PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
August 1, 2018
Members Present: D. Healy, W. Dibble, D. Decker, B. Harris,
S. Havey, J. Hopkins, C. Crandall
Others Present: L. Ballengee, G. Barnes, T. Boyde, P.
Curran, L. Edwards, M. Evans, K. Francisco, K. Graves, G. Green, S. Grusendorf,
R. Hall, C. Ivers, B. Kelley, C. Knapp, K. Monroe, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T.
Ross, T. Shaw, R. Starks, P. Stockin, R. Swarthout, B. VanHousen, M. Washer, R.
Whitney
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Public Defender Barbara Kelley attended the meeting and
submitted her monthly report to the committee for review.
Hurrell-Herring Settlement
Ms. Kelley stated that New York State, at the request of
NYSAC and the 62 counties of New York State, expanded the 2017-18 State Budget
to include the Hurrell-Harring settlement services to the other 52 counties as
well as New York City. This expansion of indigent defense services includes
public defender case load caps as well as off-hour arraignment coverage. Under
this plan, the counties, not the State, must front the expanded indigent
defense service costs, and the State will reimburse 100 percent of the costs
they deem necessary to extend the reforms. The plan’s service expansion will be
appropriated year-by-year but must be fully operational statewide by 2023. Ms.
Kelley noted that this will be a good opportunity for the County to get some
funding to help reduce overall costs. Legislator Hopkins asked how long the
funding will last. Ms. Kelley stated it is a 5-year plan. Legislator Harris
asked how much funding is anticipated. Ms. Kelley stated at this time she has
been asked not to publicly announce any amount.
Family Representation Indigent Defense
Ms. Kelly stated while slow, there is also movement from the
state in finding a way to fund and supplement family representation in addition
to criminal indigent defense. Committee Chairman Healy thanked Ms. Kelley for
endeavors in these efforts, stating they appreciate her work as she has done a
lot in achieving significant funds for the County.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND FIRE DIRECTOR
Emergency Management and Fire Account Clerk Typist Bonnie
VanHousen attended the meeting and submitted the department’s monthly report to
the committee for review. Ms. VanHousen stated she and Mr. Luckey attended the
National Homeland Security Conference and received a lot of good information.
On August 25, Mr. Luckey assisted with the Allegany County SPCA rescue. On
August 26, Mr. Luckey responded and assisted with a water rescue at the Genesee
River in Caneadea using the water rescue trailer. Committee Chairman Healy
asked for some background on the Swift Water Rescue Team. Ms. VanHousen stated
they have a team comprised of members of the NY Fire Academy who have to go
through and pass training in Canacadea Creek.
STOP- DWI
STOP-DWI Coordinator Linda Edwards attended the meeting and
submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Edwards stated
she managed the Traffic Safety Booth at the County Fair where they gave away a
lot of educational information on Bicycle Safety and DWI, and they also gave
away 45 bicycle helmets. On Saturday, August 4, Ms. Edwards will be meeting the
bicycle winners at Kmart to pick out their new bicycles. Ms. Edwards indicated
that with her upcoming retirement, she plans to advertise for her position at
the beginning of September so they can have some overlap for training.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
District Attorney Keith Slep was unable to attend the
meeting but submitted his monthly report to the committee for review.
Legislator Hopkins stated she appreciates seeing the yearly comparisons on the
report as it gives them some perspective on where things are at. Committee
Chairman Healy added that the whole committee appreciates the effort.
PROBATION DEPARTMENT
Probation Director Robert Starks attended the meeting and
submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. On July 19, Probation
Officer Sara Mahoney presented another nationwide webinar on victim blaming
that received a lot of good feedback. Probation Supervisor Scott Grantier
completed his Leadership Training, Mr. Starks stated he is well equipped to be
a strong leader.
Raise the Age
Mr. Starks stated local magistrates have received no word as
to what their role is going to be nor have they received any training, and
Raise the Age is only two months away. Legislator Harris asked what they need
to be trained on. Mr. Starks stated the whole process on how things are going
to happen and/or how to handle these cases. County Treasurer Terri Ross stated
she also attended the webinar, and there was a list of training dates that went
back months that Mr. Starks was never notified about, adding the remaining
training sessions are too far away to send anyone. Mr. Starks noted that as of
October 1, 2018, it is just 16 year olds, so hopefully there shouldn’t be too
many. Legislator Decker asked where these kids are going to go in two months.
