Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for February 19, 2019
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes February 19, 2019 2227 9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci and Laura Sanborn 9° Andre Cushing (Arrived 9:55 a.m.)
Sheriff’s Update -
Sheriff reported that today’s jail population is 184 (147 males, 37 females) with 80 boarded out to other county jails. There are no federal inmates, no county swaps and 85 inmates in Pre-Trial Services.
Sheriff stated that the local County Delegation Meeting last Friday was well attended. It was important to address what the Sheriff’s Office is doing to reduce population in the jail. Sheriff said working with the Courts and Pre-Trial Services is imperative; otherwise, we may be well over 300 inmates incarcerated.
Sheriff reviewed the latest pretrial list and is appreciative of Court Administrator Peter Schleck and all the work that he has done. Our top five are pending murders and range from 319 to 394 days incarcerated.
Sheriff reported on the presentation called Verizon Connect. This is a tracking system for law enforcement vehicles. Sheriff will be presenting a proposal in a couple weeks because he feels that this is something that we should purchase.
Sheriff stated that he and his admin team had a wonderful meeting last with Erika Honey, HR Director.
Sheriff has signed on a letter of support for the DA’s Office for the State to funds a prosecutor position. Sheriff also signed a letter of support as well for Partners for Peace.
CHCS (our mental health provider) has been working with LT Hotaling to implement the Spillman Database as a collections site identifying mental health issues. Sheriff reported that in one months that there were:
o 125 Safety Assessments o 45 Consults by the Psychiatrist, Dr. Schaeffer o 60 Inmates requests were met by clinicians
UT Update -
Barbara Veilleux presented a letter of support to the Commissioners for the Matagamon Lake Association to apply for a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund. This grant would fund resurfacing the deck of the Matagamon Dam. The total project cost is $34,920 with the Lake Association matching 50%. Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve a letter with Commissioner Baldacci seconding the motion. Motion passed 2-0. Signed.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve Regional Animal Control contract with the University of Maine as presented. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0. Signed. Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve Regional Animal Control contract with the Town of Eddington as presented. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0. Signed.
George Buswell spoke to an electrician this morning in order obtain a grant with Efficiency Maine to get LED lighting in the Argyle Salt/Sand shed. The electrician is putting the final details together and we should have this information later this week. Our share of the cost would be around $872. PRCC Update –
Josh Lilley, Assistant Director reported the Fish Hill tower audio didn’t work. It appears the antenna was bad. Whitten’s will be getting back to Chris and Josh with a quote to fix.
Josh stated the new microwave that came in last week had a catastrophic failure. It is being shipped back to the manufacturer.
IT Update –
Cliff Warren, IT Director presented the Commissioners with a spreadsheet of the vendors that sent in bids for the consolidated voice data delivery solution. After a lengthy discussion, Cliff recommended remaining with Otelco as the pricing is slightly lower.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to award the bid to Otelco. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0.
Administration Update –
The County Delegation Meeting that took place last Friday was well attended. He has seen some positive social media comments. The Governors jail budget reflects $18.4 M.
Commissioner Sanborn reported there is additional interest in the LUPC position. Barbara Veilleux will re-advertise in the northern Penobscot newspapers.
Bill thanked the Sheriff’s Office for providing the labor that painted the Commissioners Chambers as well as the kitchen staff in supplying refreshments for the Delegation Meeting last Friday.
Bill reported that the MCCA meeting that was cancelled last week has been rescheduled for this Thursday. Bill, Erika and the Sheriff’s Staff attended a meeting with Workers Comp officials. Bill reported that each work place injury was reviewed.
Bill has been alerted that Lincoln County has been hit with a fraudulent check scam. Bill has passed this information onto Judy and Tyler.
Frank McGuire is working on a legal document for Shanita Cunningham for the SO Federal grant.
Payroll Change Notices signed for: Nicholas Hardwick – Promoted; Noreen Pena – Resignation; Jennifer Sanford and Ty Babb – Payroll Change; Blake Miller and Terry Sullivan - Comp time.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 215,115.19 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $50,247.46 UT A/P Warrant to be approved for : $39,396.64 UT TIF Warrant to be approved for: -NONE-
Public Comment –
Doug Dunbar reminded all that there are funds available for training for employees in the jail. NAMI Maine has a goal that all employees are trained in Mental Health.
Doug thanked Dick Hansen for providing Mary Lyons additional resource books in the jail.
Doug feels that the five year ban on volunteering at the jail provides a stigma to those in seeking to reach out to others. Doug feels that recovery needs to be embraced and not shamed.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:36 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve 2-0. Present were: Administrator Bill Collins, HR Director Erika Honey, Treasurer John Hiatt, PRCC Director Chris Lavoie and Deputy Josh Lilley. Session ended at 9:48 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:49 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve 2-0. Present were: Administrator Bill Collins, HR Director Erika Honey and Treasurer John Hiatt. Commissioner Cushing arrived at 9:55 a.m. Session ended at 9:58 a.m. No votes taken. Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:59 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Administrator Bill Collins, HR Director Erika Honey and Sheriff Troy Morton. . Session ended at 10:36 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:37 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Administrator Bill Collins and HR Director Erika Honey. . Session ended at 10:59 a.m. No votes taken.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Cushing moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:09 a.m. 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
AAndre E. Cushing, III, Commissioner
