11-17-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--November 17, 2003 2670 9. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, Juvenile Block Grant award MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to authorize the chairman to sign the Certificate of Award for JAIBG funds submitted by the Cass County Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 10. CONTRACT FOR DEED, Chairman to sian deed with Ralph and Maraaret Habiaer MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to authorize the chairman to sign the contract for deed with Ralph and Margaret Habiger for property located in Casselton, North Dakota. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 11. CONTRACT APPROVAL, Cities of Horace. Kindred and Mapleton police aareements: Discovery Benefits. Inc. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to approve the following contracts submitted by respective department head, subject to state's attorney approval, and authorize the chairman to sign: On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Cities of Horace, Kindred and Mapleton--police service agreements; Discovery Benefits, Inc.--f1exible benefits administrative services. 12. JAIL FACILITY, Update by newly appointed iail administrator Glenn Ellingsberg, Cass County Jail Administrator, updated the board on jail activities after his first three months managing the facility. He is addressing concerns such as staff communication to ensure policies and procedures are followed uniformly; improving utilization of staff, including court transport, administrative and support personnel; opening dialogue with the communities using the facility in an effort to better define roles of each entity; and continuing to move forward on court video. He said the video equipment should be delivered in December. He said new inmate handbooks have been issued, in English and Spanish. Mr. Ellingsberg intends to request building funds to purchase modular furniture to add an office in the administration area, and he stated his appreciation for the separation of the classification and program officers into two positions. A number of inmates need drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, and he is reviewing day reporting and new GPS home monitoring. He said there is a high incidence of inmates on medication, and Mrs. Sorum asked if the nurses are dispensing medications in the evenings rather than jail staff doing those duties. Mr. Ellingsberg said some changes are being made that will greatly improve the situation over what it was previously. Some limitations facing the jail staff include increased population because of longer prison time between the arrest and trial of inmates, staff training has taken place only in the past 30 days on the use of Taser equipment to manage inmate behavior; and staff turnover issues. Mr. Ellingsberg believes review and reclassification of the Correctional Officer II position would help retain staff. He said the turnover rate is about 17% and acknowledged that number mayor may not be average for similar facilities.