JOINT MEETING
LEC ADDITION COMMITTEE and
JUDICIARY & LAW COMMITTEE and
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
7:30 a.m.
LEC COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Maureen Freedland, Sharon Hampson, John Medinger, Don Meyer, Jeff Schroeder, Chuck Spiker, Vicki Burke (arr @7:38), Keith Belzer (exc/arr @7:40), Tara Johnson (exc/arr @7:40/exc @8:05)
JUDICIARY & LAW COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Bilskemper, Maureen Freedland, John Medinger, Vicki Burke (arr @7:38), and Keith Belzer (exc/arr @7:40)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Montabon, John Perlich, Steve Doyle, Sharon Hampson, Judge Elliott Levine (on behalf of Judge Gonzalez), Tim Gruenke, Steve Helgeson, Jim Nesbitt, Ann Quinlisk, Thomas Knothe, Tom Locante, Vicki Burke (arr @7:38), Keith Belzer (exc/arr @7:40)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Roger Plesha, Jacie Gamroth, Bernie Maney, Jerry Huber, Margaret Larson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Hammes, Ed Kondracki, Linda Schwandt, Richie Johnson, Fred Kusch
GUESTS & STAFF PRESENT: Steve O’Malley, Jeff Wolf, Doris Daggett, Jane Klekamp, Jim Speropulos, Gary Ingvalson, Mary Powell, Judge Passel, Judge Bjerke, Vicki & Kermit Gunderson, Paul Brummond, Don Carlson, Bob Keil, Jill Billings, Bev Heebsch, Cheryl Stephen, Reid Magney and other media
CALL TO ORDER
Steve Doyle, LEC Addition Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:38 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Schroeder/Bilskemper to approve joint meeting minutes of LEC Addition Committee and Judiciary & Law Committee of September 18, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Belzer, Johnson, Plesha, Gamroth, Maney excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVING PROJECT PLAN FOR ADDITION TO THE LA CROSSE COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER and
REVIEW OF LEC/JAIL ADDITION
MOTION by Medinger/Bilskemper to approve the resolution. Discussion and comments as follows:
Steve O’Malley reviewed the contents of the resolution, noting schematic design and programmatically the areas that would be included, plus estimated square footages; also per State Statutes and level of authority, the Sheriff has to be comfortable with the design. The project cost cannot exceed the cost of the bonding.
Sheriff Helgeson said he agrees with the schematic design and approves moving forward.
Supervisor Hampson expressed concern of building too many cells vs. keeping them in more community based programs; is the population in the County going to double or triple over the next 20 years based on additional cells? Each of the Judges present made comments. Judge Levine noted Justice Sanctions is trying to keep jail population down; and the Carey Report is recommending the use of single cells. Supervisor Burke noted the need for inmate classification which in turn will separate individuals which will requires more cells, but all this relates to security and safety for all.
Supervisor Johnson asked if the women inmate program RFP process would proceed if the facility is not built. Steve O’Malley note it as a policy decision by the County Board, but it is in the Administrator’s 2008 budget.
Supervisor Freedland questioned the need for moving Justice Sanctions in the new building. The Sheriff noted there have been times when a client has made a violation when reporting to Justice Sanctions, staff in turn had to call City police to make an arrest with the client in the meantime leaving the premises; if located in the same building near the Sheriff, this should alleviate that problem. Jane Klekamp also noted security issues and being in a secure building should help.
Supervisor Schroeder questioned arrest trends and why numbers increasing in La Crosse County; where are they from and why they come here. Judge Levine noted comparable sized counties have higher numbers; La Crosse County has done better based on alternative programs. Supervisor Belzer said it’s just not the number of beds; need flexibility to deal with the population which will benefit to the Jailers and the inmates – have incentives for direct supervision, reduce tension, and have classification to determine low risk population and be able to help them to not become repeat offenders. Judge Levine noted more felony offenses. Jane noted for 2006, counties in the state averaged 19.5% increase in arrests with La Crosse County at 19%. Supervisor Medinger said the discussion on where they came from or why they came here is irrelevant as this is a free country.
Motion carried unanimously; excused: Plesha, Gamroth, Maney, Huber, Larson; absent: Hammes, Kondracki, Schwandt, R. Johnson, Kusch.
INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NOT EXCEEDING $29,500,000 BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF LA CROSSE
Steve O’Malley noted this resolution authorizes the bonding with the actual approval by the County Board with a required 2/3’s vote. MOTION by Bilskemper/Medinger to recommend to the County Board the approval of initial resolution authorizing not exceeding $29,500,000 bonds of the County of La Crosse. Motion carried unanimously; excused: Plesha, Gamroth, T. Johnson, Maney, Huber, Larson; absent: Hammes, Kondracki, Schwandt, R. Johnson, Kusch.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR PUBLIC SALE AND THE SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER BONDS, SERIES 2008-A OF THE COUNTY OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN, IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $29,500,000, AND RELATED MATTERS
Steve O. noted if the two previous resolutions are approved by the County Board, then this resolution authorizes the advertising for the sale of bonds and seeks investors. MOTION by Meyer/Belzer to recommend to the County Board the approval of the advertisement for public sale and the sale of General Obligation Law Enforcement Center Bonds, Series 2008-A of the County of La Crosse, Wisconsin in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $29,500,000. Motion carried unanimously; excused: Plesha, Gamroth, T. Johnson, Maney, Huber, Larson; absent: Hammes, Kondracki, Schwandt, R. Johnson, Kusch.
NEXT MEETING
If the resolutions are approved by the County Board, the next joint meeting of LEC Addition Committee and Judiciary & Law Committee will be Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. Chairman Doyle noted a decision needs to be made as to what committee will oversee the project which was not part of the LEC Addition Committee duties; need to decide if that will be done by the Judiciary & Law Committee or have a special building committee. Pat Brummond, of Potter Lawson Architects, will prepare tentative agenda of events and when future meetings are needed.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Medinger/Belzer to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; excused: Plesha, Gamroth, T. Johnson, Maney; Huber, Larson; absent: Hammes, Kondracki, Schwandt, Johnson, Kusch. The meeting adjourned at 8:11 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder