Work ‘progressing’ on jail contract dialogue

    Imperial’s city council and its attorney dealt with two issues this week relating to police-arrested prisoners and the county-operated jail.
    At their meeting Monday, council members heard a report from councilman Chad Yaw, who’s been the council’s liaison as the city and county work on a jail contract satisfying to both entities.
    “We still have a couple things to iron out. We don’t have  a final draft, but I think we’re getting pretty close,” Yaw told the council.
    Yaw said that progress is being made, but he still would like some council input on some of it.
    During the discussion, commissioner Jacci Brown noted the commissioners voted last week to pay half of the $436 hospital bill that was subject of the recent court case that was appealed all the way to the Nebraska Supreme Court.
    “We are paying half of it to show our goodwill,” she said.
    The council did not act on the bill payment. Council President Charlesa Kline said it was not on the agenda, so they could not take action.
    At the end of the meeting, the council, Attorney Josh Wendell and Police Chief Ryan Wisnieski moved into closed session to discuss two incidents when individuals arrested by the police department were refused at the jail.
    “This got put on the agenda as a result of a couple instances when some prisoners were brought into the jail” and refused, said Wendell.
    Wendell said it may be that some negotiation on the city’s part might be required.
    “I think there is a potential of litigation,” adding that there may be interests regarding the issue the city wants to protect, he said.

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