PINELLAS JUVENILE JUSTICE COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

November 10, 2004

 

  Those in attendance:

Jackie Griffin-Doherty – Operation PAR

Karen Segerberg – Justice & Consumer Svs.

John Feeney—Advocate/Faith Community

Cathy Corry—Dept. of Juvenile Justice

Kathleen Peters—YMCA of Greater St. Pete

Braden Malnic—Operation PAR

Stephanie Prestwood—DCF/ADM

Matthew Sullivan—Medic Alert

Marquita McGuire—DJJ/Tallahassee

 

 

I.      Welcome:  The meeting was called to order by Chair Jackie Griffin-Doherty at 9:06 a.m.  Marquita McGuire introduced herself as the statewide coordinator for Boards and Councils.  She stated that she came down from Tallahassee to see how things are going in Pinellas County.  She added that she does announced and unannounced monitoring from time to time.

 

II.      Dedication:   Cathy Corry had previously requested that the meeting dedication on the 18th be for Dennis Segall, stating that he is a “voice of truth and justice for youth”, based on his years of service with C.R.Y.S.  Cathy stated that originally, when she had requested meeting dedications for the deaths of Omar Paisley and Danny Matthews, she hadn’t meant for it to be a moment of silence, which is what it has become.  Jackie related that meeting dedications should not be directed at specifically one person, but issues to be addressed and observed in a healthy manner.  Marquita stated that she agreed.  Cathy stated that she would be willing to address Dennis Segall’s contributions during open comment later in the meeting.

 

III.      Council Purpose:  Jackie stated that the purpose of the Council is to try to be proactive.  She agrees that we cannot “turn a blind eye”, but there should not be the current “he said, she said” that is going on.  Jackie related that she feels that we currently have a “split Council.”  Our purpose is not to monitor DJJ facilities, law enforcement, etc.  She is looking for suggestions on how not to turn the Council meetings into debates.  John Feeney stated that he is “not ready to say anything” in regards to this issue.  Jackie stated that she feels that there needs to be a compromise—that we need to look at what is most productive for the Council, in a non-accusatory manner. 

 

Stephanie Prestwood related that she is hesitant to come to Council meetings because she feels that they are not productive.  She stated that her boss (Bob Holm) agrees.  Stephanie feels that the meetings are full of constant complaints. 

 

Discussion also arose regarding an email message sent by Jackie to all Council members in which the personal agenda of Nancy Zambito’s job promotion was highlighted.  This email included the copied text of a St. Petersburg Times article about Nancy’s promotion.  Jackie explained that the reason that she forwarded the article was not out of a personal agenda, but was because Nancy has had a long history with the Council, School District and the community.  The original article online has a button where the viewer can click to send the article to a friend, but what she forwarded, she agreed, did not include a copyright disclosure, for which she apologized.

 

Marquita stated that the Council seems to be in turmoil, which can make it non-productive.  She hears what Jackie is saying regarding the Council not being here to police the Department, which is true.  That is not the Council’s goal or job to identify problems in DJJ facilities and fix them.  Cathy stated that she does not know where Jackie is getting this from.  Jackie stated that an example would be when Nancy Zambito spoke about the Zero Tolerance Policy and what it means at the last Council meeting.  She stated that Nancy was “attacked” after her presentation.  She also stated that we cannot place blame on the school system for the death of Bonnie McClelland’s child.  Finger pointing is not what this Council is about. 

 

John stated that he does not remember Nancy being “attacked.”  Matt then stated that he doesn’t remember it, either, and that Jackie needs to give the facts.  John stated “maybe this is why the Council is split” and questioned “how does a difference in opinion from Jackie’s denote violence?”  John then reported that the Zero Tolerance Ad-hoc Committee has not met yet.  Matt then stated that the Council activities have moved on and are functional, what is the division?  He stated that the “division has occurred under Jackie’s leadership.”  Matt then stated that Karen cited her divisions in the report she emailed to everyone, and “if she hadn’t done that, there wouldn’t be a division.”  Matt stated that the Council needs to focus on what happens now, not focus on the past.  Stephanie related that she was appreciative to get Karen’s report and does not agree with Matt’s opinion.

 

Cathy stated that what she feels the Council has is the power to change processes.  We can’t fix the Detention Center and other facilities, but we can change the processes that affect them.  She related that she went to the Circuit 13 Board Meeting and they were addressing the same issues, i.e. zero tolerance, minority over-representation, etc.  We can heighten the awareness of zero tolerance and maybe present legislation to the School Board.  Cathy stated that she was told 3 years ago not to join the Council.  She was told “you’re right about everything, you’ll be vetoed on everything.”  Marquita stated that she agrees with heightening the awareness of zero tolerance, however, each school district has its own policy and DJJ cannot control policy.  Work needs to be done locally.  She then questioned whether zero tolerance was part of our Strategic Plan.  Jackie stated that it was not, but plays a piece in parts of it. 

 

Jackie then stated that she thinks that the Strategic Plan is misunderstood.  It is not just funding driven, it helps with policy setting in the community.  Kathleen Peters stated that the Strategic Plan is a “living entity.”  What comes out in little pieces makes a difference.  She stated that it is unfortunate that work has to be duplicated (Title V Plan & Strategic Plan).  She related that when she goes to Tallahassee to talk to legislators, she discusses what goes on at Council meetings.  There used to be program presentations letting others know what the funding has done for particular programs.  Just because it is not voiced doesn’t mean there are not accomplishments being made.  Kathleen stated that she feels that in the last year we have gotten bogged down on legalities and interpretations.  There shouldn’t be an “us” and a “them.”  We are all here because we are committed to kids.  Kathleen related that the stress level at meetings has become uncomfortable.

