HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Agreement with Story County for jail housing of City arrestees RESOLUTION NO. 05-418
RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH STORY COUNTY
FOR JAIL HOUSING OF CITY ARRESTEES
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS,the Police Department has maintained a temporary holding facility for arrestees
for many years; and,
WHEREAS,those arrested are typically kept until they can make an initial appearance before
a magistrate, and if the magistrate determines that the arrested should remain in custody after that
time,they are transported to the Story County jail for further incarceration; and,
WHEREAS,in contrast to a county jail,which is staffed with certified detention officers,our
temporary holding facility is only monitored by our dispatchers; and,
WHEREAS, the dispatchers have primary responsibility for handling all 911 calls and
dispatching emergency resources in the City, and responding to emergency telephone and radio
traffic decreases their availability for the required monitoring of prisoners; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the City's long-term interest to ensure the safety of arrestees, and
contemporary standards require more extensive monitoring of prisoners,both for the prisoners'safety
and to protect the City from undue liability; and,
WHEREAS,the long-term alternative appears to be costly in the upgrading of our detention
facilities and the hiring of additional staff to supervise prisoners; and,
WHEREAS, since February 2005,the City has been engaged in a trial period during which
all arrestees have been transported directly to the Story County jail, and after extensive evaluation,
this experiment has been deemed a success and is something all parties desire to continue on an
ongoing basis; and,
WHEREAS, the Code of Iowa requires counties to bear the cost of all persons arrested on
state charges, regardless of which agency makes the arrest, but cities are responsible to bear the
incarceration and medical costs for anyone arrested on a violation of a municipal ordinance; and,
WHEREAS,approximately 400 of the 1,100 individuals arrested by our Police Department
each year are arrested and incarcerated for municipal violations, such as public intoxication,
disorderly conduct, interference with official acts, and assault; and,
WHEREAS, on July 26,2005,the County Board of Supervisors approved a daily charge of
$50 for Ames prisoners booked and held on municipal charges, and this fee is the same amount
charged by the county to the State of Iowa; and,
WHEREAS,the net effect of this change will be to increase the Police Department's budget
by up to $13,500 per year, however, given the long-term risks and potential costs associated with
maintaining the City's holding facility, this net cost increase is an appropriate investment; and,
WHEREAS, an intergovernmental agreement has been prepared to consummate the
arrangement between the City of Ames and Story County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the 28-E agreement with Story County for jail housing of City arrestees is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 27t''day of September, 2005.
�Q/I I • UX-J�
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
Introduced by: Goodhue
Seconded by: Mahayni
Voting aye: Cross, Goodhue, Goodman, Mahayni, Vegge, Wirth
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 27t'day of September, 2005.