Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - Public Safety & Justice Committee met May 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jennifer Groves Allison – Chairperson; Danny Phelan – Vice Chairperson; Brian Elsasser, Nathan Hoerr, Rob Reneau, Steven Rieker, Sharon Williams

MEMBERS ABSENT: Brandy Bryant

OTHERS PRESENT: Scott Sorrel – County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office; Heather McCord – Chief FinancialOfficer; Angela Loftus, Gretchen Pearsall – County Administration; Jodi Noe – ETSB; Becky Spencer – PCAPS; Robert Spears – Circuit Clerk; Jamie Harwood - Coroner, Chris Watkins – County Sheriff; Kevin Lowe – Public Defender; Nicole Bjerke – County Treasurer; Rachael Parker – County Clerk

Call to Order

Chairperson Groves Allison called the meeting to order at 2:22 pm.

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of May 11, 2023 was made by Mr. Rieker and seconded by Mr. Reneau. The motion carried (7-0).

Informational Items / Reports / Other Minutes / Updates

• Circuit Clerk Monthly Update

Mr. Spears provided an update on the functions and essential services of the Circuit Clerk’s Office. He highlighted a coordinated effort with the Tazewell County Circuit Clerks’ Office to standardize some practices for both counties, including uniformity in court forms and adjustment in the appeals process. He also advised that a mobile app to access Circuit Clerk functions and services has been devised and is available to download.

• Coroner Monthly Update

Mr. Harwood encouraged any County Board members who have questions regarding the budget, expenditures or personnel of the Coroner’s Office to contact him.

• ETSB

Ms. Noe provided an update on ETSB services, and advised that work continues to progress slowly on the Stark County Dispatch Center.

• PCAPS Monthly Update

Ms. Spencer provided an update on the 21 animals rescued from a property located in Princeville. She stated that approximately half the animals have found homes or have been transferred to other agencies, while the other half are housed at the shelter.

Ms. Spencer advised that PCAPS is working with the U.S. Post Office on dog bite

Ms. Spencer advised that the shelter has recently seen a significant increase in intakes at the shelter, which also seems to be the trend nationwide.

• Public Defender Report

Mr. Lowe advised that he has been named as the permanent Public Defender of Peoria County. He remarked that his appointment leaves a vacancy in his former position as First Assistant, and he anticipates filling that position within the next month. He stated that with that position filled, it would bring the number of attorneys in the office to 20, with 7 of those being full-time attorneys and 13 being part-time independent contractors.

Mr. Lowe answered questions regarding timing and transition to an increase in the number of full time attorneys, and security related to the purchase of thumb drives and external hard drives, and the potential of moving toward cloud based storage.

Resolutions

• Police Service Agreement with Pleasant Valley School District #62

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Reneau and seconded by Ms. Williams. Sheriff Watkins advised that the Sheriff’s Office recommends a 3-year extension of the current agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and Pleasant Valley School District for a School Resource Officer. The motion to approve carried (7-0).

• Police Service Agreement with Princeville Unit School District #326 and the Village of Princeville

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Elsasser and seconded by Mr. Rieker. Sheriff Watkins advised that the Sheriff’s Office recommends a 3-year extension of the current agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and the Princeville School District and the Village of Princeville for a School Resource Officer. The motion to approve carried (7-0).

• Police Service Agreement with Village of Norwood

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Phelan and seconded by Mr. Elsasser. Sheriff Watkins advised that the Sheriff’s Office recommends initiating an agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Norwood for 10.5 hours of random and dedicated patrol services per week. The motion to approve carried (7-0).

• Petco Love Grant Award

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Elsasser and seconded by Mr. Phelan. Ms. Spencer advised that PCAPS has been awarded a $25,000.00 grant from Petco Love which will be used for the purchase of supplies for the mobile unit. The motion to approve carried (7-0).

Public Comment

Ms. Groves Allison called for any public comments. There were none.

Miscellaneous

None.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Groves Allison at 3:00 p.m.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06272023-1448