JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
2:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vicki Burke, John Medinger, Keith Belzer, Joe Bilskemper, Maureen Freedland, and Jacie Gamroth (arr @2:32)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Bernie Maney
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Steve Helgeson, Jay Loeffler, Gary Ingvalson, Gloria Doyle, Mary Geske, Bob Taunt, Jane Klekamp, Steve Josephson, Sharon Hampson, and Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Vicki Burke called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Freedland/Belzer to approve meeting minutes of December 12, 2006 and joint meeting minutes of Judiciary & Law, CJMC and LEC Addition Committee of January 17, 2007, including the following needed corrections per Committee Chair Burke:
12/12/06 – 2007 Squad Car Bids - need to include vendor selected and other bidders:
1/17/07 – Resolution re Approve Proceeding with Phase III by the Carey Group to Complete Analysis and Recommendations on a Wide Range of Jail Related Issues Before Proceeding on Law Enforcement Center (LEC) Addition Design – the final vote was not carried unanimously; it had two (2) no votes, those being Tara Johnson and Sharon Hampson.
Motion, including the above noted corrections, carried unanimously; Maney excused.
CONSENT AGENDA
Committee Chair Burke declared the consent agenda items as received and placed on file, those being:
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
MEET NEW DEPARTMENT HEADS: JAY LOEFFLER AND STEVE HELGESON
Jay Loeffler replaced retiree Jeanette Lenser as the Emergency Services Director; he’s been with the County for 25 years and is looking forward to the challenges of the department.
Steve Helgeson is the newly elected Sheriff replacing retiree Mike Weissenberger. Steve welcomed committee members to tour the jail and offices as well as ride along with patrol deputies.
APPROVE CHECK REQUISITION PAYABLE TO CENTURYTEL
Committee Chair Burke said this 5-year maintenance agreement with CenturyTel as lump payment was previously approved by the committee, but the check requisition also requires committee approval.
Page 2 – Judiciary & Law Committee Minutes of February 6, 2007
MOTION by Belzer/Bilskemper to approve the check requisition payable to CenturyTel in amount of $49,843.79. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
APPROVE PURCHASE OF DIGITAL MOBILE CAMERAS
Sheriff Helgeson noted this as a budgeted item. MOTION by Bilskemper/Gamroth to approve the purchase of nine (9) digital mobile cameras from L-3 Communications Mobile-Vision, Inc. in amount of $48,372.90. Noted that the Sheriff’s Dept. already has 3 of these same type of cameras; sole source purchase is needed due to compatibility relating to the server and wireless downloading for a secure chain of evidence; same system will also work in the digital Interview Room; the IT Dept. is the keeper of the recordings via secure system. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
RESOLUTION RE AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARD FOR WEST CENTRAL METROPOLITAN ENFORCEMENT GROUP
Gary Ingvalson briefly reviewed, noting the grant requires the governing body approval; two-thirds of the grant amount will be used for personnel and balance for other MEG purposes, such as drug busts. MOTION by Medinger/Bilskemper to approve the resolution which authorizes acceptance of the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in amount of $39,269 on behalf of the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG). Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVE CREATION OF A JAIL PROGRAM COORDINATOR, SEVERAL JAIL RELATED INITIATIVES AND ADDITIONAL CASE MANAGER IN JUSTICE SANCTIONS
MOTION by Bilskemper/Freedland to approve the resolution. Sheriff Helgeson briefly reviewed noting $60,000 is in the 2007 Sheriff’s budget and will carry forward $89,000 to cover the cost of items as listed 1-4: (1) fund Jail Program Coordinator as recommended by the Carey Group, (2) fund additional psychiatric services, (3) fund psychotropic medicines currently not on approved list, and (4) funding for additional recreational programs and “awareness/personal exploration” group. Funds for recreation will double. Dunn County is recognized state-wide for having successful Jail Program and Coordinator position; the position works with volunteers, community groups, inmates like attending classes, and noticeable less fighting within the jail.
Jane Klekamp said the additional Social Worker in Justice Sanctions as recommended by the Carey Group will relieve the caseload by the Supervisors and enable them to give greater employee oversight.
Steve Josephson, Mental Health Therapist, gave an overview of current jail conditions, in particular relating to mental health. He recommends items 2 and 3 as listed on the resolution relating to the need for additional psychiatric services that would be used for special cases as well as having the capability of purchasing psychotropic medicines as approved by HPL that are currently not on the approved list. Currently, 12 out of 20 female inmates on some kind of psychotropic meds and same for 41 out of 174 male inmates. Mental health cases are getting more complex; there is a waiting list for Mendota and the local hospitals are not accepting; looking at alternatives for placement vs. jail.
Miscellaneous discussion including questions and answers. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused.
Page 3 – Judiciary & Law Committee Minutes of February 6, 2007
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
None suggested.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Gamroth//Bilskemper to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Maney excused. The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder