December 1, 2005, 12:00 PMCity County Building, Room 260Indianapolis, IN 46204
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Cook, Advisory Board Chairman; Judge Robert Altice; Leonard Simpson; Jerry McCory; proxy for Mayor Bart Peterson; David Wyser, proxy for Prosecutor Carl Brizzi; Leslie Duvall; Gary Tingle, proxy for Sheriff Frank Anderson; Rondle Brewer; Susie Davie; Judge William Nelson; Councillor Patrice Abduallah; D. Michael Wallman; Noel Wyatt; Dixie Ray; Kevin Riley, proxy for Judge Marilyn Moores; Carol Hofferth, proxy for Dan Carmin; BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: John von Arx; OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Barton, MCCC; Tiffany Clark, MCCC; Bill Dishman, MCCC; Chuck Eid, MCCC; Tara Allen, MCCC; Christy Smeehuyzen, MCCC; Ashley Black, MCCC; Mark Smith, MCCC; James Northington, MCCC; Cathy Wolter, Office of Corporate Council; Lloyd Bridges, Riverside; Lori Goins, Riverside; Tim Campbell, VOA; Steve Runyon, VOA; Sophia McCormick, John P. Craine House; Rachael Ditchley, John P. Craine House; Suzanne Pierce, John P. Craine House; With a quorum present, Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook called the meeting to order at 12:01 PM. Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for those in the attendance to observe a moment of silence in honor of Mary Stewart who passed away November 28, 2005. Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook introduced new Board members, Noel Wyatt and Dixie Ray. Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook deferred the floor to Brian Barton for the introduction of the Board’s guest speaker, Barbara Lawrence, Director of the Bond Bank. Barbara presented the Board with a brief overview of the steps involved to purchase the Work Release Center located at 1848 Ludlow Avenue. Brian informed the Board that the decision to purchase the facility was reached after the Board’s approval of the lease. At the time of the Board’s approval of the lease, MCCC was limited to leasing options due to the financial situation of both the city and county. With the Bond Bank’s involvement, the opportunity to purchase the facility was presented as a feasible solution and all parties involved, to include the City County Council, Mayor’s Office, Controller’s Office, and Office of Corporation Counsel were in agreement that purchasing the facility was in the best interest of Marion County. Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook praised the efforts of Brian Barton and the Office of Corporation Counsel with the handling of the negotiation phase of the project. Questions and answers ensued regarding the purchase of the Work Release Center. Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to authorize the Advisory Board Chairman the ability to table the lease of the Work Release Center until a proposal to purchase the facility is presented to the Board. The motion was moved and seconded and the Advisory Board Chairman was authorized to table the Work Release Center lease of 1848 Ludlow Avenue until the Board is presented with a proposal to purchase the facility.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Dave Cook, Advisory Board Chairman; Judge Robert Altice; Leonard Simpson; Jerry McCory; proxy for Mayor Bart Peterson; David Wyser, proxy for Prosecutor Carl Brizzi; Leslie Duvall; Gary Tingle, proxy for Sheriff Frank Anderson; Rondle Brewer; Susie Davie; Judge William Nelson; Councillor Patrice Abduallah; D. Michael Wallman; Noel Wyatt; Dixie Ray; Kevin Riley, proxy for Judge Marilyn Moores; Carol Hofferth, proxy for Dan Carmin;
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: John von Arx;
OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Barton, MCCC; Tiffany Clark, MCCC; Bill Dishman, MCCC; Chuck Eid, MCCC; Tara Allen, MCCC; Christy Smeehuyzen, MCCC; Ashley Black, MCCC; Mark Smith, MCCC; James Northington, MCCC; Cathy Wolter, Office of Corporate Council; Lloyd Bridges, Riverside; Lori Goins, Riverside; Tim Campbell, VOA; Steve Runyon, VOA; Sophia McCormick, John P. Craine House; Rachael Ditchley, John P. Craine House; Suzanne Pierce, John P. Craine House;
With a quorum present, Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook called the meeting to order at 12:01 PM.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for those in the attendance to observe a moment of silence in honor of Mary Stewart who passed away November 28, 2005.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook introduced new Board members, Noel Wyatt and Dixie Ray.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook deferred the floor to Brian Barton for the introduction of the Board’s guest speaker, Barbara Lawrence, Director of the Bond Bank. Barbara presented the Board with a brief overview of the steps involved to purchase the Work Release Center located at 1848 Ludlow Avenue. Brian informed the Board that the decision to purchase the facility was reached after the Board’s approval of the lease. At the time of the Board’s approval of the lease, MCCC was limited to leasing options due to the financial situation of both the city and county. With the Bond Bank’s involvement, the opportunity to purchase the facility was presented as a feasible solution and all parties involved, to include the City County Council, Mayor’s Office, Controller’s Office, and Office of Corporation Counsel were in agreement that purchasing the facility was in the best interest of Marion County.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook praised the efforts of Brian Barton and the Office of Corporation Counsel with the handling of the negotiation phase of the project.
Questions and answers ensued regarding the purchase of the Work Release Center.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to authorize the Advisory Board Chairman the ability to table the lease of the Work Release Center until a proposal to purchase the facility is presented to the Board.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Advisory Board Chairman was authorized to table the Work Release Center lease of 1848 Ludlow Avenue until the Board is presented with a proposal to purchase the facility.
APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to approve the Board minutes from the October 13, 2005 Board Meeting.
The motion was moved and seconded and the October 13, 2005 Board minutes were Board approved.
2006 ADVISORY BOARD ELECTIONS
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for Board nominations for the office of Advisory Board Vice-Chair. The Board nominated and elected Judge William Nelson as the Board’s Vice-Chair for 2006.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for Board nominations for the office of Advisory Board Chair. The Board nominated and reelected Dave Cook as the Advisory Board Chair for 2006.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for Board nominations for the office of Advisory Board Secretary/Treasurer. The Board nominated and elected Tara Allen as the Board’s Secretary/Treasurer for 2006.
2006 ADVISORY BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to approve the 2006 Advisory Board Meeting Schedule.
The motion was moved and seconded and the 2006 Advisory Board Meeting Schedule was Board approved.
APPROVAL OF THE SECURATEX CONTRACT
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook recognized Brian Barton as he discussed the security contract between Securatex, Inc. and Marion County Community Corrections (MCCC). Securatex, Inc. provides staff to supervise the residents of the community corrections residential minimum-security facility located at 147 E. Maryland Street. The term of the agreement shall be from and including January 1, 2006 to and including June 30, 2006 at a cost of four hundred eighty thousand two hundred and ninety-eight dollars ($480,298.00). Included in the contract is a five percent (5%) increase in staff pay and the addition of one (1) officer to assist the Marion County Sheriff’s Department with the distribution of medications to the residents of the facility. Brian continued by stating that efforts will be made to reevaluate MCCC’s security needs to incorporate the opening of the Work Release Facility located at 1848 Ludlow Avenue. It is MCCC’s goal to enter into one contract to serve both the Annex and the Work Release Center.
Questions and answers ensued regarding the Securatex, Inc. contract.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to approve the Securatex, Inc. contract.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Securatex, Inc. contract for the term of January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006, in the amount of four hundred eighty thousand two hundred and ninety-eight dollars ($480,298.00) was Board Approved.
SCRAM FEE INCREASE
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook recognized Brian Barton as he discussed the proposed SCRAM fee increase. MCCC has experienced an increase in the cost of managing the SCRAM program. The program has grown four hundred percent (400%) since January 1, 2005, which has impacted MCCC’s management responsibilities of the offenders enrolled in the program. MCCC proposes to increase the fee for the SCRAM program from ten dollars ($10.00) per day to twelve dollars ($12.00) per day per offender, effective January 1, 2006. Offenders currently participating in the program would not be effected by the fee increase. Brian continued as he informed the Board that an individual’s inability to pay the SCRAM fee would not deny him/her access to the program.
Questions and answers ensued regarding the SCRAM fee increase. Board Member Judge Robert Altice suggested that the proposed SCRAM fee increase be tabled until a cost analysis of the SCRAM program is submitted to the Board.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to table the proposed SCRAM fee increase pending a cost analysis of the SCRAM program.
