Posted: 6/19/07
Group raises questions about CJC at city council meeting
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
"Is the Caledonia City Council concerned about the impact the Houston County Criminal Justice Center is going to have on this community?" asked Caledonia resident and businessman Bob Klug. Klug, his wife Jan, and former city councilman Joe Lee brought a number of questions and issues about the proposed CJC to the June 11 council meeting.
"Why are they (the county) making statements that the city has already granted them permission to move the building further to the south?" Lee wondered. "The latest plans call for the building to be four feet taller, which puts it out of compliance. Have the fire and police departments reviewed the plans? Has the county asked for variances?"
City Administrator Bob Nelson explained members of the council and city staff have had meetings with county representatives, where they discussed what types of city utilities are available i.e., the size of water and sewer lines.
"We have talked to them about some of these issues, but we havenít seen the final plans," Nelson said.
"Theyíre planning for 62 toilets. What will that do to the system?" Lee asked.
"When the AmericInn was built, we added more than 20 toilets to the system. The system was able to handle it and Iím sure our system would handle 62 more," Nelson said.
Lee then stated the plans call for the CJC to be excavated 16 feet deep, with all the fill to be hauled to the fairgrounds.
"Itíll be nothing but trucks running back and forth. Whatís that going to do to our roads? What happens if we have a rainy period? Our streets will be nothing but mud."
After reviewing the latest CJC plans, Lee said he noticed an exterior door leading from the indoor exercise area. "Whatís that door for? They say there wonít been an outdoor exercise area for the inmates now, but what about the future? What happens when the state mandates outside exercise for the prisoners? Weíll have a 12-foot high chainlink fence with razor-sharp barbed wire stretched across the top. What will that do to our beautiful downtown area?"
Bob Klug added there is quite a bit of traffic on South Street now. He wondered how much more traffic would be generated if the CJC becomes a reality.
"Have traffic counts been taken?" Klug asked. "I thought traffic counts were to be taken before school was let out for the summer."
Administrative Coordinator Mike Gerardy replied they discussed making traffic counts, but that discussion took place in mid-May and a traffic count wasnít taken before school was dismissed for the summer.
Lee also noted the CJC would be built to specifications that would certify it to hold state and federal inmates. "I could just see it now, state and federal prisoners right here in Caledonia. I know of at least three or four property owners who will probably sue the county for loss of property value."
Bob Klug said persons against the current CJC plans feel an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is needed to determine how water run-off from the parking lots, sidewalks, and roof of the CJC and noise pollution would impact neighboring properties.
Jan Klug added a governmental unit must request an EIS and wondered if the city council would support the EIS.
"The only issues the city council can look at are zoning issues, requests for variances, and traffic counts," Nelson said. "The county will be bringing us updated plans very soon for us to review. Once we review them, we will know if there are variances required, and will hold public hearings on them."
"Itís difficult for us to know what the concerns will be until we see the plans," councilman Randi Vick said.
"We havenít had a lot of communication with the county board on this," Councilman Paul Fisch noted. "Kevin Kelleher (former county board chairman) talked to us last summer and promised to keep us updated. But we havenít seen anyone from the county board since then."
The council didnít take any action on the request of sponsoring an EIS, but noted once they have reviewed the final plans, public hearings will be held, which will probably be held in the cityís auditorium.
The countyís response
Following the June 12 county board meeting, commissioners were asked about some of the charges and concerns brought up at the previous nightís city council meeting.
Concerning the door leading out of the indoor exercise area, Mark Beyers of Johnson Controls explained the secured door leads to a secured interior chase area which surrounds the perimeter of the jail area. The chase area provides access for maintenance crews. But there is no door from the indoor exercise area to the outside. And there are no plans to ever construct an outdoor exercise area, he said.
As far as housing state or federal prisoners, Commissioner Ann Thompson said they have no plans to hold state or federal prisoners. Because there is such a shortage of county jail space in this section of the state, there will be plenty of demand for jail beds from other counties in the area.
According to state statute, if a person receives a prison sentence for less than one year, he or she can be sent back to the county they were convicted in.
Concerning the proposed EIS, Beyers said an Environmental Phase I Study is required, which ensures there were never anything underground that could pose a problem. The Phase I Study is required by law and is a routine procedure.
Beyer added he will be working with Caledonia city staff to review the current plans, and go over any and all issues and concerns.
Caledonia Argus
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