Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - Public Safety & Justice Committee met Jan. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jennifer Groves Allison – Chairperson; Danny Phelan – Vice Chairperson; Brandy Bryant, Brian Elsasser (via teleconference), Nathan Hoerr, Rob Reneau, Steven Rieker, Sharon Williams

MEMBERS ABSENT:

OTHERS PRESENT: Scott Sorrel – County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell -State's Attorney's Office; Heather McCord – Chief FinancialOfficer; Julie Kusturin – Finance; Gretchen Pearsall –County Administration; Jodi Noe – ETSB; Gabe McLeod, Jennifer Shadid – Court Administration; Robert Askins –Adult Probation; Chris Watkins – Sheriff’s Office; Kevin Lowe – Public Defender; Brian Brown – Juvenile DetentionCenter

Call to Order

Vice-Chairperson Phelan called the meeting to order at 2:02 pm.

A motion to allow the participation of Mr. Elsasser via teleconference was made by Mr. Hoerr and seconded by Mr. Reneau. The motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of September 26, 2023 was made by Ms. Groves Allison and seconded by Mr. Reneau. The motion carried (8-0).

Informational Items / Reports / Other Minutes / Updates

• Circuit Clerk Monthly Update

No report. No questions or comments from committee.

• Coroner Monthly Update

No report. No questions or comments from committee.

• ETSB

Ms. Noe advised that the Stark County Dispatch Center building is anticipated to be complete by January 30, 2024.

• PCAPS Monthly Update

Ms. Musselman advised that PCAPS took possession of the new Mobile Spay/Neuter Unit last week. She stated that the design for the wrap has been finalized PCAPS is working with the vendor to sch00edule installation. She commented that a ribbon cutting will be scheduled upon installation of the wrap.

• Public Defender Report

Mr. Lowe advised that as of January 1, 2024, the office has lost two attorneys, one of which was a long-time independent contractor in the Felony Division. He commented that the office currently retains 5 full-time attorneys and 14 independent contractors.

• Sheriff Update

Sheriff Watkins updated the committee on the impact of the SAFE-T Act on the Peoria County Jail. He stated that since the implementation of the SAFE-T Act over three months ago, the jail inmate population has decreased from 380 to 260, with another 15 waiting to go to the Department of Corrections. He remarked that the Office continues to see many cash bonds.

Resolutions

• FFY20 JAG Transportation Assistance Grant

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Hoerr and seconded by Ms. Groves Allison. Ms. Shadid advised that Court Administration submitted an application for a $50,000.00 reimbursement grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) to provide transportation assistance for defendants with current criminal cases in the Tenth Circuit. The motion to approve carried (8-0).

• SFY24 Visitation Center Grant

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Reneau and seconded by Ms. Williams. Mr. McLeod advised that in FY23 Court Administration received a $100,000.00 grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to be used for supervised visits at the Peoria County Visitation Center. He stated that the grant terminated on June 30, 2023 with $37,731.00 of unspent funds. He advised that IDHS has agreed to execute a SFY 24 grant in the amount of $37,731.00 so that the funds can be spent for their intended purpose. He stated that the grant will end June 30, 2024. The motion to approve carried (8-0).

• FFY23 Adult Treatment Court Subrecipient Agreement

A motion to approve was made by Ms. Bryant and seconded by Mr. Reneau. Mr. Askins advised that Peoria County Probation recently applied for and received a reimbursement grant provided by the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts (AOIC), which receives funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). He stated that the 4-year grant totaling $427,850.00 will enhance the services provided to Drug Court clients. The motion to approve carried (8-0).

• Reconnect Engagement Mobile App Contract

A motion to approve was made by Ms. Groves Allison and seconded by Ms. Bryant. Mr. Askins advised that staff is recommending approval of a contract for services with Reconnect for the use of a Reconnect Engagement Mobile App and Platform to provide service to the Problem-Solving Court clients. He advised that the cost of the Mobile App, Platform and services is estimated to be more than $13,000.00 for FY2024. The motion to approve carried (8-0).

Public Comment

Vice-Chairperson Phelan called for any public comments. There were none.

Miscellaneous

None.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Vice-Chairperson Phelan at 2:35 p.m.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01232024-1558