The motion was moved and seconded and the SCRAM fee increase from ten dollars ($10.00) per day to twelve dollars ($12.00) per day per offender was tabled until the next Board meeting scheduled for February 2, 2006.
APPROVAL OF THE PRO TECH MONITORING CONTRACT
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook recognized Bill Dishman as he discussed the Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc. contract addendum. Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc. provides satellite monitoring with remote tracking services and support services to MCCC. In August of 2005, Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc. voluntarily offered to lower the daily rate of the GPS equipment from nine dollars and ninety cents ($9.90) to nine dollars ($9.00). Upon the review of Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc. billing documents, it was discovered that the equipment rate of nine dollars ($9.00) was not reflected. To officially lower the daily GPS equipment rate to nine dollars ($9.00) per day, Board approval of the Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc. contract addendum is required.
Questions and answers ensued regarding the Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc. contract addendum.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to approve the Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc. contract addendum.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc. contract addendum retroactive to August 1, 2005 reflecting the rate of nine dollars ($9.00) per day for GPS equipment was Board approved.
APPROVAL OF THE VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA PRE-TRIAL WORK RELEASE CONTRACT
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook recognized Tiffany Clark as she discussed the Volunteers of America (VOA) Pre-Trial Work Release contract addendum. VOA provides MCCC with a residential community corrections program for forty-three (43) eligible male and female offenders at a cost of two hundred five thousand four hundred and fifty dollars ($205,450.00) for a six month contract term. The term of the contract addendum shall be from and including January 1, 2006 to and including June 30, 2006. At the end of the contract term, MCCC shall have the option to renew the contract for a like or lesser term pending the opening of the Work Release Center.
Questions and answers ensued regarding the VOA Pre-Trial Work Release contract addendum.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to approve the VOA Pre-Trial Work Release contract addendum.
The motion was moved and seconded and the VOA Pre-Trial Work Release contract addendum for the term of January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 in the amount of two hundred five thousand four hundred and fifty dollars ($205,450.00) was Board approved.
APPROVAL OF THE RIVERSIDE PRE-TRIAL WORK RELEASE CONTRACT
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook recognized Tiffany Clark as she discussed the Riverside Pre-Trial Work Release contract addendum. Riverside Community Corrections Corporation provides a residential community corrections program for ten (10) eligible male offenders at a cost of eighty three thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars ($83,950.00). The term of the contract shall be from and including January 1, 2006 to and including December 31, 2006. At the end of the contract term, MCCC shall have the option to renew the contract for a like or lesser term pending the opening of the Work Release Center.
Questions and answers ensued regarding the Riverside Community Corrections Corporation Pre-Trial Work Release contract addendum.
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook asked for a motion to approve the Riverside Corrections Corporation Pre-Trial Work Release contract addendum.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Riverside Community Corrections Corporation Pre-Trial Work Release contract addendum for the term of January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 in the amount of eighty three thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars ($83,950.00) was Board approved.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION FUNDING OF MARION COUNTY COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook recognized Brian Barton as he discussed the Department of Correction (DOC) funding of Marion County. Brian informed the Board that a memorandum was forwarded to the attention of DOC’s Commissioner, J. David Donahue, written by Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook. In brief, Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook voiced the Board’s concerns regarding the lack of funding of Marion County by stating that the Board appreciated the openness of the DOC administration regarding the funding of community corrections programs but was disappointed that the Board’s requests were ignored over DOC’s own priorities. Advisory Board Chairman also noted in the memorandum the funding disparity between Lake County and Marion County. Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook re-enforced to Commissioner Donahue Marion County’s commitment to evidence based practices. Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook requested a meeting with Commissioner Donahue and Brian Barton to further discuss the Board’s concerns regarding the lack of funding of Marion County.
NEW BUSINESS
Advisory Board Chairman Dave Cook recognized Brian Barton as he discussed the December 31, 2005 term end dates of several Council appointed Board members; Susie Davie, Rondle Brewer, D. Michael Wallman, Leslie Duvall, Leonard Simpson and John von Arx. Brian thanked the Board Members for their participation during 2005 and encouraged them to contact the City County Council to make their interest known to serve on the Board in 2006. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:05 PM.