LAW AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE MINUTES

October 19, 2009

The Law and Justice Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, October 19, 2009, 2009 @ 6:30p.m. in the DeKalb County Administration Building’s Conference Room East.  Chairman Marlene Allen called the meeting to order.  Those present were Riley Oncken, Kevin Chambliss, Michael Stuckert, Derek Tyson and Anita Turner.   Mr. Ray Bockman, Mr. Gary Hanson, Ms. Margi Gilmour, Judge Kurt Klein and Sheriff Roger Scott were also present.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

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

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

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

COURT SERVICES REPORTS – MS. MARGI GILMOUR

          Ms. Gilmour, Director of the DeKalb County Court Services Department, said that in the Adult Report that there were 30 new cases filed in September.  She also mentioned that the Community Restitution Services hours ordered last month amounted to just over 8,000 hours.  Hours completed totaled 6,342.

          Ms. Gilmour then reported that under the Juvenile Court Services Report that there were 7 detentions for the month of September with 4 being for the first time, 1 for the 2^nd time, 1 for the fourth time and 1 for the ninth time.   

She said that there was another young man admitted to Onarga in September, which makes two juveniles in residence there.  She is hoping that the first young person placed in Onarga could be discharged possibly in March 2010.   

          Ms. Gilmour also said that the Safehouse received a donation of $5,000 from the Larson family and another donation from the Doug Roberts Foundation for $10,000.   She said that they have recently sent out a mass mailing to churches, newspapers, etc., in search of a family for the Safehouse. 

JAIL REPORT

          Sheriff Scott briefly covered his report for September 2009.  He said that there were 115 inmates housed in the Jail for September.    

CONSIDERATION OF BUDGET APPEALS

          Mr. Gary Hanson, Deputy County Administrator for DeKalb County, said that there were three appeals filed for the Law and Justice Committee to discuss this year.

          The first appeal is item #30 filed by Mr. Scott Newport, to delete $25,000 for the electrostatic painting of the Jail cell bars. 

          Sheriff Scott said that this is a maintenance item.  If they did it a different way, other than electrostatic painting, they would need to remove the inmates and house them in another jail outside of the County, which would amount to $60 a day.

          Mr. Bockman said that this item has no effect on the budget; you could do it now or later.  He said that the Public Building Commission does have the money for this project in their current budget.

          It was moved by Mr. Chambliss, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried to accept the appeal with a voice vote and to forward this recommendation to the Finance Committee.  There were 5 yes votes and 1 no vote by Chairman Allen.

          The second appeal refers to item #33 filed by Mr. Ken Andersen, to request the Public Building Commission to explore the possibility of different and/or alternative housing types that could be used at our Sycamore Campus to house the prisoners.

          Mr. Bockman said that this appeal would not be an appropriate use of the Public Building Commission.  It’s the County’s responsibility to make these decisions with input from the Sheriff. 

          It was moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Ms. Turner, and it was carried unanimously to deny this appeal and to forward this denial to the Finance Committee.

          The third appeal refers to item #5610-9201 filed by Mr. Oncken, to reduce the appropriation for Books and Subscription in the Law Library from $31,000 to $20,000.

          Judge Klein said that the state statutes state that the Law Library has to be in the County seat and that it is a segregated item in the budget.  The money comes from a filing fee to fund the law library, he said.  Currently the law library is in the Sycamore Library and the County pays for the rental space, computers, etc.  He further stated that he doesn’t’ know how much he will need but to let the line item be amended and reduced to $21,000. 

          Because of this reduction in the amount for this line item suggested by Judge Klein, Mr. Oncken withdrew his appeal.   

ADJOURNMENT

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

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                _________________________________

                                                Marlene Allen, Chairman

MA:mcs

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