Hi, I'm Keith and I'll be live-tweeting today's Tuesday, Feb 2, 2021, Cuyahoga County Council's Public Safety and Justice Affairs Committee Meeting at 1:00 PM.
Cuyahoga County Council's Public Safety and Justice Affairs Committee Meeting can be streamed and accessed here,
Cuyahoga County Council's Public Safety and Justice Affairs Committee has 5 committee members:
District 5: Michael J. Gallagher, Chair
District 7: Yvonne M. Conwell, Vice Chair
District 4: Scott Tuma
District 8: Pernel Jones, Jr.
District 11: Sunny Simon
District 5: Michael J. Gallagher, Chair
District 7: Yvonne M. Conwell, Vice Chair
District 4: Scott Tuma
District 8: Pernel Jones, Jr.
District 11: Sunny Simon
The meeting has assembled and a roll call has begun.
There are quite a few of people involved in this meeting aside from the 5 staff members,
Minutes have been approved from the January 19, 2021 meeting
Committee is addressing Resolution R2021-0036:
Committee is addressing Resolution R2021-0036:
R2021-0036 is a resolution authorizing an amendment to Contract No. 128 with Ozanne Construction Company, Inc. seeking additional funds in the amount not-to-exceed $2,419,505.00.
Ozanne Construction Company provides design-build services for the Central Booking Project at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.
If approved, this resolution will be effective 2/23/2021 .
If approved, this resolution will be effective 2/23/2021 .
Bob Coury is speaking on the resolution, noting that the Central Booking Project will positively affect many officials across the justice system.
Central booking will eliminate delays and engage all players at the front end of the arrest.
Note: Speaker is outlined in green
Central booking will eliminate delays and engage all players at the front end of the arrest.
Note: Speaker is outlined in green
1) At the front end will be able to make more timely and informed decisions of the arrestee who has not be charged yet.
2) We will have the capacity to take actions that we could not before.
2) We will have the capacity to take actions that we could not before.
For example, after the arrest review officer will be able to assess if this arrestee should be here in the first place.
3) The common pleas Pre-Trial Assessment Team will be present on the 3rd floor of Central Booking.
3) The common pleas Pre-Trial Assessment Team will be present on the 3rd floor of Central Booking.
Dist 5's Gallagher asks, what are the total costs of the project?
"It seems to me this is just an amount to bill without true agreement from the participants. If someone sees something they don't like they can just walk because we aren't forcing anybody to do this.
"It seems to me this is just an amount to bill without true agreement from the participants. If someone sees something they don't like they can just walk because we aren't forcing anybody to do this.
Dist 5's Gallagher, "The overall cost [for this project] is more [than being requested]."
Bob Coury replies, "Yes, that is correct."
Bob Coury replies, "Yes, that is correct."
Wmason comments, "As you know we are building a new jail and we will learn a whole lot. We will be able to right size the jail for the population.
[Paraphrasing] Dist 4's Scott Tuma comments,
"It sounds like there are two things at work:
1) the processes of the system
2) the buildout
It sounds like you know what you want but that isn't being communicated to the Council."
"It sounds like there are two things at work:
1) the processes of the system
2) the buildout
It sounds like you know what you want but that isn't being communicated to the Council."
Dist 4's Scott Tuma, "I don't understand why more players aren't involved at the Council level."
Bob Coury, "This is the first we are hearing that Council does not have adequate information and we need to correct that immediately. ... "
Bob Coury, "This is the first we are hearing that Council does not have adequate information and we need to correct that immediately. ... "
Bob Coury continues, "All of the folks you've mentioned are at our work groups - "
Dist 4's Scott Tuma interjects, "But Council is not. ... We just got done with another meeting that Council was not on board with completely and that has become an octopus. I am a little leery."
Dist 4's Scott Tuma interjects, "But Council is not. ... We just got done with another meeting that Council was not on board with completely and that has become an octopus. I am a little leery."
Mr. Mason chimes in,
"Why are we doing Central Booking then?
We want to reduce booking at the jail so it is more efficient. The tools aren't available right now and we want to make it a better process now."
