I<ENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Covington Courthouse 303 Court St. Covington, KY 41011 September 25, 2018 2:30 P.M. Call to Order Judge/Executive Knochelmann called to order the September 25, 2018, special meeting of the Kenton County Fiscal Court. Commissioner Joe Nienaber led the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Staff: Judge/Executive, Kris Knochelmann Commissioner Beth Sewell, District 1 Commissioner Jon Draud, District 2 Commissioner Joe Nienaber, District 3 County Attorney Stacy Tapke Joe Shriver, County Administrator Sue Kaiser, Fiscal Court Clerk Roy Cox, County Treasurer Judge Knochelmann explained that the meeting today was moved to an earlier time to accommodate an event tonight that he and Commissioner Draud were planning to attend. Commissioner Draud thanked the Fiscal Court for moving the meeting. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of the Minutes from the meeting of September 4, 2018. Commissioner Sewell made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Nienaber. Citizens Address Bill Schneider of 2211 Cruise Creek Rd. in Morningview spoke about the historic database. He wants to be sure that some structures are not destroyed. They had a really good start with a GI$ expert, but neighbors still have questions on the Menefee and Mullins demolitions. They feel like they have gotten two different explanations, and he would like the Judge to help clarify the process that led up to the demolitions. Mr. Schneider then stated that the other topic he wanted to speak about was absorbing subdivision streets. At the end of Burg Rd. there is a sign that says "end of County
maintenance", and som.e distance past that there is som.e bulldozing that has been done for either the streets or the subdivision itself. He spoke with Nick Hendrix, and he did a great job explaining, but he would like to know if when we absorb the maintenance for those roads is there an expected annual cost, and will other subdivisions follow? He stated that he would like Dr. Draud to com.e down and visit, and see if he could find out what the plan is for this. Judge Knochelm.ann stated that they will get back with Mr. Schneider on his questions. General Business A. Update from. the Kenton County Detention Center. Jason Merrick, from. the Detention Center,stated that the Detention Center received an award from. the Substance Abuse/Mental Health Authority of $1.5 million to expand services in partnerships with the Kenton County Detention Center's Substance Abuse program.. This includes medication assisted treatment, a 90 day inpatient cycle and six months aftercare partnered with Life Learning Center, Hazelton/Betty Ford out of Minnesota, Cabinet for Justice and Family Services with the State of Kentucky, the State Department of Corrections and the Office of Drug Control Policy. Mr. Merrick then stated that they are all very excited. The opiate issue doesn't seem. to be weaning, so they are looking at som.e m.ore innovative and progressive ways to address them.en and worn.en that are in custody that are suffering from. substance abuse. All the evidence indicates that the best course of action is through in-patient care, coupled with medication assisted treatment. They will be able to utilize various formulations that are FDA approved to mitigate the withdrawal sym.ptom.s. This will prolong their engagement in treatment and recovery related activities. An interesting part of this project is the aftercare component. We are all well aware that when someone leaves custody, there aren't the resources to dedicate to the re-entry process. Part of the grant funds are dedicated to a $950 scholarship for each individual that completes the inpatient portion of the care. That covers one month of residency in sober living. It will cover $200 worth of work clothing. It will also cover nutrition needs and two months worth of bus passes. Com.missioner Draud asked Mr. Merrick to talk about how m.uch money is involved in the grant. Mr. Merrick stated that it is $1.5 million over the course of 36 months, so it is about $500,000 per year. We are partnered with UK for all of the lesearch and analysis. Som.e of the money is funding personnel for case m.anagem.ent. There will be an additional nurse practitioner as well. They have also partnered with Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, and they have placed a social worker at the Detention Center to insure that these m.en and worn.en are covered. A large portion of the grant funds also cover the medications that are needed. There is stigma attached to the medications. Som.e have heard about Suboxone, and how it is misused. He is happy to say that there is a new FDA approved formulation called Sublacaid. It is a once per month injection. It stabilizes an individual for one month at a tim.e. There are no take hom.e doses, as it is given by a doctor. This is a big advancement in medicine, and it will be a helpful tool to address the diversion concerns. Judge Knochelm.ann stated that this is all fantastic news.
