PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
November 2, 2011

** NOT APPROVED ** 

Committee Members Present

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

 

Others Present

M. Alger, M. Barney,  D. Cady, L. Edwards, D. Fanton, K. Graves, D. Hanchett, B. Kelley, B. LaValley,  J. Margeson, T. Miner, B. Riehle,  E. Ruckle, F. Sinclair, K. Slep, R. Starks, D. Vespucci, R. Whitney

 

Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight “Mike” Healy called the meeting to order at 11:03 a.m.

 

Approval of Minutes

            A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Benson and carried to approve the October 5, 2011, Public Safety Committee minutes with the correction that the District Attorney’s secretary will start on 12/1/11. 

 

Public Defender

            Public Defender Barbara Kelley had nothing new to report.

 

Probation Director

Director Robert Starks reported on the recent Alternatives to Incarceration meeting.  The Thinking for a Change program continues to operate.  He mentioned the STAR Program, a comprehensive support, education and workforce skills program for those involved in the criminal justice system, which involves Probation, Jail, and Employment and Training staff along with other outside agencies.  STAR Program information is attached.

Director Starks mentioned that he will be going to Albany to attend a Quality Assurance meeting with six other counties.  They will be talking about shared services programs and how those programs are managed.

Director Starks mentioned that an Edward Byrne Justice Grant is accepting applications.  He would like to apply in order to purchase cell phones for his staff to use outside the office while making home visits, while in satellite offices and for curfew checks.  A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to authorize Director Starks to proceed with the Byrne Grant application.

 

Director of Emergency Management and Fire

            Deputy Director Mike Barney attended in Director Luckey’s absence and had nothing new to report.

 

Youth Bureau Director/STOP-DWI Coordinator

            Director Linda Edwards requested acceptance of a STEPS in Safety Grant (Safety on Wheels) from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, grant year 10/1/11 to 9/30/12, in the amount of $2,400.  This amount is $600 less than received in previous years due to cuts in federal funding.  Director Edwards noted that the County Traffic Safety Board has voted to provide $600 for the purchase of bicycle helmets and for Public Service Announcements, in order to keep the total bicycle safety budget at $3,000.   A motion was made by Legislator Benson, seconded by Legislator McGraw to accept the grant.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

            Director Edwards noted that the Annual Fall SADD Conference was held on 10/28/11 on the topic of alcohol use/abuse.  The day was very successful, with very positive evaluations.  Suggestions were made to repeat the day’s events every other year and to approach the local colleges to make this a part of freshmen orientation.

 

District Attorney

            District Attorney Keith Slep requested approval for his permanent secretary, who starts on 12/1/11, to start at Grade 3, Step 3.  He noted that there is precedent for this.  County Administrator John Margeson commented that this is appropriate as the secretary has sufficient experience to allow her to hit the ground running.  Several individuals commented on their knowledge of the experience level of the secretary.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to approve starting the position at Grade 3, Step 3.  

 

Weights and Measures Director

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

 

Sheriff Rick Whitney

Sheriff Rick Whitney provided his monthly report.  He noted that the monthly income for housing out prisoners was $221,000.  The average daily population was 140, with average housed-in of 74.5 and county inmates of 66.  The pheasant and garden projects this year were very successful.  The Working Inmate Program assisted the Wellsville Police Department in moving police records into a new storage building.  The Jail Administration has started to review and prepare for the 2012 Immigrations and Customs Enforcement annual inspection. 

 

Sheriff Whitney requested authorization to execute a contract between the State of New York – Unified Court System and Allegany County, for the period 4/1/11 to 3/31/12, in the amount of $405,200 for security for the court system.  A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to approve the contract.  Prepare Resolution

 

Sheriff Whitney requested approval to fill an E-911 Dispatcher position.  A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to fill an E-911 Dispatcher Position.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Sheriff Whitney requested approval to purchase a new E-911 recording system.  The proposed system includes a recorder for the primary E-911 center and one for the backup E-911 center.  Sheriff Whitney and Lt. Dan Hanchett noted that the old system is full and is outdated.

The cost of the system is $52,124.40, with the Sheriff’s Department able to find about $32,000 in funding in their budget.  They are requesting the additional funding from contingency.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to purchase a new E-911 recording system and authorization to transfer the required cost from surplus and contingency in an as yet unspecified amount.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee and Prepare Resolution

 

            Sheriff Whitney requested approval to create and fill a new part-time E-911 Enumerator position to be used as needed.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to create and fill a new part-time E-911 Enumerator position.  Prepare Resolution

 

            In response to a question Lt. Hanchett stated that the new radio system is moving forward quickly.  Three towers are up and running, one should be ready today, and the Pingrey Hill tower should be ready soon.  The narrow band system needs to be operational by 1/1/14 according to FCC regulations. 

 

Executive Session

At 11:40 a.m. a motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to go into executive session for a discussion of personnel and contractual matters.  At 11:55 a.m. a motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to end the executive session.

 

Sheriff Rick Whitney

            A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Benson and carried to abolish three (3) Deputy Sheriff positions and create three (3) Correction Officer positions and to approve filling the Correction Officer positions with the concurrence of the Ways and Means Committee.  Prepare Resolution

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Benson and carried to temporarily fill a Sergeant position currently vacant due to medical leave.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to fill two (2) Deputy Sheriff positions agreed upon in the current collective bargaining agreement.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Adjournment

            There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to adjourn the meeting at 12:01 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Edwards

Youth Bureau Director/STOP DWI Coordinator