Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-30-2009 PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting April 30, 2009 Convened: Adjourned: 3:35 p.m.4:45 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Craft called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. in Conference Room # 3, 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken. Members Present: Commissioner Chris Craft th Tom Genung for Chief Judge Roby, 19 Circuit John Romano, New Horizons of the Treasure Coast Ken Mascara, Sheriff of SLC Major Pat Tighe, SLC Sheriff’s Office Mitch Hilburn for Janet Collins, SLC Bail Bond Association Donald Monroe for Thomas Mark, Department of Corrections th Judge Philip J. Yacucci, 19 Circuit Suzanne Caudell, CORE Program Members Absent: Bruce Colton, State Attorney Diamond Litty, Public Defender Others Present: Mark Godwin, SLC Criminal Justice Coordinator Lisa Savage, SLC Pretrial Manager Debra Wright, SLC Sheriff’s Office Trevor Morganti, SLC Sheriff’s Office Becky Bleyman, CORE Program Theresa Bailey, SAMH Dan McIntyre, County Attorney Ethel Rowland, Taxpayer Roger Shinn, Central Services, BOCC Faye Outlaw, SLC Administrator Marcie Wallace, Risk Management Chris Harris, Magellan Health Broderick Underwood, SLC Analyst Anthony Westbery, Scripps T.C. Newspaper Tracy Mafteson; Jason Wheeler; Steve Reuther; SLC Sheriff’s Office APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the March 26, 2009 meeting were unanimously approved. Public Safety Coordinating Council April 30, 2009 Page 2 UPDATE by CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATOR-MARK GODWIN: Mark discussed the drug lab and how it continues to grow. Henry Jones is the new Drug Lab manager. Mark wants to meet with the Drug court judges to set up a system to qualify individuals who may be indigent based on the federal poverty requirements. There is a concern with the amount of people who comes through with waivers for their testing fee and yet they have private attorneys. In the month of May the Drug Lab will be a collection site for DNA testing. He gave a brief overview of the monthly summary of the detention center. The Pretrial program continues to do well. PRESINTATIONby Major Pat Tighe: Topic was on St. Lucie County Jail Medical Wing Expansion. In the long run if there were additional beds available it would reduce the cost to the county by not having to send inmates in need of medical attention to the hospital. Commissioner Craft said his goal is to increase jobs to lower jail population. It was his recommendation to go forward with the plans and get permitting done. So we can go after stimulus dollars from the federal government to help us with the medical wing of the jail. The board is attempting to get additional funds that are more specified for a medical wing. Sheriff Mascara mentioned a law suit against the jail for inadequacy of medical care. An easy fix was proposed to invest 2 million to bring the medical wing up to the standard it needs to be. St. Lucie County was charged with identifying the money but not building it. Commissioner Craft passed around the settlement of the case for all to read. Sheriff Mascara said a design was done as part of their defense. Dan McIntyre, County Attorney asked to get a copy of the design to see if it can be used. Major Tighe said he hopes this research project takes off and if the jail gets the money it will be used for that. He hopes it gets built before the next crises. Commissioner Craft said he appreciates that but not the tone. He said as he attempted to put himself in Major Tighe’s shoes he would hope Major Tighe would do the same and understand what (beyond the jail) our BOCC constitutional requirements are. Major Tighe said that is exactly what the presentation was about. JUDICIAL UPDATE: Tom Genung went over of jail population and a discussion was held. The issue of the Swine Flu was discussed. Commissioner Craft asked if there is an emergency plan for the courts. Tom said there is and it is confidential. It is called Continuation of Operations plan. There will be a new st Chief Judge as of July 1 2009 Chief Judge Levin. Judge Roby will be hearing civil docket and assisting with criminal cases in St. Lucie County. Public Safety Coordinating Council April 30, 2009 Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: Mark said the Edward Byrne Memorial Grant went from $65,000 last year to over $800,000 this year. The money will be split between the city of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and the Sheriff’s department. The grant writers in the law enforcement community will have to monitor in accordance with the stimulus money, there is a certain set of requirements we have. There was a brief discussion of funding for the JAC Centers. Mark Godwin explained how this works. Judge Yaccuci mentioned that there has been tremendous success with Mental Health court and the Domestic Violence Diversion program handling Drug Court with both felony and misdemeanor cases. Commissioner Craft asked this board to put together a formal position on how we like mental health on the state level dealt with. Mr. John Romano from New Horizons agreed. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Craft adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m. Submitted by, Carlene Filippini (was not present for meeting) THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD May 28, 2009