Chambana Sun

Champaign County Facilities Committee met Aug. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members

Present: Steve Summers, Jodi Wolken, Jenny Lokshin, Stan Harper.

Absent: Emily Rodriguez, Jordan Humphrey, Leah Taylor, Jim Goss.

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

Others Present: Sheriff Dustin Heurman, Captain Karee Voges, County Executive Darlene Kloeppel, Board Member Aaron Esry, Board Member Jim McGuire.

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 Ms. Wolken to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Lokshin Upon Roll Call Vote, the Motion Carried Unanimously.

III. Approval of Minutes – June 8, 2021

Moved by Ms. Lokshin to approve the minutes from June 8, 2021; seconded by Ms. Wolken. Mr. Harper pointed out a typo under section III of the June 8th minutes to be amended. Upon Roll Call Vote, the Motion Carried Unanimously.

IV. Public Participation

None.

V. Communications

None.

VI. New Business

A. Discussion of the Sheriff’s Office/Downtown Jail and Satellite Jail. Chair Summers asked Mr. Brenner to give an update on estimated costs of the possible project. Mr. Brenner contacted Reifsteck Reid Architectural Firm, who had done previous studies, for updated pricing. Prices have escalated 20 to 25 percent. Reifsteck Reid is going to provide updated pricing and will provide the baseline information to move things forward. Mr. Summers said he was gratified that the County Board chose to form a special committee for the Sheriff’s Office/Downtown Jail and Satellite Jail Project. Mr. Summers then asked Committee Members to weight in with their thoughts on the project. Ms. Lokshin spoke of her interest in making sure the facility is safe for the officers who work there and humane for the inmates who are housed there. Ms. Lokshin also stated that her main concern was to move forward with closing the Downtown Jail as soon as possible. Mr. Harper spoke to the fact that this is a crisis issue, and that action needs to be taken. He then asked Sheriff Heurman about the possibility of using the Brookens Gymnasium as space for the Sheriff’s Office in lieu of a new office space to allow more funds to go towards construction of the jail facility. Sheriff Heurman thanked Mr. Harper and Committee Members for their votes regarding the special committee. The sheriff then went on to say that the office space is a priority, but not as much of a priority as consolidation. The Sheriff said that himself and Mr. Brenner had been going over viable options, including renting space, for the Sheriff’s Office while the consolidation project would be ongoing. Mr. Harper continued that while he would hate to waste money on rent it may be the only option. Sheriff Heurman noted that he and the Facilities Director had been working with Reifsteck Reid to come up with several options to bring before the committee. Ms. Wolken shared her thoughts that the past price made it hard to get public support. She went onto say that even if the bare minimum was done it would be beneficial to close the Downtown Jail. County Board Member Esry spoke about the fact that the Tax Referenda failed due to it being last minute, that the board was not working to get the message out to the public, and that boarding inmates out of county is not a popular opinion of the public. Mr. Esry stated in these circumstances he is not against boarding inmates out of the county however it is not a long-term solution. Sheriff Heurman agreed with Mr. Esry on boarding inmates out of the county. The Sheriff went on to say that he believes there are two options at this point; one being continuing to house out of county long term, two being housing out of county during consolidation then getting inmates in the same building. County Board Member McGuire noted past plans and spoke about how to gradually move inmates out of the Downtown Jail. Mr. McGuire brought up the current climate of gun violence in Champaign County and that the public may see more of a need for this project. Mr. McGuire said that there is a need for a more secure jail for inmates and officers alike as well as resources within the jail. Violence, mental health, and COVID have created a bigger problem for the jail and ARPA Funds could help alleviate many of these issues. Mr. McGuire went on to say that the Circuit Clerk and the Courts technology also need an upgrade. Mr. Summers informed the committee that he will be reaching out to absent members to get their input. Mr. Summers spoke about his frustration regarding planning and messaging to the public about the original proposal. Mr. Summers urged members to choose their words carefully when speaking about the project. Mr. Summers also stressed that medical facilities and classroom spaces may help get public support and should not be overlooked as they are necessary components for the facility.

B. Discussion of FY2022 Lease Revenue. Mr. Brenner gave updates on the counties lease revenue. The county is forecasting $894,386.21 in lease revenue for Fiscal Year 2022. Mr. Brenner wen onto discuss reasons for increases and the status of upcoming contracts. The county deals with 10 leases on annual basis. Mr. Brenner and County Executive Kloeppel spoke about different options for the land currently occupied by Humane Society, as they are relocating. This included the possibility of relocating Animal Control to the Facility. Discussion followed about discrepancies in costs between entities leasing and the reasons for this.

VII. Other Business

Mr. Brenner spoke about the bidding process for ITB#2021-007 roof replacement for Brookens Pod 300 and 400 as well as the Salt Dome and Slat Brine roofs. The bids came back higher then expected. The adjuster is going to return with an engineer to walk the roofs with Cincinnati Insurance and Bailey Edward Architecture. In hopes to readjust the numbers, if the outcome is not positive Mr. Brenner said we may need to wait until the winter and re bid the project. A conversation ensued about the current inflated costs of building materials.

VIII. Presiding Officer’s Report

A. Future Meeting – Tuesday, September 7, 2021 @ 6:30pm

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

None.

X. Adjournment

The Meeting adjourned at 7:07 P.M.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/CF/2021/210811_Meeting/210811Minutes.pdf