PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

May 23, 2011

** NOT APPROVED **

Committee Members Present

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

 

Others Present

L. Edwards, J. Margeson, M. Alger, R. Whitney, K. Monroe, K. Graves,  E. Ruckle, N. Ungermann, J. Luckey

 

            Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight “Mike” Healy called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m.

 

Youth Bureau Director/STOP-DWI Coordinator

            Director Linda Edwards provided a copy of the 2011 OCFS allocation figures.  Funding was reduced by 25% from last year’s allocations, so the Youth Board is recommending that allocations be cut by 25% across the board.  This will impact the Youth Bureau budget which  lost around $3,000.  Legislator Hopkins questioned how the department intends to cover that amount and Director Edwards replied that that will be addressed after the allocations are approved.  The Rushford Lake Beach funding also lost about $2,000.  Three town/village summer recreation programs declined their funding for 2011, so their money has been re-allocated to the Beach and the overall loss was around $600.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to approve the allocations as presented.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

            Director Edwards also noted that OCFS has advised that allocations will likely again be reduced by 25% in 2012.  The Youth Board will be surveying agencies for their thoughts for funding next year.   Funding can either again be reduced or priorities can be established for funding fewer agencies.

 

            Director Edwards advised the committee of proposed NYS Department of Health regulations for summer camps that would include town/village recreation programs.  The proposals included background checks of all employees, evaluation of facilities used by programs, availability of medical staff for emergency needs, and restrictions of dangerous activities for children (kickball, dodgeball, etc.), among others.  These regulations have been put on hold for a year while the Health Department investigates further.  The Youth Board made a motion stating “The Allegany County Youth Board protests NYS Department of Health regulations that will cripple the ability of Youth Board-sponsored programs to offer such traditional and wholesome recreational activities as dodge ball and competitive relay games; and also protests regulations regarding medical supervision that are costly and impractical in a rural setting, especially in a period when state reimbursement for youth programming is declining.”  Legislators Crandall and Hopkins both pointed out that additional regulations proposed by the Health Department would make town/village summer recreation programs cost-prohibitive, and may result in recreation programs being eliminated.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Benson and carried to protest additional unnecessary regulations by the NYS Department of Health for summer recreation programs.  The committee requested that the resolution be forwarded to our state senator and assemblymen.  Resolution

 

            Director Edwards advised the committee that she had recently collaborated with  Andover Central School on a pre-prom activity.  An expanded Victim Impact Panel was presented for eleventh and twelfth graders and was well-received by the administration and students.  At the end of the program students were asked to sign the Prom Promise.

 

Sheriff Rick Whitney

Sheriff Rick Whitney requested approval to enter into a contract with the NYS Department of Correctional Services’ Office of Nutritional Services (DOCS-NS) located in Rome, NY, to procure food products for the period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016.  This contract will replace an existing contract with DOCS-NS which expires June 30, 2011.  A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to enter into this contract.  Resolution

 

            Sheriff Whitney requested approval to promote a Deputy Sheriff to Deputy Sergeant due to a retirement.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to fill the position.  County Administrator Margeson has already reviewed and approved the position.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

            Sheriff Whitney requested the transfer of the unappropriated balance and expenses of the Fire Services account number 3410.427 to a new account number 3112.427.  This account is used to fund utility expenses for the county’s E-911 radio towers.  The budget transfer is necessary as the E-911 Dispatch Center is now managed by the Sheriff’s Office.  A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to approve the transfer.

 

Adjournment

            There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 2:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Edwards

Youth Bureau Director/STOP DWI Coordinator