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Join us and watch the Public Safet & Justice Affairs Committee meeting here,

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The agenda for the meeting can be accessed here,

https://t.co/qV0kOQeinp

Here is a preview of the members attending.

Agenda item #1 a Call to Order has happened.
Note:

Agenda item #2 Roll call has happened.
Note: the Roll call has happened.

Agenda item #3 Public Comments has happened.
Note: there are no public comments.

Agenda item #4 Approval of Minutes from the December 15, 2020 meeting
Note: meeting minutes have been approved.

Agenda item 5(a) R2021-0027 is being reviewed.

Sarah Baker from Juvenile Court is in attendance and provides commentary. They are looking to amend a contract with Applewood Center. Deputy Director Bridget is in attendance. Ms. Baker notes it is quite late for the application.

Despite the late request, the funds are necessary.

Deputy Director Bridget provides commentary on the resolution request.

Note: she is highlighted in green.

Dep Dir Bridget reflects on the wide-ranging services the program provides. Funds primarily focus on the care givers. It has a 90% success rate.

Member Conway: how long does child stay in the program?

Dep Dir Bridget: 150 to 180 days is the average stay in the MST program.

Cuy Coun Member Conway: What is the overall contract amount prior to his request?

Juvenile Court's Sarah Baker: I am pulling the amount up. Last year we added 550,000.

Cuy Coun Member Conway: You are requesting $600,000. What is the purpose of the additional amount?

Juvenile Court's Sarah Baker: It is mostly to address the additional cases.

Cuy Coun Member Conway: What is the amount of children targeted per year?

Juvenile Court's Sarah Baker: We try to target a minimum of 60 children per year. Right now we have 25 youth.

It is cost-effective when we divert away from residential treatment. It costs 9,000 per you versus residential treatment of 30,000 to 50,000 per youth.

Member Gallagher: Due to the lateness of the request, I imagine you'd wish we move on this judiciously.

Mem Gallagher moves to pass resolution. It is backed by Mem Conway. It is passed.

Agenda item 5(b) R2021-0028 is an amendmen to a current Contract No.
CE1600133-02 that provides tasers and body cameras to 5th district. They are requesting $1,604,401.46.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: Asks if there is anyone from legal here concerning substituting the contract for another. Why is the contract extending to 2026? How did this become about? Why?

Greg Huth: Explanation needs to come from department. I was not involved with this resolution.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: Who submitted the proposed substitute?

Sherrif's Department: We submitted an incorrect date previously. The date change is to give a full 12 months

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: so if I understand it correctly, the current contract ends in 2023 and this one extends to 2026?

Sheriff's Department: That is correct.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: The concern to me is that we don't normally do beyond a 3 year contract.

Sheriff's Dept: The program (h Axon Enterprise, Inc. fka Taser International, Inc) contracts in 5 year increments.

Cuy Co Member Conwell: In the contract it states that the contract is funded from the General LE funds. What is the General LE Funds?

Sheriff's Dept: I don't know why it states that, it is just the general fund.

Cuy Co Member Conwell: You stated it is a 5-year contract, this extension would extend beyond 5 year.

Sheriff's Dept: It is starting from 5 years, that is, if this amendment is passed it would run from 2021 to 2026.

Sheriff's Dept: This amendment came about because we were seeking additional body cameras and tasers. We are already locked into a current contract so wished to amend it to acquire the items.

Cuy Co Pres Jones: How many tasers are being purchased?

Sheriff's Dept: We are purchasing 215 tasers. We have 208 tasers currently. We want extras in stock in case one is use, stored for an investigation, or breaks down.

Cuy Co Pres Jones: Is the same amount for body cameras?

Sheriff's Dept: No, only the deputy sheriffs and sergeants. Lieutenants and Captains are not currently needed.

Cuy Co Pres Jones: Why not body cameras for everyone?

Sheriff's Dept: Lieutenants and Captains aren't in the field interacting with the public often where as the Deputy Sheriffs and Sergeants are.

