Committee on Public Safety & Social Services. Committee Room, 148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601

Transcription

1 Committee on Public Safety & Social Services ~AGENDA~ Tuesday, March, 29, :00 AM Committee Chair: Benjamin Boykin Committee Room, 148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY CALL TO ORDER THIS MEETING IS JOINT WITH THE MINORITY AFFAIRS TASK FORCE MINUTES APPROVAL 1. Monday, February 08, 2016 at 9:01 AM 2. Tuesday, March 08, 2016 at 10:00 AM 3. Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 10:00 AM I. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION The Committee and Task Force will discuss the following two items with the Westchester Coalition Against Islamophobia 1. (ID # 8893) Communication LEGISLATORS A. WILLIAMS AND BOYKIN: Correspondence- Westchester Coalition against Islamophobia: Forwarding correspondence from the Westchester Coalition against Islamophobia, including a Resolution passed by the Albany County Board of Legislators. 2. (ID # 9067) Resolution Westchester Against Islamophobia: A Resolution declaring the Westchester County Board of Legislators is committed to ensuring the safety and civil rights of the Muslim residents of Westchester County. II. OTHER BUSINESS Unfinished Business and any other agenda items to come before the Committee. III. RECEIVE & FILE ADJOURNMENT Public Safety & Social Services Page 1 Updated 3/28/2016:1:29 PM

2 1 Committee on Public Safety & Social Services ~MINUTES~ Monday, February, 8, :01 AM Committee Chair: Benjamin Boykin Committee Room, 148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY CALL TO ORDER This meeting was joint with the Committee on Labor, Parks, Planning & Housing. With a quorum present, Chair Benjamin Boykin called the meeting to order at 9:12 AM. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Benjamin Boykin Chair Present Gordon A. Burrows D15 Legislator (Minority Whip) Present Francis Corcoran D2 Legislator Present MaryJane Shimsky D12 Legislator Present Bernice Spreckman D14 Legislator Absent Alfreda Williams D8 Legislator (Majority Whip) Present Michael Kaplowitz D4 Legislator (Chairman of the Board) Present David B. Gelfarb D6 Legislator Present Catherine Borgia D9 Legislator (Majority Leader) Present Margaret A Cunzio D3 Legislator Present OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: FINANCE: A. Berg, A. Owens DCMH: M. Herceg BOL: M. Montalto, A. Restiano, L. Goldstein, D. Tubiolo, G. Friedman, D. Daly GUESTS: M. Bodin, B. Goldblum, R. Fernbach, E. Gordon MINUTES APPROVAL I. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION The Committees heard from the Departments of Community Mental Health and Finance as well as the New York State Psychiatric Association on the following item: Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Feb 8, :01 AM (MINUTES APPROVAL) 1. (ID # 8861) Communication LEGISLATORS BOYKIN, BORGIA AND KAPLOWITZ: Correspondence re: NYS Psychiatric Association, Inc.: Forwarding correspondence from the New York State Psychiatric Association, Inc. regarding mental health parity requirements. Ann Marie Berg, Commissioner of the Department of Finance stated that there were many changes to our employees healthcare services when the Affordable Care Act was passed. She stated that employees are still entitled too and receiving mental health services. She said that to this date she is not aware of any employees who have had trouble receiving the Public Safety & Social Services Page 1 Updated 3/25/2016:12:50 PM Packet Pg. 2

3 Committee Meeting Minutes February 8, 2016 mental health services that they need, but if they do, they can come to the benefits office and the Department will help each employee on a case by case basis to resolve the issue. A discussion ensued regarding out of network care and employee contributions. Legislator Kaplowitz asked for the costs from Pomco to opt-in or to opt-out. Ms. Berg agreed to ask Pomco for that information. A discussion ensued. Ms. Berg stated that there are currently 350 employees who are covered by Etna, and over 4,800 current employees, plus all of the retirees, on Pomco. She said all retirees must take Pomco. 1 A discussion ensued regarding mental health providers under POMCO, how many there are, their level of service, the number of appointments that are covered for employees annually, the cost per session, and how mental health providers can become a provider under the POMCO plan. Committee members asked for further detailed information from Ms. Berg and POMCO. Chairman Gelfarb asked Ms. Berg to explain the cost of POMCO vs the other plans available to an average employee, and in regards to the parity, what does that mean for the County in cost savings? Ms. Berg stated that she would gather the information for the Committee and present it at a later date. Ms. Fernbach from the NYS Psychiatric Association spoke on some of the concerns that the providers encounter and what the Association was looking to gain by contacting the Legislators; The Association is requesting full parity of benefits and complete access of care. The mental health providers stated that POMCO is very hard to deal with for mental health services. They also talked about how less likely mental health patients will advocate for themselves or speak up to ask questions about appealing to their health care provider to get more coverage at an affordable rate. The Committees will reconvene at a later date once the information requested is gathered. The members are looking to get clarification on cost saving of opting-out vs not opting-out from POMCO, the cost differences of the health benefits offered to employees and what each plan covers, and possibly a mock explanation of coverage and how much an employee would have to pay out of pocket. RESULT: II. OTHER BUSINESS PENDING Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Feb 8, :01 AM (MINUTES APPROVAL) III. RECEIVE & FILE ADJOURNMENT Moved by Legislator Shimsky seconded by Legislator Boykin the Committee adjourned at 10:25 AM. Public Safety & Social Services Page 2 Printed 3/25/2016 Packet Pg. 3

4 2 Committee on Public Safety & Social Services ~MINUTES~ Tuesday, March, 8, :00 AM Committee Chair: Benjamin Boykin Committee Room, 148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY CALL TO ORDER With a quorum present, Chair Benjamin Boykin called the meeting to order at 10:12 AM. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Benjamin Boykin Chair Present Gordon A. Burrows D15 Legislator (Minority Whip) Absent Francis Corcoran D2 Legislator Present MaryJane Shimsky D12 Legislator Present Bernice Spreckman D14 Legislator Absent Alfreda Williams D8 Legislator (Majority Whip) Present Catherine Borgia D9 Legislator (Majority Leader) Present Michael Kaplowitz D4 Legislator (Chairman of the Board) Present Others In Attendance: DES: J. Cullen, J. Watka DPS: G. Longworth, J. Calabrese, J. Weiss BOL: M. Montalto, B. Hegt, D. Tubiolo, D. Daly GUESTS: M. Hagan MINUTES APPROVAL 1. Monday, February 08, 2016 at 12:00 PM On motion of Legislator Corcoran, seconded by Legislator Williams the minutes were approved Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 11:01 PM On motion of Legislator Corcoran, seconded by Legislator Williams the minutes were approved Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 10:01 AM Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Mar 8, :00 AM (MINUTES APPROVAL) On motion of Legislator Corcoran, seconded by Legislator Williams the minutes were approved 3-0. I. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 10:00 AM- The Department of Emergency Services provided an overview of the Department. Commissioner Cullen provided a powerpoint handout to the Committee with an overview of the Departmental programs. He stated that in 2015, 60 control processed over 175,000 calls for fire and EMS related incidents. Public Safety & Social Services Page 1 Updated 3/28/2016:1:26 PM Packet Pg. 4

