McLean County Board Justice Committee met April 5.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met at 4:30 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman Erickson, Members Randall L. Martin, George Wendt, Susan Schafer, Sharon Chung and Matt Coates
Members Absent: Member Hannah Beer
Other County Board Members Present: None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator; Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary; Ashley Scarborough, Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Ron Lewis, Public Defender; Sheriff Jon Sandage, Don Knapp, State’s Attorney; Will Scanlon, Circuit Court; Michael Donovan, Court Services; Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center
Others Present: Matt Lane, Sheriff Department
Chairman Erickson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum. He introduced Mr. Anthony Grant as the new Assistant County Administrator.
Chairman Erickson presented the March 1, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Justice Committee for approval.
Motion by Chung/Martin to approve the March 1, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Justice Committee.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson confirmed with Ms. Taylor there were members of the public to appear.
Mr. Zachary Gettrich was invited forward and confirmed he would have 5 minutes to address the Committee. Mr. Gettrich provided jail stats. He noted cases previously mentioned in meetings regarding the jail. He also mentioned mental health of individuals in the jail and treatment of those with mental illness in the jail.
Jon Sandage, Sheriff presented for action a request to approve Amendment No. 7 to Agreement with Aramark Correctional Services, LLC for Food Service. Mr. Sandage indicated this was an extension of the current food service agreement for inmates but would also allow staff to get a meal at their cost. Ms. Chung asked if meal provided to staff is different than meal provided to inmates. Mr. Sandage indicated there are options for staff to choose from.
Motion by Martin/Wendt to recommend approval of Amendment No. 7 to Agreement with Aramark Correctional Services, LLC for Food Service.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Sandage presented for action a request to approve a Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for taser equipment. Mr. Sandage indicated this would provide an upgrade to the tasers in the jail, provide training and downloads for when the tasers are used. Ms. Chung asked the age of the current tasers. Mr. Sandage noted they are 5 years old. Ms. Chung asked how often the tasers are used in the jail. Mr. Sandage indicated it varies as sometimes just pulling the taser can deter the inmate. Mr. Martin asked if a use of force report is issued even if it is drawn. Mr. Sandage confirmed.
Motion by Wendt/Coates to recommend approval of a Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for taser equipment.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Sandage presented for action a request to approve a Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for body worn cameras. Mr. Sandage indicated body cameras are now mandatory and this would put them in compliance. He noted these have software other offices use so will cut down on learning curve. Ms. Schafer asked if other law enforcement agencies in the county have same equipment. Mr. Sandage indicated they are the same at the Town of Normal. He also noted that this has software that if our camera comes on then all other cameras in the area will also come on and record. It noted the camera is also set up to come on when taser or weapon is drawn. Ms. Chung stated she was happy we were getting this contract in place. Mr. Sandage noted officers thrilled to have them as well.
Motion by Schafer/Chung to recommend approval of a Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for body worn cameras.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Sandage presented his monthly report. He noted they have about 32 inmates that should be in the State Department of Corrections (“IDOC”). He noted there is still not a regular schedule to take them to IDOC. Ms. Schafer asked if anyone was waiting for placement at McFarland. Mr. Sandage confirmed there were and there was not a set schedule for transferring those either and noted that he agreed those individuals needed help. Ms. Chung asked him about COVID numbers and restrictions. Mr. Sandage indicated there were no
COVID cases currently in the jail. He noted they have started small groups again. Ms. Chung asked if inmates are in their cells 18 hours a day. Mr. Sandage indicated that was not true and time in cells depends on the day and the programs occurring that day. Ms. Chung asked if he had a procedure in place if someone indicates they feel suicidal. Mr. Sandage indicated there is a procedure that starts with them talking with the counselor. Ms. Chung asked if she could talk with someone and get more information. Mr. Sandage indicated she was more than welcome to come and get more information. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any other questions; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Erickson indicated Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk was not present and presented on a request to approve a Professional Services Agreement with HOV Services, Inc. for microfilming services. Ms. Taylor indicated the minimal increase in cost was based on the type of film they are required to use.
Motion by Martin/Chung to recommend approval of a Professional Services Agreement with HOV Services, Inc. for microfilming services.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions on Mr. Everhart’s reports; hearing none, he moved to the next item on the agenda.
