Judiciary & Public Safety Committee
February 7, 2006 - 9:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Present:
John Daniels, Chairman; Tom Williams, Vice Chairman; Sean Clark, Larry
Cornell, Danny Ross, Don Spaulding, Ron VanDee
Others present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Lee Price, Cortland County Sheriff;
Budd Rigg, Cortland County Sheriff’s Department (Jail); Bob Duell, Director of Fire & Emergency Management; Carl Moses, Director of Weights & Measures; Jane Goldner, Director of Probation; Tom Huttleston, Safety Officer; Dave Hartnett, District Attorney; David Butler, TLC; Trish Hansen, TLC; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; Jeremy Boylan, Cortland Standard;
Mr. Daniels called the meeting to order at 9:27 a.m.
Mr. Cornell moved adoption of the minutes of the January 10, 2006 meeting;
seconded by Mr. Ross. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
1.
Authorize Grant Application (Electronic Ticket & Accident Report
Project) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2.
Amend 2006 Budget (Child Passenger Safety Program) – Mr.
Ross moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
3.
Amend 2006 Budget (Forfeited Proceeds) – Mr. Cornell
moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark. Mr.
Williams asked what this was for. Mr.
Price explained that it was money forfeited from arrests and it was a carry over
from last year. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
4.
Appointment of Jail Physician – Mr. Cornell moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. VanDee. Mr.
Price stated that this resolution was different from the resolution from last
year to appoint a Jail Physician. He
pointed out that this resolution shows a 3% increase in compensation for the
Physician and his Registered Nurse. Mr.
Price added that this also differs because it is a two- year contract verses a
one-year. Mr. Price went on to add that this physician does have his
credentials. Mr. Cornell asked if
this increase was budgeted for. Mr.
Price stated that it was. Mr.
Williams asked if this had gone out for bid.
Mr. Price informed the committee that it had gone out for bid and he went
on to state that this position is a very difficult one to fill. He stated that it is difficult to find someone who is
qualified with the experience needed and is willing to go into the jail.
He went on to state that this physician is experienced and has the
necessary qualifications. Mr. Price pointed out to the committee that this position is
to some degree a professional field.
All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
5.
Authorize Agreement (Pharmacy
Solutions, Inc) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr.
VanDee. Mr. Price stated that this is a new pharmacy company that
they would like to begin using. He
further explained reasons for changing pharmaceutical companies and he added
that this is an attempt to save money in an area that is a huge expense in the
Jail. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
6.
Authorize Agreement (K&A Radiologic Technology Service, Inc.)
– Mr. Ross moved adoption; seconded by Mr. VanDee.
Mr. Price introduced Lt. Budd Rigg to the committee and explained that he
could better explain the reasons for this resolution.
Mr. Rigg explained to the committee the various different reasons that an
inmate may need x-rays. He further
explained that in addition to the cost of the x-ray itself, a minimum of
approximately $300, there is the additional cost of transportation and a
potential security risk. Mr. Rigg
stated that this company would come into the jail for a much lower cost, $80 an
x-ray with a two x-ray minimum. He
went on to state that by using K&A Radiologic the transportation cost and
security risk would be eliminated. He
did state that non-emergency x-rays can be scheduled on a weekly clinic date but
if there were a need for an emergency x-ray the inmate would still be taken to
the hospital. He went on to state
that routine screening for PPD and TB can be scheduled on clinic dates.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
7.
Amend 2006 Budget (LETPP FY04) – Mr. VanDee moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Williams. Mr.
Price stated that this is money left over from the Terrorism Grant of last year.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
8.
Authorize Agreement /911 National Interoperable Communications
Channels - Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. VanDee.
Mr. Price explained that the reason for this resolution is to put a
channel in patrol cars that will cover outside Cortland County and cover more of
a five county area. Onondaga County
will write the grant for the five county area and Cortland County will be
included in that are. Cortland
County is a participant. He further
discussed that this will provide a great deal more frequencies. He did state that there is currently one inner agency
frequency in New York State and at times it is difficult to use.
