<p> BRAZOS VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 @ 10:00 A.M. CENTER FOR REGIONAL SERVICES 3991 EAST 29TH STREET, BRYAN, TX 77801</p><p>Members Present BVCOG Staff Dawn Marie Baletka, Navasota ISD Roger Sheridan Sherrie Barratt, Juvenile Probation Director, Grimes Co Rebecca Hill Brandon Borski, Central Texas Juv. Probation, Burleson Irma Cauley, Brazos County Commissioner Todd Greene, Chief Deputy, Grimes County Sheriff’s Office Chris Kirk, Brazos County Sheriff Chuck May, Chief of Police, City of Madisonville Robert Meyer, TAMU PD Rex Phelps, City of Brenham Police Chief Jody Shulz, National Alliance on Mental Illness Cody Siegert, Robertson County DA Doug Weedon, Executive Director, Twin City Mission Randy Well, Faith Mission Robert Yezak, Asst. District Attorney, Robertson County Skip Young, Leon County Sheriff’s Office</p><p>I. Call to Order and introductions –Meeting called to order at 10:03 AM by Chairperson Barratt. Introductions were made by all members and staff present.</p><p>II. Approvals of March 28, 2014 meeting minutes – Minutes for the March 28th meeting were reviewed. Dr. Baletka had a correction on page 1 changing “Mr.” to “Dr.” under item C. Chief May moved to approve the minutes as presented with the correction. Dr. Baletka seconded. Motion carried.</p><p>I. Action and/or Discussion of the following items:</p><p>Item A – Consider for discussion/approval CJAC Bylaws updates - Mr. Sheridan discussed the specific items that need to be discussed/reviewed. He proposed changing the term for members from four years to two years. It helps keep the list current and gives more accountability. There is a position for a Chairperson for the CJAC but no Vice Chair. A Vice Chairs can step in to run meetings when the Chair is not available and other activities. Right now the bylaws state that the Committee Chair will be there forever. The suggestion is to change it to a two year term to align with everything else. The same person can be elected; it is not a term limit. Everything needs to be done prior to September so appointments and other items can go before the BVCOG Board of Directors for review and approval. It is not very often that we do look at the bylaws so this gives everyone a chance to look them over for changes that need to be made. Sheriff Kirk asked what steps need to be taken to change the bylaws. Mr. Sheridan said that we can do it today and then the revised bylaws will go before the BVCOG Board of Page 1 of 3 Directors for review and final approval. Sheriff Kirk moved that we make the changes to the bylaws as discussed. Chief May seconded the motion. Motion carried. A copy of the revised bylaws will be emailed to all committee members for review prior to submission to the BVCOG Board of Directors.</p><p>Item B – Consider for approval funding FY 2016 Request for Application - Ms. Hill discussed the only changes that were made to the form from last year was to make the fiscal year 2016 throughout the document and change the dates on page two to reflect the meeting dates for 2015. There will be two scheduled egrants trainings in January and onsite training can be scheduled in the counties as needed. Ms. Cauley moved that we accept the FY 2016 Request for Application. Sheriff Kirk seconded. Motion carried</p><p>Item C – Consider for discussion Strategic Plan Initiatives and Update - On Tuesday, September 16th we are having our initial planning meeting for the Strategic Plan update. The first plan was a one year plan and the new plan will be a five year plan as we have done in the past. The 16th will also involve setting up Committee Chairs for each focus area. The focus group meetings will start at the end of the month and continue through next month. Future meetings will not be held on Tuesdays due to several members with conflicts on that day. </p><p>II. Public Comment / Announcements – </p><p>Item A – Fire Marshal’s requests for funding – Mr. Sheridan stated that at the last CJAC meeting the group voted to not use law enforcement training grant money to reimburse fire marshals who attend Basic Peace Officer academy since all funds are used by local law enforcement agencies. There have been two additional requests from fire marshals since the meeting. Ms. Hill shared that the entire $35,000 set aside for Basic Peace Officer requests has been allocated for the year and it just opened September 1st. </p><p>Item B – Mass Fatality Symposium – Ms. Hill shared that the symposium is on October 9th and there are flyers on the table. Come and spread the word. There is Juvenile and TCOLE credit available for the training. Mr. Sheridan shared that the Mass Fatality portion of the symposium will be October 7-8. The contractor has not developed the flyers for the training year. Training on family assistance center, morgue operations and a mini tabletop will be held on the 7th and 8th. </p><p>Mr. Sheridan shared that the Law Enforcement Training Coordinators have been meeting quarterly to discuss training needs and find instructors. The first training was Spanish for Law Enforcement. The idea is that we have instructors internally and can host the training centrally for other agencies to attend. The focus initially is to do the intermediate courses to get all officers to their intermediate certificate. This is a break of the norm with agencies participating together to do trainings. Everyone needs to participate and train together. This saves time and money on costs for education. We are showing that we are meeting our goals on the Strategic Plan and this justifies more grant dollars to promote the regional training.</p><p>Ms. Barratt suggested that emails and letters be sent to committee members who did not make it to the meeting to encourage them to attend. Our attendance has been lower in the last four years than it has ever been. </p><p>Page 2 of 3 Mr. Sheridan shared that grants dollars have been declining and it is a fight amongst each other who gets what. The Regional Advisory Council and the Homeland Security Advisory Council have recently joined together as a group to submit an application and have received a large grant to address needs. If we submit projects at a regional level for the law enforcement grants, we stand a better chance of getting more money and that common piece of equipment that everyone needs. Body cameras are getting a lot of national attention and many of our local agencies do not have any. Normally, everyone submits for their own equipment and does their own application. The thought is to have representatives from law enforcement sit down together and discuss what needs there are. Dr. Baletka asked if this regional application will be for the pot of money that is already there or if federal grants will be looked at. For many of the smaller agencies, the pot of money through CJD is their only source for getting some of the needed equipment. Mr. Sheridan gave the example of the regional RAC project where EMS got equipment that they would have not been able get individually. Chief May agreed that a regional plan/application is a good idea as long as there is a pot of money available for agencies to apply for local projects. Ms. Barratt asked if this is a committee that we should appoint or should it be voluntary. Mr. Sheridan said whatever gets the job done. Ms. Barratt thought that voluntary is best and usually gets more participation. Dr. Baletka suggested that the committee chair be appointed by the committee and that chair pick or ask for volunteers to be on the committee. Chief Phelps shared that they had been doing the research themselves on the body cameras and the cost is more like $700 per camera and the storage is what will be the major cost. You cannot get rid of your dash camera in the vehicle either. Chief Phelps volunteered to be committee chair. Mr. Sheridan asked that he also ask what their training needs are and what they are sending officers out of the region for. Dr. Baletka said that we also need to be looking out for our victim agencies and finding extra funding for them. </p><p>Ms. Barratt welcomed the new committee members and asked them to call her if they have any issues or questions.</p><p>III. Important Dates</p><p>A. September 16, 2014 – Initial Planning Conference – Strategic Plan Update B. September 30, 2014 – Strategic Plan Focus Group Meeting – Victims Issues & Criminal Justice C. October 3, 2014 – Strategic Plan Focus Groups Meetings – Juvenile Justice & Mental Health/Substance Abuse D. October 9, 2014 – LtCol Grossman / Joe Serio Training, College Station Hilton E. January 6, 2015 – Egrants Training at Center for Regional Services F. January 16, 2015 – Egrants Training at Center for Regional Services</p><p>IV. Adjourn – Ms. Cauley moved to adjourn the meeting. Chief May seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:50 AM.</p><p>Approved by:</p><p>______Sherrie Barratt, Chairperson</p><p>Page 3 of 3</p>