Kay County Justice Facilities Authority
The Trustees of the Kay County Justice Facilities Authority
(JFA) met in regular session at
Chairman Bruce Robinson called the meeting to order. Those present were as follows: Trustees – Carl Giddens; Darrel Grossardt; Laile
Wilson, Kay County Commissioner; Wes Young; Don Jones, Jail Consultant; Stan
Lewis, AIP Architect Firm; Paul Smith, Financial Advisor, First Interstate
Financial Services, Inc.; Christy Kennedy, Kay County Treasurer; Judy Barnes,
Kay County Assessor; Board of Kay County
Commissioners, Laile Wilson, Dee Schieber and Peggy Ennis; Sharon Rowen, Ponca
City News; Scott Cloud, Newkirk Herald Journal; Charles Abbott, Blackwell
Journal Tribune; Tammy Reese, Kay County Clerk/Secretary. Norris Frederick and Jim Stieber were absent.
Motion made by Grossardt and seconded by Young approving special
meeting minutes of
Note: Board of Kay County Commissioners Agenda
Items 3 and 4, and Justice Facilities Authority (JFA) Agenda Items 4 and 5,
were joint items discussed between the two boards.
Motion was made by Grossardt and seconded by Young to enter
into executive session pursuant to Title 25 Section 307(B)(3), to discuss the
possible appraisal and/or purchase of real property on which to locate a new
county jail (2:35 p.m.) Motion carried.
Motion was made by Grossardt and seconded by Young to
reconvene regular meeting (
Robinson added that a sub committee of the JFA has been looking
at three different possibilities for a location for the new facility.
The Board of Kay County Commissioners passed a motion
authorizing the JFA to spend up to $10,000.00 to be used as earnest money or
option money for the purchase of property.
The next topic of discussion was a Resolution and issuance
of an Election Proclamation calling for a countywide sales tax election on
Schieber had several questions concerning the topic: 1) The time limit on going out for a tax 2)
How the JFA arrived at two-thirds cent 3) How much the two-thirds cent will
generate
Financial Advisor, Paul Smith, said the next available date
for an election is
Smith explained language in the Resolution stating a portion
of the sales tax, one-third cent shall have a limited duration of twenty years
from the date of commencement, or until principal and interest upon
indebtedness incurred on behalf of Kay County is paid in full, whichever occurs
earlier; while the remaining portion of the sales tax, one-third of one cent,
to continue until repealed by a majority of the electors of Kay County.
Schieber said with the extra beds in the new facility we
could house Department of Corrections (DOC) inmates and use that money to help
pay off the debt.
Smith cautioned everyone that DOC is part of the problem and
said to expect to make a profit off of DOC for any length of time is not in the
best interest of the county.
Schieber spoke about state agencies forcing us to build a
new jail facility.
Smith replied stating it is a public safety
responsibility. He said we have sizing
problems, security and safety problems, no secure environment and no segregation. Smith told the audience, these people in our
jails have constitutional rights and we must comply with the standards.
Schieber then asked if the jail was going to be a 321 bed
facility or a 268 bed facility.
Smith explained the number of physical beds in the facility
was 321 but the operational number may never reach that capacity because of
various situations, single cell/double cell, men/women, nature of crime, etc.
Smith’s answer to Schieber’s
question on the chances of passing the sales tax - Smith said the studying has
been done, to be clear on the project and let the people vote.
Schieber then discussed the
difference in cost comparing
Smith said the 228 bed facility is
for construction cost only; the projected operational cost of the
Schieber then asked when the tax
would be collected if it passed in May.
Smith said it takes 75 days to
prepare a notice making the tax go into effect
Schieber stated he has major
issues with putting a flat roof on the new facility and that he is not in favor
of a flat roof; Schieber said he would prefer a sloped steel roof.
Don Jones, Jail Consultant said
the board has not voted on any architectural plans. Robinson added the commissioners must approve
plans before proceeding.
Architect Stan Lewis said
changing the roof can be done. He
explained for security purposes a jail must have a concrete roof; if you have a
metal roof it has to be ventilated.
The Board of Commissioners passed
a motion to call for an election on
Don Garrison, State Department of Health, said he could tell there has been a lot of work done in the jail. He mentioned he would not be as critical as he should be because of the progress we are trying to make. Garrison said if the inmate count is raised to 130 it will not solve any problems because if we can not segregate we will still not be in compliance.
Garrison said he was pleased the
county decided to go out for a sales tax.
He said he hoped every person in the room would work together to try and
get the sales tax passed reiterating the current jail does not meet any
constitutional rights.
No report was given from the Architect Liaison Committee or on jail repair status.
Robinson said the jail site selection committee will continue to look for a jail location.
Don Jones reminded everyone the jail population escalates in
the spring and said the county may be looking at housing inmates in
Jones spoke about the proposed new facility and said it will not be a Holiday Inn; the inmates will sit on concrete or steel. He said it is not a fancy jail; it is a hardened facility built with staff safety in mind.
Lewis suggested having a meeting regarding
the style of roof to put on the new facility.
Lewis said there are several options to be considered, a sloped roof is
not a cure all; it is very expensive estimating an increase of around $2
million.
Grossardt commented when Blackwell Leadership attended County Government Day they toured the jail and many questions were asked.
Paul Smith said he would draft a press release for the Commissioners and the JFA to consider.
Carl Giddens said he would like an outline prepared to have for future speaking engagements so everyone would basically use the same speech.
Unscheduled public appearances: Questions were asked on clarification of
funds received from the sales tax if passed.
There being no other business, motion was made by Giddens
and seconded by Young to adjourn (
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Approved this 28th day of March, 2008.
_________________________________
Bruce Robinson, Chairman
Attest:
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Tammy Reese,
Secretary, Kay County Justice Facilities Authority
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