Ed Butler then stated that they are very proud of the work that Jason Merrick and his staff are doing at the Detention Center. This is cutting edge, and they deserve kudos. He then updated the Fiscal Court on the changes that have been made at the jail. He has been there about four months, and Marc Fields has been there about six to seven months. There is a good team of people in place. The issue is to see where improvements can be made. Body worn cameras have been instituted as a way to better document the inevitable things that occur within the jail. They are looking to expand that program, so they can track incidents better. They are working hard to get the deputies the equipment that they need in the dorms to protect themselves and the inmates. Mr. Butler then stated that they are putting a big emphasis on training. They have assigned a Sergeant that has a background in those types of things as a full time training officer to make sure that all new deputies get a certain foundation of training before they are put to work. This can be a challenge when dealing with staff shortages. Another level of supervision has been added on the shifts. There are not only Sergeants, but Lieutenants working shifts, and incidents can be investigated better this way. They would also like to bring a body scanner into the facility to help stop conh aband from coming into the facility. They are continually looking at their policies and procedures for improvement. At the end of the day, their business is driven by the number of people that are in the jail. They have hired about 11 people in a three month period, and have also lost about 15 people. The staff is working a lot of hours right now, but they are trying to find additional good candidates for the jobs. Commissioner Draud asked how much training a new employee receives? Mr. Butler answered that statutorily, they are required to only have 24 hours of training. The Kenton County Jail is currently running an 80 hour training academy, and then they do field training for a month. It is around 240 hours of training. Commissioner Draud asked how long that policy has been in effect? Mr. Butler answered that they are running their third academy since June. Previous administrations have run academies, so this isn't a new concept. What happens though, is when the numbers dip due to turnover, the people have to start working. Sometimes they have to start on the floor, and be brought back into. training after the fact. They are trying to avoid this situation, as a foundation of training is important. Commissioner Draud asked if there will be less potential litigation than the past? Mr. Butler answered that he can't speak for the past, he can only speak about going forward. They want to minimize litigation, and it is one of the highest priorities. Working in a detention center, there will always be some level of litigation. Providing the training will help them be successful at litigation. County Administrator Joe Shriver stated that there was a stretch where the county was very successful against litigation. This had two components: written policy and the training of those policies. This is exactly what Mr. Fields and Mr. Butler are addressing right now.
B. Request approval to ratify the grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for the Kenton County Detention Center. Commissioner Draud made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Sewell. Judge Knochelmann called for a voice vote, and the motion passed unanimously 4-0. C. Claim's Lists-Dated September 7, 2018, and September 21, 2018. There were no questions on the Claims Lists. D. Request approval of a contract between In-Digital and the Kenton County Fiscal Court for a Hosted 911 Phone System. David Leonard stated that the In-Digital agreement is a new hosted 911 service. Cincinnati Bell is getting out of the 911 hosting business, and we have had to find other sources. Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Pendleton, Grant and the airport agreed on In-Digital for hosted service. This will begin either late this year, or early in 2019. Homeland Security received a 50% grant for upfront capital costs for all five counties. County Administrator Joe Shriver stated that this is a joint bid, and there are still some minor tweaks that are being done by the County Attorney's of all five counties. He asked that the approval be contingent upon the County Attorney's working out those tweaks in the language. The bid has already been approved; this is just approving the contract. The cost for this was already in the budget. Commissioner Sewell asked if the cost is close to what Cincinnati Bell was charging? Mr. Shriver answered that it is more expensive than Cincinnati Bell. Cincinnati Bell was eating some of the costs in doing this. This is the cheapest option that was found. Commissioner Nienaber made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Sewell. E. Discussion regarding the new Administration Building. 1. Request approval to purchase the property located at 512 W. 12 th St., Covington, KY. County Administrator Joe Shriver stated that the owner of this property has become a willing seller. Judge Knochelmann stated that ultimately, we would love to be able to have the other two homes on this street. We talked to both of the other owners, as we would like to be able to control the sight. One of the owners is not willing to sell, and the other one has a price higher than the court is willing to go on it. He wasn't expecting 512 to become available, but it did and it is the right thing to do for the court. Commissioner Nienaber made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Sewell.
