Members Present: D. Healy, W. Dibble, D. Decker, B. Harris,
S. Havey, J. Hopkins
Others Present: G. Barnes, H. Bedow, T. Boyde, B. Budinger,
L. Edwards, D. Fanton, K. Francisco, K. Graves, C. Ivers, B. Kelley, C. Knapp,
J. Luckey, K. Monroe, J. Ralyea, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T. Ross, P. Stockin, R.
Swarthout, M. Washer, R. Whitney
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 11:01 a.m.
by Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight “Mike” Healy.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Havey, seconded by
Legislator Dibble, and carried to approve the Public Safety Committee minutes
for June 6, 2018.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Public Defender Barbara Kelley attended the meeting and
submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Kelley stated her
department has relocated to the third floor, and they are very grateful for the
beautiful new space. Ms. Kelley indicated that there will be an open house in
July.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND FIRE DIRECTOR
Emergency Management and Fire Director Jeff Luckey attended
the meeting and submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. Mr.
Luckey stated on June 22, he participated in the Chempac Drill as well as the
ACCORD Active Shooter Exercise. Mr. Luckey reminded the committee that the
Firemen’s Convention will be held Wednesday, July 11, through Saturday, July
14.
Cancer Bill for Firefighters
Mr. Luckey distributed some information regarding the NYS
Volunteer Firefighter Benefit Program that is designed to provide volunteer
firefighters supplemental benefits following a cancer diagnosis. The program
offers the following three types of benefit coverage:
- A lump sum
benefit that would be paid based on diagnosis.
- A
disability benefit that would pay in the event that the firefighter was unable
to serve.
- A life
benefit in the event that the firefighter passes away.
Mr. Luckey stated the premiums are looking to range between
$225 and $250 per interior firefighter, and the insurance needs to be in place
by January 1, 2019. Hartford Insurance has been selected to carry the
insurance; however, there has been discussion regarding the County assisting in
any way they can. A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by
Legislator Harris, and carried to refer the NYS Volunteer Firefighter Benefit
Program to the Personnel Committee for further discussion. Refer to Personnel
STOP- DWI
STOP-DWI Coordinator Linda Edwards attended the meeting and
submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Edwards
distributed a handout highlighting the 2018 Bicycle Safety presentations
throughout Allegany County. Ms. Edwards presented at 12 public schools, 1
private school, and 1 afterschool program in the County, and served
approximately 750 students. Ms. Edwards stated they have received their $3,000
Bicycle Safety Grant for 2019 and will request acceptance of those funds later
in the Fall. Ms. Edwards continued they also received notification that they
will be awarded $10,850 in crackdown funds for the 2018 – 2019 year. Committee
Chairman Healy asked Ms. Edwards to provide more detail on the crackdown
program. Ms. Edwards stated they receive funds from New York State to perform
traffic enforcement “crackdowns” during the 8 major holidays. Ms. Edwards noted
the crackdowns are specific to DWIs.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
District Attorney Keith Slep was unable to attend the
meeting but submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. Committee
Chairman Healy stated it was requested at the previous meeting to see a
comparison of totals by year on the District Attorney’s monthly report.
Committee Chairman Healy noted that if it is not convenient to add these
comparisons half way through the year, then the request will be effective
January 1, 2019. This request was approved on a motion was made by Legislator
Havey, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried.
PROBATION DEPARTMENT
Probation Supervisor Jody Ralyea attended the meeting and
submitted their monthly report to the committee for review. Probation Director
Robert Starks was unable to attend as he is at the Council of Probation
Administrator’s Summer Conference in Lake Placid. Legislator Hopkins asked for
the meaning of specific acronyms provided on the monthly report. Ms. Ralyea
stated CD IID Cases refers to Conditional Discharge Interlock Ignition Device.
These cases need to be tracked for usage and whether or not they have a
positive impact. EHM refers to Electronic Home Monitoring cases, and RUS refers
to Release Under Supervision for pretrial cases.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Weights and Measures Director Gilbert Green was unable to
attend the meeting but submitted his monthly report to the committee for
review.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Sheriff Rick Whitney attended the meeting and submitted his
monthly reports to the committee for review. Sheriff Whitney stated two
deputies recently graduated from the Police Academy, and both received high
praise for their performance. Legislator Decker asked if the $64,759.21 collected in the civil division is part of the
total $124,520 generated revenue. Sheriff Whitney stated, no, the $124,520 is
just revenue for housing prisoners.
Overtime
Legislator Decker asked how they are doing handling the
amount of overtime. Sheriff Whitney stated last month they had a prisoner with
a medical condition who had to be sent to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) and
ended up being in the ICU for 12 days. It required two officers driving back
and forth to ECMC every 8 hours for 12 days and cost $27,000 in overtime.
Sheriff Whitney stated they had no control over the situation as it was a local
prisoner and the judge wouldn’t release them. Legislator Decker asked if the
same situation applies to federal prisoners. Sheriff Whitney stated, yes;
however, they bill for the overtime and get that money back. Sheriff Whitney
noted that they did reach out to Erie County to see if they could assist with
providing two deputies, but they were unable to help out at that time.
Legislator Ricci asked if it was something that could have been handled at
Jones Memorial Hospital. Sheriff Whitney stated they sent the prisoner to Jones
Memorial first, and they chose to transfer the prisoner out.
Shakedown
Sheriff Whitney stated on June 18, the CERT team did a
shakedown of the entire Jail. There were no major violations or contraband
found; however, 91 inmates out of 108 were double locked for minor violations
such as food off of tray, or having extra blankets, sheets, towels, etc.
Legislator Harris asked what a double lock is and how long it lasts. Sheriff
Whitney stated typically the inmates are allowed to wander through their pod
and interact with each other. If an inmate gets double locked, they are not allowed
out of their cell, and it typically lasts for 24 hours or less.
Request to Create and Fill Junior Accountant Position
Sheriff Whitney requested approval to create and fill a
part-time position of Junior Accountant (Non-Union, Grade 11, Step: 7) in the
Sheriff’s Office. This position is needed to assist the Sheriff’s Office
Accountant with his current workload and help reduce his overtime. This
position is anticipated to be approximately 15 hours per week at an hourly rate
of $19.08. The annual salary for the remainder of 2018 is $7,442.50 with
benefits estimated at $1,721.45, and it is 100 percent funded with County
dollars. Committee Chairman Healy stated this is also a good idea for
succession planning. County Administrator Tim Boyde stated it’s well thought
out and will assist with a lot of things, primarily succession planning.
Legislator Harris asked how much overtime the current Accountant is receiving.
Mr. Boyde stated it is a substantial amount. Legislator Harris requested to see
a report of the employee’s overtime prior to this request coming before the
Personnel Committee. A motion was made by Legislator Harris, seconded by
Legislator Dibble, and carried to create and fill a part-time position of
Junior Accountant in the Sheriff’s Office. Refer to Personnel to create the
position and refer to Ways & Means to fill.
