PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
January 8, 2020
Members Present: D. Healy, W. Dibble, D. Decker, S. Havey, J. Hopkins, B. Harris, C. Crandall
Other Present: G. Barnes, H. Bedow, A. Bigelow, J. Burdick, P. Curran, D. Fanton, K. Graves, G. Green, S. Grusendorf, C. Ivers, B. Kelley, C. Knapp, S. Lamphier, J. Luckey, D. Marsh, K. Monroe, B. Perkins, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, D. Root, T. Ross, K. Slep, R. Starks, P Stockin, R. Whitney
Media Present: C. Potter, The Spectator
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Public Safety Committee Chairman Dwight "Mike" Healy.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried to approve the Public Safety Committee minutes for December 4, 2019.
Traffic Safety Board Appointments
The Traffic Safety Board requests that the Board of Legislators reappoint Ray Parlett, Ricky L. Whitney, Melinda Rounds, and Linda Edwards for a three-year term on the Traffic Safety Board commencing January 1, 2020, and expiring December 31, 2022. The Traffic Safety Board also requested the Board of Legislators to appoint Shawn Grusendorf to replace Dustin Burch’s spot on the Traffic Safety Board with the term expiring December 31, 2022. These requests were approved on a motion made by Legislator Harris, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Prepare Resolution
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Public Defender Barbara Kelley attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Kelley stated that the numbers are running consistently with last year’s numbers. Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle asked Ms. Kelley if the numbers on page two of her report were correct, and Ms. Kelley stated that the figures were only calculated from October to December.
Criminal Justice Reform
Legislator Harris asked for a quick update on how things have been going so far since January 1, 2020. Public Defender Barbara Kelley stated that they have been working on the justice reform for a week and nothing significant has happened. After doing bail reform in the jail on January 2, 2020, approximately 13 people were released with 5 or 6 qualifying for a release and the others needing two forms of release like bail and probation. Legislator Harris went on to ask if those that were released went on pretrial release or probation. Ms. Kelley stated that it depended on how the judge looked at the case as some were released on bail and others were released on their own recognizance. Mr. Harris asked if this responsibility shifted to Probation. Ms. Kelley stated that if it was pretrial release then yes and that there are different forms of release, so it all depended on the type of release. Mr. Harris also asked who notifies the client when the next court appearance is. Ms. Kelley stated that the court is responsible for notifying the client. She also added that her department has always and will still notify the clients. Public Safety Committee Chairman Healy also asked if there were any inmates that did not want to be released. Ms. Kelley stated there are some that qualified for a release but asked to not be released as there were other charges that the client would have had to stay in jail for.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & FIRE
Emergency Management & Fire Director Jeff Luckey submitted his monthly report to the committee for review and briefly discussed his report. Mr. Luckey stated that he has spoken with the Belfast Fire Chief in regards to Mr. Hasper’s funeral and will assist the Fire Department in whatever is needed. Mr. Luckey also stated the next Fire Advisory Board Meeting is January 24, 2020, at Crossroads at 7:00 p.m.
STOP DWI
STOP-DWI Coordinator Brian Perkins attended the meeting and submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. Mr. Perkins briefly highlighted his report and thanked all that participated in the cookies and wassail event. He went on to state that it was a quiet month with a lot of end of the year paperwork wrapping up grants. He also stated that the Dan Barkley showcase is coming up on January 24 -25, 2020.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
District Attorney Keith Slep attended the meeting and 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 pointed out the increase in Juvenile Delinquents from last year. Mr. Starks believes this is from the Raise the Age. Legislator Harris asked if payment from New York State is coming in on time from the Raise the Age program. Mr. Starks stated that only one payment had been submitted and, yes, this has been received already.
Request to Fill Typist Position
Mr. Starks requested permission to fill one full-time Typist (AFSCME, Grade 4, Step: Base) position. This position is responsible for answering the telephone, servicing people at our front window, setting up new files, filing, and keeping track of our information cards. The annual salary of this position is $28,497.63 with benefits estimated at $12,182. This position is funded 100 percent with County funds. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Certification of Pretrial Services Letter
Mr. Starks stated that their Probation Department was granted provisional services. At this time, the department is looking for more direction from the Office of Court Administration (OCA) on clarification of the letter as it is unclear what provisional means.
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
Weights and Measures Director Gilbert Green attended the meeting and submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. Mr. Green briefly went over his report for the committee.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Sheriff Ricky Whitney attended the meeting and submitted his monthly reports to the committee for review.
Shop with a Cop
Legislator Hopkins stated that she read an article that the Shop with a Cop monies are now in endowment under the Allegany Foundation. Ms. Hopkins asked if this money will be donated to a group in need. Sheriff Whitney explained that without a place to shop in Allegany County; the Organization decided to turn the money over to Allegany Foundation. They will then pick a child related organization to donate the funds to, and this will occur on a yearly basis until something else is decided.
Statewide Interoperable Communication Grant (SICG)
Sheriff Whitney requested the acceptance and the establishment of a capital project for the appropriation of the New York State FY2019 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 $775,128. These monies will be used to continue enhancing our 911 Public Safety Radio Communications and purchasing some portable and mobile radios.
Appropriation: Amount:
H3029.200 (SICG) $156,944
Revenue:
H3030.309.00 (SICG – State Aid) $156,944 Public Safety Committee Minutes January 8, 2020 Page 4 of 4
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
New York State 2019 Public Safety Answering Points Sustainment Grant (PSAP)
The Sheriff’s Office requested the acceptance and establishment of a capital project for the appropriation of the New York State 2019-2020 Public Safety Answering Points Sustainment Grant (PSAP). This grant has been awarded yearly in the amount of $10 million shared throughout 57 counties and the City of New York. Allegany County’s share is $130,863. These monies will be used to update much needed electronic equipment in the 911 Center.
Appropriation: Amount:
H3031.200 $130.863
Revenue:
H3031.3097.00(State Aid) $130,863
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Active Shooter Drill
Sergeant Shawn Grusendorf stated that training for an active shooter drill is being scheduled for Election Day, with hopes of making this an annual training. There will be hour blocks of trainings set up for staff to know what is expected from them. Legislator Hopkins stated that she is glad this is being planned on Election Day instead of a day that the public would be in the building. Legislator Decker asked why this training would not work when the public was in the building. Mr. Grusendorf stated that there would be too much confusion. Mr. Grusendorf added that staff should be prepared for the worst.
911 Enumeration Project
911 Dispatcher Russ Hall submitted his report but was unable to attend the meeting. Sheriff Whitney stated that he was doing a great job at getting addresses and has added about 6,000 new addresses.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:22 p.m. following a motion by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Dibble, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Roberts, Senior Account Clerk Typist
Allegany County Board of Legislators
