The Jail Needs Assessment Committee and subcommittees have been meeting for more than a year to gather data and to analyze that data to determine what is the best course forward for the county jail. The 17 minute video was presented at the county board’s April 6 meeting.
Sheriff John DeGeorge has been presenting information at city council meetings and plans to speak to other community groups to help inform the public about the process, the current status and the history of the jail, the issues of non-compliance with current codes and standards, the deteriorating condition of the building, and the options for the future.
The building was built in 1969 and has served the county for over half a century. DeGeorge suggested it was probably designed for a life of 30 years.
The committee has been looking at four options: close the jail and pay to transport and house inmates elsewhere, a 72 hour book and hold facility and pay to transport and house inmates elsewhere, a 90 day facility and pay to transport and house inmates elsewhere who are serving more than 90 days, or a 365-day facility that meets Department of Corrections (DOC) requirements. The committee is working on a long-term cost analysis. Doing nothing is not an option. The DOC could close the jail down. DeGeorge expects the DOC will work with the county if it is moving forward to alleviate the issues in some way.
DeGeorge said there has been good engagement from the public and he encourages the public to contact him, commissioner Mitch Lentz who serves on the committee, or their own commissioner about any questions or concerns.
The jail size, the number of beds, is not the issue.
There is no predetermined preference. The decision will be based on data. It has been a group effort. J & G Photography donated its services for the video. The video is to be posted on YouTube. The intent is to share it with anyone who wants to see it.
The committee will eliminate three of the four options and expects to make a recommendation to the county board sometime this summer. The county board will then need to make a decision.
Three Rivers Restorative Justice
Assistant County Attorney Melissa Hammell described the Three Rivers program to the board. It can be a way to resolve cases short of taking them to court. The program is funded with grants and will be no cost to the county. The attorney’s office can determine if a juvenile or an adult who has committed a lower level offense (like theft by check) should be referred to Three Rivers. The intention is to bring the offender and the victim together. If a victim chooses not to participate, a surrogate can serve as the victim.
Three Rivers will create and track the consensual reparation agreements determined by the parties who voluntarily come together. Hammell said it is a great opportunity to look and see if this is a good fit to keep some cases out of court. The hope is to reduce re-offending, after an offender has gone through this process.
A Memorandum of Understanding between Fillmore County and Three Rivers Restorative Justice was approved.
Other business in brief
•Doug Lind and Aaren Mathison, Fillmore County Fair Board, reported they are planning the 2021 county fair, July19-25. Lind said they will make it as normal as guidelines allow. This will be good news for a lot of people. He thanked commissioners for their financial and moral support.
Several upgrades have been made including new fencing and a new base in the horse arena. The road around the east end of the grandstand has been improved for safety. Mathison thanked the City of Preston and the County Highway Department for working with them on projects.
•A telecommuting agreement with Sarah Hall, social worker, was approved as requested by Jessica Erickson, director of nursing.
•Erickson reported they have given about 400 vaccinations per week. She encouraged everyone 18 and older to register on the Fillmore County website for their vaccination.
•Amendments to the Fillmore County Sub-Surface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance, Section 803, Sale or Transfer of Real Estate, Escrow Account, were approved as recommended by the Planning Commission. A public hearing was held at their March 18 meeting. A septic system inspection is required for every property transfer. If it is found to be non-compliant, it must be brought up to code or properly abandoned within 12 months.
•The draft changes to Insurance and Other Benefits policy were approved.
•A request to retire for Sarah Mensink, accounting technician, was approved with thanks, effective July 1. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery praised Sarah, saying she has done a lot for the county and she will definitely be missed.
Approval was given to advertise for a replacement accounting technician in the finance department.
•The final payment to Alcon Construction Corp. in the amount of $54,736.87 was approved for work in the City of Wykoff from TH 80 to north city limits. The total value of their work was $1,207,917.32.
•A resolution extending the Declaration of a State of Emergency – COVID-19 to May 4 was approved.
•Household Hazardous Waste Collections will be on May 4.
•Commissioner Bakke noted that federal funding for three Minnesota State Veterans Homes including Preston, is good news, especially for veterans and their families.
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