Judiciary & Public Safety Committee

March 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; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Lee Price, Cortland County Sheriff; Bob Duell, Director of Fire & Emergency Management; Carl Moses, Director of Weights & Measures; Jane Goldner, Director of Probation; Capt. Ray Lewis, Jail, Cortland County Sheriff’s Department; Lt Budd Rigg, Cortland County Sheriff’s Department; Tom Huttleston, Safety Officer; Dave Hartnett, District Attorney; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; Jeremy Boylan, Cortland Standard;

  Mr. Daniels called the meeting to order at 9:28 a.m.

 Mr. Van Dee moved adoption of the minutes of the February 7, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Sheriff’s Department

 

1.                  Transfer Equipment (The NYS, Susquehanna & Western Railway Corporation) -             Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.  Mr. Price briefly explained the history of the three Three-Wheel ATV’s being donated to the Sheriff’s Department.  Mr. Price further explained that the department has not put any money into them and they were used briefly but have not been used since he took office in 2000.  Mr. Price further explained the reasoning why they have not sold them to the public.  He added that he has spoken to Mr. Van Donsel and he has drafted a document regarding the transfer of these ATV’s.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

2.                  Authorize Agreement (Soft Code, Inc) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Spaulding.  Mr. Price explained that Soft Code is the software that the Civil Division of the Sheriff’s Department.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

Coroners Office

 

3.                  Appoint County Coroner – Mr. Ross moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.  Mr. Daniels discussed the Coroner’s Physician and that Cortland Memorial Hospital may not have adequate facilities.  Committee members further discussed that a few people were interested in the vacant Coroner’s position.  Ms. Bushnell has the experience and training needed and is willing to fill the position on a part-time basis for the short term.  Mr. Cornell inquired about other candidates being interested.  Mr. Van Dee explained that Ms. Bushnell is qualified and most importantly has the experience to start immediately.  Mr. Daniels discussed that due to the fact that Ms. Bushnell has the experience and training needed she can come on board and already knows the policies and procedures.  He went on to discuss that she can be used as a second Coroner on a part-time basis.  Mr. Daniels briefly discussed the position of Deputy Coroner.  Ms. Spaulding stated that he felt it is imperative that we have a second Coroner and feels Ms. Bushnell should be appointed as soon as possible.  Mr. Van Dee stated that a special election would be held in November for the position of Coroner.  Mr. Schrader explained that a decision needs to be made by June 6, 2006 regarding a Coroner’s Physician or Medical Examiner.  He further informed the committee that he would schedule a meeting with Cortland Memorial Hospital and establish whether or not their facilities will meet the needs for a Medical Examiner Program.  Mr. Schrader further explained to the committee that if no local law is in place by June 10, 2006 then arrangements needs to be made for a special election in November.  He went on to discuss that Ms. Bushnell and the Coroner’s Physician should be able to pick up the slack of the vacant Coroner’s position.  Mr. Schrader discussed looking into a Deputy Coroner.  He further discussed that the cost of a Deputy Coroner would only be registering and training costs.   All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

4.                  Appoint Coroner’s Physician – Mr. Williams moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  Mr. Schrader explained that he and the County Auditor had looked into this and apparently from the years of 1974 through 1992 Dr. Gilliam had been asked, had served and is currently serving as Coroner’s Physician.  He went on to discuss that he has never been appointed and this resolution is to formalize that.  He went on to discuss that the cost involved is about $600 a year.  Mr. Schrader further discussed the position and a contract.  He went on to discuss the position of Coroner’s Physician.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

Fire & Emergency Management

 

5.                  Adoption of the National Management System (NIMS) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.  Mr. Schrader discussed the Federal Governments response to the Katrina Disaster last fall as it relates to this resolution.  He went to explain the New York State has adopted a plan and Cortland County already participates in that plan.  He discussed that this plan provides nothing further in a plan but it allows us to obtain aide and training; generally not a huge impact on us.  Mr. Duell discussed the review process and steps that need to be in place by September.  He further explained that all plans reflect to encompass NIMS.  Mr. Price added that the training does have a cost and he has already put some of his personnel through the training.  Mr. Duell explained that there is a problem tracking the training because most of it is online.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

DISCUSSION/COMMITTEE ACTION:

 

1.         ID Badges: EM – Mr. Daniels discussed that providing identification badges for Town Supervisors has been suggested to him for use incase of a disaster.  Mr. Duell explained that this is also a part of NIMS. 

 

2.         Jail Discussion – Mr. Daniels discussed the situation of the Jail being overcrowded and boarding out of female inmates.  He further discussed the cost and the fact that a new cite should be looked into.  Mr. Schrader discussed the daily cost of boarding out inmates and went to explain that the Sheriff’s Department and himself have been speaking with architect regarding a new Jail.  He went on to explain the need for an assessment to be dome to evaluate the needs over the next 20 years and discussed the cost of such an assessment.  Mr. Schrader further explained that he would be working with Real Property Tax Services Office to evaluate the needs and availability.  Mr. Schrader further explained the needs assessment to minimize staffing and maximize the number of individuals being housed; maximize the number of inmates that can be watched and still maintain safety.  He explained to the committee that the estimated cost of a new Jail facility is about $15 to $20 million and added that the cost of the bricks and mortar do not drive the cost of the facility.  Chairman Brown also reminded people that there would be a substantial cost incurred of boarding out all inmates at the current facility if the current facility is renovated while the renovation takes place. 

3.       Department Heads Forum – Mr. Daniels allowed Department Heads present to bring any discussion items to the floor.  Mr. Lewis discussed a study done of the Jail and will make it available to the committee. 

 Mr. Daniels discussed his experience regarding a tour of the Jail.  He went on to discuss the possibility of housing more inmates with less staff and studies regarding this.  Mr. Van Dee discussed bonding for this facility.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:07 a.m.

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