PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
November 7, 2018
Members Present: D. Healy, W. Dibble, B. Harris, S. Havey, J. Hopkins, C. Crandall (Absent: D. Decker)
Others Present: L. Ballengee, G. Barnes, T. Boyde, J. Burdick, P. Curran, J. DiPasquale, L. Edwards, D. Fanton, G. Green, S. Grusendorf, R. Hall, C. Knapp, K. Monroe, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, D. Root, T. Ross, T. Shaw, R. Starks, P. Stockin, R. Swarthout, B. Van Housen, M. Washer, R. Whitney
Media Present: C. Potter, Wellsville Daily Reporter
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 11:03 a.m. by Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight "Mike" Healy.
Deputy County Administrator
County Administrator Timothy Boyde introduced and welcomed the new Deputy County Administrator Jay DiPasquale. He comes to the County with a lot of experience in the public sector. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management as well as a master’s degree in Public Administration with honors and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Mr. Boyde continued that Mr. DiPasquale spent two years in Baghdad after the invasion as a Senior City Manager for public defense. Mr. Boyde noted that Mr. DiPasquale will begin his new role on Tuesday, November 13. Mr. DiPasquale stated he is looking forward to relocating to Allegany County and getting started in his new role, adding that it’s a beautiful County with a lot of opportunities, and he looks forward to being fully immersed here. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Harris, and carried to approve the Public Safety Committee minutes for October 3, 2018.PUBLIC DEFENDER Public Defender Barbara Kelley was unable to attend the meeting as she is currently out on medical leave but submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Request to Transfer Funds The Public Defender’s Office requested a resolution to transfer funds in the amount of $2,000 from A1173.201 (CAFA Grant – Equipment) to A1170.201 (Public Defender – Equipment). Ms. Kelley’s office was able to purchase equipment for their new Counsel at First Appearance employees using funds from A1170.201 to have them equipped when they began on January 3, 2018. Due to this, they have exhausted funds in their equipment line, and this transfer is needed to cover their department through the end of the year. This request was approved on a motion made by Committee Chairman Healy, seconded by Legislator Harris, and carried. Refer to Ways & Means
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & FIRE Emergency Management & Fire Clerk Bonnie VanHousen attended the meeting and submitted their monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. VanHousen stated that Mr. Luckey is currently attending the Fire Arson Investigation Seminar. Ms. Van Housen gave a brief highlight of events she and Mr. Luckey have attended in the past month. STOP- DWI
STOP-DWI Coordinator Linda Edwards attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Edwards noted that her last day will be December 28, 2018, and her successor will start on December 7, 2018, to begin training. Highway Safety Symposium Ms. Edwards recently attended the Highway Safety Symposium in Lake Placid where she was presented with a STOP-DWI award and certificate in recognition of her years of service and commitment to the STOP-DWI Program. Legislator Hopkins congratulated Ms. Edwards for her award and thanked her for all of her hard work. SADD Conference Ms. Edwards stated the SADD Conference went very well, and there were approximately 100 students in attendance. STOP-DWI Month Ms. Edwards stated she was just notified that Governor Cuomo has designated November as STOP-DWI month. Each county has been asked to promote and raise awareness, and next week all partners will gather for a picture and press release to show all who is involved with addressing the issue of drunk driving. Committee Chairman Healy asked if the District Attorney has been invited for the photo. Ms. Edwards stated, yes, she has reached out to Mr. Slep. DISTRICT ATTORNEY District Attorney Keith Slep was unable to attend the meeting but submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. PROBATION DEPARTMENT Probation Director Robert Starks attended the meeting and submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. Mr. Starks stated that Family Court Investigations have already exceeded 2017 numbers, and Active Supervision for Juveniles is also up considerably compared to this time last year. Transfer of Funds Mr. Starks requested permission to transfer funds in the amount of $1,500 from A3140.413 (Probation – Rentals) into A3142.103 (Alternatives to Incarceration – Personnel Services) to cover accrued and projected overtime costs. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Havey, 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. Mr. Green stated that he recently attended the NYS Weights and Measures Western Group, and they were introduced to three new directors from the counties of Orleans, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Sheriff Whitney attended the meeting and submitted his monthly reports to the committee for review. Committee Chairman Healy congratulated the Sheriff on winning the election. Legislator Harris asked if they have incarcerated any 16-year olds yet, and Sheriff Whitney, stated, no. Jail Shakedown Sheriff Whitney stated that on October 29, their CERT team did a shakedown at the Jail and 89 of 102 inmates were double locked for minor violations such as too many clothes, books, pictures, and food off of trays. Two inmates were transferred to Alpha Pod; one for hoarding medications, and one for damaging County property.
