The 13 year-old
integrated security system at the Porter County Jail failed on Sunday, Sept.
6 and was down for a period of 48 hours, according to County Sheriff Dave
Reynolds.
The system was back
up the following Tuesday but Reynolds told the County Board of Commissioners
at their meeting yesterday that the jail is “running on life support” and
asked them to declare a state of emergency to speed up the process to hire a
firm to put in a new system.
The board voted 3-0
to declare an emergency situation with Commissioner President John Evans,
R-North, citing the provision in the state law that gives permission for the
County to seek bids without advertising. Four vendors the County has worked
with in the past will be invited to give bids: Stanley Security Solutions;
Security Automation Systems; Video Tech; and Johnson Controls.
DLZ division
manager Mike Jabo will conduct a walk-through with the vendors. Evans said
the Commissioners will review the bids at their Oct. 20 meeting and make a
selection.
Reynolds after the
meeting told the Chesterton Tribune that order was maintained at the
jail during the time the system was off, crediting that to his staff.
“They did a really
great job keeping things operating with no incidences,” Reynolds said. “We
had no problems with the inmates.”
Reynolds said the
current system was installed by Stanley Security Solutions when the jail
opened in about 2002. Problems with the system began early this year and
Reynolds said he made the Commissioners aware of them. He is not sure how
much funding will be needed for the new system.
In other business
related to the jail and sheriff’s police, the Commissioners approved a
purchase of a new police vehicle for $29,020 from Barile Ford in Valparaiso.
Captain George Gonzalez said the insurance collected from the two vehicles
that were totaled -- one a 2015 Ford Explorer and the other a 2010 model --
came to $29,250 which could be put towards a new vehicle.
Also approved by
the Commissioners was the interface system at the jail and the 911
Communications Center for $9,870 to be paid out of the phones budget and 911
will pick up the $568 annual service fee.
The Commissioners
also agreed to request an $80,000 allocation for some lingering maintenance
costs the 911 Center has accrued. The request will be put before the County
Council. 911 Director C.J. Wittmer said the costs were not funded in his
2015 budget but he has included them in the 2016 budget which will be
reviewed Wednesday night.
EMPOWER powers up
At the start of the
meeting, the Commissioners said they will continue to give funds to support
EMPOWER Porter County, in the amount of $50,000 next year.
The Commissioners
helped start the group in 2012, along with the Cities of Portage and
Valparaiso, the Porter County Community Foundation, Porter Regional
Hospital, United Way of Porter County and NIPSCO, in collaboration to reduce
substance abuse in Porter County.
EMPOWER Porter
County’s Executive Director Heather Harrigan Hitz said the organization now
has measuring tools for their initiatives and are growing their Around the
Table initiative that gives families the chance to engage in positive
conversations. A mobile app is being created to give parents resources on
how to talk to their children about the dangers of substance abuse.
They’re also
expanding their outreach for families to recognize behavioral problems that
could lead to substance abuse.
“We’re trying to be
very proactive,” said Barb Young, director of the Porter County Community
Foundation.
Support for new
Valparaiso school
In Plan Commission
business, the board unanimously approved the Valparaiso Community Schools’
request to rezone 25 acres of land at 50 W. Heavilin Road in Center Twp. to
build a new elementary school accommodating up to 500 students south of Ind.
2.
No one spoke
against the request during the public hearing before the first budget
reading. The Schools’ attorney David Hollenbeck said the goal is to make
“21st century experiences” for the students and the idea for a new school
was promoted in the Valparaiso Schools’ referendum which voters approved
this May.
County Council
member Sylvia Graham, D-at large, from the floor voiced her support saying,
“This is long overdue.”
Commissioner Jeff
Good, R-Center, also believes the plan is “on the right track.”
“Let’s send if off.
People want this,” Good said.
Also receiving a
positive vote, the Commissioners 3-0 voted in favor of rezoning a parcel of
land owned by the South Haven Nazarene Church at 611 N. 450 W., in Portage
Twp., for a proposed community center.
Commissioner Laura
Shurr Blaney, D-South, expressed her support to Pastor Scott Jones. “I’m
excited about what you’re doing and I think it’s great for the community.”
In other business:
-- The Porter
County Parks Department received the nod from the Commissioners to pursue a
grant with the Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust. Park Board President Rich
Hudson said the grant is being sought to help acquire the 37-acre “Cain”
property near where Old Chicago Rd. meets I-94 in Pine Township, which
contains wetlands.
-- Hudson, the
County’s MS4 Operator, asked the Commissioners to honor a proclamation from
the Environmental Protection Agency. The Commissioners voted 3-0 on the
proclamation recognizing Sept. 21-25 as Septic Smart Week, raising public
awareness on how homeowners can better manage their septic systems.