PRESENT: Chair: Ryan. Members: Carsky, Kaplowitz, Mosiello, Swanson, Wishnie. Staff: Bill Randolph, County Executive’s office; Emilia Vita, Secretary.

ALSO PRESENT: Dr. Norman Jacknis, Chief Information Officer-CE; Jim Mulligan, Bell Atlantic-E911; John Elliott, Westchester County 911 Coordinator; Lisa Losier, Office of Information Technology; Daniela Infield, Office of the County Attorney; George Hosey, Chair-CBAC.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Ryan at 9:05 a.m. The minutes of March 23, 1998, were approved on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Swanson, motion carried 6-0.

Mr. Ryan noted Agenda Items J and K; two new referrals from Legislator Mosiello dealing with strengthening the box cutter law in Westchester County. He asked Mr. Mosiello to briefly explain his proposals to amend the law and where he was in the process of preparing amendments.

Mr. Mosiello said the law he sponsored two years ago, restricted the sale of box cutters to minors under the age of 18, with a fine of $50 for the first offense and for the second offense, a fine of $50 to $100, and/or 15 days in jail. He will propose an amendment stiffening these penalties. Mr. Mosiello is also considering the proposal of an amendment that would prohibit a person under 22 years of age from possessing a box cutter or any other razor device on school grounds.

Mr. Mosiello has discussed these changes with District Attorney Pirro and she agrees with his proposed changes. Legislator Wishnie stated his support for these changes, noting they had merit and suggested that this Committee have the necessary legislation drafted. Mr. Mosiello said County Attorney Scheinkmann is now in the process of preparing the legislation for our review.

Chair Ryan said the Committee will discuss this issue further when the proposed amendments are received from the County Attorney’s office.

Mr. Ryan stated that E911 is an important part of the County’s overall system of emergency response. Committee members had asked for a meeting with representatives of Bell Atlantic and the County’s information technology staff to discuss E911 services to the general public and E911 support of the public safety agencies in Westchester. Today’s meeting would likely be the first in a series of discussions on this subject.

Mr. John Elliott, the County’s E911 Coordinator, stated that the County’s E911 system has been up and running for nearly five years. He recommends staying with the present system that was updated within the past two years. He also mentioned that that Bell Atlantic’s service record on the basic system has been excellent. Point of information-the E911 equipment is manufactured by Plant Equipment, Inc.

Concerning system operations, Mr. Elliott mentioned that important data for each E911 call is stored in the systems computer (Bell Atlantic receives $0.03 per record for maintaining a data base on calls). Data records can be retrieved as needed and transmitted to agencies such as fire departments. Calls have never been lost in the system and there are no problems with transferring E911 calls to other lines.

Legislator Wishnie asked if the E911 system ever became overburdened with calls. Mr. Elliott said it happens rarely. A few years ago, the system did overload with calls the night the propane truck exploded on I-287. Mr. Elliott went on to point out that if for some reason the entire E911 system went down, all calls would be routed to local police.

On the question should the County invest in a new E911 system, Mr. Elliott said it would be very expensive and we would realize little added benefit.

Noting that many cellular E911 calls go the State Police and they, in turn, dispatch emergency services to the scene, Mr. Mosiello asked if the technology is in place to route cellular E911 calls directly to the nearest police department or emergency service agency in the area where the cellular call originated.

Mr. Jacknis suggested there may be a political problem, i.e., the State Police want to keep the revenue -- $0.70 per cellular phone call - they receive for handling these calls. Calls could be routed to the local community servicing the cellular area, but this change would have to be negotiated with the State.

Legislator Kaplowitz asked for comments on the usefulness of a 311 non-emergency number for Westchester. Mr. Elliott explained that 311 is used in a number of states. In New York State, 311 is the E911 number for the deaf. These calls -- 3 to 4 a day, go directly to Albany. Mr. Jacknis explained that 311 is a non-criminal, non-emergency number. A 311 call can be directed to the local police department or any other designated office. It can be used in the community to provide general public information.

Mr. Wishnie and Mrs. Carsky raised the issue of the proper use(s) of E911 surplus funds. Mr. Ryan said the proper use of these surplus funds is a concern of this Committee and he asked Ms. Daniela Infield, from the County Attorney’s office, to address the subject.

Ms. Infield said the E911 surplus funds can be used for system operations and maintenance. Any spending of E911 surplus funds must directly support E911. Ms. Infield explained that the E911 program is funded by a monthly surcharge of $0.35 per telephone line, levied upon business and residential telephone customers in the County. The $0.35 surcharge is the maximum amount allowed by New York State law. For the first several years of the program, the maximum $0.35 surcharge was levied. This has resulted in the accumulation of a surplus in the E911 fund. The law provides for a reduction in the E911 surcharge in the year following a year where the amount of the E911 fund surplus is greater that 5% of the amount spent on the E911 program.

Mr. Elliott stated that the $0.35 surcharge covers the $98,000 per month E911 program cost; up from $72,000 - $75,000 per month when the program first began. Relative to the surplus, Mr. Elliott suggested the funds be used to improve the quality of the information going out to the departments and agencies responding to emergencies.

For example: When responding to an incoming fire call or fire emergency, the system provides the fire department with information of the floor plan of the building, available water hydrants, gas lines, etc., that may be in the immediate area.

Mr. Elliott offered to bring E911 equipment for demonstration purposes to a future Public Safety Committee meeting. He thanked the members for the opportunity to appear and discuss the E911 system.

Mr. Ryan asked the members to consider a set of short-term objectives for the Committee’s review/inquiry into E911. Follow-up meetings on the E911 issues would be scheduled as needed.

With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m., on the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky.