GADSDEN COUNTY

Board of County Commissioners

9-B East Jefferson Street, Quincy, Florida 32351

PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

August 2, 2013

1:00 p.m.

Present:

Doug Croley, Board of County Commission Chair, Chair of Public Safety Coordinating Council

Robert Presnell, County Manager (Gadsden County)

Arthur Lawson, Gadsden County Board of County Commission

Victor Holder, Public Defender

Rick Combs, State Attorney

John Walkup, State Probation

Clyde Collins, County Building Official

Martha Chancey, County Probation

Tameka Chaney, County Probation

Laurel Bradley, County Administration

Jeff Price, County Budget Director

Nina Moody, Public Defender

Judge Kathy Garner, County Judge

Major James Morgan, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office (Jail)

Lt. Henry Miller, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office (Jail)

Annie Berry, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office (Jail)

Rick Davidson, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office - Legal

Susan Wilson, Court Administration

Nancy Daniels, Public Defender

Shawn Wood, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office

Vann Pullen, Chief Chattahoochee Police Department

Captain Tom Murray, Midway Police/Fire Department

Lt. R.B. Stone, Havana Police Department

Carlos De La Cruz, Gretna Police Department

Attorney Deborah Minnis, County Attorney

Loretta Galeener, Court Administration

Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Court

Beryl H. Wood, Deputy Clerk

1. Welcome

Chair Doug Croley called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the Public           Safety Coordinating Council. He then asked everyone to introduce themselves.

2. Election of Vice- Chairman

 Major Shawn Wood nominated by County Administrator, Robert Presnell seconded by

 Victor Holder. (Motion carried)

Shawn Wood joined the dais with Chair Croley and Mr. Presnell.

3. Approval of Minutes – June 29, 2012   Lawson/ Wood (motion carried)

4. Facilities Management – Jail Locks Update

Clyde Collins commented there were 20 different companies that looked at the locks at the Jail, but only 3 companies bid. Low bid was CA Owens. He said the Jail is over 20 years old.  Discussed upgrades to the jail. Will present to the board at the August 20, 2013 BCC Meeting.

Mr. Presnell asked was County Jail Administrator involved in the planning.

Mr. Collins replied he was. He said that CA Owens is highly recommended.

Chair Croley said it finally going to happen.

5. Discussion on Use of Inmate Labor

Mr. Presnell discussed the use of inmate labor.

Shawn Wood (Quincy & Liberty CI,ACI workcamp)- state inmate labor saved close to 900,000, it is still showing almost a Million dollars.

Judge Garner thought it was a great idea and should be implemented.

Chair Croley said this body (PSCC) is a group that can offer support allocation of resources that may be needed for all. He asked in inmate labor is there anything this Council can do.

Chair Croley asked Mr. Presnell was he getting enough inmates.

Mr. Presnell stated said they are starting a new group, which is great. He said they have to create different ways, review in-depth discussions, so that they can have programs that allow them to be productive.

Chair Croley asked if we had a facility that the inmates could work out of to get that out to do something productive.

Mr. Presnell maybe you could develop a plan of action, such as diversion program.

Judge Garner asked that they involve the State Attorneys.

Mr. Rick Combs, State Attorney, said there might be a pool of people that are on probation. He discussed the benefits and the problems with diversion versus probation.

Chair Croley asked about Saturday crew that works along the highway.

Mr. Combs those are jail work camp days, such as 30 days. He said they attempted, but.

Mr. Presnell said if the County had a facility is that something that you would utilize. If we had a couple of crews, would this provide an alternative for placing in jail. He asked did they have to be sworn officer.

Mr. Combs stated yes a condition of probation. He said that’s exactly what the Jail Work Camp is. He said they need the structure.

Lt. Moore, we did have a workcamp setup. He said he keeps the time and books now. He said they can’t hire uncertified officer according to FDLE.

Major Wood said the Sheriff’s can’t have uncertified officer, but the County can.

Chair Croley asked could we contract with the Sheriff’s Office, to hire off duty officer with the Road Department.

Chair Croley stated this seem like something that we should employ.

