Judiciary & Public Safety Committee

November 3, 2004 9:00 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Committee Present: Dave Wern, Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, Vice Chairman; Marilyn Brown, Kay Breed, Tom Hartnett, Kurt Behrenfeld, Larry Cornell

Others Present: Scott Steve, Legislative Chairman; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader; Lee Price, Sheriff; Dave Hartnett, District Attorney; Keith Dayton, Public Defender; Liz Predham, Cortland Standard

The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Dave Wern at 9:05a.m.

MOTION BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 6, 2004 MEETING – 2ND BY MARILYN BROWN – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED.

RESOLUTIONS:

Sheriff’s Department -
  1. Create Dispatchers – Three (3) (Sheriff’s Department) – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – ALL VOTED NO AGAINST THE MOTION – FAILED

Justification: The resolution was acted upon at the last JPS meeting without the Sheriff’s approval. The resolution did go to the Budget and Finance Committee but was sent back to the JPS Committee for further review. The Sheriff apologized for the issue being brought up. The committee would like to further review this issue. Scott Steve explained the amount of shifts to the number of full and part time employees. He believes that 14 dispatchers should be able to handle the 911 Center. Dave Wern would like to have a chart/grid showing the shifts/employees work schedules. Marilyn Brown and Kay Breed both indicated that they would like to see a break down of costs (i.e. part-time vs. overtime). It was suggested that the Committee visit the 911 Dispatch Center to observe how it operates. Dave Wern will speak to Mike Sweeney about the Committee visiting the Center.

2. Amend 2004 Budget/ Transfer Funds - Miscellaneous Expenses and Miscellaneous Supporting Services (Sheriff’s Department-Jail) – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY LARRY CORNELL – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

Justification: To make up deficit for the cost to board inmates – There was no Committee

discussion but Scott Schrader advised the Committee that the Insurance Account would not be

used for this transfer.

3. A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Integrated Computer Aided Dispatch Software from New World Software and Directing the Treasurer to Prepare a Bond Resolution in the Amount of $750,000., (Sheriff’s Department/911) – MOTION BY KURT BEHRENFELD – 2ND BY MARILYN BROWN – ALL VOTED NO AGAINST THE MOTION – FAILED

Justification: The committee would like more detailed information on this system before a decision is made. Scott Schrader indicated that a representative from the company would be here this Friday at 9:00a.m. Scott could even explain in more detail how the system works and why it is needed. Kay Breed would like to know how it benefits the County. The various municipalities would also be charged for this new update.

 

     

  1. ADDED RESOLUTION NOT ON THE AGENDA: Authorize Agreement With DCJS: Salary of ¾ Time Assistant District Attorney (District Attorney’s Office) – MOTION BY KAY BREED – 2ND BY LARRY CORNELL – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED WITH A CHANGE IN THE RESOLUTION LANGUAGE: "IT APPEARS" MUST BE ELIMINATED.

Justification: This is a grant from the State to fund a ¾ Time Assistant District Attorney. It needs to be submitted to the State as soon as possible. The request for this resolution to be put on the agenda was received by the Clerk of the Legislature on October 29, 2004 after the JPS agenda went out.

Note: The Clerk of the Legislature has sent the County Policy regarding Legislative Committee Agenda Items Submission to the District Attorney and his staff.

 

DISCUSSION/COMMITTEE ACTION:

 

  1. Assigned Counsel (Public Defender’s Office) Keith Dayton – Keith advised the Committee that the Assigned Counsel account is exhausted and to the limit from the recent trial and that more funds will be needed by the end of the year. This big amount is also the result of attorneys rushing the submission of vouchers and judges trying to get cases closed by the end of the year.
  2. Department Update (Sheriff’s Department) Lee Price – Lee a brief overview of department activities.
  3. Assistant District Attorney (District Attorney’s Office) Dave Hartnett – Dave informed the Committee that one of the part-time Assistant District Attorneys has submitted their resignation and that he would like to hire someone who lives outside the County. He will be submitting a proposed resolution for this Legislature to submit to the State in support District Attorney’s Offices in the State being able to hire Assistant District Attorneys that live in the county or live in joining counties. Scott Steve feels that there are enough qualified attorneys that live in Cortland County. Scott Schrader advised the Committee that the residency requirements are dictated by New York State Public Officers Law.

MOTION TO ADJOURN BY TOM HARTNETT – 2ND BY MARILYN BROWN – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:45A.M.

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Angie Wyatt

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