The need to make repairs immediately came to light after a July inspection of the current jail resulted in several deficiencies. Widener stated that different inspectors had different opinions but that the plumbing problems really need to be repaired.
Widener provided a copy of the inspection report, which cited deficiencies ranging from improperly keyed doors to improper color coding and bad plumbing. Estimates were provided as quotes from plumbers to make the repairs. The low bid was $75,127.43. Harkins has requested a response by Sept. 1. Widener related that Harkins told him he’d let the problems go on for too long.
Commissioner Brady Wooten had several questions. He wanted to know how often the jail is inspected and questioned the Feb. 6, 2009 date on the letter from Harkins. Widener explained that the jail is inspected twice a year and that he could only assume the date was a typographical error as he had nothing to do with the drafting of the letter.
Wooten wanted to ensure that the report was from a July inspection and not from the January inspection.
Commissioner Kevin Austin asked if the report was emailed and when. Wooten also wanted to know when it was emailed.
Widener said he believed he received the report around the 28th of July. Gardner requested that Lt. Helms return to the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office and retrieve a copy of the original email so that the date the report was received could be determined. Upon Helm’s return it was determined that the report was received on July 29.
Austin was concerned that so much time had passed between the receipt of the inspection report and the notification to the Commissioners late in the prior week. “We have just a few days now to get them an answer on what we need to do,” said Austin.
“Well that happens when we keep getting appeals,” said Garner.
The board erupted at this, as well as mumbled comments from within the audience. Garner continued to reiterate his belief that the lawsuit against the county regarding questions of procedure and zoning in the proposed Hoots Road jail site was to blame for a waste of taxpayer’s money.
“Let’s close the jail,” said Commissioner Tommy Garner.
“That’s fine with me,” said Widener.
This interchange was met with a moment of stunned silence.
Wagoner interrupted and said that he did not receive a copy of the report because his email address was incorrect. According to documentation provided a copy of the report was emailed to the Sheriff, the county manager, the jailer and Chad Wagoner.
“I’d like to think we all want to make the repairs to the jail so that we can keep it open,” said Austin.
Austin went on to question the bids on the plumbing work that needs to be done. He was concerned that the quotes might be more at this point since they were requested in May 2009. He also questioned the possibility that other issues might be uncovered once repairs were underway.
Garner read out loud a section of the report written by Widener.
“During the past several years we have been working with state inspectors on plumbing problems at the jail. Particularly out dated fixtures, and accessibility of parts. Harrell Todd has come and spoke to the Board about this problem. Chief Jail Inspector John Harkins has worked with our office on this issue for several years, allowing us to do patch work to get by. This was done in anticipation of a new facility being built. As the process has been ongoing since 2006 and has apparently stalled out, we have to take corrective action on the plumbing issue. Mr. Harkins has told us by telephone conversation that the plumbing issue can no longer be avoided, that we must take action immediately. Mr. Harkins stated that if we do not fix the plumbing problem, he will take action to close the jail.”
As the meeting continued and Garner continued to suggest that the jail be closed. At one point he made a motion to close the jail, and Wagoner offered a second to the motion for the sake of discussion.
The discussion deteriorated to the point that audience members were complaining about the foul language. Wagoner withdrew his second and Garner’s motion to close the jail failed for lack of a second.
Austin, Moxley and Wooten all made statements against closing the jail because of the far-reaching implications of that action.
Moxley brought out that due to the way the current jail is built that there are problems that cannot be corrected because they are structural. Wooten wants the repairs made because it is his opinion that the current jail needs to be utilized until the county is in a better financial position to move forward with future facility planning.
The matter was tabled until Sept. 26 when the board is scheduled to meet regarding Hoots Memorial Hospital. It was agreed that this matter would be addressed prior to the convening of the hospital board. The commissioners requested that Harkins be contacted to see if they could get time to get additional bids on the project and make certain that the bids on hand which were submitted in May are still valid.
Attempts to reach Harkins were referred to Jim Jones in the Public Affairs office. Jones gave his permission for Harkins to make a statement regarding the situation. Harkins responded. “They do need to repair the plumbing problems and there are some other issues that need to be corrected. I haven’t threatened to close the jail. There are lots of things that can happen, including reducing a population and other things before I start to do what I need to do to close a jail. If they ignore directives of the report, then further action may be taken. There are minimum standards that have to be met. I will be glad to come to a meeting and answer any questions that anyone has. I volunteered to come to the meeting on the 17th, but was asked not to. I am planning to come to the meeting on the 26th and to visit the jail prior to that meeting.”
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