Cuy Co Member Miller: What are the purposes of the tasers? To what extent does use of the tasers cause injury?

Sheriff's Dept: They are less lethal option to use during someone arresting arrest. There is a quick, several second burst of electricity.

Usually, after arrest the person is fine. We do provide medical treatment if necessary

Cuy Co Member Miller: How often were they used in 2020?

Sheriff's Dept: I would have to compile the data, but I believe it was ten times. Every time a taser is used, a use of force document is filed.

Cuy Co Member Conway: The use of the tasers used before or after handcuffs?

Sheriff's Dept: Before the handcuffs, so one does not have to go hand-to-hand combative.

Cuy Co Member Conway: Training? How often?

Sheriff's Dept: Axon will provide trainings to all the employees. In-service training is once a year. There is additional specialty training.

Someone from the dept notes that it is against their policy to tase someone in handcuffs.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher proposes to move proposed substitute
R2021-0028. It has been seconded and approved.

R2021-0028 has been moved for a second reading and has been approved.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher wishes to be sensitive to time and the discussion of Agenda Item 6(a) a) Cuyahoga County’s vaccine distribution schedule and procedures. Discussion on RO2021-0001 will be delayed.

To discuss Agenda Item 6(a) are,

Terry Allan Cuy Co Board of Health Director.
Dr. Brooke Watts & Mike Tobin from Metro Hospital.
Sam Brown, Dr. Eric Beck, Sean Ozborne, & Chris Miler from University Hospital
Dr. Ming & Alice Kim from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: For many members of the general public, the rollout for the COVID-19 Vaccine is confusing. We want to get the information out to the general public.

Cuy Co Board of Health Director Terry Allan begins his presentation,

Cuy Co Board of Health Director Terry Allan notes that we are amid this transition point of playing defense against COVID-19 to moving to offense by distributing the vaccine. There are alot of uncertainties, but it is an exciting time.

Dir Allan's objetives,

A data chart tracking the trends of COVID-19 from 2020-02-28 to Present.

Dir Allan provides more data. Cuyahoga County has 82,178 cases. Over 5,000 hospitalizations. Over 1,000 deaths in the community from COVID-19. At least, over 67,000 have been presumed recovered.

We are currently a red county. We are six times the recommend CDC level for threshold of transmission. When examining zip code we see that people move around a lot and the virus does not care about zip codes.

Cuy Co Board of Health tracks a lot of data concerning usage of ventilators to occupancy of medical beds to testing.

Lots of COVID still spreading and many people are still at risk in Cuyahoga County. The Board of Health has been coordinating acorss multiple fields and organizations,

Dir Allan presents Ohio's Vaccination Program phase which Cuyahoga County is following.

We are in Phase 1. There is a high demand for the vaccine but low supply. Phase 1A focuses on essential workers like Health Care Workers and Personnel, Residents and Staff at Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, and Hospitals.

Still over 10,000 people in Phase 1A that need vaccination. Lots of work to do.

Phase 1B focuses on adults over the age of 65.

Goal: SAVE LIVES
Goal: In-Person school by March 1st.

They are working on phasing from 1A to 1B. Their strategy of approach focuses on current realities, public health, hospitals, FQHC's, Pharmacies, and Public Assistance.

Tier process for adminstering the vaccine to public

Jan 19: 80 and over
Jan 25: 75 and over
Feb 1: 70 and over
Feb 8: 65 and over

There is a range of places to receive COVID-19 Vaccitions

Cuyahoga County Board of Health https://t.co/ASaTNaclIj

Phase 1B COVID-19 Vaccination Provider List: https://t.co/gv8MpRvsJS

There is a focus on ensuring equitable vaccine distribution by the Cuy County Board of Health. The following slides explain their process,

Concerning who will next receive the COVID-19 Vaccination, we will be into Phase 1A and Phase 1B well into March.

Dir Allan reflects on all the hard self-less work of everyone involved.