 

Marquita asked everyone for suggestions on how to get on to the next step.  Matt stated that the focus needs to be changed from “me” to the youth.  He is a taxpayer and he wants to see results.  John related that a message he sent to Karen regarding the summary report was misinterpreted, and he believed that “someone used the word ‘offended’”.  Kathleen related that emails need to be used only to disseminate information.  Marquita stated that everyone needs to stick to the facts in their emails and share information in Council meetings.  If the executive members have problems, it will trickle down to the Council.  She stressed that we need to stick to the Strategic Plan, focus on the priorities and it will take away from personal agendas. 

 

IV.      Juvenile Arrest Records:  It was decided to include an agenda item on juvenile arrest records being accessible to the public via a background check.  Cathy will be covering this topic.

 

V.      Meeting Location/Time/Length:  Cathy related that meetings needed to be held at a public facility, not a private facility with public access.  A concern with Operation PAR is the additional HIPAA sign-in sheet, which Cathy feels violates the Sunshine Law as explained to her by Scott Wright’s handout.  Marquita asked whether this was someone’s personal issue or a Council issue, as well as who is offended by meeting in this location.  Cathy related that members should feel welcome when they enter.  Jackie stated that this is a perfect example of how we “split hairs.”  Cathy stated that this is the statute’s intent.  Marquita related that she understands what Cathy is saying in a broad sense.  She suggested that we take it to the Council and majority rules.  When Marquita discussed the issue with Scott Wright, his response was that we change the location only if it is an issue to the members of the Council.   Also addressed will be time of meetings and length of meetings.

 

VI.  Zero Tolerance:  Matt stated that the zero tolerance issue that was addressed at the last meeting was not addressed the way he wanted it to be, i.e. Nancy Zambito’s version of zero tolerance in the schools.  He wanted legislative changes in zero tolerance to be covered.  John stated that “some felt that the presentation was subjective.”  Kathleen stated that to have an effective presentation, you need to know the policy.  A Zero Tolerance Ad-Hoc Committee update will be given at the Council meeting.

 

VII.  Annual Report:  Cathy stated that it was to be “inclusive of detailed description of advice and direction to DJJ.”  Marquita stated that it is due to DJJ by mid-June.  Annual report information goes towards legislative issues.  By-laws may have to be amended to account for the Annual Report.  This will be included as an agenda item at the meeting.

 

VIII.  Nomination Committee/Circuit Board:  This will also be an agenda item, covered by Kathleen.  Stephanie requested that Bob Holm be added to the list, as he agreed to be nominated.  It was suggested that a blurb be added stating something to the effect of voting according to mandated participants and to mark those that are already members and are running for re-appointment.  Then it was discussed and decided that there are not “mandated” members, but those that are “highly recommended.”  Discussion also ensued as to appointing the Council Chair as a Circuit Board member, along with 6 other individuals, with the by-laws reflecting this.  Can the Chair of the Council be appointed as an entity?  Marquita stated that the by-laws are guidelines for which the Council should operate and that the Chair can be appointed, however, the by-laws would need to be amended to reflect that change.  The three mandated members are the State Attorney, Public Defender and Judge.  The Council can vote to have the Council Chair appointed to the Circuit Board as a voting entity.  Kathleen then recommended amending the by-laws to state this and then holding the election process after voting is completed on by-law amendments.  Marquita suggested sending out a public notice regarding the Council meeting, including the possible amendments, and reminding members that this is an important meeting for them to attend, as issues will be voted upon.  Matt related that he objects to putting the amendment issue on the agenda.  He suggests that we vote on the Circuit Board “as is” and recommends looking at and changing the by-laws in the future. 

 

There was also a suggestion that those who nominated people give a brief, neutral presentation on their nominees so that members know who the candidates are.  Jackie suggested that no negative remarks be made.  It was also discussed that Circuit Board nominees should have some involvement with the Council.  Jackie suggested we table the issue until January.  John then moved to hold a special session in January and invite current Circuit Board members.  Nobody stated opposition to holding a special session for the purpose of nominations and elections.  Motion passed (Kathleen Peters had already left the meeting, so her vote was not accounted for). 

 

IX.  Strategic Plan:  Jackie reported that she will present the Strategic Plan to the Legislative Delegation in December.  She stated that once she gets all of the information she needs from the Committees, she will put the Plan together and email it out to all members so that they have enough time to review the Plan prior to voting at the meeting on the 18th.

 

X.  Public Comment:  John requested that time be allowed at the end of each Council meeting for Public Comment.  Marquita stated that she personally discourages this.  Discussion needs to be related to the agenda.  There could be a time period at the end for “Open Discussion”, for the “good of the order.”  John stated that he is uncomfortable with lack of accountability to the public.  Marquita related that a good solution is to have an occasional Town Hall Meeting for public comment.  Jackie requested that John come up with a recommendation on language to use when bringing up the open discussion portion of the agenda for Council meetings.  John agreed to do so.

 

XI.  Personal Agendas of Council Members:  Cathy had requested this as an agenda item.  It was decided that we had already covered this earlier in the meeting, and this would not need to be an agenda item. 

 

XII. Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.  The next meeting of the Executive Committee is scheduled for January 20, 2005 at 9:00 a.m., location TBA.  There is no December meeting.

 

K. Segerberg

11/17/04