Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for May 15th, 2018
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes May 15, 2018 2189
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Tom Davis and Laura Sanborn 54°
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the May 1st and May 8th, 2018 minutes. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Sheriff’s Update –
Sheriff Troy Morton stated that today’s jail population is 195 inmates; 155 males, 40 females and 43 boarded out to other county jails. There are currently 55 inmates in pre-trial services. There are no federal inmates and there are three county swaps.
Sheriff reports that at five months into the year we are at 34% expense of the 42% budgeted. Sheriff stated that the two main contributing expenses are medical payments to hospitals and for prescriptions.
Sheriff informed the Commissioners he was on the Ric Tyler - George Hale radio show this morning discussing lack of jail funding in Augusta.
The Commissioners suggest the Sheriff needs to be more aggressive in setting restrictions with the State in accepting inmates. They feel he needs to give them a deadline of July 1st, which is the new fiscal year.
Bill Collins interjected we have a genuine concern on the cash available and without those monies we’re going to have to get very creative in how we continue to operate. Counties have been placed in an extremely troubled financial position.
Commissioner Davis repeated that we are in crisis and we need to step up and lead. We need to make some hard decisions that the State will have to take on responsibility that currently we have taken on. Possible suggestions include having the State take our overflow of inmates and keep our count at the 157 cap. Also, have the municipalities summons offenders and conduct bail at their offices and finally no more boarding of inmates out to other counties. We need to come up with some sort of a strategy.
Bill reported the questions posed at the MCCA meeting last week were "What happens to the jails if there is no supplemental monies" and "What will happen if you don’t receive 2018-2019 monies? ". Bill presented paperwork that reflected how other Counties planned to respond if they did not receive funding. Bill also referred these questions to our Finance Director, Judy Alexander. What needs to be decided is how the County need to decide how to operate the jail on $6,792,008 (calendar year).
The Commissioners have requested that the Sheriff hold off on purchasing the new patrol cars until after this issue is settled. The Sheriff believes this may be a mistake, but will adhere to the Commissioners’ request.
Commissioner Davis made a motion to allot $250 for the Programs department to the Sheriff’s Office to work on the neighborhood flower garden on Franklin Street. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Last week was National Correction Officers Week and Bangor Police Department brought over pizzas one night as a thank you.
This week is National Law Enforcement Officer Week.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the MCCA updated release waiver to allow civilian passengers to ride along with deputies in their vehicle for Penobscot County. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
The Go Fund Me page for Cpl. Eugene Cole exceeded its $ 20K mark to offset funeral expenses at the Cross Center last week.
Sheriff reported they have been assisting Indian Island police department with an active shooter drill in the schools as well as getting their Spillman system up to date. We have also been assisting the court systems in getting them to be able to upload information of tribal court into their system so that they are able to track information within the County.
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux presented the Animal control contracts for the University of Maine to the Commissioners for their signature. Signed.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to renew the plowing contract with Town of Medway for three more years at last season’s price for the Grindstone Road. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Commissioner Davis made a motion to award Adam Qualey the Millinocket Lake Road Plowing Contract. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0. George Buswell inspected his equipment and checked references. They were all positive. Commissioner Davis, however, did request that Barbara look in requesting additional service for the Option years.
Barbara reported that Kingman Fire Department is having a difficult time getting new members. Currently the fire department is staffed by volunteers that are nearing retirement age. Barbara would like to send a small token be sent to the Springfield Fire Department for their response to a car fire in Prentiss. Barbara plans on meeting with other towns to see if something can be done to assist Kingman.
Barbara spoke with Peter Crockett of Argyle Township who is interested in TIF funds for building a prototype of a canoe trailer. Barbara states that Mr. Crockett would use the monies for site work and purchasing the raw components of the building.
PRCC Update –
Chad Labree reported to the Commissioners that the transition with Bangor is in process. A contract agreement has been reviewed by our legal department and was amended slightly. It has now been sent to Bangor’s for their legal review.
PRCC will be taking on Bangor’s landline and VOIP calls May 30th and the cell phone calls on June 13th.
Training on EFD is still being conducted. These two classes are to be held at EMA conference room and another on the third floor for quality assurance and software too.
Chad reports software has been installed and employees are getting familiar with using it. We go live on May 23rd.
Staffing levels are good with three call takers in the training process. There are two more candidates that went through screening yesterday. If they pass they will be training shortly.
Chad wanted the Commissioners to know how impressed he was with our Dispatchers in how they handled last Friday’s Dexter incident. This incident involved multiple agencies. Our dispatchers were flawless in executing staging in order to get the perpetrator arrested.
Chad mentioned the RFQ Pre-Bid Conference was held yesterday and three companies were interested. The three companies were excited and planning on submitting a bid. The deadline for the bid is June 22nd at 4:00 pm with the opening of the bids the following Tuesday.
Administrative Update –
Sheriff, Joanne and Bill will meet with FOP Supervisors on Friday and Patrol Line Unit next Tuesday for negotiations.
The State Claims Board Commission Meeting scheduled in June has been postponed to early fall.
The Smith and Mosca tax abatement decisions vs. the State of Maine from the May 1st hearing were signed by the Commissioners.
Bill presented the Commissioners the formal contract from WBRC. Signed.
Finance Director, Judy Alexander reported that we have 2.3M left on the TAN
Payroll change notices signed for: Tracy Hall, George Buswell and Cap Ayer – Comp time; Sheila Leavitt – Retirement; Kristen Roemmich – Hired F/T; Jeffrey Durley, Jessica Luna, James Nicholas and Seth Rolfe – Hired P/T.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 213,713.36
Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $120,465.39
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved: $ 33,727.46
Public Session –
Dick Hansen from Hansen Insurance reported to the Commissioners that the funding has been completed by Cigna to move the additional $ 5 K for the Wellness Center Showers for a total of $ 25 K.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to allow Bill Collins negotiate a lower cost for the Wellness Center Showers. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:15 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Dan Tremble, Renee Stupak and Joanne McIntyre. Session ended at 10:20 a.m. NO votes taken
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:20 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Dan Tremble and Joanne McIntyre. Session ended at 10:35 a.m. NO votes taken
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Davis moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:36 am with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Certified By:
Administrator, William Collins
Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman
Laura J. Sanborn, Commissioner
Thomas J. Davis, Jr., Commissioner
