Judiciary & Public Safety Committee
August 31, 2005 – 8:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Committee Present: Scott Elston, Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, Vice Chairman; Kurt Behrenfeld, Larry Cornell, Tom Hartnett, Ron VanDee – Absent: Kay Breed
Others: Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Angie Wyatt, Lee Price, Marty Coolidge, Bob Duell, Brenda DeRusso, Dave Hartnett, Jane Goldner, Paul Sandy, Chief Jim Nichols, Chief Dan Mack, Steve Dangler, Eric Mulvihill
The meeting was called to order at 8:50a.m. by Chairman, Scott Elston
MOTION BY RON VANDEE – 2ND BY LARRY CORNELL TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 3, 2005 MEETING – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED
RESOLUTIONS
Sheriffs Department
Discussion: NONE
Discussion: NONE
LARRY CORNELL - 2ND BY – RON VANDEE - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED WITH THE DATE OF THE CONTRACT INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT (JANUARY 1, 2006 TO DECEMBER 31, 2006)
Discussion: Members of the Committee all agreed that the date of the contract should be included in the Resolution
Probation
4. Authorize Agreement/ Accept Funds, Probation Department (New York State Division ofProbation and Correctional Alternatives - DPCA) – MOTION BY LARRY CORNELL -
2ND BY KURT BEHRENFELD - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED
Discussion: Jane Goldner advised the Committee that the Probation Department would be receiving $53,000 more than originally projected in the 2005 budget.
5. Amend 2005 Budget, Probation Department – MOTION BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG
2ND BY LARRY CORNELL - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED
Discussion: Jane Goldner explained that the educational benefits have to be paid because of contractual obligations with CSEA. They are presently in negotiations with CSEA. Committee members feel that the County should get some sort of commitment from the employees that are using the educational benefits.
DISCUSSION/COMMITTEE ACTION:
Assigned Counsel money and positions (Keith Dayton) – TABLED FOR A LATER MEETING
April Flood (Bob Duell & Brenda DeRusso) – Bob and Brenda provided a FEMA summary report of projects by County, City, Towns, Villages, Fire Districts, School Districts, Cortland Memorial Hospital, etc. totaling $2,662,914.95 AND Individual Assistance totaling $514,693.00 making it a grand total of $3,177,607.95.
Drug Task Force (Dave Hartnett, Lee Price, Marty Coolidge and other Law Enforcement Officilas) - Dave provided the JPS Committee with a letter of support for the addition of a staff person for the Drug Task Force. Undersheriff Marty Coolidge was the founding member of the Drug Task Force. Marty spoke briefly about how the Drug Task Force system works now. More manpower is needed in order to do a more efficient job on drug abuse arrests. Felony arrests and convictions are handled mostly by the Drug Task Force. District Attorney David Hartnett, City Police Chief Jim Nichols, Homer Village Police Chief Dan Mack among many other law enforcement officials support the additional staff person for the Drug Task Force. Scott Steve suggested that the Sheriff’s Department contact the NYS Attorney General’s Office to get resources. Lee Price would like to start this person soon and indicated that the position is included in the 2006 Budget request. Ron VanDee would like to hire 2 people. Scott Elston said that the County needs to be cautious with the budget. There is a budgetary process that has to be followed. Marty Coolidge advised the Committee that he would be satisfied with 1 position being added. Merwin Armstrong would like to have the position start soon instead of waiting until the 1st of the year.
911 Dispatch Center (Lee Price) Lee spoke about the lack of dispatchers for the 911 Center. He needs 2 full time dispatchers. The part time dispatchers are not working out and he is also losing part timers.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05a.m.
Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Confidential Secretary to Scott Schrader