HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1768Redmond said it was possible, but the overhead would be costly.
Tice asked when the county needed to start being concerned about lawsuits stemming
from the overcrowding.
Dowdle said the federal government might sue, and then there would be a mandate to
construct.
Niblock said 75 sq. ft. of space was needed for each inmate.
After reviewing bar graphs, Commissioner Robertson said a total of 600 beds, not 600
new beds, would be reasonable. (The graphs were submitted by the sheriff's department, and
they depicted the inmate population for the past several years.)
Commissioner Johnson said 600 additional beds would cost $12 million.
Conclusion: Due to Commissioner Tice and Commissioner Johnson both serving on the
courts task force, it was suggested that this same group review the jail space needs.
Animal Control Services: Tracy Jackson, Chris Royal, and Lynn Niblock reviewed the
problems associated with the current animal shelter. They mentioned inadequate septic capacity,
inadequate temperature control and ventilation, along with water damage and mold/mildew. A
recommendation was made by them for the county to build a new structure and use the present
facility as a storage space for the Facility Services Department. Regarding a new facility, the
following site options were offered.
1. County -owned land at Eastside Drive
2. County -owned land at Twin Oaks Road
3. County -owned land at Bristol Drive
Jackson said the new shelter would be totally separate from the adoption center proposed
by the Friends of the Animals organization.
Williams said public accessibility needed to be considered when exploring a location.
Tice, Williams, and Norman all preferred the Bristol Drive site.
Commissioner Johnson said the employees' health and safety should be the chief concern
when addressing a new shelter.
Williams asked the estimated cost for a facility on Bristol Drive.
Niblock said a 20,000 sq. ft. facility would cost approximately $150 a sq. ft.
Conclusion: There appeared to be a consensus about the Bristol Drive site, and the staff
will begin the preliminary work. It was noted that some funds are already included in the
budget. Also, it was mentioned that design work would cost about $500,000.
Recreation: County Manager Mashburn said the Recreation Advisory Board had discussed the
north Iredell community's inadequate funding for the North Iredell Park. He said the advisory
board had inquired about the possibility of the county putting an "infusion of funds" into the
project.
Commissioner Williams said recently $58,000 was spent on a county -wide plan. He
expressed a concern about spending this money when not much was being accomplished in north
Iredell. Williams said these plans were only usable for about five years, and he feared the years
would pass with nothing to show at north Iredell.
Mashburn said direction was needed from the board. He said $500,000 was in the
budget, and a match would make it a million dollars. Mashburn mentioned that no other areas
were being studied as potential park sites.