07-15-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

12. 13. Commission Minutes--July 15, 1996 1496 JAIL FACILITY/COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP Mr. Wieland said due to the overcrowding of the Cass County Jail, he is requesting a Jail Facility Committee be formed to determine the type of facility; site of facility; and funding resources for facility. He said this will be a long-term committee and he said the Commission needs to decide what agencies should be included on the committee. He said the Sheriff suggested possible members of the committee in his letter to the Commission. Mrs. Toussaint feels planning now is a good idea but feels the committee suggested by the Sheriff may be too large. She feels a committee with about ten members would be sufficient and would expect the committee to establish a mission statement, determine the class of the jail, and the reasons for need of a new jail facility. She said the committee could use other people or agencies as resources. She said the final decision on whether to build a new facility should be determined by a vote of the citizens of Cass County. Mr. Ness also prefers a smaller committee to determine what type of jail the citizens of Cass County want and then expand the committee if needed. He feels the majority of the committee members should be interested citizens of Cass County. Mr. Eckert feels all the agencies listed by the Sheriff should be involved with the committee in some way. He said the committee could be made up of a core to start with and then could involve other agencies for additional information. He discussed the overcrowding and poor condition of the jail and feels there is a need for a new facility. Mrs. Toussaint said the jail passes inspections every year and the maintenance costs of $65,000 per year are not expensive compared to maintenance of the Courthouse and Annex. Mr. Wieland does not have a problem with a smaller committee. He said in the event the jail does not pass an inspection, it would be devastating to the county's budget. He suggested the committee be made up of two County Commissioners and seven citizens and use other agencies as a resource to the committee. Mrs. Toussaint asked Mr. Wieland and Mr. Ness to represent the County Commission on the committee. She asked each Commissioner to submit a name prior to the next Commission meeting to be on the committee. WATER RESOURCE DISTRICT STUDY COMMITTEE, Public hearing to be held Mr. Wieland said he wanted to commend all the members of the Water Resource District Study Committee for their work and for their perfect attendance at the meetings. The committee suggested a public hearing be held at the next Township Officers' Association meeting to discuss the recommendations of the committee. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Eckert seconded to hold a public hearing at the fall Township Officers' Association meeting to present the recommendations of the Water Resource District Study Committee. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Wieland asked the recommendations be sent to Brad Burgum, Secretary/Treasurer for the Association along with a request to be on the fall meeting agenda. He also suggested the Commission Chairman appoint a person to conduct the public hearing.