Allegany County Public Safety Committee met Aug. 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
Members Present: D. Healy, W. Dibble, D. Decker, B. Harris, S. Havey, J. Hopkins, C. Crandall
Others Present: L. Ballengee, G. Barnes, T. Boyde, P. Curran, L. Edwards, M. Evans, K. Francisco, K. Graves, G. Green, S. Grusendorf, R. Hall, C. Ivers, B. Kelley, C. Knapp, K. Monroe, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T. Ross, T. Shaw, R. Starks, P. Stockin, R. Swarthout, B. VanHousen, M. Washer, R. Whitney
Media Present: C. Potter, Wellsville Daily Reporter
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 11:02 a.m. by Public Safety Committee
Chairman Dwight “Mike” Healy.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried to approve the Public Safety Committee minutes for June 27, 2018.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Public Defender Barbara Kelley attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review.
Hurrell-Herring Settlement
Ms. Kelley stated that New York State, at
the request of NYSAC and the 62 counties of
New York State, expanded the 2017-18 State Budget to include the Hurrell-Harring settlement services to the other 52 counties as well as New York City. This expansion of indigent defense services includes public defendercase load caps as well as off-hour arraignment coverage. Under this plan, the counties, not the State, must front the expanded indigent defense service costs, and the State will reimburse 100 percent of the costs they deem necessary to extend the reforms. The plan’s service expansion will be appropriated year-by-year but must be fully operational statewide by 2023. Ms. Kelley noted that this will be a good opportunity for the County to get some funding to help reduce overall costs. Legislator Hopkins asked how long the funding will last. Ms. Kelley stated it is a 5-year plan. Legislator Harris asked how much funding is anticipated. Ms. Kelley stated at this time she has been asked not to publicly announce any
amount.
Family Representation Indigent Defense
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND FIRE DIRECTOR
Emergency Management and Fire Account Clerk Typist Bonnie VanHousen attended the meeting and submitted the department’s monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. VanHousen stated she and Mr. Luckey attended the National Homeland Security Conference and received a lot of good information. On August 25, Mr. Luckey assisted with the Allegany County SPCA rescue. On August 26, Mr. Luckey responded and assisted with a water rescue at the Genesee River in Caneadea using the water rescue trailer. Committee Chairman Healy asked for some background on the Swift Water Rescue Team. Ms. VanHousen stated they have a team
Ms. Kelly stated while slow, there is also movement from the state in finding a way to fund and supplement family representation in addition to criminal indigent defense. Committee Chairman Healy thanked Ms. Kelley for endeavors in these efforts, stating they appreciate her
work as she has done a lot in achieving significant funds for the County.
Public Safety Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page 2 of 5 comprised of members of the NY Fire Academy who have to go through and pass training in
Canacadea Creek.
STOP- DWI
STOP-DWI Coordinator Linda Edwards attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Edwards stated she managed the Traffic Safety Booth at the County Fair where they gave away a lot of educational information on Bicycle Safety and DWI, and they also gave away 45 bicycle helmets. On Saturday, August 4, Ms. Edwards will be meeting the bicycle winners at Kmart to pick out their new bicycles. Ms. Edwards indicated that with her upcoming retirement, she plans to advertise for her position at the beginning of September so they can have some overlap for training.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
District Attorney Keith Slep was unable to attend the meeting but submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. Legislator Hopkins stated she appreciates seeing the yearly comparisons on the report as it gives them some perspective on where things are at. Committee Chairman Healy added that the whole committee appreciates the effort.
PROBATION DEPARTMENT
Probation Director Robert Starks attended the meeting and submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. On July 19, Probation Officer Sara Mahoney presented another nationwide webinar on victim blaming that received a lot of good feedback. Probation Supervisor Scott Grantier completed his Leadership Training, Mr. Starks stated he is well equipped to be a strong leader.
Raise the Age
Mr. Starks stated local magistrates have received no word as to what their role is going to be nor have they received any training, and Raise the Age is only two months away. Legislator Harris asked what they need to be trained on. Mr. Starks stated the whole process on how things are going to happen and/or how to handle these cases. County Treasurer Terri Ross stated she also attended the webinar, and there was a list of training dates that went back months that Mr. Starks was never notified about, adding the remaining training sessions are too far away to send anyone. Mr. Starks noted that as of October 1, 2018, it is just 16 year olds, so hopefully there shouldn’t be too many. Legislator Decker asked where these kids are going to go in two months. Mr. Starks stated they are unsure where the few who have gone to jail will go, and they will have to see what the state has to offer. Erie County Secure Detention may have a bed; however, they have indicated they will not be contracting with anyone to offer beds. Monroe County is adding 8 beds to their facility; however, they plan to save them for their own youth. Public Defender Barb Kelly indicated arraignments of 16 year olds will only happen in front of specially trained magistrates. Legislator Harris asked when the last time was that the County Jail had an incarcerated 16-year-old. Ms. Kelley stated they currently have one incarcerated, adding they see 16 year olds go to jail often. Mr. Starks noted that the majority of them are not in jail long.
