LAW AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE

MINUTES

February 23, 2009

The Law and Justice Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, February 23, 2009 @ 6:30p.m. in the DeKalb County Administration Building’s Conference Room East.  Chairman Marlene Allen called the meeting to order.  Members present were Kevin Chambliss, Riley Oncken and Anita Turner.  Mr. Osborne was absent.   Others present were Dennis Miller, Margi Gilmour and Regina Harris.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

            Moved by Ms. Turner, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from January 2009.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            Moved by Ms. Turner, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

CORONER’S ANNUAL REPORT – DENNIS MILLER

            Mr. Dennis Miller, DeKalb County’s Coroner, presented his 2008 Annual Report to the committee. He stated that there were 491 deaths in the County last year.    On page 15 on the chart it should say that the deaths in 2006 totaled 453 not 253.  There were 307 Cremations last year and as of today for 2009 they have done 66 cremations.  He will be introducing legislation to increase the cremation permit fee.

ESDA’S ANNUAL REPORT – DENNIS MILLER

            Mr. Dennis Miller, is also DeKalb County’s ESDA Director and presented the 2008 Annual Report to the committee.  He stated that the year started out with the tragic event in February 2008 at NIU. He said that the devastating event was a true test of this County’s ability to handle such an overwhelming situation.  In 2009 his office will see another revision of the DeKalb County Emergency Operations Plan.  This plan with its annexes, defines how DeKalb County analysis prepares for and responds to an emergency event.  The ongoing mandates that are required by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) will continue to be addressed and implemented.  The plan will then be submitted for approval by I.E.M.A.

            He mentioned that the County’s All Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved by IEMA and FEMA.  The County and those jurisdictions that participated in the planning will be eligible to receive Federal funds for mitigation projects that would reduce or prevent any further damage to an affected area.

            Chairman Allen thanked Mr. Miller for his very informative reports.

PUBLIC DEFENDER’S REPORT

            Ms. Regina Harris, DeKalb County Public Defender, gave her monthly report to the committee.  She said that she had nothing new to report and that the caseload in her office is consistent.

COURT SERVICES MONTHLY REPORTS

            Ms. Margi Gilmour, DeKalb County Court Services Director, presented her monthly Juvenile and Adult Report to the committee. 

She said that the Adult report showed that the numbers remained consistent along with the Juvenile report.  She did say that one juvenile was released from placement. 

Ms. Gilmour explained to the committee that the Governor has signed the new law affecting the juvenile age change to 18 that will take effect in 2010.  This change in the law will affect the whole judicial system, she explained.

Ms. Gilmour also said that her office is working on the job posting for a family to help with the new Safehouse.

JAIL REPORT

Chairman Allen said that Sheriff Scott was not present this evening but that his latest Jail Report showed that there were 131 inmates in the Jail in January 2009.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Ms. Turner, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            _________________________________

                                                            Marlene Allen, Chairman

MA:mcs

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