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DAKOTA
COUNTY JAIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 8, 2010
Jail Conference Room
Dakota City, Nebraska
PRESENT: Committee Members: Bill McLarty, Sally Reinert, Marlan Millard and Al
Bengtson. Non-voting committee members: Kim Watson, County Attorney. Also
present were Terry Kern, Director of Corrections, Lance Hedquist, South Sioux
City Administrator, Debra Fergen, Deputy County Attorney, Judge Rager, Randy
Walsh, Deputy Sheriff and Joan Spencer, Secretary.
ABSENT: Committee Members: Vincent Kramper. Non-voting committee members: Jim
Wagner, Dakota County Sheriff and Police Chief Scot Ford
Chair McLarty opened the meeting at 7:40 a.m. Roll Call was taken.
Sally Reinert moved, seconded by Marlan Millard, to approve the minutes of May
1, 2009. Roll Call: Reinert- yea, Kramper- absent, Millard- yea, Bengtson- yea,
McLarty- yea.
Terry Kern, Director of Corrections stated jail occupancy for January averaged
81 county inmates per day. Federal Marshal inmate average was 27 and ICE inmate
average was 2—our maximum agreement for ICE inmates is 10.
Mr. Kern stated he had higher than usual utility costs for this winter and the
unexpected expense of snow removal from the roof of the jail as snow was leaking
through the heat exchangers from roof top units. He noted there could possibly
be 80% FEMA reimbursement money available for roof snow removal if Nebraska
State Governor declares state of emergency for snow storm. The federal marshal
contract is up for re-negotiation in 2010. Federal marshal income was $56,000
this past month. No transportation cost with ICE inmates.
Mr. Kern reviewed the status of the Fire Marshall inspection, who found a number
of issues. A majority of the issues have been taken care of. The doors in the
old jail need to be hooked up to the fire alarm system and have self closures.
The doors are scheduled to be fixed tomorrow, February 9th. Post indicator valve
alarm should be made part of the sprinkler system in the new jail. Mr. Kern has
suggested permanently locking open as a less expensive fix.
Inmate programs offered are GED, AAA and there is increased interest in AAA for
female inmates. He is currently searching for someone to lead a Narcotics
Anonymous class as the counselor they had is no longer available. The number of
grievances received from inmates is down due to CBM Foods replacing a chef.
Terry Kern would like to offer the inmates two hot meals a day instead of one
hot meal a day. He will bring a proposal before the Board of Commissioners today
from CBM Foods increasing the cost per meal by 5 cents to serve 1 cold
(breakfast) and 2 hot meals per day. He stated his budget will support the
increase and inmates will get better nutrition and have better moral.
Mr. Kern addressed forming a Merit Commission for jailers. There are no
statutory provisions for jailers, but the Board agreed to adopt a policy which
creates a Merit Commission for Correctional employees during union negotiations.
Details need to be worked out and testing put in place.
Chair McLarty and Terry Kern presented a power point—Dakota County Corrections
Facility Update. A handout of the power point was passed out covering area
population served, average inmate populations and space available, alternatives
to incarceration and establishing a Criminal Justice Management Group to address
the issues, current jail expenses and maintenance issues of the old jail, future
of old jail and possibility of Phase II. What action should the Board take and
how could someone assist.
McLarty reiterated his desire to form the Criminal Justice Management Group
(membership: Sheriff, County Attorney, Director of Corrections, Public Defender,
County Commissioner, Judges, SSC Police Chief, SSC City Council representative,
Chamber of Commerce and public citizens.) to explore the feasibility of
alternatives to incarceration, how successfully could they be implemented in
Dakota County, possibly save the cost of building a new jail, how to finance
building a new jail if that is the direction we need to go.
Judge Rager shared two handouts: (1) Annual Total of Cases filed - Dakota County
Court and (2) Annual Total of Criminal Cases filed – Dakota County Court. He
noted that in 2003-04 house arrest and fines were used almost exclusively. After
2004 when consequences were applied, it reduced repeat offenders and case
numbers went down. Dakota County cases are going down and he sees success.
Chair McLarty adjourned the meeting at 8:30 a.m.
Joan Spencer
Secretary, Jail Advisory Committee
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