Major Wood said normally these inmates are the ones that aren’t sentenced to jail.

Judge Garner conveyed there should be more conversion had when you talk diversion program. She suggested they utilize the workcamps.

Motion: Daniels/Moody (motion carried)Committee, Judge, PD, SA, Sheriff’s Office & Attorney, Mr. Presnell – set a meeting date ( to make action plan for workcamp)

6. Code of Ordinances – Chapter 58 -81 (Abatement Board) Status

a. Ordinance 58-81

b. Florida Statutes 893.138

Attorney Minnis said the ordinance allows for complaint to be heard and take action with the respect to the abatement of the activities such as prostitution, drug and criminal street gang activity, another avenue to curb these activities.

Chair Croley gave for example different properties that become a nuisance; the board could do it on a civil note. An abatement board. He asked lawfully how can we handle this, how can it be implemented.

Major Wood said some of municipalities have already implemented such board. A lot of other entities do this, it is not uncommon. He said he doesn’t know what the standard would be for Gadsden County. He mentioned the 773 boys out of Sawdust. He said how do you layout bar or level.

Judge Garner commented maybe another committee to see how it should be implemented.

Vann Pullen, Chief Chattahoochee, He said they have an Abatement Committee.  He said they provide the information that there is a problem, they recommend. He said normally it is just mediation.

Major Wood commented the first step send letter of notification by abating the problem.

Chair Croley said one of the tools that can be used. He asked was there enough activity out there to warrant the committee.

Major Wood said he didn’t know. He said they would have to seat down and see how many areas they were getting complaints from.

Mr. Combs suggested Code Enforcement.

Mr. Presnell it is in place and it doesn’t deal with crime related.

Attorney Minnis there needs to be abatement board to deal with these issues.

Major Wood he said it gives the community another venue.

Judge Garner said it is in the statue.

Annie Berry suggested they have a board.

Mr. Combs said the Board would give a weapon.

Chair Croley asked could the committee that’s working with the work camp also look into the abatement board.

Nancy Daniels suggested the PD office not participate in this abatement board. Is it an effective remedy?

Mr. Combs said maybe the County Attorney, Code Enforcement, and Sheriff’s Office. Asked could the Code Enforcement Officers handle?

Chair Croley asked Major Wood, Presnell and Collins to look into this issue and report back to Council.

Motion: Combs/ Walkup - approved the above names to work with the Council.

7. Questions/Comments

Nancy Daniels, discussed Jail Committee, did do current list in jail. Population 236 inmates she gave statistics. She said the jail is mostly used for VOP’s. 24 people in there for only monetary reason. She said there is 14 for child support. She said they would study to see if there is anything that could be done to bring down financials. She mentioned Jail Oversight Committee to look into people who can’t make low bonds. She said they were able to reach common ground. She said one thing the PSCC in Leon they get support from the BCC allocating funding to assist with reduction.

Chair Croley asked Mr. Presnell is there a possibility to get funding from for this Council. He asked Mr. Daniels how much.

Nancy Daniels - $10, 15000 to start with SCRAM, GPS to get a few people out.

Motion (Daniels/Morgan): PSCC request funding (letter) from the BCC for reduction of Jail Population. (approved)

Sheriff’s Office – Major Wood to write letter with County Attorney

Judge Garner stated they have a procedure in place for Child Support to help those that have been incarnated for more than 30 days.

Combs said the jail population has remained stable for the last couple of years. He suggested putting them in the DOC, should be done a lot more.

Wood commented said they have continued support with overcrowding at the Jail. He said they have new drug called Molly. He said one of the things that would help them is if they could all be on the same system to share information. He suggested lobbying state dollars to get same communication system throughout. He said they are dealing with a lot, there are gangs are in Gadsden County. Reentry Programs are great.

Annie Berry mentioned substance abuse grant that she would like the Board to apply for and it does require match.

Chair Croley asked her to get with the Administrator. He said they are all avenues we can use Council for.

8. Discuss Next Meeting Date

     When committees have reported to Mr. Presnell he will schedule the meeting.

Adjourned at 2:24pm