"Why are we doing Central Booking then?
We want to reduce booking at the jail so it is more efficient. The tools aren't available right now and we want to make it a better process now."
Michael Dever with Public Works
"We've had the justice steering committee and this discussion has taken place there as well. The officials have been involved there and we have paperwork for over 2 years. There has been an ongoing discussion about this.
"We've had the justice steering committee and this discussion has taken place there as well. The officials have been involved there and we have paperwork for over 2 years. There has been an ongoing discussion about this.
Dever continues,
"They are implementing this throughout the country. We are a little bit behind some other areas but we are catching up. I believe centralized booking is very important to jail management."
"They are implementing this throughout the country. We are a little bit behind some other areas but we are catching up. I believe centralized booking is very important to jail management."
District 11's Sunny Simon reflects, "This is a criminal justice matter. I want to see the statistics. We are different from other areas. There is no cookie cutter situation.
Dist 11's Simon continues,
"I want to know,
A) who is on the working group
B) identify every group involved
C) who the Representative is
D) Data you've been collecting for however long you have
E) I want to understand the plan
F) Are judge(s) on board with in writing?"
"I want to know,
A) who is on the working group
B) identify every group involved
C) who the Representative is
D) Data you've been collecting for however long you have
E) I want to understand the plan
F) Are judge(s) on board with in writing?"
Bob Coury answers,
"All the stake boarders are not on board yet but nothing that would undermine the entire program."
Dist 11's Simon,
"I like the idea, but this is premature. Are we building something for all the municipalities at this point?"
"All the stake boarders are not on board yet but nothing that would undermine the entire program."
Dist 11's Simon,
"I like the idea, but this is premature. Are we building something for all the municipalities at this point?"
Bob Coury,
"The infrastructure will be there but understanding that City of Cleveland representing the vast majority of misdemeanor and felony charges. We are starting with the lion's share of charges. It would be better and more responsible to phase this."
"The infrastructure will be there but understanding that City of Cleveland representing the vast majority of misdemeanor and felony charges. We are starting with the lion's share of charges. It would be better and more responsible to phase this."
Bob Coury,
"Start in Cleveland then move to the suburbs."
Dist. 11's Simon interjects,
"There is so many aspects to this that I am not sure I truly appreciate every facet of this. This is not how I would like to proceed before moving forward."
"Start in Cleveland then move to the suburbs."
Dist. 11's Simon interjects,
"There is so many aspects to this that I am not sure I truly appreciate every facet of this. This is not how I would like to proceed before moving forward."
Dist. 5's Gallagher comments that many people were invited today but did not show who have previously commented that they are afraid the County and the Council will stop the process from moving forward.
Dist. 5's Gallagher,
"I don't want to hold this in committee, but I have sense that is where it is going. ... It is unreasonable to expect that the participants have signed off documents confirming their participation. ... I don't want to get involved in another ERP situations."
"I don't want to hold this in committee, but I have sense that is where it is going. ... It is unreasonable to expect that the participants have signed off documents confirming their participation. ... I don't want to get involved in another ERP situations."
Mr. Mason,
"In fairness you only asked our partners to show up yesterday. Everybody has schedules. ... We tried to let you know that it was not timely to have these discussions. ... That's less than a 24-hour notice to get them here. It's not that they don't want to be here."
"In fairness you only asked our partners to show up yesterday. Everybody has schedules. ... We tried to let you know that it was not timely to have these discussions. ... That's less than a 24-hour notice to get them here. It's not that they don't want to be here."
Dist. 5's Gallagher,
"I'm not in charge of the presentation, you are. ... There seems to be a 'if we build it they will come' or a 'if we build it they might come?' ... The big dog is Cleveland. I do not think it is unreasonable to have Cleveland partners confirm they will."
"I'm not in charge of the presentation, you are. ... There seems to be a 'if we build it they will come' or a 'if we build it they might come?' ... The big dog is Cleveland. I do not think it is unreasonable to have Cleveland partners confirm they will."
Dist. 5's Gallagher,
"We need the participants to confirm. We are not getting that. We are getting the opposite."
