9. Rescind Resolution 435-84 and Create Cortland County Criminal Justice Advisory Board – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Behrenfeld. Mr. Schrader indicated that this resolution is a result of the recent study done of our Criminal Justice System. One of the recommendations is to broaden the scope of the Advisory Committee working with our criminal justice system. The bylaws for this new Advisory Board are available should any member want to review this. This Board will replace the ATI Board. It is hope that this Board will review the entire criminal justice system in Cortland County, providing a better service to the public while dramatically decreasing costs and eliminating the housing of inmates outside the County. Mr. Elston indicated that Mrs. Goldner, Ms. Homer, and Ms. Claflin have worked on the bylaws and he thanked them for their efforts. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

1. Review of this past weekend’s disaster and the formation of a panel to review the plan and performance of EMS System.

Mr. Schrader updated the committee on where we stand as a result of the events of the weekend with the floods. As far as personal protection and safety, we are basically over the hump. The water is receding, although still over flood stage. SEMO will be here tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. to tour the County’s hardest hit areas to assist in documentation to support the Governor’s declaration and request to the President to declare a Federal declaration. We won’t know about the Federal declaration until late next week at the earliest. We have three bridges that are out – two need to be completely replaced – these bridges are basically in Truxton. There are six roads that took a huge beating and will be closed for some time. Shoulders have been washed out on dozens of roads; they are marked right now so the hazards are evident. The Highway Department is working hard to get them back to normal. There are no Town roads closed at this time; all of the Town bridges are in tact. The Town of Cincinnatus and Village of Marathon were hardest hit. Marathon was stunning. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if the areas were visited. Mr. Schrader indicated that Chairman Steve, Mr. Elston, and a variety of other Legislators visited and offered what assistance they could, including sending equipment to assist Marathon. We are in the evaluation stage at the moment. A ballpark estimate of our loss is easily $4 to 5 million of damage to the County infrastructure. The total loss is estimated easily at $10 million. This community is going to be in desperate need of financial assistance from the Federal government. Thank heavens we have the fund balance to up front the money. If we don’t get a Federal declaration, it will be all County money. If we get the Federal declaration, the Federal government will provide 75% reimbursement to bring the infrastructure back to the condition it was before the storm. If there is a Federal declaration, the State has historically provided 12.5% and then the County would be responsible for the other 12.5%. We are in a holding pattern as far as funding the recovery. More details will follow when we have a better picture of the roads and bridges and the status of governmental funding. Mr. Elston complimented the Emergency Management participants over this weekend for their actions in handling the emergency. There was no loss of life or injury this weekend. Mr. Schrader echoed Mr. Elston’s comments about the services provided this weekend. The response was a huge success because we had no loss or life or significant injuries. We have not been tested in the last five years. We need to not only evaluate the disaster itself but our performance during the disaster and how we can improve our response time. Sometime next month we need to establish a panel to sit and review the performance and the disaster response plan to determine what we did well, what could have been done better, and what can be put in place to allow us to perform better in the future. Mr. Schrader has a listing of things that we did extremely well, things we did well, and things where we provided services but could have done much better. There will be some equipment costs as a result of this evaluation. We may be able to work these costs in to a grant program or a mitigation program. Mr. Cornell echoed Mr. Elston’s remarks. The Marathon Fire Department (who are volunteers) went over 36 hours non-stop, without sleep, ,and without compensation. Mr. Elston complimented the County. There was no question of cost or time; if the need was there, we got it there if we could. Next month, we need to look at forming the panel. Ms. DeRusso has indicated to Mr. Elston that a disaster is a learning experience. Mr. Duell indicated that we had a major meeting on Monday, calling town/village people in at the last minute, and it was very successful. There was unity there; we talked about a panel down the road, and the reception was very position. Mr. Armstrong asked Sheriff Price about the two kids trying to get in the Tioughnioga River in Cuyler, they got kicked out, and then went to Truxton and got in the River. Is there any disciplinary action that can be taken. Mr. Schrader indicated that during a State of Emergency, the Chairman of the Legislature can issue Executive Orders, which he did, but they basically pertained to vehicular traffic. In the future, he is recommending that in future Executive Orders, there is inclusion that individuals are not in the area of the flood waters, and violation is a Class B Misdemeanor. Mr. Behrenfeld asked how the 911 Center held up? The Sheriff indicated that they were very busy; there was a backlog of calls. Sheriff Price indicated that the firemen were overwhelmed with everything they had. Mr. Schrader indicated that the first order this weekend was no vehicular travel unless you are authorized or an emergency personnel. People need to understand that if you are on the road and have an accident during this ban, your insurance will not cover you. There are significant consequences for violating the Executive Orders. Mr. Cornell asked if during that emergency no travel, what happens if you have to travel to work or are returning home from work? When there is a "no travel except emergency vehicles", work does not count. Companies shouldn’t even be open. The County Office Building was open for staff, so we could provide services to those in need; it was closed to the public because we did not want them on the road. Mr. Armstrong indicated that we need to review how we get the word out to the community that we are in a State of Emergency.

