02-17-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-February 17, 1998 1779 11. JAIL POPULATION, Alternative Sentencing Program Mr. Meyer provided a hand-out pertaining to alternative sentencing and day reporting programs due to the high population in the Cass County jail facility. He said the jail in-mate population today is 125. Sheriff Don Rudnick, who was present, said his department is looking at options and will ultimately come back to the Commission with some recommendations. Walt Willis, Chief Correctional Officer, was also present to answer any questions. Mr. Meyer said it is costing Cass County approximately $900 per day to house prisoners in other facilities at this time, and he believes the county could save over $200,000 per year with hiring two additional people to monitor this program. Sheriff Rudnick said alternative sentencing would be used for those prisoners requiring minimum security. They would still serve part of their sentence in jail and then be on home monitoring. Mrs. Schneider said Cass County citizens may be concerned about public safety with day reporting, and the Sheriff responded that an in-mate's history would be carefully studied before being allowed to participate in such a program. Mrs. Schneider asked about using the services of Centre, Inc., a private non-profit facility in Fargo. Jackie Swartz, Program Coordinator at Centre, was present and said her agency has been providing day reporting services for the last five years at a cost of approximately $12 per day, and that amount is paid by the offender. She said many services are available to the offender, including mental health counseling, drug and alcohol testing, accountability and public safety factors. Sheriff Rudnick said his department will look at services offered by Centre, Inc. MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mrs. Quick seconded to authorize the Sheriff's Department and jail staff to continue studying alternative sentencing and report back to the Commission with a recommendation. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 12. FLOOD UPDATE, Report from Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation Irv Rustad, Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation, reported that homes purchased in the Phase I buyout program are now being moved from areas that were flooded last spring, and the next phase is the demolition contracts. Mr. Rustad is anticipating a request from the City of Amenia for financial assistance to repair their flood-damaged sewer system, if there are any HUD funds available. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) recently conducted their field audit of last spring's flood records at the Lake Agassiz Regional Development Office, and Mr. Rustad said they found no problems and a letter will be forthcoming. He was informed that money generated by the salvage and sale of homes in the Phase I project may be added to the county's allotment and used locally for remaining flood protection projects. 13. RESOLUTION #1998-5, Harwood Township bridge replacement/land condemnation Keith Berndt, County Engineer, said the County Road Advisory Committee met earlier today and discussed condemnation of land in Harwood Township to replace a bridge near Harwood, ND. He said the project requires an additional 1.7 acres of farm land, and the landowner does not agree with relocating a short stretch of the road further away from the adjacent river bank. Mr. Berndt said the road near the bridge is very low and subject to regular flooding. He recommends maintaining flexibility in negotiating with the owner of the 1.7 acres, and Commissioners agreed.