"We need the participants to confirm. We are not getting that. We are getting the opposite."
Dist 8: Jones adds,
"We should hold this in committee. We need the questions that this committee asked to have answers. If the partners have not properly weighed in then we need to give them time to weigh in. A few minutes waited now, will pay off in the long run."
"We should hold this in committee. We need the questions that this committee asked to have answers. If the partners have not properly weighed in then we need to give them time to weigh in. A few minutes waited now, will pay off in the long run."
Dist 5 Gallagher asks for Mr. Sweeney to chime in.
Cullen Sweeney, "I certainly have not had the same level of involved intimacy. We've had good discussion but we have same big pictures. It sounds like Cleveland Municipal Court has some hesitancy.
Cullen Sweeney, "I certainly have not had the same level of involved intimacy. We've had good discussion but we have same big pictures. It sounds like Cleveland Municipal Court has some hesitancy.
Mr. Sweeney, "I think most people envision it as a positive. We are committed to see that become a reality. It does seem that there are unresolved questions that are important. It is hard for me to answer the question if we will need additional resources without knowing if it
will replace existing processes. Whether or not these two things should happen simultaneously is a question for Council and Administration. There are important unresolved questions."
Dist 2's Miller reflects,
"I am just suggesting we take the time we need to bring people together for sufficient comfort level but have clear mindset to move quickly."
"I am just suggesting we take the time we need to bring people together for sufficient comfort level but have clear mindset to move quickly."
Mr. Mason,
"I couldn't agree more. ... We thought that 3 or 4 weeks down the road we will have significant findings. Maybe not the writings. ... We didn't think you wanted to get in the weeds. ... If you want to hold off for 3 weeks, hold off for 3 weeks."
"I couldn't agree more. ... We thought that 3 or 4 weeks down the road we will have significant findings. Maybe not the writings. ... We didn't think you wanted to get in the weeds. ... If you want to hold off for 3 weeks, hold off for 3 weeks."
Dist 5's Gallagher questions,
"A) When do we expect Cleveland to sign off?
B) Who has signed off in the committees?"
"A) When do we expect Cleveland to sign off?
B) Who has signed off in the committees?"
Bob Coury answers,
"Cleveland has not signed off.
Those involved in the committees that have are,
The Cleveland Police department.
County Prosecutor.
County Public Defender.
Municipal Court
County Common Pleas Court.
County Clerk of Courts."
"Cleveland has not signed off.
Those involved in the committees that have are,
The Cleveland Police department.
County Prosecutor.
County Public Defender.
Municipal Court
County Common Pleas Court.
County Clerk of Courts."
Dist 5's Gallagher reflects that all of these different groups have different softwares and systems, which has astronomical costs. Will this bring us under one fiefdom?
Bob Coury, "This is a separate issue. ... If we wait for that this will be a futile effort. "
Bob Coury, "This is a separate issue. ... If we wait for that this will be a futile effort. "
Bob Coury continues on selling the project,
"We will be able to make better decisions and the capacity to affect the decisions. We don't have this now, but we will be able to identify who should be diverted to mental health facilities.
"We will be able to make better decisions and the capacity to affect the decisions. We don't have this now, but we will be able to identify who should be diverted to mental health facilities.
Bob Coury continues highlighting benefits of the Central Booking project,
"We will be able to identify the appropriateness of the charge."
Mr. Mason chimes in, "Every day we can save is a dollar saved."
"We will be able to identify the appropriateness of the charge."
Mr. Mason chimes in, "Every day we can save is a dollar saved."
Dist 5's Gallagher, "Keep in mind how raw we are from yesterday."
Dist 11's Simon, "We always hear from one perspective. There are always costs that aren't heard about. ... We are only looking at this from one place. ... I don't want to build something that will not be used..."
Dist 11's Simon, "We always hear from one perspective. There are always costs that aren't heard about. ... We are only looking at this from one place. ... I don't want to build something that will not be used..."
District 8's Jones proposes setting up an MOU and holding it committee. "I don't believe we will lose time if we do it right on the front end."
Dist 5 Gallagher's is primarily concerned if Cleveland is a committed partner in the Central Booing Project.