Mr. Ron Lewis, Public Defender presented for action a request to approve a contract with Adam Casson for Special Defender Services. Mr. Lewis indicated he was down two attorneys in the traffic division and while he was having attorneys from other divisions cover this would allow for continuity for those being represented. He noted he was hoping to get more applicants after the next bar exam results are issued. Ms. Chung asked when those bar exam results would be issued. Mr. Lewis indicated there is a bar exam in July and February and results are issued about 5 months later. Ms. Chung asked if Mr. Casson was an attorney in the community. Mr. Lewis indicated he and his father have a satellite office here in the community.
Motion by Chung/Schafer to recommend approval of a contract with Adam Casson for Special Defender Services.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Lewis presented his monthly report to the Committee. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions for Mr. Lewis; hearing none, he thanked him.
Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2022 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for CAC and CASA. Ms. Evans indicated this was additional corona virus funding they had received that would allow them to make some changes in office. Mr. Wendt asked if these were funds from federal government. Ms. Evans confirmed these were federal funds for children advocacy centers.
Motion by Chung/Coates to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2022 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for CAC and CASA.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Evans presented her monthly report to the Committee. She noted this is child abuse awareness month and noted events being held during the month. Ms. Chung asked if she could send information about events through the administration. Ms. Evans confirmed she would and provided information about an event at the zoo the past weekend and noted she had training scheduled for tomorrow. She also noted they were working with Information Technology Department to push information out through social media sites. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any further questions; hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Erickson indicated that Ms. Kathy Yoder, McLean County Coroner was unable to attend, but her monthly report to the Committee was in the packet. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions to please contact Administration.
Mr. William Scanlon, Circuit Court presented for action a request to approve a Training Agreement with Heartland Community College. Mr. Scanlon indicated this was to provide training to staff. They hoped this would help retain staff by allowing them some personal growth. He noted they had provided Microsoft Office training offered last year. He noted this training was more customer service oriented and would be taken by both Court Service and Circuit Court Staff, so the departments would be sharing the cost.
Motion by Schafer/Chung to recommend approval of a Training Agreement with Heartland Community College.
Motion Carried.
Don Knapp, McLean County State’s Attorney presented his monthly reports to the Committee. Mr. Knapp noted in response to Ms. Schafer question to the Sheriff, there are several individuals who have been determined unfit. He noted they spent most of Saturday getting paperwork completed for one individual. He noted that once individuals are determined unfit we cannot release them until they are transported. Mr. Knapp noted the County is covering medical bills while they are in our control but they are officially in Department of Human Services custody. Ms. Schafer asked if McFarland was taking anyone. Mr. Knapp indicated he was not sure when the last time was they accepted individuals. Ms. Schafer asked if they took anyone during
COVID. Mr. Knapp indicated he thought they always accepted but lowered number they accepted.
Mr. Knapp also noted they have three openings and no applications. He stated they will be going to Southern Illinois job fair. He noted two people they had been interested in did not pass the bar exam. He also noted that numbers of individuals passing the Bar exam have decreased and that many of these students would have completed Law School on-line during COVID. He stated they are working with Administration to assist with hiring. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions from the Committee; hearing none, he thanked him.
Mr. Mike Donovan, Court Services Director presented his monthly reports to the Committee. Mr. Donovan indicated they were starting to see the impact of COVID as domestic violence case numbers had gone up and they were now seeing those individuals in the probation division. He noted as of today they are at full staff. Ms. Schafer asked about pre-trial staffing changes with the State and County. Mr. Donovan confirmed that the Illinois Supreme Court announced all pretrial services would move under the authority of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. He noted it would be done in phases with the first phase starting in 2023. Mr. Donovan indicated McLean County would be in phase 3 of the process that would probably not be until 2024. He indicated three counties in the circuit were transitioning in phase 3 and the others were transitioning in phase 1. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any further questions from the Committee; hearing none, he thanked him.
Cassy Taylor, County Administrator noted the Executive Committee would be reviewing two agreements with JTI in response to efforts to start the first phase for the case management EJIS system replacement. She provided a short history of the project and explained components and funding streams. She noted this request would be brought to the Executive Committee as they were the oversight committee for the Information Technologies Department.
Chairman Erickson asked if there was any other business to come before the Committee.
Chairman Erickson presented bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid fund total of $406,973.97 and transfers.
Motion by Chung/Coates to approve the Justice Committee bills and transfers as presented.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson stated there was no other business for the Justice Committee to consider and adjourned the meeting at 5:12 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8693
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