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Pinellas County Juvenile
Justice Council Call to order Chair Plyer, Called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., Registrar Corry called the roll, a quorum was present. Vice Chair, Matt Sullivan gave notice of his absence from this meeting. Public comment Chair Plyer invited public comment by any persons present. Ryis Stearns spoke on his experience concerning a recent attempt to address the school board on the improper treatment and use of restraints on himself and youth in schools. 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 general council meeting of 1/24/2008, 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 and were approved unanimously by all council members present. Reports Chair Plyer called for reports by the members at large from the members present. Then they gave the reports as follows: Chair Plyer On February 4th , 13th and 26th the chair emailed the Inspector General Office of the Governor as to the status of the investigation of the DJJ 2006-2007 grant review violations requesting the case number and a completion date. A response by the Inspector General via email expressed the matter was still on going. If there is no change in matter by March 6, 2008 the chair shall contact Governor Crist. Copies of the emails are submitted for the record. On 2/28/2008 the Council’s quarterly report on the first half of 2007-8 was sent via email to the Pinellas County public schools concerning school related charges making note of a considerable 18% increase in charges brought by law enforcement officers than last year. A Copy of the email is submitted for the record. There is no March meeting. The next executive committee meeting is Monday April 14, 2008, at the Seminole Community Library. Next Council meeting: 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2008, at the Seminole Community Library. This report is submitted for the record by Dave Plyer, Chair, Pinellas County Juvenile Justice Council. Registrar Corry The recent DDJ Blueprint Commission recommendations on the zero tolerance statute and policy in Florida schools, strangely, mimic the council’s 2005-2008 strategic plan goal and strategies on said matter. And a St. Pete times editorial “More principal, less police” dated 2/2/2008 on excessive law enforcement abuse in Florida schools further support the need for the zero tolerance reform. A copy of the materials is submitted for the record. Vice Chair Sullivan in absence; Registrar Corry gave his report Appointed by the Chair Plyer as chair to the committee to spearhead the nominating process for the Council for the vacant C6JJB appointment. Two nominations were made being Tony Leisner and Brian Pitts. At a prior C6JJB meeting the Board Members decided to remove Chimurenga Waller from the Board for lack of attendance. Council Members were informed of nomination deadlines and the nominees were informed of the requirements, procedures and process. The nominees were requested to respond to a two-part inquiry of which both answered by email. A copy of the report is submitted for the record. Old business The chair moved for nominations from Council Members on the floor to fill the C6JJB member vacancy to begin the final election. Council Member Wright nominated Charles S. McKenzie Jr. The council inquired of the nominees as needed and debated the matters extensively, then the nomination process was closed by the chair. The chair, then, moved for the official voting by the dissemination of the ballots by Registrar, Corry to the nine voting members present which were returned to the registrar for the final results being 5 votes for Brian Pitts, 4 votes for Charles S. McKenzie Jr. and 0 votes for Tony Leisner. The council appointed Brian Pitts as the new C6JJB member. The council members expressed deep desire for the nominees McKenzie and Leisner to be available for the forthcoming C6JJB members election in September 2008 due to ending terms of other C6JJB appointees by Council Members. New Business No new business was presented at this meeting. Council Member Announcements Council Member Segall spoke on a pending court matter pertaining to a purported traffic citation he is experiencing resulting in what seems to be a abuse of authority asking members to attend his court date and, he complemented on the great work that the chair and registrar have contributed in keeping the council together and in order. Council Member Pound spoke on council members attending and being invited to the opening of the new Juvenile Assessment Center in Land O’ Lakes, Florida and a recent article in the paper on how several government officials are collecting two pay checks on the job. Council Member Pitts spoke on legislation coming forth in Tallahassee due to the Blue Print Commission and OPPAGA reports that will increase and broaden the authority of the boards and councils and other laws pertaining to boards and councils. Public Comment Chair Plyer invited public comment by any persons present. Ryis Stearns spoke on his experience concerning the abusive nature of a school and SRO’s being abusive to him and other youth. Chair Plyer declared adjournment of the meeting at 8:59 p.m. Draft Minutes 3/30/2008 by Brian Pitts, Secretary [top] |
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