Dist 5 Gallagher's is primarily concerned if Cleveland is a committed partner in the Central Booing Project.
Mr. Mason believes Cleveland is in and the project will fail if they are not as they are 65% of the business.
Dist 7 Conwell asks about Cleveland Municipal Court Presiding Judge Earley's participation.
Dist 7 Conwell asks about Cleveland Municipal Court Presiding Judge Earley's participation.
Bob Coury confirms t Cleveland Municipal Court Presiding Judge Earley's is currently involved and has concerns but is continuing discussions.
Dist 5 Gallagher states, "If we get an indication from Judge Earley we will be more likely to move forward."
Dist 5 Gallagher states, "If we get an indication from Judge Earley we will be more likely to move forward."
Dist 5 Gallagher, "I don't want to send the signal to the legal community that the County is dragging its feet in building this out."
Dist 4's Stuma, Dist 11's Simon, and Dist 8's Jones agree with Gallagher that they would like to hear from Judge Earley.
Dist 4's Stuma, Dist 11's Simon, and Dist 8's Jones agree with Gallagher that they would like to hear from Judge Earley.
Public Safety & Justice Affairs Committee Meeting agrees to hold R2021-0036 in committee so they can talk with Judge Michelle Earley. The committee wants the legal community to know they are not delaying but they are dotting their Is and crossing their Ts before moving forward.
Committee will meet in 2 weeks to continue discussion on R2021-0036.
Check the calendar in a couple days to see the confirmed date,
council.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/events-c…
Check the calendar in a couple days to see the confirmed date,
council.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/events-c…
Meeting adjourned at ~2:20 PM. This concludes the Cuyahoga County Council's Public Safety & Justice Affairs Committee Meeting. The next meeting is scheduled in two weeks Tue, Feb 16th, 2021. For more meeting coverage, check out documenters.org.
Summary:
Today Tue, Feb 2, 2021 the Cuyahoga County Council's Public Safety & Justice Affairs Committee Meeting was held at 1:00 PM until 2:20 PM. The Committee met to hear and vote on Resolution R2021-0036.
Today Tue, Feb 2, 2021 the Cuyahoga County Council's Public Safety & Justice Affairs Committee Meeting was held at 1:00 PM until 2:20 PM. The Committee met to hear and vote on Resolution R2021-0036.
R2021-0036 would have approved funds up to $2,419,505.00 for the construction of the Central Booking Project. Cuyahoga County's Public Safety Chief Bob Coury and Cuyahoga County's Chief of Staff Bill Mason were in attendance to advocate for approval of the resolution.
Safety Chief Coury and Chief of Staff Mason advocated for the Central Booking Project, stating that the project will comprehensively streamline services for law enforcement and the courts while reducing the jail population.
The Central Booking project will,
1) make more timely and informed decisions for arrestees
2) have the capacity to affect the course of action
1) make more timely and informed decisions for arrestees
2) have the capacity to affect the course of action
Commitee members recently dealt with a negative funding experience on another project, ERP, and were hesitant to confirm the resolution. Their primary concern is that the partners are not fully committed to using the Central Booking system.
The Committee did not want to approve sending the Resolution to committee for a full vote to fund a project if that project has not legally confirmed partners that will follow through.
After a discussion were both Committee Members and County advocates expressed their views, the Committee tabled the Resolution for a follow up meeting in 2 weeks. The Committee will talk with Cleveland Municipal Court's Judge Earley to hear if she will be a comitted partner.
Additionally, check out Documenter @dmcbillion. She live-tweeted today’s @GCRTA Standing Committee at 9:00 AM. Read about out what happened here,
https://twitter.com/MelanatedMill/status/1356600541267300354?s=20
To become involved and for more meeting coverage, check out documenters.org.
Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any enquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters
Or email us at lcaswell@neighborhoodgrants.org
Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any enquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters
Or email us at lcaswell@neighborhoodgrants.org
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Correction: check out Documenter @MelanatedMill. She live-tweeted today’s @GCRTA Standing Committee at 9:00 AM.
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