02-02-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

12. 13. Commission Minutes--February 2, 2004 2697 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, Purchase order for Qrep Reportin~ software MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to authorize the chair to sign a purchase order for Qrep Reporting software from HTE Sungard in the amount of $18,010.00, according to a memorandum from the county auditor dated February 2, 2004. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. JAIL UPDATE, Exl~ansion of jail I~ods discussed Glenn Ellingsberg, Cass County Jail Administrator, gave a PowerPoint presentation to update commissioners on jail operations and the average daily inmate population. Sheriff Don Rudnick was also present, and they believe it is time to begin discussing future expansion of the facility. Initial plans for the new jail included building additional housing pods as needed, and Mr. Ellingsberg said the commission took alternate bids which could possibly be reactivated to save time with future expansion plans. Mrs. Sorum had asked Mr. Ellingsberg for an update today for information purposes and suggested that further programming options be explored, after which time she would re- schedule an update in 60-90 days. Mr. Wagner suggested reviewing alternatives to incarceration and to try video arraignments, since the video equipment has now been installed. Mr. Bennett said he supports appointing a committee to plan for expansion of the jail, and he does not see the need for a 60-90 day delay, as suggested by the chair. Mrs. Sorum said she intended for the discussion today to be informational because the board has not visited about inmate population and programming opportunities in awhile. It may not be necessary to formulate a committee because the project coordinator, Bonnie Johnson, and the jail administrator, Mr. Ellingsberg, could work out numerous details, Mrs. Sorum said. According to Mrs. Johnson, plans were prepared for the expansion pods at the same time as plans were drawn for the current jail facility, and money was collected from the one-half cent sales tax for construction of the jail and future expansion. She offered to work with Mr. Ellingsberg to make any necessary revisions in the building specifications to help the operation run more efficiently. MOTION, failed Mr. Wagner moved that no action be taken for 60-90 days until such time as further program options are explored at the jail and any potential architectural issues are resolved by Mr. Ellingsberg and Mrs. Johnson. Mr. Bennett said he would second the motion if the timeframe was omitted, however, Mr. Wagner did not agree. David Habiger, Amenia, said the government continues to build new jails when the system is a failure. He said these programs are not working. Mrs. Sorum called three times for a second to Mr. Wagner's motion, and hearing none, she declared the motion lost. Mr. Meyer suggested rescheduling this item after Mr. Ellingsberg and Mrs. Johnson have an opportunity to discuss the issues related to future expansion. Mr. Ellingsberg said he and Mrs. Johnson could begin discussions soon and report back to the board on their findings.