PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

February 2, 2011

** NOT APPROVED **


Committee Members Present

M. Healy, G. Benson, D. Burdick, T. Hopkins, C. Crandall

 

Others Present

M. Alger, L. Edwards, D. Fanton, J. Margeson, T. Miner, B. Riehle, F. Sinclair, R. Starks, R. Whitney, K. Monroe, B. Kelley, J. Luckey, K. Slep, K. Graves, L. Ballengee, E. Ruckle, D. Hanchett

 

            Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight “Mike” Healy called the meeting to order at 11:07 a.m.

 

Approval of Minutes

            A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to approve the January 5, 2011, January 10, 2011, and January 24, 2011 , Public Safety Committee minutes. 

 

Public Defender

            Public Defender Barbara Kelley had nothing to report.

 

Probation Director

            Director Robert Starks had nothing to report.

Director of Emergency Management and Fire

            Director Jeffrey Luckey had nothing to report, but noted he was glad to see better weather today than had been predicted.

 

Youth Bureau Director/STOP-DWI Coordinator

            Director Linda Edwards had nothing to report.

 

District Attorney

            District Attorney Keith Slep reported that his office has filed a grant application for interrogation rooms for local police departments and he is waiting to hear regarding approval.

 

Weights and Measures Director

            Director Gilbert Green was unable to attend but had nothing to report.

 

Sheriff Rick Whitney

 

Approval of Agreement with Oneida County for CNY Psychiatric Center

            Sheriff Whitney requested approval of an agreement with Oneida County to provide inmate mental health treatment at the Central New York Psychiatric Center.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to approve this contract pending review by the County Attorney.  Prepare Resolution

 

Approval of Agreement with NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

            Sheriff Whitney requested approval of an agreement with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for provision of a boat for use as needed on Cuba Lake and Rushford Lake.  Deputy Daniel Hanchett stated that boats are manned on the lakes every holiday and all weekends through the summer.  He noted that labor costs are reimbursed by New York State and there are six deputies in the Marine Division.  He added that this division will be offering boater safety courses this year.  A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to approve the contract pending review by the County Attorney.  Prepare Resolution

 

Request to Fill Positions

            Sheriff Whitney requested permission to fill a part-time Confidential Secretary position.  The current part-time secretary is working about twenty hours per week and the second part-time position will work about sixteen hours per week.  No benefits will be provided to either position.  A motion was made by Legislator Mike Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to refer these requests to John Margeson for review.  Refer to County Administrator and Ways and Means Committee

 

           Re-Appropriation of Grants

            Sheriff Whitney requested permission to re-appropriate the ACT II Batterers Grant in the amount of $4,959.00.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to re-appropriate these funds for 2011.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

            Sheriff Whitney requested permission to re-appropriate the 2008 LETPP Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $5,938.00.  This grant is used for training purposes.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to re-appropriate these funds for 2011.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Sheriff Whitney requested permission to re-appropriate the 2009 LETPP Grant in the amount of $34,750.00.  This grant is used for IED training.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to re-appropriate these funds for 2011.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Sheriff Whitney requested permission to re-appropriate the PSIC Grant in the amount of $1,665,091.00.  This grant is used for a new radio system.  A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to re-appropriate these funds for 2011.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Old Business

            Legislator Burdick questioned Deputy Hanchett about the radio grant and if another tower was going to be needed.  Deputy Hanchett and Legislator Healy responded that alternatives are being explored.

 

            Legislator Healy noted that Randy Swarthout has been appointed to the Communications and Technology Ad Hoc Committee to provide his expertise and enhance communications.

 

Executive Session     

            A motion was made at 11:30 a.m. by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to go into Executive Session for attorney/client purposes to discuss issues regarding a legal contract.  Immediately following discussion, a motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to end the executive session at 11:50 a.m. and return to the regular meeting.

 

New Business

            Legislator Burdick questioned Deputy Hanchett about the status of the texting of fire/EMS calls to department members.  Deputy Hanchett replied that they are working with the vendor who needs to write a software program for the current CAD system.  Further mapping and updating needs to be done before the texting program can be implemented.  He noted that the current CAD system is seven years old and is nearing the point of needing to be replaced.  Deputy Hanchett stated that a new system could cost between $300,000 and $400,000.  Legislator Hopkins commented that this will need to be built into the budget in the next few years.

 

            Sheriff Whitney commended two of his dispatchers for their handling of a possible suicide attempt.  An individual phoned the 911 Center stating he had a gun to his head and was going to take his life.  They were able to maintain contact with an individual until emergency responders arrived, and a possible suicide was prevented.  Sheriff Whitney was very proud of the job done by his dispatchers.

 

Adjournment

            There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Burdick, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 11:59 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Edwards

Youth Bureau Director/STOP DWI Coordinator