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Pinellas County Juvenile
Justice Council Call to order Chair Plyer, Called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., Registrar Corry called the roll, a quorum was present. Public comment Chair Plyer invited public comment by any persons present no citizens in attendance sought comment so it was dispensed with. The meeting roster of active members was as follows:
Approval of the minutes Chair Plyer called for the council members to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting of 4/24/2008. There being no objection as to the reading, there being no comments or corrections as to the content, said minutes were moved by the chair for adoption as submitted and were approved unanimously by all council members present. Reports Chair Plyer called for reports by the present officers at large their being none the chair gave his report as follows: Report by Chair Plyer On 6/11/2008 the Circuit 6 Juvenile Justice Board nominating committee met to adopt a slate of candidates for the election of officers being Paul McClintock, Brian Pitts, Norm Roche, Teri Simpson. On 6/16/08 during Circuit 6 Juvenile Justice Board meeting Council representative Plyer was elected chair pro tem to the Board as no Board officers were in attendance. He conducted the election of officers where Brian Pitts was elected Chair and Norm Roche as Vice-Chair; the amendment of Article VII Board Bylaws to delete DJJ authority to amend Board Bylaws; a notice of motion to amend Article V to delete DJJ authority to amend board bylaws not in compliance with other applicable laws; and the adoption of a motion to forward a letter to the Governor, DJJ Secretary and DOC Secretary opposing any merger of DJJ into DOC. On 4/29/2008 the Governor’s Office of the Chief Inspector General closed the case of the DJJ 2007-8 grant review process as to purported violations expressed by the Council declaring: the office had no jurisdiction over state entities as the boards and councils, the office found no statutory violations of DJJ as to any matter, misconduct of C6JJB members should be directed to local county and circuit managers or the commission of ethics. On 5/1/2008 the Council requested a review by the Governor’s Office of the Chief Inspector General of the DJJ 2008-9 grant review process for violations as to the “Concept papers.” The case is ongoing as #08-0117 as of 6/23/2008. On 6/5/2008 the Council Chair and Registrar Corry spoke with Representative Ed Hooper to support legislation to establish independent oversight of DJJ detention and residential facilities, a DJJ Ombudsman Program. Representative Hooper liked the proposal but expressed budget restraints in implementing it suggesting procuring support from other senators and representatives The Council’s brochure was copied and provided by DJJ Circuit Coordinator Tim Niermann explaining the basis of the council, which have been distributed to ten locations throughout the county. Visit the website, Pinellasjjc.org, for all matters pertaining to the Council. The Next Council meeting is 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 24, 2008, at the Seminole Community Library. This report is submitted for the record by Dave Plyer, Chair, Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council. Old business No old business was under consideration at this meeting. New Business Chair Plyer called for the appointment of a nomination committee for the election of Council officers and circuit board members. Vice-Chair, Matt Sullivan was appointed as committee chair. Registrar Corry gave notice of motion to amend the Bylaws to extend term limits of officers from 2 to 4 years to be heard at the 7/24/2008 regular council meeting. Member Pound sought that the council would or could somehow assist to expand faith-based entities to minister in DJJ facilities to our incarcerated youth. The Chair requested that members Pound and Wright provide a written motion in detail, so to ensure that council actions would be within its proper jurisdiction to implement such. Member Pound sought that the council would pursue ways to curtail law enforcement procedures which allow false allegations or reports made against youth in the courts and police force, leaving the youth without any recourse once done. Presentations Registrar, Corry gave details on her volunteer DJJ and Department of Elder Affairs Ombudsman program experiences, the processes and materials in accordance with them, and the obstacles encountered with DJJ once a volunteer is approved. And the prospect of an Ombudsman program for DJJ detained youth. Council Member Announcements Member Wright spoke on: the issue of fulfilling the matter in the minutes which pertain to a press release being designed to express the council’s primary goal and statement; issues of opposition to any merger of DJJ into DOC as stated at the recent C6JJB meeting. Vice-Chair Matt Sullivan suggested a letter to C6JJB Chair Harris and Vice-Chair [McClintock] should be presented to commend them for their past years of service on the C6 board. Registrar Corry spoke on: a St. Pete Times article how between four SROs employed in Clearwater school system will be paid with benefits $323,000 which is outrageous as a public servant salary with perks; her attendance with member Pound to the Pinellas Police Standards Council meeting, during which the appeals review committee overwhelmingly voted in favor of hiring of applicants as law enforcement officers who have been participants in drug usage and that this drug activity did not disqualify such persons for employment. Member Segall spoke on his experience in Atlanta, Georgia with the misconduct of a police officer being verbally abusive with a youth he was with, which was needless based the circumstances. Member Pound spoke on how he was confronted by an officer about not having a bicycle registration and after contacting the authorities by phone it was discovered one was not required. Public Comment Calvester Anderson expressed her concern on: the zero tolerance issues and how SROs effect such result based on a recent Council of Black Men and Boys meeting where Pinellas county was rated very high and problematic; the high SRO salaries. Sean O’Flannery expressed: the training and low pay of fish and wildlife officers; the training of SROs; his dealings in the school system; his willingness to hear youth and make needed changes; how he is a candidate for school board at large office. Member Dallier expressed: concern with dismal records on how Florida deals with our juveniles as being insensitive; changing the bylaws concerning requirements for Council membership. Adjournment Chair Plyer declared adjournment of the meeting, with their being no objection from members present, at 8:50 p.m. Draft minutes 7/15/2008 by Brian Pitts, Secretary |
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