Judiciary & Public Safety Committee

December 04, 2007 at 9:30 AM

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Committee Present:  John Daniels, Chairman; Tom Williams, Vice Chairman; Sean Clark, Larry Cornell, Don Spaulding, Danny Ross - Absent: Ron VanDee

Others Present:  Marilyn Brown, Legislative Chairperson; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to County Administrator; Carol Tytler, Legislator; Lee Price, Sheriff, Bob Duell, Director-Fire/Emergency Management; Jane Goldner, Director-Probation; David Hartnett, District Attorney; Budd Rigg, Jail Administrator; Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard

The meeting was called to order at 9:32a.m. by Chairman John Daniels

MOTION TO APPROVE NOVEMBER 13, 2007 MINUTES MADE BY MR. SPAULDING -  2ND BY MR. CORNELL - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MINUTES APPROVED

RESOLUTIONS:

Coroners

  1. Authorize Agreement - Autopsy Services Lourdes Hospital – MOTION BY MR. CORNELL - 2ND BY – MR. SPAULDING - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Mr. Spaulding noticed that this is a 2-year contract.  Mr. Daniels commented that the County has never had a contract with Lourdes Hospital for autopsy services and that most of the autopsies are performed at Lourdes Hospital.  Chairman Brown asked if it was in the budget.  Ms. Wyatt indicated that it is in the Coroners’ budget as Medical Fees (Account # A11855 54500) and autopsies as well as laboratory fees are paid from this line item.

Fire/EM

1A.       Authorize Donation of Fire Engine to Homer Cortland Community Agency – MOTION   BY MR. ROSS - 2ND BY MR. CLARK - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: None

Sheriff’s Department

  1. Appointment of Jail Physician Pursuant to Correction Law § 501 – MOTION BY MR. SPAULDING - 2ND BY MR. CLARK - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Chairman Brown asked that the account number be included in the resolution.  Sheriff Price commented that the present physician is doing an excellent job.  The physician also contracts with the Tompkins County Jail.  Sheriff Price and Jail Administrator Lieutenant Rigg advised the Committee that inmate medical expenses are very high.  Mr. Williams inquired if the jail could take advantage of the lower cost Canadian drugs as County employees are now able to take advantage of.  Sheriff Price answered that they cannot do this.  Lieutenant Rigg advised the Committee that there is a statewide plan for county jails purchasing drugs at a lower cost and that they are looking into buying the Canadian drugs.  After attending a meeting, Sheriff Price said that the high cost of drug is a big issue all over the state.

  1. Amend 2007 Budget/Transfer Funds Jail (Medical Services) – MOTION BY MR. SPAULDING - 2ND BY MR. CORNELL - ALL PRSENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: None

  1. Authorize Agreement Extension Sheriff's Department/Jail (Oneida County-Central NY Psychiatric Center Forensic Unit Services) – MOTION BY MR. SPAULDING - 2ND BY MR. ROSS - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: Sheriff Price advised the Committee that the expense is $125.00 to $140.00 for officers to guard inmates while they are there.  It does not cover the medical expenses.

  1. Accept Funds/Authorize Agreement Wireless 911 Service (Sheriff’s Department) – MOTION BY MR. CORNELL - 2ND BY MR. SPAULDING - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: None

Probation Department

  1. Authorize Agreements (Several Companies) – MOTION BY MR. CORNELL - 2ND BY MR. SPAULDING - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: Ms. Goldner asked the Committee if a change could be made to the resolution.  The contracts should be for a 2-year term instead of a 1-year term.  MOTION BY MR. CORNELL – 2ND BY MR. ROSS TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO A 2-YEAR TERM – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES 

7.      Authorize Agreement New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA) (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) – MOTION BY MR. SPAULDING - 2ND BY MR. CLARK -                

ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Ms. Goldner explained that the correctional offender management profiling for alternative sanctions provides for risk level assessments.  The state has revised this to a lengthy form and that it is scientific based for risk levels.  Ms. Goldner briefly explained the process and said that the state now requires that this form be used.

DISCUSSION/COMMITTEE ACTION

Bids: Courthouse Renovations – The bids will be opened this afternoon at 2:00p.m. and there will be a joint meeting of the General Services  and Budget & Finance Committees prior to the Legislative Session this Thursday, December 6, 2007 at 4:30 to accept the bids.
Department Head Forum – Mr. Daniels asked if anyone would like to speak.  Mr. Williams asked Mr. Duell if he has his clerical help yet.  Mr. Duell indicated that he didn’t expect anything until the 1st of the year.

Mr. Cornell asked how many inmates were presently farmed out.  Lieutenant Rigg advised Mr. Cornell and the rest of the Committee that there was 1 inmate out right now but that could change from day to day.  Sheriff Price and Lieutenant Rigg both complimented A.T.I. for doing a good job.

District Attorney Hartnett commented that we need a new jail.

Sheriff Price explained that they are looking into the quick chill meals for the jail to save money.  They are prepared meals that are just heated up.  They deliver the meals.  A Nutritionist is required to check the menus for the jail.  Some Nutrition Programs in the state are using the quick chill meals.

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Mr. Daniels reminded everyone about the Ad Hoc meeting being held at 10:00a.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50a.m.

Minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Mr. Schrader

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