Judiciary & Public Safety Committee

June 12, 2007 - 9:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

 

Present:                      John Daniels, Chairman; Tom Williams, Vice Chair; Sean Clark, Larry Cornell, Don Spaulding and Ron Van Dee

Others present:         Marilyn Brown, Chairman, Cortland County Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Lee Price, Cortland County Sheriff; Jane Goldner, Director of Probation; Keith Dayton, Public Defender; Bob Duell, Fire & Emergency Management, Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard;

Absent:                       Danny Ross

Mr. Daniels called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. Van Dee moved adoption of the minutes of the May 8, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Clark.  Mr. Spaulding requested that a change be made to the minutes.  He pointed out that Mr. Cornell is recorded as making the motion and seconding it in item number two of the minutes.  He expressed that he seconded that motion and requested that the minutes be corrected.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as corrected.

SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE REVIEW:

**The following items have been noted as items for suggested Legislative Review by the Chairman of the Judiciary & Public Safety Committee.  These items are also noted with ** and in bold print.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

FIRE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

 

1.            Authorize Agreement, State of New York – FFY 2007 – Mr. Van Dee moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell.  No discussion.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

2.            Authorize Agreement, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services - – Mr. Spaulding moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.  No discussion.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

PROBATION DEPARTMENT

 

3.            Authorize Agreement, New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA) (Supervision of Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) Risk Levels 2 and 3 Sex Offenders) – Mr. Spaulding moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.  Ms. Goldner explained that last year the County received grant money for the first time for to be utilized for Sex Offender supervision.  She added that sue to the nature of the crime these offenders take more time to supervise.  She added that this was only offered for Level 3 Sex Offenders.  Ms. Goldner expressed that this year they are changing the method in which they are allocating funds.  She expressed that they are granting additional funds for Level 2 and 3 Sex Offenders in an amount approximating $27,000.  Ms. Goldner further expressed that a portion of the funds are used fro polygraph therapy which is conducted through the Mental Health Clinic.  She stated that currently the Sex Offender pays for the polygraph in advance and added that for these individuals money is an issue.  Ms. Goldner expressed that there needs to be some clarity to this in regards to exactly where the funding will be used and stated that she is in contact with the state to gain that clarity.  Committee members discussed that currently there are 36 Sex Offenders on probation; 17 Level 1; 14 Level 2; 4 Level 3.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

PUBLIC DEFENDER

 

4.         Amend Budget – Assigned Counsel – Mr. Van Dee moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Spaulding.  Mr. Williams inquired if this amount fits the projected amounts.  Mr. Schrader expressed that it all depends on when a Conflict attorney is hired.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

** Appoint Conflict Attorney- Mr. Schrader expressed that he does not have a name to insert into this resolution as of this date.  He explained that six people were interviewed and he is currently in contact with two candidates.  He further explained that he is waiting to speak with the second individual.  He also discussed that the second individual expressed that he would not be able to start until September.  Mr. Schrader expressed the need to move forward with this.  Mr. Van Dee inquired about the applicants being from Cortland County.  Mr. Schrader expressed that there were no applicants from Cortland County.  He added that the position was posted twice in the newspapers and a copy was sent to the Cortland County Bar association.  Mr. Schrader explained that he could discuss the applicants further in Executive Session. 

 

DISCUSSION:

 

1.         Suite – Kote Contract – Mr. Van Donsel expressed that he wanted to make certain that the Committee was aware of the Suit-Kote agreement and the fact that the County agreed to indemnify them for their negligence.  He explained a scenario where this would be addressed.  Chairman Brown inquired if this was the same as last year.  Mr. Schrader explained that it was.  Mr. Duell explained that this has been done for two or three years.

 

Mr. Cornell made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue; seconded by Mr. Williams.  The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee went into Executive Session at 9:44 to discuss a personnel matter.

The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee came out of Executive Session at 10:10.

** Appoint Conflict Attorney - Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted

Mr. Daniels adjourned the meeting at 10:12 a.m.