Mr. Starks stated they are unsure where the few who have gone to jail will go,
and they will have to see what the state has to offer. Erie County Secure
Detention may have a bed; however, they have indicated they will not be
contracting with anyone to offer beds. Monroe County is adding 8 beds to their
facility; however, they plan to save them for their own youth. Public Defender
Barb Kelly indicated arraignments of 16 year olds will only happen in front of
specially trained magistrates. Legislator Harris asked when the last time was
that the County Jail had an incarcerated 16-year-old. Ms. Kelley stated they
currently have one incarcerated, adding they see 16 year olds go to jail often.
Mr. Starks noted that the majority of them are not in jail long.
Probation State Aid Block Grant
Mr. Starks requested a resolution to accept and appropriate
funds in the amount of $151,101 for the Probation State Aid Block Grant for
State Fiscal Year 2018-19. This grant money will offset Probation personnel
expenses incurred by the County. The funds should be appropriated as follows:
Appropriation: Amount:
A3140.101 (Probation – Personnel) $151,101
Revenue: Amount:
A3140.3310.00 (Probation Block Grant) $151,101
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator
Havey, seconded by Legislator Dibble, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Weights and Measures Director Gilbert Green attended the
meeting and 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. Legislator Harris asked what kind
of assistance is being provided at Watkins Glen. Sheriff Whitney stated they
have some deputies who contract with the Sheriff’s Office there. Legislator
Harris then asked if they are independent contracts and do we send any
equipment with them. Sheriff Whitney stated they send three cars, and the
agreement is Watkins Glen pays for gas and anything that may happen while they
are there. The deputies are also paid by Schuyler County in addition to the
reimbursement received for mileage, gas, etc. Legislator Harris asked if these
deputies being gone cause any issues with staff coverage at the Jail, and
Sheriff Whitney stated, no.
New York State DHSES FY2017 Cyber Security Grant
The Sheriff’s Office requested permission to apply for the
New York State DHSES FY2017 Cyber Security Grant Program (CSGP). This grant is
new and will be awarded in the amount of $500,000 dollars shared throughout New
York State. Allegany County could be awarded up to $50,000 to support our
jurisdiction’s cyber security projects. These monies, if awarded, will be used
in conjunction with the Allegany County Information Technology office to
enhance our cyber security. Lieutenant Shawn Grusendorf noted that this will be
a Countywide annual training and awareness for all County employees. Ms. Ross
noted that this is just the application, and more details will be available
once it’s approved. Committee Chairman Healy stated it sounds like a good use
of the funds. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble,
seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Formula-Based
Grant
The Sheriff’s Office requested permission to apply for the
2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Formula-Based Grant (2018
SICG-Formula Program). This grant is awarded yearly in the amount of $45
million dollars shared throughout 57 counties and the City of New York. These
monies, if accepted, will be used to continue enhancing our 911 Public Safety
Radio Communications. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator
Dibble, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
NYSDHSES (Mutualink) Contract Renewal
The Sheriff’s Office requested a resolution to renew the
contract with NYSDHSES (Mutualink) for the E-911 Dispatch Center for a period
extending to January 31, 2021. Lt. Grusendorf noted this is just a renewal of
what we already have in place. This request was approved on a motion made by
Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried. Prepare
Resolution
ACT II Batterers Program Funds
The Sherriff’s Office requested a resolution to accept and
appropriate $184 in user fees for the ACT II Batterers Program. The funds
should be appropriated as follows:
Appropriation: Amount:
A3117.449 (ACT II Batterers Program) $184
Revenue: Amount:
A3117.2260.00 (ACT II Batterers Program) $184
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator
Harris, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Radio Project Update
Lt. Grusendorf stated they have a meeting in the coming
weeks to discuss tower sites. All towers are up, fenced in, and they have two
left that need power which is expected to happen in the next month. Lt.
Grusendorf indicated there is another grant out for $65 million with a maximum
award of $6 million that they will be applying for. Legislator Dibble asked if
they will be including Potter and McKean counties. Lt. Grusendorf stated not at
this time, but they will eventually become a part of the process.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:17 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Harris, seconded by Legislator Dibble, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to the Clerk of the
Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
