Macoupin County Public Safety Committee met April 5

By Philip Gonzales

Jul 4, 2022

Macoupin County Public Safety Committee met April 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT: Kiel, Dragovich, Ibberson, Payne, Starr, Wiggins, Kahl, Duncan, Garrison

ABSENT: Acord

II. AGENDA ITEMS

1. Radio Grant Money Update

Kahl spoke about a grant they had applied for in regards to a $100,000 grant from the state for car and portable radios. After about three years, they are just about complete with it, they are just waiting on the SAMS number renewal. The total costs for the radios is about $140,000, but he will try and use the American Rescue Plan funding for the remainder of the costs. Kahl said he wasn't sure how long it would take to get the radios after the money comes in. Some of the radios are currently about 20 years old.

2. New Law in Reference to a 7 Day Week Court

Garrison said one of the new aspects of the SAFE-T Act would be the need to hold court potentially every day of the week. There was still many questions that he and the Sheriff had as well as the other affected departments but it would require significant planning ahead of time. It was pointed out that the Courts committee had recommended an ad hoc committee be formed with some Board members as well all of the officials, judges and department heads would have changes in their office due to the new law going into effect on January 1, 2023.

3. New Laws Coming Into Effect

Garrison said the costs of the body cameras would have a one time cost but also a significant year to year cost. He also believes that the county would need to hire technology employees to handle the storage and retrieval of the footage to ensure compliance. Garrison also said that there would be significant change to who could be held after arrest at the jail and how it will have an affect on operations for the Courthouse and judicial system. There was a lengthy discussion about how the state changes on this are leading to the perception that the County is not properly charging and holding those arrested, but it is the County following the law.

4. American Rescue Plan Funding Items Submitted

Kahl said he had submitted three requests for American Rescue Plan funding. One would be to replace the air handlers in the jail complex as well as an HVAC replacement in the Courthouse. The second was for the remainder of the radio grant costs discussed earlier. The final request was for premium pay for his employees.

1. Resolve into executive session

Motion by Wiggins, seconded by Payne to resolve into executive session at 5:40 pm.

RESULT: RESOLVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Tony Wiggins, Member

SECONDER: Jon Payne, Member

AYES: Kiel, Dragovich, Ibberson, Payne, Starr, Wiggins

ABSENT: Acord

2. Personnel - Animal Control Administrator Interviews

3. Arise from Executive Session

Motion by Dragovich, seconded by Ibberson to arise from executive session at 6:17 p.m.

RESULT: ARISE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Dragovich, Vice Chair