Dr. Brooke Watts of Metro Health notes that they have begun Phase 1A, vaccination of their employees, and Phase 1B vulnerable seniors. The number 1 barrier for Phase 1B is awareness & accessibility for seniors to receive. The second barrier is the lack of vaccine available.

Dr. Alice Kim of Cleveland Clinic shares their experience and thanks Terry Allan as well as all the hospital partners in the area. The great barrier is the supply chain. The issue isn't connecting to the community, it is the access to the vaccine.

Dr. Alice Kims of Cleveland Clinic notes that we are trying to reach out and educate all of our patients.

Sam Brown of University Hospitals doesn't have much to add, seconds the other opinions. They have vaccinated the majority of their staff (Phase 1A) & are now on Phase 1B but have the same problem which is access to the vaccine. He like the other hosp reps shows gratitude to all.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: Is there any indication from the Feds about access to more vaccines?

Dir Allan: Every Monday morning around 10:00am we have a call with the Governor. From the last call, we will not see much change in the coming weeks for vaccine flow.

Dir Allan: Beyond that we hope to see an increase. Right now, our allocation for vaccines is splitting 1A and 1B individuals. 50,000 doses came this week. Lots of people deserve access but this is where we are at.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: Is there a targeted approach with mailings for awareness of the vaccine?

Dir Allan: We get lots of phone calls.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: So not a lot of mailing? From what I know about senior citizens, they aren't comfortable with modern tech.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: It would be better to have mailings.

Nan Baker: It usually takes 5 to 8 years for a vaccine. The fact we have it within 1 year, we have a vaccine. This is amazing!

Nan Baker: She encourages us to reflect if we are prepared for mass vaccinations once the supplies do arrive.

Dir Allan: Based on the experience with H1N1, we have been using drive thrus. If there is a large enough footprint, it can be done inside.

Dir Allan: Generally, we believe we can handle mass vaccination if the supply is there.

Alice Kim of Cle Clinic: Yes, we do have the capacity to provide mass vaccination, but the supply chain issues are the concern. The hospitals are coordinated and working together.

Nan Baker could not hear the previous responses and asks her question again.

Alice Kim of Cle Clinic states her above answer again: YES!

Sam Brown seconds Alice Kim's opinion that the hospitals are able to provide if the vaccination supply increases dramatically.

Cuy Coun Member Miller: I've been reading about large scale vaccination distribution clinics. Is this on your radar?

Dir Allan: As the hospitals have stated, we have the distribution capacity and we are coordinated. There are other places working together like pharmacies.

Dir Allan: The goal is to have the vaccination in every corner.

Cuy Coun Member Miller: Are we going to get weekly vaccinations?

Dir Allan: We have received 15,000 doses weekly and we expect that to stay the same for the time being.

Cuy Coun Member Gallagher: If someone contracted COVID, do they need the vaccine?

Brook Watts of Metro Health Hospital: CDC recommends getting everyone vaccinated. If you have contracted COVID, you are an eligible candidate as you may contract COIVD-19 again.

Alice Kim: Though there may be a 90-day waiting gap to receive the vaccine if you have already contracted COVID-19 as your body has developed a natural response which we may consider when administering the vaccines.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish reflects that the Governor supports Terry Allan's approach to spread the vaccination as widely as possible for the public accessibility.

Cuy Coun President Jones: At the local level, have you seen hesitancy in the African-American population? If so, what efforts have been made to overcome these challenges?

Dir Allan: Yes, we have heard concerns in the African-American community about gong first. We are attempting to address the concerns in the community whether it is with doctors or faith-based communities. There is a lot of work on messaging.

Dr. Brook Wats of MetroHealth: I am in Cleveland Heights and my anecdotal experience today is that there are many African-American seniors willing to get vaccinated.

Cuy Coun President Jones: What about nursing homes?

Dir Allan: Yes, vaccination rate among nursing home staff is lower than the residents. It is 75 to 80% of residents willing to get vaccinated versus 40% of the staff willing to get vaccinated.

