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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on June 20, 2006.
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Public Safety Committee Minutes
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
5:15 p.m.
Members present were: Judy Furr, Jim Hargis, Tim McCall, Chris Moore, and Harold Perrin. Councilman Johnson was unable to attend.
MINUTES
Councilman McCall asked to amend the minutes for the May 17, 2006, work session to state that it was recommended to budget $1 million for the plan and go from there regarding the new Animal Control facility. He added he did not want to spend $1 million on the new building, rather budget $1 million and then work on everything from there. Mayor Formon added after talking with the architects, he thinks they may be able to budget less than the $1 million Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to approve the minutes as written for the regular meeting on May 16, 2006, as written and the minutes for the work session on May 17, 2006, as amended. All voted aye.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Mr. Derek Hogue from Vector Disease Control presented a monthly report concerning their work. He informed the committee there were 26 service calls during the month of May, but during July and August they expect to receive 200 to 300 service calls. He added their hottest traps are at Partridge and Ashwood. It was questioned if the company is using the same number as they have in the past. Mr. Hogue stated the company can be reached at the same number. It was also suggested to put the company’s number on the City’s Channel 24 on Cox Cable. Chairman Moore discussed the property owned by Mr. Jerry Halsey at the intersection of Olive St. and Washington where some houses were recently torn down. He explained there were pools of water about two feet deep where the developers had dug out the foundation. But, the water could pose as a safety hazard. Mr. Hogue stated he had looked at the property and did not find any larvae yet, but if the water stands for several days larvae will form. It was asked for Vector to put some tablets in the water to keep the mosquitoes out. Ms. Shirley Thomas also stated she would contact Mr. Halsey about the property. Mayor Formon also questioned whether Vector could do anything for the area behind Outback. He explained there is a wooded area with houses where there are a lot of mosquitoes. Chairman Moore asked whether there had been any reports of West Nile virus yet. Mr. Hogue stated so far there have not been any reports of West Nile.
Ms. Beth Grant from the Animal Control Department provided the committee with a proposed cat ordinance. Councilman Hargis added the ordinance has been approved by City Attorney Phillip Crego. Councilwoman Furr expressed concerns over the City being able to enforce the ordinance after its passage. Councilman Hargis stated if the Animal Control Department receives complaints of an unwanted cat on someone’s property, the ordinance will give the department the authority to pick the cat up and house it until either it’s claimed or euthanized. Ms. Grant stated she felt the ordinance wouldn’t get rid of the entire cat problem, but it would be effective to allow them to respond to complaints. It was questioned where the cats would be housed once they’re picked up. Mayor Formon explained unless there is an overwhelming amount of cats taken in, they should be able to find somewhere to house the cats in their facility. Councilman Perrin discussed a prior situation where a cat bit a child and the child had to have rabies shot because of it. Mayor Formon also discussed a situation where a home owner caught a cat that was vandalizing his property, but there was nothing to do with the cat once it was caught. Councilman Perrin suggested giving the ordinance to the full Council to allow everyone to look over it. Chairman Moore stated the ordinance needs to be in the form of an ordinance first before giving it to the Council. Councilman Perrin questioned whether the ordinance will allow the department to quarantine a cat if it bites someone and the owners do not want the City to take the cat. Ms. Grant stated some of that is already in the ordinances already in place because the dog bite law also applies to cats. She further stated she believes the ordinance states “any animal” is subject to the dog ordinance. She added the ordinance does give the department the right to take the cat in that situation. Councilman Hargis asked to take the cat ordinance to the next Council meeting. Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Councilman Hargis, to recommend the ordinance to the full Council pending approval of Mr. Crego’s approval and putting it in the form of an ordinance in its current form. All voted aye. Police Chief Michael Yates added in case there’s no room to house the cat, the department might consider issuing a ticket or summons to court to the cat’s owner.
Councilman Hargis suggested having a draftsman scale a model of the proposed Animal Control facility so people could have a chance to view and criticize it. Mayor Formon informed the committee they recently held interviews for an engineer for the Animal Control facility project. He added they’re waiting on proposed project schedules before choosing an engineer. Chairman Moore questioned if once they choose one engineer if they’ll meet with Councilman Hargis and go from there. Mayor Formon agreed.
FIRE
Fire Chief Aaron Keller informed the committee they’re pretty sure the mulch fire is out. He explained Mr. Best allowed the department to use the well on his property to hook a generator up to so they could flood the mulch. Chairman Moore questioned if they had figured out what started the fire. Chief Keller stated they think it was caused because they were burning, but the department can’t prove anything. It was then questioned whether the City would be able to be reimbursed for the cost of putting out the fire by the company’s insurance. Chief Keller explained he spoke with Mr. Crego about being reimbursed and Mr. Crego stated the City would not be able to get any money back for responding to the fire.