5 Committee Meeting Minutes March 8, 2016 Commissioner Cullen discussed radio systems, Radio Amateur Communications Emergency Services (RACES), field operations, disaster preparedness, the Emergency Operations Center, EMS programs, and fire training. The Committee asked what the procedures are for a 911 call from a cell phone. Commissioner Cullen explained that 911 calls go to 60 control and based on the location of the caller they are dispatched to the local municipality from there. Commissioner Cullen talked about the train crash response last year and stated that they were in operation for 300 straight hours. A discussion ensued regarding emergency response to an emergency at Indian Point. 2 10:30 AM-The Department of Public Safety provided an overview of the Department. Commissioner Longworth provided a powerpoint handout to the Committee with an overview of the Department. Commissioner Longworth stated the Department has 291 sworn members and 71 civilian employees which provides uniformed patrol, investigative services, special operations, and administrative support. The Commissioner went over the various police services the County provides. He stated that we have the second largest law enforcement agency in the County which handles over 120,000 discreet events annually, patrols 63 miles of parkways, and generates $2 million in revenue for local courts. Commissioner Longworth stated in 2015 the Department made 11,300 traffic stops, responded to 3646 accidents, issued 13,214 summons, and made 1688 arrests. The Commissioner discussed the new training facility with the Committee. Commissioner Longworth discussed Narcan training and usage with the Committee. Chairman Boykin asked about the Project Lifesaver Program and the loss of the company who operated the program. Commissioner Longworth stated that we will be getting a new operator for most of the program and the departments involved in the program are going to pick up the rest of the work so there is no loss of service. Chairman Boykin asked about the 6 vacancies in staffing as they were put back into the budget. Commissioner Longworth explained that the loss of the vacancy factor funding affected their ability to fill the positions that were added back to the budget. Legislator Kaplowitz, Chairman of the Board, explained that this information is inaccurate, and the funding is there to fill these three vacancies. He stated that he has confirmation from Kevin Plunkett that the administration will fill the positions. Public Safety staff explained that because of the lump sums the Department has to wait until they make up the money lost in the vacancy factor before they can fill the positions. A discussion ensued. Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Mar 8, :00 AM (MINUTES APPROVAL) It was agreed that the Board Leadership will discuss this matter with the County Executive's office and clarify the situation. Michael Hagan, President of the County PBA, added his concern about the loss of officers due to retirement and the vacant positions. He stated the Department is operating on reduced resources without full staffing. He stated that park not patrolled in the office season or past park hours due to these cuts. He further stated that we are pulling resources from combating the heroin epidemic. Further discussion ensued. Public Safety & Social Services Page 2 Printed 3/28/2016 Packet Pg. 5

6 Committee Meeting Minutes March 8, (ID # 8960) Communication Racial Profiling Report-2015: Department of Public Safety 2015 Racial Profiling Report. Commissioner Longworth stated that this report speaks for itself and the numbers remain consistent year after year. RESULT: RECEIVED AND FILED 2. (ID # 8912) Communication HON. CATHERINE BORGIA: Letter re: 2016 Public Safety Budget Cuts: Forwarding a letter from Michael Hagan, PBA President, Westchester County Police, regarding the 2016 budget cuts to the Department of Public Safety. II. OTHER BUSINESS Unfinished Business and any other agenda items to come before the Committee. III. RECEIVE & FILE ADJOURNMENT Moved by Legislator Williams seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz the Committee adjourned at 11:35 AM. Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Mar 8, :00 AM (MINUTES APPROVAL) Public Safety & Social Services Page 3 Printed 3/28/2016 Packet Pg. 6

7 3 Committee on Public Safety & Social Services ~MINUTES~ Tuesday, March, 22, :00 AM Committee Chair: Benjamin Boykin Committee Room, 148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY CALL TO ORDER With a quorum present, Chair Benjamin Boykin called the meeting to order at 10:08 AM. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Benjamin Boykin Chair Present Gordon A. Burrows D15 Legislator (Minority Whip) Absent Francis Corcoran D2 Legislator Present MaryJane Shimsky D12 Legislator Present Bernice Spreckman D14 Legislator Present Alfreda Williams D8 Legislator (Majority Whip) Present Michael Kaplowitz D4 Legislator (Chairman of the Board) Present DOP: R. Pozzi FAMILY COURT: Judge Davidson BOL: M. Montalto, B. Hegt, M. Jackson, D. Daly, A. Negro, D. Tubiolo, L. Ortiz, D. Linhardt, M. Richter GUESTS: A. Sinicalchi, L. Mark, K. Halas, J. Solow, T. Kirschner, S. Yergeau, J. Straub, E. Riely, D. Thompson, N. Gill, A. Morris, L> Whitling, C. Fluckinger, J. Logrono, E. Marte, H. Baruti MINUTES APPROVAL I. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Members of the Families Task Force will present the proposed Family Bill of Rights. 1. (ID # 8831) Resolution HON. CATHERINE BORGIA: Proposed Reso- County Family Bill of Rights: Forwarding a Resolution proposing the adoption of the Westchester County Family Bill of Rights. Legislator Borgia & Kathy Halas, co-chairs of the Families Task Force, and several other Task Force members presented the Family Bill of Rights to the Committee. The Family Bill of Rights is a proposed resolution created by the Task Force after several hearing from residents of the county at several public forums last year regarding the needs of families in Westchester. After a lengthy discussion regarding the issues raised in the resolution, including transportation, housing, employment, and healthcare, Legislator Corcoran expressed concern that the document is too broad and promises too much that the county cannot afford to provide at this time. Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Mar 22, :00 AM (MINUTES APPROVAL) Public Safety & Social Services Page 1 Updated 3/25/2016:2:37 PM Packet Pg. 7

