JOINT MEETING

LEC ADDITION COMMITTEE and JUDICIARY & LAW COMMITTEE

 

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Administrative Center – Room 3220

8:15 a.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Steve Doyle, Vicki Burke, Keith Belzer (exc @9:42), Maureen Freedland, Tara Johnson, John Medinger, Roger Plesha, Jeff Schroeder, Charles Spiker, Jacie Gamroth

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Sharon Hampson, Don Meyer, Joe Bilskemper, Bernie Maney 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None   

OTHERS PRESENT:  Steve O’Malley, Steve Helgeson, Jeff Wolf, Doris Daggett, Jane Klekamp, Jim Speropulos, Gloria Doyle, Paul Brummond, Mike Seichter, Don Carlson, Val Schute, Mary Powell, Jill Billings, Ann Fisher, Bev Heebsh, Reid Magney, Cheryl Stephen

 

CALL TO ORDER

Committee Chair Steve Doyle called the meeting to order at 8:16 a.m. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Schroeder/Plesha to approve joint meeting minutes of August 28, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Hampson, Meyer, Bilskemper, Maney excused.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

 

PRESENTATION OF LATEST OPTION, JAIL CAPACITY, FUTURE PHASES, SUGGESTED TIMELINE

Steve O’Malley noted a lot of work by the architects, construction manager, Sheriff’s Dept., Facilities Dept., and himself to come up with an option that meets vast majority of the Carey Report recommendations as well as the issues of staffing.  Paul Brummond, of Potter Lawson Architects, reviewed the goals/objectives, phases of the project, budget, and schedule as follows:

·         Carey Report had 17 recommendations; all were met except the following:  1) not proposing to convert the existing pods to direct supervision; 2) not proposing to eliminate the existing housing control, and 3) not converting to single cells in the existing pods.

·         Reviewed the proposed site plan with new addition to the west of current LEC building.

-          New ground level will include Justice Sanctions, jail administration, video visitation, sally port, booking, food service/laundry, storage space, loading dock, and elevators.  Existing ground level includes renovation of receiving and medical; receiving will have 12 more cells.  Jail visitors will use south entrance.  All coming into the building will come through security during regular hours.  Noted with new video visitation, this is an added opportunity for visitation.    

-          New first floor may house Probation/Parole offices who want to be a part of the complex and rent revenue will be generated.  This floor will also have new Sheriff’s training room.  The balance of space will be shelled for future expansion.    

-          New second floor is for direct supervision housing; 2 pods totaling 114 beds, including a recreation area of approx. 1200 sq. ft.  The existing 2nd floor area will include renovation of 2 cell pods that will allow for flexibility or for female inmates.  Also renovation for additional support rooms which can be used for consultation, classrooms, computer room, interrogation, etc.

-          New third floor will have direct supervision cells around the exterior with open center to the dayroom below.  The cells will have rear mechanical/pipe chase as needed for ease of maintenance.  The existing 3rd floor also includes renovation of 2 cell pods that includes new walls that could be used by females or for flexibility.  

Page 2 – Joint Meeting of LEC Addition and Judiciary & Law of September 18, 2007

 

 

·         Re:  female inmates.  The average for 2007 is 21 female inmates.  With the new Community-Based Program, the plan is to reduce female population in half or by 2/3, with balance being placed in the LEC.

·         Re: future phases.  Cost for the first phase is estimated at $29.1 million.  Phase two will cost an additional $2.85 million which includes renovation of the old garage/receiving and booking area which increases capacity of 48 more receiving cells; this will also require 1 post position (5-6 employees).  As additional capacity is needed, Phase 3 will cost an additional $10 million which includes 2 additional floors/levels (floors 4 & 5) for additional 114 beds of direct supervision; this would be on top of the new direct supervision area/west of the old portion.  Phase 4 is an additional $10 million that includes 2 floors on top of the old/current building for additional 114 beds; this can be done with minimal interruption, but will not have to relocate the inmates.

·         Re:  suggested timeline.  Present two resolutions at the October County Board meeting; one for the LEC project and the other for the debt/financing as part of the 2008 budget.  From October 2007 through June/July, 2008, architect and construction manager will work on the design with construction starting in the fall of 2008.  If there are any delays, the project will cost more.    

 

Sheriff Helgeson noted the many meetings re the design; he is satisfied with it and agrees with the phasing to year 2030. 

 

DIRECTION / QUESTIONS FROM COMMITTEES

Supervisor Schroeder noted what if Judges’ philosophy changes.  Chairman Doyle noted that they have to work with what the County gives them – if no Huber, then that option cannot be used.  Chairman Doyle questioned amount of Justice Sanctions’ space.  Noted double the space for Justice Sanctions as to what they currently have and also have capability of expansion, if needed.  Supervisor Medinger noted the importance of educating the public/constituents.  O’Malley noted not only will it increase capacity, but it provides options to jail staff to adequately deal with mental health, jail programming, recreation and rewards for good behavior.       

 

LEED CERTIFICATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER CONSTRUCTION

Supervisor Freedland noted the adopted philosophy by the County re “eco county and sustainability practices”.  Several articles were distributed.  Paul Brummond noted Potter Lawson/River Architects have 4 architects who are LEED certified.  Question is whether to go for standards or certification.  Val Schute suggested the topic of LEED certification be presented at a 2-3 hour workshop maybe in late November or early December.  Certification would involve new building with the existing building and challenges of blending the two.  Supervisor Spiker noted a member of the La Crosse Area Builders Assoc. has expressed concerns; he suggested a representative of the group attend a future meeting.     

 

NEXT MEETING

By general agreement, joint meeting of LEC Addition and Judiciary & Law Committees on Wednesday, October 10th at 7:30 a.m.  A public hearing will be held October 2nd.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Burke/Schroeder to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Hampson, Meyer, Bilskemper, Maney, Belzer excused.  The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.  

 

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder