Public Safety Committee

January 6, 2010

 

** NOT APPROVED **

Present:  Mike Healy, Chairman 

John Tucker
  Glenn Benson Paul Gallmann
  Doug Burdick

Barb Kelley
  Aaron McGraw  Terry Parker
  Dan Russo Bob Starks
  Ted Hopkins Bill Tompkins
  Tim O’Grady Linda Edwards
  Dwight Fanton Russ Hall
  Curt Crandall Brenda Rigby-Riehle
  John Margeson  
 

Mitchell Alger

  

                    

Media:  Wellsville Daily Reporter, Brian Quinn

 

Chairman Healy called the meeting to order at 2:00.

 

On motion by Mr. Hopkins and seconded by Mr. Burdick, the minutes of the December 2, 2009 meeting were unanimously approved.

 

Sheriff’s Department

Chairman Healy called on Sheriff Tompkins for his report. 

 

The Sheriff handed out packets of information on the Telestaff System which is a computer program that tracks personnel and time records.   The Sheriff noted that previously there was no way to hold staff accountable.  This program will allow for accurately maintaining it.

 

Information included the ‘time line’ of how the program was obtained.  It was noted that approximately five hundred agencies were using this program when it was investigated.  The program is very labor intensive to set up and operate.  It was recommended by the company to have five staff members involved.  The Sheriff assigned two people to the project.  The project manager that was assigned to it died of a heart attack during implementation.  That person had to be replaced.  There was also a problem with the computer server.  The Sheriff noted of excellent assistance from Deb Button and the County IT Department.  Sheriff’s staff had to be trained and data was lost in the system at one point.  Data then had to be hand entered.  The Sheriff indicated the system would go on-line in February or March.  The department has been informally using the system.  The Sheriff noted he is working with the county payroll system to optimize it effectiveness.  It was noted that a lot of overtime in his department was incurred because of working on setting up the system.

 

The Sheriff commented on a recent newspaper article questioning overtime incurred by one of his personnel, Randy Hartwick.  He noted Randy has done an excellent job.  The accusations made by Lisa Wuersig were wrong and that there has been no deception regarding the overtime.  The Sheriff noted he was not pleased with the article and he had not been contacted previously to it being published.

 

The Sheriff requested a resolution to renew the Court Security Contract with the State.  It was noted the county attorney has reviewed the renewal document.  This is a five year contract and there was some discussion as to changes if required. There was some discussion on the possibility of the State taking over court security duties.

 

On motion by Mr. Burdick and seconded by Mr. Hopkins the committee unanimously approved the request.  County Attorney Prepare Resolution

 

The Sheriff noted of the ICE (Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement) inspection scheduled for February.  The county has been doing an excellent job in meeting their requirements at the jail.  It was mentioned that there will possibly be only four facilities in the state that ICE will use.  The federal population has averaged sixty-three per day with over eighty maximum.

 

The Sheriff noted of the increase in daily female inmates averaging thirteen to seventeen.

 

It was noted the ICE contract can be reviewed on an annual basis.  There was some discussion on the federal funding for this program.

 

The Sheriff noted his department is currently under budget including the funds that were used from contingency.

 

There will be a new Corrections Officer academy starting with some attending from outside the county.

 

The Communications upgrade grant project was discussed.  It was noted the RFP has been completed and is being reviewed.

 

Fire Service

Chairman Healy called on Paul Gallmann, Fire Coordinator for his report.

 

Paul submitted a request for a resolution to accept donations of two tower sites owned by WNED Radio.  One is located at 4143 Hamilton Road in the town of Cuba and the other at 5310 Hall Road in the town of Granger.

 

On motion by Mr. Burdick and seconded by Mr. Russo the committee unanimously approved the request pending review by the county attorney.  County Attorney Prepare Resolution

 

Office of Emergency Services

Chairman Healy called on John Tucker, Director for his report.

 

John submitted a request for two resolutions to re-appropriate 2009 Homeland Security Funds.

One totaling $116.44 from revenue account A10.3306.EMG8 and appropriate to A3645.218. The other totaling $43,681.76 from revenue account A10.3306.EMG8 and appropriate to A3645.218.

 

On motion by Mr. Hopkins and seconded by Mr. Burdick the committee unanimously approved the request and referred it to Ways and Means.

 

On motion by Mr. Burdick and seconded by Mr. Hopkins the meeting adjourned at 3:15.