8 Committee Meeting Minutes March 22, 2016 Legislator Borgia explained that the intention of the Task Force in creating this document is to be a policy statement, with goals that the Task Force intends to work with the county toward by coupling the work through their own organizations. She said this is not meant to be promises of budgetary spending, but a policy guideline for our future decisions. Legislator Kaplowitz expressed deep concern with calling the document a bill of "rights", stating these issues are not rights, but wonderful aspirations. He stated that the county is on tough economic times and cannot fulfill the requests of this document. He asked that the document be rethought, reworded, and that the Task Force come back with more specific, individual programs that the Board can consider on an individual basis. Further discussion ensued. The Committee agreed to revisit this topic at another time. 3 RESULT: PENDING 2. (ID # 9027) Resolution Support Juvenile Justice Reforms: A Resolution supporting the juvenile justice reforms in the proposed Executive Budget. Kathie Davidson, Supervising Judge of the Family Court, the Westchester Children's Association, and Commissioner of Probation, Rocco Pozzi, discussed this resolution with the Committee. Commissioner Pozzi stated that most people agree that raising the age to be tried as an adult is the right thing to do. He said there are a few things that we can do to strengthen the bill in Albany, including funding the programs for the incarcerated youth that are proposed. He stated there are many services that will be provided, and youth facilities will have to expand to hold more residents, which will all come with a cost. He stated that we are looking for an ongoing commitment that resources will be provided to the county and other counties throughout the state to implement these changes. Judge Kathie Davidson explained the services she is able to provide in family court to youth who are in trouble for whatever reason, and the efforts of the court to create a second chance for these children to get on the right path and stay out of jail. She urged the passage of this resolution to support raising the age to allow her to help more young people in Westchester, but to also support providing the resources to do so. The Committee heard from a young man named Eddie who is currently in the after care program of the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester about his experience as a young man with a history of criminal behavior and how being placed in the Youth Shelter instead of prison helped put him on the right path this time. Eddie talked about the need for support for young people and to provide them with education and a path to positive, lawful future. Further discussion ensued explaining the difference between being tried as an adult and being tried as a minor, how the kids are placed in programs, and for which types of crimes this will apply too. The Committee discussed adding language to the resolution to discuss the education programs and community centers. The Committee agreed to have that language added and meet jointly with the Committee on Legislation the following Monday to approve the resolution. Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Mar 22, :00 AM (MINUTES APPROVAL) Public Safety & Social Services Page 2 Printed 3/25/2016 Packet Pg. 8

9 Committee Meeting Minutes March 22, RESULT: PENDING Next: 3/28/2016 1:31 PM II. OTHER BUSINESS Unfinished Business and any other agenda items to come before the Committee. III. RECEIVE & FILE ADJOURNMENT Moved by Legislator Corcoran seconded by Legislator Williams the Committee adjourned at 12:27 PM. Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Mar 22, :00 AM (MINUTES APPROVAL) Public Safety & Social Services Page 3 Printed 3/25/2016 Packet Pg. 9