Mr. Daniels inquired about the relationship with Onondaga County.
Mr. Price explained that Onondaga County did take the initiative and went
on to ask for regional participation and cooperation.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
Fire &
Emergency Management
9.
Adopt Comprehensive Management Plan (CEMP) – Mr. Ross
moved adoption; seconded by Mr. VanDee. Mr.
Schrader stated that there are copies of the plan available to those who would
like them, he further stated that the file was large.
Mr. Schrader discussed with Mr. Duell about making the plan accessible
via the internet due to the size of it. Mr.
Schrader stated to the committee that this plan allows for a management plan to
be in place in the situation of a disaster.
He further discussed that this allows for the Departments to know what
there responsibilities are during a disaster.
Mr. Schrader stated that if the Chairman of the Legislature calls for a
state of emergency then the City of Cortland falls under Cortland County.
The County takes a leadership role and this plan dictates that.
He went on to add that this is based on a model state program.
Mr. Spaulding inquired about an emergency evacuation plan.
Mr. Schrader stated that this plan includes the set up of shelters such
as would be needed in a flood situation. Mr.
Schrader stated that there is no formal evacuation plan for a mass evacuation,
such as in the case of Hurricane Katrina. Mr.
Williams asked if this plan had the power to do this if it were needed. Mr. Schrader stated that it did.
He went on to state that the County needs to look at establishing a
television and radio station that will help keep the public informed with up to
date information. He went on to
discuss that we also need to be certain that they have the equipment need to do
this. Mr. Duell stated that there
will be a local table top drill of the local emergency plan committee scheduled
for tomorrow, February 8th and a full scale drill will be scheduled
in June. Mr. Van Donsel stated that
the Health Department and the Court Systems will be conducting a table top drill
in case of a communicable disease disaster.
All members voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Probation
10.
Authorize Agreement –Alternatives to Incarceration (NYS Division of
Probation and Correctional Alternatives – Mr. Cornell moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Williams. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
DISCUSSION/COMMITTEE ACTION:
1. Coroner Vacancy – Mr. Schrader stated that one of the two coroners resigned as of January 31, 2006. He went to state that the Legislature had discussed in the past the position of a Medical Examiner. Mr. Schrader further discussed the possibility of hiring a Coroner’s Physician to help support the remaining Coroner. He stated that if we move towards a Medical Examiner Program that there is 30% state aide available. Mr. Schrader informed the committee that a Medical Examiner can conduct an autopsy here in Cortland County and there will not be a transportation cost. He informed the committee that we have until July to determine if we would like to hire a new coroner or look into the Medical Examiner’s position. He stated that if we hire a Coroner’s Physician this would allow us more time to further determine the Medical Examiner’s Position. Mr. Schrader explained the procedure of creating a Medical Examiner Program and stated that it is up to the Legislature to decided what they want to do. Mr. Daniels inquired about looking at the Medical Examiner’s position and the appointment of a Coroner’s Physician. Mr. Schrader stated that cost of a Corner’s Physician could begin to be looked at by going out and contacting physicians and obtaining proposals. Mr. Daniels asked what the short-term cost of a Coroner’s Physician verses a Coroner would be. Mr. Schrader stated that he did not know it would all depend on the proposals. Mr. Williams asked if Mr. Schrader could research this and look at similar counties in New York State and try to get an idea of the cost. The committee discussed further the Coroner’s Physician position. Chairman Brown asked Mr. Schrader to look into this and report back to the committee next month. Committee members expressed concerns whether or not the current Coroner can be able to keep up with the extra work. Mr. Daniels inquired about additional compensation be available for the Coroner for the extra work he has had to do. Mr. Schrader stated that there are legal issues involved there and discussed then further. Mr. Schrader stated that he would discuss this with the Coroner. Mr. Van Donsel informed and suggested to the committee that in the past historically the Coroner’s Office had Coroner Trainees.
Mr. Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Cornell. The meeting adjourned at 10:01 a.m.