McLean County Justice Committee met Dec. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman George Gordon Members Susan Schafer, Carlo Robustelli, Randall Martin, Jim Soeldner and George Wendt via remote attendance
Members Absent: Member Josh Barnett
Other County Board
Members Present Member Logan Smith
Staff Present: Mr. Bill Wasson, County Administrator, Ms. Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney - Civil Division; Mr. Eric Schmitt, Administrative Services Director and Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present:
Kathy Davis, Coroner; Cassy Taylor, Court Services; Donald Knapp, State’s Attorney; Jon Sandage, Sheriff; Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk; Cassy Taylor, Court Services; Mr. Jason Tabb, Juvenile Detention Center
Others Present: Mr. Michael Herzog for the Public Defender’s Office.
Chairman Gordon called the meeting to order and declared a quorum. He informed the Committee that Member Wendt had requested to attend remotely under County Board Rules and asked if there was any objection. Hearing no objection, he approved Mr. Wendt’s request to attend remotely and declared him present.
Chairman Gordon presented the minutes of the October 16, 2018 and October 29, 2018 special meetings and the November 6, 2018 regular meeting for approval.
Motion by Martin/Schafer to approve the minutes from the October 16, 2018 and October 29, 2018 special meeting and November 6, 2018 regular meeting minutes.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon confirmed there were no appearances by members of the public.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, Director, Court Services presented for action a request to approve a proposal from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics for Drug Testing equipment and supplies and indicated it was a continuation agreement.
Motion by Schafer/Soeldner to recommend approval of a request to approve Proposal from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics for Drug Testing equipment and supplies
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, Director, Court Services presented for action a request to approve an Agreement between McLean County Court Services and Chestnut Health Systems for substance abuse and mental health related services, an Agreement between McLean County and the National Center for State Courts for process and outcome evaluation services, and an Agreement between McLean County Court Services and Kevin Crutcher for clinical services all provided for through the SAMHSA Drug Court Enhancement grant. She indicated the grant was scheduled to terminate and they received permission to file an extension to utilize remaining funds.
Motion by Robustelli/Schafer to recommend approval of a request to approve an Agreement between McLean County Court Services and Chestnut Health Systems for substance abuse and mental health related services, an Agreement between McLean County and the National Center for State Courts for process and outcome evaluation services, and an Agreement between McLean County Court Services and Kevin Crutcher for clinical services all provided for by the SAMHSA Drug Court Enhancement grant
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, Director, Court Services presented for action a request to approve an Agreement between McLean County Court Services and Kevin Crutcher for Assessment and Counseling Services. Mr. Soeldner asked if we have come close to the $10,000 maximum of the contract. Ms. Taylor indicated they have not.
Motion by Robustelli/Martin to recommend approval of a request to approve an Agreement between McLean County Court Services and Kevin Crutcher for assessment and Counseling services
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, Director, Court Services presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2019 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance General Fund 0001, Court Services Department 0022.
Motion by Schafer/Soeldner to recommend approval of a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2019 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance General Fund 0001, Court Services Department 0022.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Taylor presented her monthly reports. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any questions for Ms. Taylor; hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Don Everhart, McLean County Circuit Clerk presented his monthly reports. Mr. Everhart indicated they would need a budget amendment for overtime accrued due to the e-filing backlog. Ms. Schafer asked if they adjusted the 2019 budget. Mr. Wasson indicated they added personnel but he felt that in the long term the situation would need to be addressed with a new case management system. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any additional questions for Mr. Everhart, hearing none; he thanked him.
Mr. Michael Herzog, of the Public Defender’s office presented for action contracts between Special Public Defenders John J. Bussan, William Mahrt, Kelly R. Harms, Jennifer Patton, and the Public Defender’s Office. Chairman Gordon stated they were similar contracts except for the amounts. Mr. Herzog agreed and indicated that caseloads amounts differ which correlates to the dollar amounts of each contract. Ms. Schafer asked if any of the contracts were new. Mr. Herzog indicated that the contracts with Mr. William Mahrt and Ms. Patton were new.
Motion by Martin/Soeldner to recommend approval of contracts between John J. Bussan, William Mahrt, Kelly R. Harms, Jennifer Patton, and Byron L. Schneringer all Special Public Defenders and the Public Defender’s Office.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon stated that the Public Defender’s reports were in the packet and asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked Mr. Herzog.
Mr. Jon Sandage, Sheriff presented for action a request to approve an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Bloomington, IL and County of McLean – 2018 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAC) Program Award. He stated the grant is based on crime statistics and that we do not receive any funds from this grant but assist with paperwork so that Bloomington can receive funds.