10 1.1.a Packet Pg. 10 Attachment: Correspondence - Westchester Coalition against Islamophobia - DRAFT (8893 :

11 1.1.a Packet Pg. 11 Attachment: Correspondence - Westchester Coalition against Islamophobia - DRAFT (8893 :

12 1.1.a Packet Pg. 12 Attachment: Correspondence - Westchester Coalition against Islamophobia - DRAFT (8893 :

13 1.1.a Packet Pg. 13 Attachment: Correspondence - Westchester Coalition against Islamophobia - DRAFT (8893 :

14 1.1.a Packet Pg. 14 Attachment: Correspondence - Westchester Coalition against Islamophobia - DRAFT (8893 :

15 1.2.a BOARD OF LEGISLATORS COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, STATE OF NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO INTRODUCED BY: A. WILLIAMS B. BOYKIN WHEREAS, throughout its long history Westchester County has been built on the strength of its ethnic, racial, and religious diversity; and WHEREAS, with 25.2% of County residents in 2014 born outside of the United States, Westchester County is a county of immigrants and is ranked 5 th among counties in New York State in terms of the size of its foreign-born population; and WHEREAS, as of 2014, Muslims represented about 1.4% of Westchester County s total estimated population of 962,319, and the estimate for the county s Muslim population was about 14,000; and WHEREAS, the Muslim population in Westchester County includes immigrants from Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Britain, Burma, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Guiana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen, as well as Americanborn Muslims, who attend 11 mosques in Westchester County: and WHEREAS, Muslims are integral members of our community and are represented in all professions, from store clerks, laborers, and small business owners to physicians, medical technicians, college professors, chemists, engineers, accountants, artists, musicians, and business leaders; and WHEREAS, since the Paris terrorist attacks in November 2015 and the San Bernardino terrorist attack in California in December 2015, prejudice against Muslims has increased nationwide; and WHEREAS, incidents of violence and hatred against Muslims and inflammatory comments by public figures have also increased, with the Council on Islamic-American Relations (CAIR) stating that it has received more reports about acts of Islamophobic violence, threats, intimidation, and discrimination targeting American Muslims (or those perceived to be Muslim) and Islamic institutions since the Paris attacks than during any other limited period of time since the 9/11 terror attacks ; and WHEREAS, in response to the San Bernardino attack, President Obama, in a national, televised speech on December 6, rejected the view that there should be a war on Islam, acknowledged that the vast majority of the victims of terrorism are Muslims and that extremists are a tiny fraction of Muslims worldwide, and rejected both discrimination against American Muslims and a religious test for those admitted to this country, saying that Muslim Americans are our friends and neighbors, our co-workers, Attachment: RES-Westchester Against Islamophobia-DRAFT (9067 : Westchester Against Islamophobia) 1 Packet Pg. 15

16 1.2.a our sports heroes, and yes, they are our men and women in uniform who are willing to die in defense of our country... and also Let s not forget that freedom is more powerful than fear ; and WHEREAS, the Board of Legislators supports full respect for all religious faiths; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Westchester County Board of Legislators hereby declares that fear will not divide us; that we recognize that the threats posed by Islamophobia to our American values of religious freedom and cultural diversity are threats against our very way of life in Westchester County and the United States; that we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and civil rights of our Muslim neighbors and of all residents of Westchester; and that we as a community stand firmly with our Muslim residents against Islamophobia in all its manifestations; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Westchester County Board of Legislators is hereby authorized and directed to serve a certified copy of this resolution to U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Representatives Nita Lowey, Eliot Engel and Sean Mahoney, Governor Andrew Cuomo, the County s elected delegation to the New York State Senate and Assembly, and County Executive Robert Astorino so that the intent of this Honorable Board be widely known. March, 2016 White Plains, New York Attachment: RES-Westchester Against Islamophobia-DRAFT (9067 : Westchester Against Islamophobia) COMMITTEES ON LEGISLATION & PUBLIC SAFETY & SOCIAL SERVICES 2 Packet Pg. 16