Chief Keller added the new #3 truck is in and has been running for about a week. He added Station 2 flooded again over the past weekend because of the rainfall. It was questioned whether there was a plan for the fire stations. Chief Yates stated there is a general consensus on the long-range committee that the Municipal Complex and a fire station should be in a general downtown location like they’re in now. Councilman McCall questioned whether the City could purchase temporary housing for the firefighters like the temporary offices recently rented for the police officers displaced from the Justice Complex. Chief Keller stated it would be easier to stay where they are than to try to set up temporary housing. Chief Yates stated the long-range committee they’re waiting on the spatial analysis and should have a general idea with recommendations in about 90 days. Councilman McCall added they are sure the City will need a Station 7 somewhere by Sam’s. Councilwoman Furr questioned whether the City had looked into purchasing the property by Sam’s that was previously up for sale by Wal-Mart. She explained the land is owned by Wal-Mart and was up for sale, but never sold. Mayor Formon stated he would contact Wal-Mart about the property.
E911
Mr. Bob Andrews informed the committee they will be holding a Joint 911 Advisory Board meeting on July 20th at noon tentatively in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall. The Police Chief, the Sheriff’s Department, County Judge, Mayor Formon, and aldermen are going to be asked to attend to discuss 911 issues. Mr. Andrews added the AWIN tower in Lake City had to be moved, but should be up and operational on the AWINs by August. They’re still looking into a backup tower being placed by the Services Center.
POLICE
Chief Yates stated he would send the monthly report out tomorrow. He asked the committee for approval to apply for a 50% matching Secure Our Schools grant to purchase security equipment and related items for the schools. He added the schools are willing to pay the 50% share, so there will be no cost to the City. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Perrin, to allow Chief Yates to apply for the grant. All voted aye.
Sgt. Steve McDaniel discussed the Code Enforcement Department. He informed the committee the department has moved to the Justice Complex and their phone number (933-4658) is now working again. He added the department has voice mail, plus an answering machine to take messages while the officers are out of the office. He then discussed code 11.40 in the Code of Ordinances that refers to code enforcement. He explained the officers have limited authority and some of the responsibilities need to be clarified, so they are looking into revising that section of the code book. He then discussed the mowing procedure. He stated the department will cite, warn, give notice and, if needed, mow the property and charge $100 for an administrative fee. Mayor Formon added if the City has to mow the property, a lien be placed on the property as soon as possible. Sgt. McDaniel stated he thinks by the way the code is worded that they have to wait 90 days before putting a lien on the property. He added they may want to look into decreasing the number of days. He further noted when the City has to do condemnations the City should also charge an administrative fee. Mayor Formon questioned what should be done when the City repeatedly mows property and the lien exceeds the value of the property. Chairman Moore stated the owners will either have to pay the taxes or the house will be auctioned. Sgt. McDaniel stated he would try to present something for the committee at the next meeting.
Sgt. McDaniel stated he’s working with the Information Systems Department and Relativity to find a way to track complaints and perform reports and statistics. He added they need some mechanism to remind them of outstanding notices, etc. Councilman Perrin stated the City purchased similar software for the Streets Department several years ago and recommended Sgt. McDaniel look into that. In addition, there is a module within Springbrook to take care of those needs as well.
Sgt. McDaniel added the Code Enforcement officers will now be writing the ordinance number in violation on the tickets. They will also be placing a copy of the ordinance with the ticket for the court.
Discussion was then held regarding the vehicles being used by the Code Enforcement officers. Chief Yates stated he found some Ford pickups off state contract that would work for the officers. He added he will be bringing it up in the mid-year budget adjustments. Sgt. McDaniel added Code Enforcement officers are now in uniforms.
Sgt. McDaniel stated he met with the ASU Parking Director to see how ASU handled their parking. Chief Yates added they’re also looking into a way to keep track of the tickets. Chief Yates stated there is a module in Springbrook for managing parking tickets, but the City did not purchase the module. They are looking into other options in addition to Springbrook. Sgt. McDaniel informed the committee Ms. Nancy Chrisman of the Downtown Association presented him with some proposed changes to the parking ordinance.
Chief Yates added most of the new vehicles are in and are being outfitted. He added he will be providing the committee with a list of the vehicles, which division they’re going to and who is being assigned to which vehicle.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. All voted aye.