|
|
DAKOTA COUNTY JAIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES May 1, 2009 Jail Conference Room
PRESENT: Committee Members: Bill McLarty, Sally Reinert, Vincent Kramper, Marlan Millard and Al Bengtson. Non-voting committee members: Police Chief Scot Ford. Also present were Terry Kern, Director of Corrections, Mark Nelson, Jail Captain, Lance Hedquist, South Sioux City Administrator, Randy Walsh, Deputy Sheriff and Joan Spencer, Secretary. ABSENT: Committee Members: none. Non-voting committee members: Kim Watson, County Attorney and Jim Wagner, Dakota County Sheriff.
Chair McLarty opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m. Location of the Open Meetings Act was noted and Roll Call was taken.
Vincent Kramper moved, seconded by Sally Reinert, to approve the minutes of January 26, 2009. Roll Call: Reinert- yea, Kramper- yea, Bengtson- abstain, Millard- yea, McLarty- yea.
Terry Kern, Director of Corrections, addressed the committee with his concerns. Mr. Kern referred to the handout he distributed and referenced Jail Occupancy. [April, 2009, total overall population was 134.27.] He stated that April was a large month and further amplifies where our jail occupancy is.
Mr. Kern stated that it was recommended by Jail Standards during their December, 2008, on-site inspection that we hire a second full-time nurse as our population figures are more than one can effectively handle. He stated that he will request the position be filled in the next budget request for $35,000.
Utility costs were incorporated into this year’s jail budget to help give us an accurate assessment of all costs associated with the jail. Mr. Kern stated that the cost was under estimated and will need to be increased in the next budget.
Mr. Kern stated that he does not wish to pursue the BIA contract proposal. The ICE contract is moving forward slowly. The US Marshal contract is still in force and we will receive over $1.1 million for this fiscal year. We have the opportunity to negotiate a contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to house parole violators. The numbers would not be large—never more than four at any one time.
Mr. Kern stated that he has been approached by the City of Dakota City to make five inmates available for cleanup. He said that would be OK subject to conditions: (1) inmates would need to qualify for house arrest or work release, (2) inmates would need to work together in one group and be monitored at all times by a guard—the cost of time and one half for the deputy would be paid by the City and (3) the City would need to indemnify any injuries. Mr. Kern thought using inmates to clean county ditches would also be a good idea.
Vincent Kramper moved, seconded by Marlan Millard, to recommend making inmates available to the City of Dakota City per agreement and use that as a guide to expand using inmates for other county projects. Roll Call: Kramper- yea, Bengston- yea, Millard- yea, McLarty- yea, Reinert- yea.
Mr. Kern discussed what he thought the counties options were as he felt the continued long term use of the old jail is not an option: (1) reduce the Federal Marshal contract to 20 inmates and have 79 beds to house county inmates and board out additional inmates; (2) terminate the marshal contract in 2010 and house county inmates only; (3) finish the second phase of the jail.
Committee members discussed the how and why of building Phase II of the jail.
Vincent Kramper moved, seconded by Sally Reinert to pursue getting information on advantages and disadvantages of building Phase II and return with options available. Roll Call: Bengtson- yea, Millard- yea, McLarty- yea, Reinert- yea, Kramper- yea.
At 8:15 a.m. Bengtson moved, seconded by Kramper, to adjourn the meeting. Roll Call: all aye
Joan Spencer Secretary, Jail Advisory Committee
|
Please Report any problems to Webmaster©2004, Dakota County |