PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
February 2, 2011

** NOT APPROVED **

Committee Members Present

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

 

Others Present

M. Alger, M. Barney, P. Curran, L. Edwards, D. Fanton, G. Green, D. Hanchett, C. Ivers, B. Kelley, B. LaValley, J. Luckey, J. Margeson, K. Monroe, T. Miner, B. Riehle, E. Ruckle, F. Sinclair, K. Slep, R. Starks, R. Swarthout, D. Vespucci, R. Whitney

 

            Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight “Mike” Healy called the meeting to order at 11:19 a.m.

 

Approval of Minutes

            A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to approve the January 4, 2012 Public Safety Committee minutes. 

 

Public Defender

            Public Defender Barbara Kelley had nothing to report.

 

Probation Director

                Director Robert Starks requested permission to fill a typist position due to a resignation.  A motion was made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to fill the position.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

            Director Starks commented that the quarterly ATI Advisory Board meeting was held recently.  There was discussion of a move by the Office of Court Administration to eliminate Youthful Offender status and move that age group to Juvenile Delinquents with Family Court jurisdiction.  There was discussion of cost issues and that this would make more work for the County Attorney’s Office.  It was mentioned that some JD’s in this age group could be diverted to Youth Court.  Legislator Crandall questioned if there would be a shift in costs.  Director Starks agreed to meet with all involved departments to see what differences this might make for them and he will bring the information to the next committee meeting.

 

Director of Emergency Management and Fire

            Director Jeffrey Luckey provided the committee with a Fire Service Organizational Chart.  There are three changes from the past year.  Shaun Taylor is both DC-6 and AL-52, Wes Sortore is now DC-2 and Scott Kenyon is now DC-5.

 

            Director Luckey requested permission to define Fire Investigators as employees of the county for the purpose of providing Workers’ Compensation coverage when requested by the Fire Service Office to perform their duties.  He also requested permission to appoint non-resident Fire Investigators when a resident Fire Investigator is not available  This request was prompted by DC Fire Investigator Bob Cracknell moving to Livingston County and the amount of training required for the position.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to define Fire Investigators as county employees.    Refer to Personnel Committee

 

            Director Luckey will present a report on the Homeland Security Grant next month.  He is anticipating purchasing computer equipment and radios.

 

            Deputy Director Mike Barney reported that EMS numbers are improving.  The passing rate on EMS tests is improving as well and he credits that to the teachers.  He also noted that an EMS course is being offered during the day at Crossroads for shift workers unable to make evening classes.

 

Youth Bureau Director/STOP-DWI Coordinator

            Director Linda Edwards requested permission to appoint members to the Youth Board.  Five current members (Jessica Jennings, Kathy Morris, Jack Emrick, Michele Henry, and Vicky Westacott) need to be re-appointed, along with two new members (Jasmine Heaney and Amy Jacobson) and a youth member (Carlos McInnes).  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to appoint the members as presented.  Prepare Resolution

 

            Director Edwards made a request to re-appropriate unexpended funds of $2,368.92 from the STEPS in Safety Grant (Safety on Wheels) for the fiscal year 1/1/12 to 9/30/12.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried to re-appropriate the grant funds.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

District Attorney

            District Attorney Keith Slep reported that he is working with a forfeiture company to generate income for the office.   He will keep the committee advised as he moves forward with this proposal.

 

Weights and Measures Director

            Director Gilbert Green had nothing to report.

 

Sheriff Rick Whitney

            Sheriff Rick Whitney provided his monthly report.  He noted that the Assistant Port of Buffalo Director from the office of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol made a site visit and was very impressed with our facility.  Sheriff Whitney also noted that he and Undersheriff Kevin Monroe are attending the Corrections Academy.

 

            Sheriff Whitney made a request to compensate two employees for loss of wages they incurred after a clerical mix-up occurred in the hiring process.  In November 2011 two part-time corrections officers were notified that they were hired full time and put on the full time schedule.  It was then determined the full time positions had not been created, so these employees were paid part-time wages for two weeks until the positions could be created and filled.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to compensate two employees for loss of wages.

                                   

            Sheriff Whitney requested permission to re-appropriate the ACT II Batterers Grant in the amount of $3,726.00.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to re-appropriate these funds for 2012.  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.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator McGraw and carried to re-appropriate these funds for 2012.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Sheriff Whitney requested permission to re-appropriate the 2009 LETPP Grant in the amount of $8,688.00.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to re-appropriate these funds for 2012.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Sheriff Whitney requested permission to re-appropriate the 2010 LETPP Grant in the amount of $22,328.00.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to re-appropriate these funds for 2012.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Sheriff Whitney requested permission to accept an ACT II Batterers Program grant in the amount of $27,300.00.  A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to accept the grant.  Refer to Ways and Means Committee

 

Sheriff Whitney stated that he wrote a Letter to the Editor in the Wellsville Daily Reporter summarizing his first year in office.

 

Legislator Healy asked Lt. Hanchett to comment on the special Public Safety Committee meeting held prior to this meeting.  Lt. Hanchett discussed the action plan for the high band radio system in the county.  Discussion will continue regarding the number of radios needed for local departments and grant applications and funding sources to pay for the radios.  A decision will be made in the near future regarding date of implementation of the system. 

 

Old Business

            Legislator Healy asked committee members and department heads in attendance for their comments regarding providing monthly reports at committee meetings.  A report of monthly activities or statistics on one page or less was suggested.  Several people responded that this would not be an issue.  Discussion will continue next month.

 

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 12:03 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Edwards

Youth Bureau Director/STOP DWI Coordinator