BC 2006 02 20 REGULAR - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 20, 2006 - Regular Meeting Page 501 for 96 additional beds to relieve jail overcrowding. To address this immediate issue, she stated a temporary jail should be built on a site outside downtown Concord. Ms. Kitfield said a temporary jail could possibly be built in the one-year time period projected for the Annex at less cost and also allow more time to study alternative designs for the project. Ms. Kitfield cautioned that voting to build the jail without any changes will further erode the public's confidence and trust and ensure legal challenges and further delays. Finally, she asked the Board to vote to begin a temporary jail immediately and give the committee the freedom and time to continue work on the project. Dan McDonald, a resident of 154 South Union Street and architect for over 30 years, commented on changes and development that have occurred in downtown Charlotte and the municipalities of Harrisburg, Kannapolis and Davidson. He stated the need to be able to "think outside the box" to develop a plan for the future and build a better Caharrus County. Mr. McDonald reported the residents have said they want the law enforcement center and jail downtown but ask that it be appropriate for Concord's planned growth. Finally, he asked that the Board remove the barriers placed on the Jail Review committee and allow them time to reach a compromise. Dr. Martha Sommer, resident of 195 Union Street, North, and member of Residents of Historic Concord (RHC) and Citizens for a Better Concord (CBC) , stated residents understood the need for a larger jail facility and the desire to maintain a j ail facility close to the courthouse. However, she stated RHC and CBC were unable to support Option 1 due to its excessive size and proximity to residential neighborhoods. Dr. Sommer said the jail will devalue the nearby residential and commercial properties, erode the stability of the historic districts and discourage female and elderly shoppers from visiting the downtown stores. She proposed a small downtown jail facility to function as a holding area for the inmates with court dates within 30 days. Further, she proposed a second larger j ail facility outside the residential district that would house inmates with court dates farther into the future and provide room for future expansion. Finally, Dr. Sommer urged the Board to look at the project again and think about the long term consequences for the downtown merchants and surrounding residential neighborhoods. Chairman Carruth stated that Commissioner Privette had asked to speak during Informal Public Comments. Commissioner Privette commented on a letter that was read at the January 23rd meeting from the Sheriff, District Attorney and Judges regarding Electronic House Arrest (EHA) and the current overcrowding in the jail. He said John Harkins, State Jail Inspector, gave the recommendation that many Sheriff's departments have instituted ERA to help alleviate overcrowding. Further, he reported that 21 of the State's larger counties have EHA and ci ted examples of programs in other counties along with savings related to food and medical expenses. He stated concern that local law enforcement officials were not arresting some people for criminal offenses, questioned that only one to five inmates would qualify for EHA and objected to transporting prisoners to be housed in Alamance County when he stated EHA could be implemented. Chairman Carruth stated the Board had looked at Electronic House Arrest four different times in the past several years. He said the Board had asked Commissioner Privette at one time to identify the 60 inmates that could be placed on house arrest. Chairman Carruth ended the informal public comments portion of the meeting at 7:39 p.m. (B) OLD BUSINESS (B-1) Report from the Sheriff's Office and Detention Center Review Committee Chairman Carruth recognized Jonathan Marshall, Commerce Director, to moderate this portion of the meeting. He stated the architects would present the two options voted on by the Review Committee and then the Board would hear from the Committee members. Mr. Marshall introduced Pete Cayado, Architect with Ware Bonsall Architects, and facilitator of the three meetings of the Review Committee. He stated that Scott Pyle with Turner Construction was also present to answer any questions regarding the cost for the two options.