Resolutions A. Resolution No.18-0lN A Resolution for the Kenton County Fiscal Court concerning Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Budget Adjustments. Treasurer Roy Cox stated that the budget adjustments are to cover the purchase of 512 E. 12th St., and for unused sick time for two retiring employees from Public Works. Commissioner Sewell made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Nienaber. Consent Agenda A. Exhibit No. 18-101 Request approval of the Public Official Bonds. B. Exhibit No.18-102 Request approval to award the stairwell enclosure bid to Geiger Construction Products, Inc. for the Kenton County Parking Garalge. C. Exhibit No. 18-103 Request approval of the revised FY19 HD equipment procurement proposal. D. Exhibit No.18-104 Request approval of a proposal from Integrated Engineering for the design phase of the Manor Lake Drive rehabilitation project. E. Exhibit No.18-105 Request approval of a proposal from Burgess & Niple for the design phase of the Independence Station Road minor realignment project. F. Exhibit No. 18-106 Request approval to ratify the contract with Power Phone for the Electronic Medical Dispatch System for the Kenton County Emergency Communications Department. G. Exhibit No.18-107 Request approval to ratify the contracts for FEMA Public Assistance Disaster Funding and Risk Assessment. All items on the Consent Agenda were voted on together. Commissioner Draud made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Sewell. Judge Knochelmann called for a voice vote, and the motion passed unanimously 4-0. Executive Orders A. Executive Order No.18-107 An Executive Order relating to the Fiscal Court approving the reorganization of the Emergency Communications Department, with the effective date of September 25, 2018.
County Administrator Joe Shriver stated that while going through the merger process, they found some people that are very vital to the operations. There is no one backing those positions up, so after much discussion it was decided that the existing tech position will have increased duties. They fashioned the new position as necessary. The position will back up the IT Teclmical aspect, as well as the CAD system. Commissioner Draud made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Nienaber. Judge Knochelmam1 called for a voice vote, and the motion passed unanimously 4-0. B. Executive Order No. 18-108 An Executive Order relating to the Fiscal Court approving the appointment of Michelle Works as a Tax Clerk for the Kenton County Treasury (COLT) Department, with the effective date of October 9, 2018. Commissioner Sewell made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Nienaber. Executive Session A. Pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1) (C) pending litigation regarding the cases of Pope v. Carl, Hamilton v. Stephenson and Cull v. Wells for purposes of discussing litigation strategy. Conunissioner Draud made the motion for approval of Executive Session; seconded by Commissioner Nienaber. Judge Knochelmaim called for a voice vote, and the motion passed unanimously 4-0. Commissioner Sewell made the motion for approval to return from the Executive Session; seconded by Commissioner Nienaber. Judge Knochelmaim called for a voice vote, and the motion passed unaiumously 4-0. Adjournment Having completed all business before the Court, Corrunissioner Draud offered a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Commissioner Nienaber. Judge Knochelmaim requested a voice vote, whereupon all members present voted in the affirmative with a 4-0 vote. Text for all proposed and recently passed ordinances may be acquired by accessing the Fiscal Court web page at http://www.kentoncounty.org or by contacting the adminish ative offices at 859.392.1400. CLERK CERTIFICATION I, Sue J. Kaiser, having been appointed to the office of Fiscal Court Clerk, do hereby certify that this is a h ue ai1d accurate record of the actions taken by the Kenton County Fiscal Court at the special meeting of September 25, 2018. c=,,_.,, a: fu 1~ Sue J. K r Fiscal Court Clerk