Cuy Coun President Jones: Raising the 40% of Nursing Home staff needs to be addressed. The challenge is of education. I believe seeing the success of the vaccine and that it will not harm you will lead to many more people signing up.

Nan Baker:

Dir Allan: What I hope and dream about at night is a return to normal.

Nan Baker: Because we are targeting the most vulnerable, shouldn't we see the death rate to drop?

Dr. Brooke Watts of MetroHealth: Great question but we do not know yet. There is wide community spread.

Cuy Coun Member Gallagher: According to public reporting, ~33% of vaccine distributed to Ohio has been used. Does that mean ~66% has not been used.

Dir Allan: We continue to do our best and there is variability in response of certain systems. We can do better.

Cuy Coun Member Gallagher: I ask as if it is true, it would seem the state is dragging is feet as we at the county level are ready. Dir Allan, please inquire with the Governor.

Dir Allan: It was our assumption, that there was a federal stockpile

Dir Allan: but that those federal doses in the stockpile are not available and eventually flow will increase.

Nan Baker: Are we holding back doses for 2nd doses for nursing homes?

Dir Allan: Certainly possible.

Dir Allan: CVS and other companies are helping administer the vaccine.

Cuy Coun Pres Jones: Do they administer at their business or the nursing homes?

Dir Allan: They will go into the Nursing homes.

Cuyahoga County Council finishes agenda item 6(a).

Cuyahoga County Council addresses item 5(c) R2021-0001

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: We should take our time with these. We should not be rushing.

Cuy Co Member Conway: There will be 7 members on this board?

Greg Huth: Yes, with different lengths of service.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher proposes substituting Ordinance No. O2021-0001. It is seconded and approved by the Council.

Cuy Count Member Gallagher notes the spirit of the legislation is to have outside community members involved to reflect diversity, not the Council Members.

Cuy Count Pres Jones seconds the purpose is to reflect community diversity.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher moves for a second reading of RO2021-0001. It has been approved and a second reading will occur.

Agenda Item 6(B) BC2020-677 is up.

Ronnie from the inmate correctional discusses the history of the relationship between Bedford Heights & the County Jail. It is a $4,000 monthly payment.

Bob Coury states that Bedford Hghts had to be paid due to contractual obligations.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: I don't like being held over-a-barrel due to contractual obligations. We had Euclid over-a-barrel once but did not act inappropriately. I would like to wait for the eyes of the new Sheriff.

Cuy Co Pres Jones: The entire criminal justice system needs to make an effort to keep the jail numbers below 1,000. It needs to be sustainable and manageable levels. Tough-on-crime is not effective and is a dinosaur. We need all hands on deck to keep the jail population low.

Nan Baker: how does the diversion center play into this? That was supposed to help those who should not be in jail in the first place.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: It should help according to the terms of the Diversion agreement. When it is up and running and if it runs correctly.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: Terms are good but the action has yet to happen. Things are in the pipeline.

Bob Coury notes that around summer time action should start with implementing the Diversion Agreement.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: The new jail should be announced soon. We want to move faster but COVID-19 has delayed it. Again, I'd like to kick BC2020-677 until the new Sheriff is implemented.

Cuy Co Member Simon: We need to wait and see. The numbers are down to low indictments

Cuy Co Member Simon: due to no grand juries due to covid-19. We need to wait and see.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: I still think we should wait for the new sheriff to provide input.

Bob Coury: Further discussions need to happen concern many aspects of Cuyahoga County and the jail business.

Cuy Co Member Gallagher: This was a long meeting but important. The next meeting should be in two weeks.

Re-watch this meeting here,

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Review the agenda here,
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Meeting adjourned at ~3:00 p.m. This concludes the Cuyahoga County Council's Public Safety & Justice Affairs Committee Meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Tue, Feb 2nd, 2021. For more meeting coverage, check out https://t.co/OmHyUu5QPe.

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