates programs are the same as when Mark took the position—Bible Study, church program, AA, GED , etc.
Mark reiterated his main concerns are the budget issues, full time nurse, slicer/grinder and showers.
Applications were reviewed by referring to the applicants by their corresponding alphabetic designation. Qualifications were discussed and applications ranked by education and experience. The recommendation to the Board will be applicants B, C, D and I. Sally Reinert will present the Jail Advisory Committee’s applicant recommendations to the Board of Corrections at their meeting on Monday, January 14th.
Jackie Hartnett called for public comment—there was none. No mail or emergency business.
Acting Chair Hartnett adjourned the meeting at 8:43 a.m.
Respectfully submitted, Joan Spencer Secretary, Jail Advisory Committee [Minutes typed from recording] |
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