PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

June 1, 2011

** NOT APPROVED **

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Committee Members Present

M. Healy, G. Benson, D. Burdick, T. Hopkins, C. Crandall (absent: A. McGraw)

Others Present

L. Edwards, J. Margeson, M. Alger, B. Riehle, R. Starks, R. Whitney, K. Monroe, K. Graves, E. Ruckle, D. Hanchett, B. Kelley, B. LaValley, , D. Fanton, W. Sortore, K. LaForge, J. Luckey, T. Miner

Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight “Mike” Healy called the meeting to order at 11:06 a.m.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to approve the May 4, 2011, Public Safety Committee minutes. A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to approve the May 23, 2011, Public Safety Committee minutes.

Public Defender

Public Defender Barbara Kelley met with a committee made up of the Sheriff’s Department, Public Safety Chairman, and local justices to discuss the possibility of a local arraignment court to address the state’s requirements for arraignments. The Sheriff was concerned that this would increase his department’s costs considerably as they would be moving toward Holding Center requirements. This would require 24-hour staffing, along with a nurse on duty 24 hours. Ms. Kelley also felt that this would require Public Defenders to be added to her staff. She will be attending a meeting in Albany on Friday where she will be learning more about the grant process. Legislator Healy requested County Attorney Tom Miner check with other counties to see if a joint appeal of the current ruling to the federal level might be a possibility.

Probation Director

Director Robert Starks had nothing to report.

Director of Emergency Management and Fire

Director Jeff Luckey provided an update on flood damages, providing a copy of cost estimates from the April 25-29, May 13, and May 27 floods. The governor has requested a federal declaration for reimbursement of damages. Damages total around $2.5 million for the three time frames. Director Luckey commented that the 5/27/2011 wind damage was caused by a microburst which ran from Nile to Belmont and included five towns, with Amity and Friendship seeing most of the damage. At the height of the storm, about 5,000 people were without power. A PDA workshop will be held at the Public Safety Facility in the near future to provide information on how to file paperwork to request reimbursement for damages.

Director Luckey also noted that he recently provided a tour of flood-damaged areas to Congressman Tom Reed

Legislator Curt Crandall complimented Director Luckey on the work he has done since being hired. A number of emergencies have happened in the last few months and he felt that Director Luckey has done a good job in handling them.

Youth Bureau Director/STOP-DWI Coordinator

Director Linda Edwards noted that a Youth Board member (James Cross) has resigned and she is requesting permission to appoint James Galatio of Cuba to the position. Legislator Healy commented that he has known Mr. Galatio for many years as a Police Officer and School Resource Officer and he feels Mr. Galatio would be a wonderful addition to the Board. Legislator Healy made a motion to appoint James Galatio to the Youth Board. This was seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried. Prepare Resolution

District Attorney

District Attorney Keith Slep was unable to attend the meeting as he was in a trial.

Weights and Measures Director

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

Sheriff Rick Whitney

Lt. Daniel Hanchett provided a report on the wind damage at the Public Safety Facility. He said that antennas on the top of the building were moved and a T1 line was lost. The Dispatch Center has three levels of redundancy and one level was maintained through the storm. Vendors including SAIA, the County Information Technology Department, Verizon and AK Associates were responsive to the emergency and 911 capability was never lost. Lt. Hanchett commented that the county IT Department did a wonderful job and went “above and beyond” in their response to the emergency. The entire system was working the next day. There was minor damage to the building and several vehicles in the parking lot and he noted that 96 pheasants were killed. There was some damage to the back-up center due to water leakage but there was no structural damage. In response to a question, Lt. Hanchett noted that the new system will be in operation by the end of June.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Benson, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 11:36 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Edwards

Youth Bureau Director/STOP DWI Coordinator