2. Mr. Duell spoke about the Communications Subcommittee of the Fire Advisory Board. They are working on several projects at this time. Kevin Whitney indicated that the County has done an incredible amount of work as far as the infrastructure is concerned. The Harford and Truxton tower needs some work, but he knows the County is on top of it as well. We are working on these projects because paging has been key to the fire service for some time. The Virgil Tower has helped, but we need more coverage. The best alternative is to go to a UHF paging system. The pagers are a newer, more sensitive pager. With the current pagers, when you are in stores or companies with computers, etc., calls are missed. The UHF pagers are not sensitive to those things. The transmission of a UHF pager system allows for simultaneous communication with a loop system. The problem is that we have proposed Jack Miller help/consult with them. Until there is some sort of approval, they are at a standstill. He has already done some work for them on these issues. He has done all he can do at this time. Mr. Miller was previously affiliated with Tompkins County and their emergency communication system. Mr. Schrader indicated that based upon the direction from the Chairman of the Legislature and the Chair of this committee, we have been focusing on our emergency communications systems. The T-1 is being finalized; some channels are up, but not all of them; this should be concluded by month end. We are in the process of getting prices for updating the microwave length to that tower. This is probably a $20K expenditures. With regards to not having synchronous dispatching off all towers; we are looking at broadband microwave off Solon Tower, which will eliminate some of the difficulties we are experiencing. We are looking at a T-1 connection to the Solon Tower for redundancy as well. We are working with Time Warner, who will be providing a proposal for providing in-kind services for a 5 to 10 year period to provide T-1 connection, in return for space on the tower. Unfortunately, because of the flooding event, he was unable to finish the scope of services proposal for Mr. Miller. This resolution will be presented at the next committee meeting to develop a UHF paging system and analyze the effects, ways of putting signals in the difficult areas in the County. He has met with Sheriff’s Department and DP with a New World Software representative to address the automated vehicle locator system, etc., authorized by this Legislature a month ago. Mr. Corpora will be ordering the equipment; there will be a resolution on the Budget and Finance agenda to fund the project. It has been established as a capital project. Our obligation will be about $300,000 instead of $750,000 because of Federal/State funding. The project kick off meeting should be within the first two weeks in May. We have made huge strides in communication, but we still have more work to do. We are going to be able to do much work at a significantly lower cost than originally anticipated. The partnership with Time Warner will be a wonderful public-private partnership to provide better services to our community. Mr. Elston indicated that improving communication services is a high priority for him and he hopes the committee agrees that it should be a high priority. Mr. Elston asked where we stand on the formation of the Communications Committee. Mr. Schrader has not had an update. Ms. Homer provided an update that all but the Homer Police Department and McGraw Fire Department have designated a representative. A letter is ready to go out setting the first meeting.

3. Ms. Goldner spoke about the meeting that was held to form a planning committee surrounding the PINS program. The youth who need this program are a challenging group of individuals who need oversight and guidance. There is a multi-agency effort to bring the best services to these youth and their families. Ms. Goldner has a copy of the presentation available if any member would like it.

4. Mr. Schrader thanked TLC for their efforts over the weekend in assisting with the disaster. Mr. Elston reiterated the positive effort of everyone over the weekend. Mr. Schrader thanked the Probation Department and the Sheriff’s Department in an unfortunate and uncomfortable situation that happened in this building. It was a difficult situation but the outcome was very positive.

The meeting adjourned at 9:58 a.m.

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