Penobscot County Commissioners' Minutes from September 17, 2019
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes September 17, 2019 2255 9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Andre Cushing & Laura Sanborn 57°
Before the start of today’s meeting there was a moment of silence held for the fallen firefighter and those injured in the explosion in Farmington yesterday.
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve September 10, 2019 meeting minutes. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
DA Update –
Office Manager, Kristine Higgins requested to purchase 16 new computers for their department for a total of $23,720 (list price). The computer equipment capital balance is currently $23,745.03. Maine DA Technical Services (MeDats) orders computers twice a year and Kristine is hoping to reduce the cost to $17,039 if we were able to get the same discount MeDats received in the spring from a group purchase. Commissioner Cushing moved to approve this request not to exceed $ 18 K. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
The Criminal Forfeiture account balance is $2,485. They are requesting the following purchases:
o Two Victim Witness Advocates to attend a one day Sexual Assault Education and Training to be held in Bangor in the amount of $ 300 total. Commissioner Cushing moved to approve these funds from the Criminal Forfeiture account. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0. o Two laptop computers in the amount of $991.68 to be used in court for media accessibility. ADA Devon DeMarco explained that every law enforcement agency relies heavily on their camera software’s in court. Unfortunately, due to the many programs installed in the laptops that we use, they cannot handle the additional media software. In court everything is time sensitive. You will hear the grinding of the computer; watch the computer screen trying to upload the video, etc. These laptops sole purpose will be media use for trials. Commissioner Cushing moved to approve $991.68 for two laptops. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Kristine presented for signature a criminal forfeiture request for the DA’s Office.
o State vs Vandine in the forfeiture amount of 15% of $1,732 ($259.80) to the DA’s office and 85% going to the East Millinocket Police Department.
Commissioner Cushing made a motion to approve. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
Devon stated that the DA’s office is concerned with the alternative sentencing program ending in Penobscot County. The DA’s office monitors the lists of pre-trial inmates in hopes to find ways for resolutions. Marianne Lynch recently held a second diversion program at the Barn with a lot of positive feedback received. This program is offered to first offenders for theft on their initial court appearance. Marianne relies heavily on community partners for this pilot program in order to keep the cost low.
Commissioner Baldacci stated that the Sheriff’s Office is looking for a site to hold a day program for alternative sentencing.
PRCC Update –
Director of PRCC, Chris Lavoie reported on training that his employees have received:
o Four employees are currently in West Bath taking Active Shooter training o Two dispatchers last month were at Portland Police Department on tactical dispatch o Josh Lilley and Chris were at the Criminal Justice Academy last week in the NENA Center Manager Certification program
Josh and one call taker traveled to Franklin Regional Communication Center in Farmington after the recent death of one of their firefighters. We offered assistance to their staff.
Chris reported on the phone outage in Bradford and Hudson on Sunday. This consisted of the 327 exchange. The Commissioners requested Chris write a formal letter of complaint to the State 9-1-1 bureau in regards to the lack of communication during this outage and the error in Consolidated Communications response.
Chris will travel to the Aroostook County Commissioners meeting tomorrow. It has been recommended that they remain with Penobscot County for a three year contract to answer their 9-1-1 calls.
Chris stated that the PRCS Board meeting will be held next week.
The following week he and Josh will both be out of town attending the Spillman Conference.
PRCC (Dept. 4) Budget Presentation –
Chris Lavoie presented PRCC (Dept. 4) department budget for the 2020 year. Chris noted a 3.09% increase in their PRCC budget ($3,351,881).
The major increase is in the Capital-Equipment for Spillman Mapping at $40K per year. This was missed in last year’s budget; building repair and equipment has an increase for repair of radio screens and the “I Am Responding” software ($19,240/year). Other slight increases include legal assistance (transcript requests that legal redacts), traveling expenses, & office supplies.
Commissioner Cushing motioned to table the PRCC budget for further review. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Maine State Retirement (Dept. 18) Budget Presentation –
Judy noted that she has increased the Retirement budget to $2,350 from $2,200.
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the Dept. 18 Budget. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Health/Safety (Dept. 19) Budget Presentation –
Judy Alexander noted this budget request is the same as last year. ($6,000)
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the Health/Safety budget. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Insurance-Retirees (Dept. 22) Budget Presentation –
Judy noted this budget has no change. ($43,000)
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the Insurance-Retirees budget. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Bridges (Dept. 24) Budget Presentation –
Judy Alexander noted this budget request is the same ($100)
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the Bridges budget. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Loan Interest (Dept. 31) Budget Presentation –
Judy is requesting an increase of $22,000 to $43,000.
After discussion, Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the Loan Interest request. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Labor Negotiations (Dept. 39) Budget Presentation –
Judy noted the request is the same as last year. ($8,000)
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the request. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Wage Adjustment (Dept. 40) Budget Presentation –
Judy noted the request is the same as last year. ($30,000)
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Administration Update –
It has been decided that the Spirit of America Awards will be held October 15th at 1:30.
Recent FOIA requests received request:
o Daily cost of housing an inmate at PCJ o Daily cost of boarding out of inmates o Information of bail of inmates o Names on the Board of Visitors and dates of their terms o Names who serve on the Penobscot County Jail Diversion Committee and the dates of their terms o A vendor is requesting copies of the Registry of Deed Records Management Bids
Bill provided an update from WBRC of their work with the staff of the Sheriff’s Office focusing on intake. STV will be back this week to review the site topography survey and preliminary boring information. While here STV plans to tour two other Maine facilities (Two Bridges and Somerset).
The MCCA Convention is being held next week at Point Lookout in Rockport.
Bill reminded the Commissioners of the “meet and greet” with Emera and Enmax officials that will be held October 1.
Payroll Change Notices signed for: Ashley Smith – Resignation; Gary Mehuren - Payroll Changes; Sara Rogers, Cap Ayer and George Buswell – Comp Time
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $247,023.80 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $150,517.70 UT A/P Warrant to be approved for: $170,023.58 UT TIF Warrant to be approved for: $13,808.35
Public Comment –
Citizen Melissa Burkey spoke of the Alternative Sentencing. What is being done to put something back in place? Bill reported that the Sheriff and staff are very active in trying to find a location that would be suitable for a day program. Also the Sheriff is in Augusta today trying to get monies for Medically Assisted Treatment (M.A.T.) and uniform policies in place.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:25 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, John Hiatt, Judy Alexander, and Dick Hansen. Session ended at 10:37 a.m. Commissioner Cushing made a motion to approve acceptance of a 4% increase to the 2020 Cigna Health Insurance Policy allowing Administrator Collins to sign. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 2 – 0. with Commissioner Baldacci abstaining from the vote.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:38 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins. Session ended at 10:56 a.m. No votes taken.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Cushing moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:57 a.m. with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
