Meeting Information
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
4:00 p.m.
-Proclamation declaring May 2017 as “Bike Month; and May 15-19, 2017 as “Bike to Work Week.” (Charlie Bryan)
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider approval of letter of support for Douglas County Conservation District Urban Agriculture Initiative Grant Application (Eileen Horn)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider approval to implement a Douglas County House Arrest Program (Robert Bieniecki)
(3) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
-MPO Bicycle Advisory Committee (1) position
-Board of Zoning Appeals (1) position 10/16
-Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority Board (1) position 06/17
-Metropolitan Planning Commission – Positions (2) 05/17
(c) Public Comment
(d) Miscellaneous
(4) Adjourn
May 3, 2017
Gaughan called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 with all members present.
PROCLAMATION 05-03-17
Gaughan moved to a proclamation declaring May 2017 as “Bike Month” and the May 15-19, 2017 as “Bike to Work Week” in Douglas County. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Pulled from Consent Agenda:
SUPPORT LETTER 05-03-17
The Board considered approving a letter of support for Douglas County Conservation District Urban Agriculture Initiative Application.
The Douglas County Conservation District is submitting an application for a $50,000 grant from the National Association of Conservation Districts. The funding would support advancement of urban agricultural initiatives, including the Common Group program and a demonstration teaching garden and high tunnel at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. No financial commitment is requested from the County.
After discussion, Gaughan moved to approve the letter of support for the Douglas County Conservation District Urban Agriculture Initiative Grant Application. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL 05-03-17
The Board considered implementing a Douglas County House Arrest Program as presented by Robert Bieniecki, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Coordinator.
Bieniecki stated one of the goals for the CJCC for 2017 was to implement an internal House Arrest program. An evaluation of current County and State resources indicated a need for additional staff to effectively manage this program. Bieniecki learned that the Defense Attorneys typically won’t ask for house arrest for their clients if they know the offender cannot afford the cost of the program through the bonding companies. Depending on the security level of the device, an offender may pay up to $200 to get on the program.
Bieniecki proposed incorporating a house arrest program through Advance Monitoring of Kansas (currently being used for pretrial monitoring) for the equipment and electronic monitoring at no charge to the offender if they cannot pay the fees. The program would be available to both adult and juvenile offenders from district and municipal courts. He also proposed hiring one fulltime House Arrest Office to get the program started immediately. That officer would report to Pam Weigand, Director of Youth Services. Youth Services has the space and are open 24/7. The House Arrest Officer would be a grade 11, $20.76 to $30.62 professional level position operating under the authority of the District and Municipal courts and managed by the Youth Services Director.
The financial impact at this time includes the full time position with benefits at a cost of $68,965.14. Other expenses will include onetime equipment expenses for startup equipment and a vehicle.
Thellman stated her support for the program. She asked for a list of programs we are currently using to keep people out of jail. Gaughan responded: the current house arrest program; pretrial monitoring program; Behavioral Health Court; Crisis Intervention Team; Mental Health Co-responders; Site and Release Program; relationship with Bert Nash at the jail; post booking diversion programs; hearing reminders; risk assessments; trial notifications; municipal court program partnership with KU, DCCCA and Judge Miller; non-custodial sentencing are some of the programs offered.
Thellman asked how the County would cover the cost of the program when offered at no cost. Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, responded that it cost the County approximately $75 per day in direct costs for jail beds in other jails. Any prisoner that does not have to occupy a jail cell would save us this amount of money. We expect to at least break even. Even if we don’t, it’s the right thing to do. The law enforcement cost is exempted under the tax lid.
Gaughan opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Gaughan moved approved the creation of a Douglas County Adult/Juvenile House Arrest Program and a 1.0 FTE House Arrest Officer position to support the program. Motion was seconded by Derusseau and carried 3-0.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 05-03-17
Gaughan moved to approve accounts payable in the amounts of $224,501.32 to be paid on 05/04/17, and $6,093.92 paid on 04/20/17. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Gaughan moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
Mike Gaughan, Chair Nancy Thellman, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Michelle Derusseau, Member
Time and Date