Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carlos G. Bolanos, Sheriff
Subject: Agreement with CML Security for Construction Services at the Maple Street Correctional Center (MSCC)
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with CML Security to provide upgraded camera coverage of MSCC’s Culinary Kitchen and construction upgrades of the inmate visiting areas to increase the number of attorney contact visiting rooms as well as inmate non-contact visiting rooms for the term of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, in an amount not to exceed $118,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The completion of the Maple Street Correctional Center (MSCC) developed a visiting system that relied heavily on the use of Renovo inmate and attorney visiting videoconference machines and software to facilitate both public and attorney visits with inmates. As such, there were a limited number of contact and non-contact visiting rooms constructed within the facility.
Over the past nineteen months, it has become apparent that there is a need to increase the number of contact attorney visiting rooms and non-contact visiting rooms at MSCC and improve their sound dampening characteristics.
Collaboration with the Private Defenders’ Program has identified this need as attorneys expressed their reluctance to utilize the Renovo machines based on attorney client privileges and the machines’ overall impersonal contact. In using existing contact and non-contact visiting rooms, many attorneys and medical professionals have reported the need to increase the sound absorption/retention qualities to ensure attorney-client privileges and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance.
In addition to the upgrade of inmate visiting areas, the need for six additional 1080p security cameras providing coverage of the Culinary Kitchen at MSCC has also been identified. The kitchen is utilized by female inmates through various programs at the facility. The inmates are often supervised by male sworn and civilian staff in the area. To meet the guidelines established by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) strategy and protect against frivolous litigation regarding PREA misconduct, it is recommended that six cameras be installed in MSCC’s Culinary Kitchen.
This agreement would upgrade several contact visiting rooms to accommodate attorney visiting rooms and convert several contact visiting rooms to non-contact visiting rooms which will be utilized by attorneys, medical professionals, and the general public. The addition of the six cameras will meet PREA strategic goals, allow for indirect observation of the area, and provide 365 days of recorded coverage. This will protect the County from unnecessary litigation.
DISCUSSION:
The video visitation equipment and areas must be maintained to provide inmates with visits as required by law. The system should also be expanded to allow the flexibility to handle more contact and non-contact visits to be utilized by attorneys, medical professionals and the general public (non-contact).
CML Security wired and installed all cameras and all aspects of the visiting areas as designed at MSCC. The company and their technicians have demonstrated the design knowledge and expertise to quickly upgrade equipment that is critical to the safe operation and visiting flexibility at MSCC.
The quality of their work and responsiveness to our needs at the facilities has been impeccable. After construction was completed, CML Security was awarded the maintenance contract to maintain the security system at MSCC.
It is in the best interest of the County to waive any further Request for Proposal (RFP) process and extend this construction upgrade contract on the grounds that CML Security was initially awarded the contract for goods and services through an RFP process, CML Security has a demonstrated unique expertise regarding the design and operations of their installed security camera system, and no other firm exists that can ensure the efficient ongoing and cost-effective operability of this essential visiting system. All new work will be covered under the existing maintenance contract with CML Security at no additional cost.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.
Approval of the resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 of a Safe Community by improving the safety and security of the Maple Street Correctional Center.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this contract has been included in the Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Year 2017-19 Recommended Budget. There is no net county cost.