Motion by Robustelli/Soeldner to recommend approval of an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Bloomington, IL and County of McLean – 2018 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAC) Program Award.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Jon Sandage, Sheriff presented for action a request to approve Agreement for GED Instruction, Calendar Year 2019 with Heartland Community College and the McLean County Sheriff’s Office
Motion by Robustelli/Schafer to recommend approval of Agreement for GED Instruction, Calendar Year 2019 with Heartland Community College and the McLean County Sheriff’s Office.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Jon Sandage, Sheriff presented for action a request to approve Intergovernmental Agreements between the County of McLean and the City of Bloomington, Illinois State University and the Town of Normal to provide booking services. Mr. Soeldner asked how they arrived at the rate. Mr. Sandage indicated they increased it 2% this year and each agreement is based on the number of bookings in the past.
Motion by Robustelli/Martin to recommend approval of Intergovernmental Agreements between the County of McLean and the City of Bloomington, Illinois State University and the Town of Normal to provide booking services.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Jon Sandage, Sheriff presented for action a request to approve a Contract with Ruth Chin to provide Inmate Chaplain Services. Ms. Schafer asked if there was an increase in payment in this contract. Mr. Sandage indicated there was a 2% increase.
Motion by Schafer/Martin to recommend approval of a Contract with Ruth Chin to provide Inmate Chaplain Services.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Sandage presented his monthly report for the Sheriff’s Department. He indicated that due to the L&J project, they housed some inmates in Piatt Co. for a few days but all were back in house as of today. Chairman Gordon asked if there were comments or questions; hearing none, he thanked Mr. Sandage.
Ms. Molly Evans, Director, Children’s Advocacy Center presented her monthly statistical reports to the Committee and indicated they had sworn in 5 new CASA members and were providing training in the community as to the services provided by the department. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Ms. Kathy Davis, McLean County Coroner presented her monthly report and indicated out- of-county autopsy numbers were up. Ms. Schafer asked about opioid related deaths. Ms. Davis provided numbers. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any questions for Ms. Davis, hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Knapp presented his monthly reports. Chairman Gordon asked the Committee if there were any questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked him.
Mr. Will Scanlan, Circuit Court present for action a request to approve Circuit Court Guardian Ad Litem Contracts for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 with Brenda Temke and Donald Bernardi. He went over history of these contracts and stated that Guardian Ad Litems are individuals that represent minors in cases.
Motion by Soeldner/Schafer Circuit Court Guardian Ad Litem Contracts for Fiscal Years 2019-2021 with Brenda Temke and Donald Bernardi.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Scanlan presented for action Amendments to the Children’s Waiting Room Agreement and the Neutral Site Custody Exchange and Supervised Visitation Center Agreement between the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, McLean County and the Children’s Home & Aid. He provided history on these services and indicated that the County is a pass through agency for funds collected through the Circuit Clerk’s office.
Motion by Martin/Robustelli to recommend approval of Amendments to the Children’s Waiting Room Agreement and the Neutral Site Custody Exchange and Supervised Visitation Center Agreement between the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, McLean County and the Children’s Home & Aid.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Scanlan presented for action a request to approve an amendment to the Contract with ISU Stevenson Center for Data/Research Services – Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Mr. Scanlan indicated that Dr. Frank Beck has provided data and would continue Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and now the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.
Motion by Schafer/Robustelli to recommend approval of an amendment to the Contract with ISU Stevenson Center for Data/Research Services – Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Scanlan invited anyone on the Committee to attend the specialty courts and provided dates and times and rooms for the Specialty Courts. He also stated that if there were any questions about the court system or probation they are more than happy to answer any questions.
Mr. Bill Wasson, County Administrator presented his monthly report on recent employment activities. Mr. Wasson advised the Committee that the Center for Human Services issued a statement indicating they would no longer be able to accept new patient referrals. He stated this action will affect programs we have and staff is engaged in conversations with other providers for psychiatric services. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions for Mr. Wasson; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Gordon asked if there was any other business to come before the Committee. Mr. Soeldner indicated that a provision had been passed to about providing lactation rooms in courthouses. Mr. Wasson indicated they were aware and plans were in place to address the need by the June 1 deadline.
Chairman Gordon presented a transfer of $4,000.00 from the Public Defender’s Office.
Motion by Robustelli/Martin to approve the transfer presented from the Public Defender’s office.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon presented the Justice Committee with bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid total of $630,519.83.
Motion Schafer/Robustelli to approve the Justice Committee bills as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid total of $630,519.83.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon indicated that the January meeting fell on January 1st which is a County Holiday. He asked if the Committee was ok moving the Committee to Wednesday, January 2nd at 3:00 p.m. The Committee agreed.
Chairman Gordon asked if there was any other business or communication for the Justice Committee; hearing none, he adjourned at 5:14 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6440
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