Probation State Aid Block Grant
Mr. Starks requested a resolution to accept and appropriate funds in the amount of $151,101 for the Probation State Aid Block Grant for State Fiscal Year 2018-19. This grant money will offset Probation personnel expenses incurred by the County. The funds should be appropriated as follows:
Appropriation:
A3140.101 (Probation – Personnel)
Revenue:
A3140.3310.00 (Probation Block Grant)
Public Safety Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page 3 of 5
Amount: $151,101
Amount: $151,101
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Havey, seconded by Legislator Dibble, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Weights and Measures Director Gilbert Green attended the meeting and submitted his monthly report to the committee for review.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Sheriff Rick Whitney attended the meeting and submitted his monthly reports to the committee for review. Legislator Harris asked what kind of assistance is being provided at Watkins Glen. Sheriff Whitney stated they have some deputies who contract with the Sheriff’s Office there. Legislator Harris then asked if they are independent contracts and do we send any equipment with them. Sheriff Whitney stated they send three cars, and the agreement is Watkins Glen pays for gas and anything that may happen while they are there. The deputies are also paid by Schuyler County in addition to the reimbursement received for mileage, gas, etc. Legislator Harris asked if these deputies being gone causes any issues with staff coverage at the Jail, and Sheriff Whitney stated, no.
New York State DHSES FY2017 Cyber Security Grant
The Sheriff’s Office requested permission to apply for the New York State DHSES FY2017 Cyber Security Grant Program (CSGP). This grant is new and will be awarded in the amount of $500,000 dollars shared throughout New York State. Allegany County could be awarded up to $50,000 to support our jurisdiction’s cyber security projects. These monies, if awarded, will be used in conjunction with the Allegany County Information Technology office to enhance our cyber security. Lieutenant Shawn Grusendorf noted that this will be a Countywide annual training and awareness for all County employees. Ms. Ross noted that this is just the application, and more details will be available once it’s approved. Committee Chairman Healy stated it sounds like a good use of the funds. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Formula-Based Grant
The Sheriff’s Office requested permission to apply for the 2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Formula-Based Grant (2018 SICG-Formula Program). This grant is awarded yearly in the amount of $45 million dollars shared throughout 57 counties and the City of New York. These monies, if accepted, will be used to continue enhancing our 911 Public Safety Radio Communications. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
NYSDHSES (Mutualink) Contract Renewal
The Sheriff’s Office requested a resolution to renew the contract with NYSDHSES (Mutualink) for the E-911 Dispatch Center for a period extending to January 31, 2021. Lt. Grusendorf noted this is just a renewal of what we already have in place. This request was
Public Safety Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page 4 of 5 approved on a motion made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried.
Prepare Resolution
ACT II Batterers Program Funds
The Sherriff’s Office requested a resolution to accept and appropriate $184 in user fees for the ACT II Batterers Program. The funds should be appropriated as follows:
Appropriation: Amount: A3117.449 (ACT II Batterers Program) $184
Revenue: Amount: A3117.2260.00 (ACT II Batterers Program) $184
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Harris, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
911 Enumeration Project Update
Lt. Grusendorf introduced Dispatcher Russ Hall who is now working full-time on the 911 Enumeration Project. Lt. Grusendorf provided a brief background of the project, noting that Mr. Hall is working 40 hours a week and still struggling to keep up with the workload. Lt. Grusendorf indicated he foresees the project taking a couple of years, adding they have a good plan that will work well, it’s just going to take time. Committee Chairman Healy asked if since they are going to have to address the villages at some point, should they try and include them now. Lt. Grusendorf agreed that they should take control of all of it so there is consistency with the process. Lt. Grusendorf went on to say that not everyone is going to be happy because they’ve had their address for 20 years and it may change. Lt. Grusendorf stressed the importance of this project stating if a house is on fire, they’ll eventually find it through the smoke, but if someone’s loved one is having a heart attack and their house number is wrong, they might drive right by, adding if this situation isn’t handled, the County could be held accountable.
Dispatcher Russ Hall distributed and briefly discussed handouts showing the status for the Towns of Grove and Alma as well as the County as a whole. Mr. Hall indicated that the Town of Alma is preparing to do a sign project, so they would like to address them next so they have correct information for their signs. Mr. Hall stated that currently, the State knows 30 percent of our addresses, and the remaining 70 percent are not on file. Legislator Harris asked if the recent Census can help with that problem. Mr. Hall stated the Census information can actually add more confusion to the situation because they are sending homeowners addresses asking them for confirmation, and the homeowner is assuming what is provided to them is what their correct address is and that isn’t always the case. Mr. Hall indicated that some people call 911 and provide their address, and the road given doesn’t even exist in the system. Legislator Hopkins asked for examples of people who have had addresses for 20 years that are not correct. Mr. Hall stated some are old addresses that the homeowner refuses to change, some are numbers being transposed, and some are homeowners who may have bought an old farm and then built a new house on the same parcel but it was 200 yards up the road which could potentially change the address. Committee Chairman Healy noted the same issue arises with developers that subdivide properties. Mr. Hall indicated that the number one problem and cause for error is sign placement, adding that the County needs to take a huge role in the signs so they can be considered County property, and we would able to inflict a penalty should they be moved by a homeowner.
Radio Project Update
Public Safety Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page 5 of 5
Lt. Grusendorf stated they have a meeting in the coming weeks to discuss tower sites. All towers are up, fenced in, and they have two left that need power which is expected to happen in the next month. Lt. Grusendorf indicated there is another grant out for $65 million with a maximum award of $6 million that they will be applying for. Legislator Dibble asked if they will be including Potter and McKean counties. Lt. Grusendorf stated not at this time, but they will eventually become a part of the process.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:17 p.m. following a motion by Legislator Harris, seconded by Legislator Dibble, and carried.
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