Jail Revenue Sheriff Whitney congratulated Jail Administrator Chris Ivers for his work on continuing to increase revenue, stating he has done an excellent job keeping population up since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) started to house their own inmates. Legislator Stockin asked if there are ever situations where we would house out our own inmates. Sheriff Whitney stated sometimes they do if there are charges in other counties, adding that they also had an inmate that needed to be housed out because they were a close relative to one of their Correction Officers. Committee Chairman Healy asked if that is the policy of the Jail, and Sheriff Whitney stated, yes, as well as the policy of many other counties. 2018 LETPP Homeland Security Grant Sheriff Whitney requested a resolution to accept and appropriate funds for the 2018 LETPP Homeland Security Grant. The funds should be appropriated as follows:
Appropriation: Amount:
A3664.210 – 2018 LETPP Homeland Security Grant $17,495
Revenue: Amount:
A3664.3306.SH18 – 2018 HS SHSP# C9699180 Sheriff $17,495 Legislator Harris asked what is done in the form of terrorism prevention programs. Sheriff Whitney stated one thing they do is join up with other agencies for red team exercises. Lieutenant Grusendorf added that the equipment they can purchase such as bulletproof vests, night gear, etc. can be shared throughout the County; however, is strictly for law enforcement. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Harris, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
NYS FY2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant Sheriff Whitney also requested a resolution to accept and establish a capital project for the appropriation of the New York State FY2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant (SICG). This grant has been awarded yearly in the amount of $45 Million shared throughout 57 counties and the City of New York. Allegany County’s share is $889,690 and will be used to continue enhancing their 911 Public Safety Radio Communications. The Sheriff’s Office anticipates spending these funds on radio equipment for towers, system engineering, and adding Fire A and B frequencies to the new system. The funds should be appropriated as follows: Appropriation: Amount:
H3028.200 – FY2018 Statewide Interoperable Communication Grant $889,690
Revenue: Amount:
H3028.3097.00 – FY2018 SICG – State Aid $889,690
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Havey, seconded by Legislator Dibble, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Red Team Grant Funds
Sheriff Whitney additionally requested a resolution to accept and appropriate funds in the amount of $3,319.80 from the Red Team Grant SH16-1123-D00. This grant provided two deputies for four days to assist Homeland Security. These funds should be appropriated as follows:
Appropriation: Amount:
A3658.103 (Homeland Security – Premium Pay) $2,696.17
A3658.802 (Homeland Security – Retirement) $ 382.59
A3658.803 (Homeland Security – FICA) $ 206.26
A3658.804 (Homeland Security – Workers Comp) $ 34.78
Total: $3,319.80
Revenue: Amount:
A3658.3306.REDT State Aid 15-16HS SHSP Red Team $3,319.80
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Radio/Tower Project Update
Lt. Grusendorf stated the radio/tower project continues to move along. They are currently working on combining fire channels; however, will not be moving forward until enough funds have been secured. Lt. Grusendorf indicated there are two towers experiencing issues but they are moving quickly with getting them taken care of, adding they have had great success, and the County should see an improvement in coverage soon. Committee Chairman Healy asked if the $889,690 grant they just accepted will finish the project. Lt. Grusendorf stated those funds will finish Fire A and Fire B frequencies as well as getting some mobiles and portables for agencies that are still lacking coverage. Committee Chairman Healy asked what the additional cost is that is needed to finish the project. Lt. Grusendorf stated approximated $8 to $10 million before it’s all said and done, noting it is all grant funds and it will take around 4 years to complete. Legislator Barnes asked who will be able to use the system. Lt. Grusendorf stated every County agency including fire, police, EMS, patrol, Town/County highway, local highway, etc. Committee Chairman Healy if schools also have access. Lt. Grusendorf stated, yes, and currently they have two schools who pay a small fee to utilize it.
911 Enumeration Project Update Dispatcher Russ Hall attended the meeting to provide a brief update on the 911 Enumeration project. Mr. Hall stated that based on the months he’s been working on this project, he estimates they are missing between 40 and 50 percent of addresses, adding that he anticipates it will be another three years before the project is complete. Legislator Harris asked if it is reasonable for him to get through 500 addresses a month. Mr. Hall stated it depends on what else is happening. In September, Mr. Hall had to attend a conference as well as assist in the implementation of their CAD system, so he was not able to get through as many; however, he does feel it is a reasonable request on months that he does not have anything else going on. Mr. Hall continued that villages slow him down a little because he’s checking addresses on foot rather than driving. Committee Chairman Healy asked for an update on the written progress report he requested. Lt. Grusendorf asked what type of detail they would like to see in the report. Mr. Healy provided examples such as timelines, phases of the project, expectations, noting that he also understands it would be flexible and ever changing. Lt. Grusendorf stated they will have the report ready for next month’s meeting.
Adjournment There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:47 a.m. following a motion by Legislator Harris, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to the Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
