Chambana Sun

Champaign County Facilities Committee Met April 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members

Present: Steve Summers, Stan Harper, Jodi Wolken, Jordan Humphrey, Emily Rodriguez, Leah Taylor, Jim Goss, Jenny Lokshin (All Committee Members participated via Zoom) Absent: None.

County Staff: Dana Brenner (Facilities Director), Dan Busey (Recording Clerk), (County Staff physically present)

Others Present: Sheriff Heuerman, Captain Voges (Participated via Zoom)

Agenda

I. Call to Order and Roll Call

Committee Chair Summers called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

II. Approval of Agenda/Addenda

Moved by Mr. Goss to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Humphrey. Upon Roll Call Vote, the Motion Carried Unanimously.

III. Approval of Minutes – March 2, 2021

Moved by Mr. Harper to approve the Minutes from March 2, 2021; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Upon Roll Call Vote, the Motion Carried Unanimously.

IV. Public Participation

Ben Beaupre addressed the committee about the safety concerns of the current state of the Downtown Jail.

V. Communications

There were no communications brought before the committee.

VI. New Business

A. Discussion of Champaign County Jail Issues.

Sheriff Heuerman told the committee that they are experiencing some of the same issues that they have been experiencing for several years. COVID has brought to light even more concerns from the Sheriffs perspective. Mr. Brenner spoke about population numbers and problems with D.O.C. (Department of Corrections) not accepting prisoners that have been sentenced. Sheriff Heuerman spoke about housing and classification issues that the Downtown and Satellite Jails are currently facing. Mr. Brenner gave a brief run down of the upcoming HVAC replacement at the Satellite Jail. Ms. Rodriguez asked about access to medical care in the Satellite Jail. The Sheriff discussed the protocols of Medical Treatment within the facility as well as transports from the jail to Medical Facilities. Ms. Rodriguez asked about withdrawal symptoms for detainees in the jail. Captain Voges spoke about the contracted Medical Staff and the protocols that are in place for detainees experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Ms. Rodriguez asked for differences in the handling of withdrawal symptoms in Champaign County as opposed to other counties. Captain Voges explained that there are protocols specific to the type of withdrawals detainees are having. A discussion about housing inmates out of county and within the Satellite and Downtown Jails ensued. Captain Voges spoke about the issues of detaining the Mentally Ill and the fact that they have been detained by Court Order creates issues within the facility. Ms. Rodriguez and Captain Voges had a conversation about the numbers of detainees and where they are in the Court Process. Captain Voges went on to speak more about housing issues due to the state of the Downtown Jail, as well as other factors such as COVID and inmate classifications. Mr. Summers expressed his hopes of more committee members touring both jails.

B. Discussion and Approval of County Highway Maintenance Metal Roof Replacement and ILEAS Asphalt Shingle Replacement Bid Documents *95% Complete. Mr. Brenner stated that Reifsteck Reid & Company Architects, Corp. put together a bid document that spells out the bidding. If approved the bid will go out on April 8th on the Reifsteck & Reid website as well as the counties website. Mr. Brenner spoke to the logistics of how the bids will be tracked and received. Substantial completion for the project should be by the end of December 2021. Moved by Ms. Taylor to approve County Highway Maintenance Metal Roof Replacement and ILEAS Asphalt Shingle Replacement Bid Documents; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Upon Roll Call Vote, the Motion Carried Unanimously.

C. Discussion of American Rescue Plan Act.

Mr. Summers stated that part of the reason for the act is to address the issues of COVID, which would relate to overcrowding in the jail. Ms. Rodriguez stated that she would see no issue that would face more scrutiny than spending money on the jail. Mr. Humphrey spoke to his interests about what type of funding, specifically public/inmate safety, that the money would qualify for. Ms. Taylor mentioned adding on a smaller pod wing to the Satellite Jail that could be used during pandemics for distancing and medical needs. Ms. Taylor went on to say that if it were not a pandemic it could be used for other sorts of separation or medical needs. Mr. Summers went on to speak about the lack of ability to separate the population of the Satellite Jail for any reason. Mr. Harper weighted in on the need for housing separation within the Satellite Jail as well as the poor state of the Downtown Jail. Mr. Summers spoke to the fact that the county should not unnecessarily incarcerate anyone, however that it is also the County Boards responsibility to ensure safe and fair conditions to those who have been incarcerated. Ms. Rodriguez spoke to her concerns of the possible shifting population of the jail population due to the possibility of ending cash bail. Mr. Goss commented that the county may go away from cash bail but that does not get away from individuals awaiting felony cases. Mr. Goss also spoke to the fact the IDOC and DHS had issues taking inmates even before COVID.

D. Discussion of air quality study for RPC - Brookens POD #100.

Mr. Brenner pointed to the full report from OEHS Environmental and Occupational Health Solutions. This was regarding complaints from office workers of the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) of experiencing headaches etc. OEHS conducted extensive testing of the air quality of the area as well as the HVAC air handlers atop of the RPC Office area. The air quality was found to be very comparable to that of the outdoors, as the air is circulated from outside. A low concentration of yeast was detected. Mr. Brenner said that the air handlers will be cleaned this month and the level of yeast was not of particular concern. A degree of alcohol was picked up in the test, likely resulting in the increased use of hand sanitizer due to COVID. Mr. Brenner stated what the report did find was that this is an extremely dry space. Mr. Brenner plans to speak with RPC about adding additional humidifiers to remedy the humidity level. Mr. Brenner touched on past reports done for Brookens by OEHS and believes that there is a pretty good handle on what the air quality is in the building due to the consistency of their reports.

VII. Other Business

A. Semi-annual Review of CLOSED Session Minutes.

Upon Roll Call Vote the CLOSED Session Minutes were voted to remain closed unanimously.

VIII. Presiding Officer’s Report

A. Future Meeting – Tuesday, May 4, 2021 @ 6:30pm.

IX. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda

None.

X. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/CF/2021/210407_Meeting/210407Minutes.pdf