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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on January 18, 2005.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
January 18, 2005
The Jonesboro Public Safety Committee met January18, 2005 at 5:15 p.m. in the Haworth Room of the Huntington Building located at 900 W. Monroe, Jonesboro, Arkansas. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Chris Moore, Judy Furr, Tim McCall, Jim Hargis, Mitch Johnson, City Clerk Donna Jackson, Staff, Press, and Audience. Councilman Perrin was unable to attend.
Chair Chris Moore called the meeting to order.
COMMITTEE & SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to appoint Councilman Chris Moore as the 2005 Chair of the Public Safety Committee. All voted aye.
Councilman Hargis moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to appoint the following 2005 Subcommittee Chairs:
Police - Judy Furr
Fire - Tim McCall
E911 - Harold Perrin
Inspections - Mitch Johnson
Animal Control - Jim Hargis
Ambulance - Chris Moore
All voted aye.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Mr. Bill Alexander who operates a mosquito abatement company called, Fly By Night, addressed the committee about possible employment. He explained he was insured and licensed and listed Indianola, Mississippi as a reference. When asked how often he provides aerial spraying Mr. Alexander stated it depended on the conditions at the time. It was explained that aerial spraying plus clean up of tires is provided, and trucks could run if needed but were not part of the day to day service.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Discussion was held regarding the Dangerous Animal Ordinance. This ordinance was being proposed as an immediate fix for problems pertaining to the control of vicious dogs, with more detailed legislation to follow. Chairman Moore recommended amending the original ordinance to strike the words, “adequately lighted and” from Section 2, Subsection “C” on the first page of the ordinance. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis to recommend the ordinance as amended to the full council. All voted aye.
Ad Hoc Committee: Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to allow Mayor Formon and Councilman Hargis to establish an ad hoc committee to review and make recommendations on a proposed Vicious Animal Ordinance. All voted aye.
INSPECTIONS
Mr. David Harris, the newly hired City Planner was introduced and welcomed to the committee. Mr. Ron Shipley reported the ordinance amending the city’s zoning ordinance to provide for separate single-family and multi-family zoning classifications was on tonight’s agenda and did contain the emergency clause.
POLICE
Pawn Shops: Councilwoman Furr provided State Statute 12-12-103 that requires every pawnshop and pawnbroker doing business in the State of Arkansas to keep a record showing in detail all property pawned with them. She explained the data being entered by the pawnbrokers is being re-entered by the police department, and proposed a program that would simplify the process. She explained the Finance Department had approved the electronic inventory-tracking system at a cost of approximately $540.00 a month. Ms. Furr provided sample copies of ordinances where the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock had adopted the same system. The recommendation was made to have Interim Police Chief Eads inform pawnshops and pawnbrokers of this proposed change. Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to forward the information to City Attorney Crego in order to draft an ordinance making sure we comply with city and state codes and bring it back to the committee for review so a recommendation could be made to the full council as quickly as possible. All voted aye.
FIRE
Aerial Apparatus: Fire Chief Butch Herring reported the Jonesboro Fire Department took delivery of the aerial apparatus on December 15, 2004 which was authorized for purchase by the city council in November of 2004. Subsequent to apparatus delivery, specialized training was provided by the apparatus dealership and manufacturer which included information about operational parameters and aerial device safety. The Apparatus was place into service on January 14, 2005.
Strategic Planning Document: Chief Herring reported a presentation was given by the Strategic Management class of the MBA program at Arkansas State University on December 13, 2004 and provided an Executive Summary of a strategic plan for the fire department to committee members.
Fire Department Representative: Chief Herring announced that Fireman Tim Albert has been elected to serve as the employee representative for the fire department for the year 2005.
National Incident Management System: Chief Herring provided information pertaining to the National Incident Management System and a sample resolution adopting NIMS established by the United States Department of Homeland Security for all emergency responses by all departments and agencies of the City of Jonesboro.
AMBULANCE
Mr. Bob Andrews provided statistical information for the E-911 Center, and reported the CAD system was being installed by Mr. Dillon Watkins, of Relativity Inc.
ADMINISTRATION
Pre-Disaster Plan: Mr. Wadley, the Mayor’s Assistant provided a proposed resolution for a Hazard Mitigation Plan explaining it was a federal mandate if Jonesboro wished to participate in the program. He explained Mr. Jack Richards and Craighead County would serve has the overseers of the plan. He explained once the resolution is passed they would be working on an availability list of eligible activities, but finalization has not been completed on the action plan. He asked if any committee members wished to include items they do so quickly because they have a conference call on January 25th. Mr. Wadley further explained the resolution call for the designation of a spokesperson to represent the City of Jonesboro in meetings with Craighead County and Federal Officials, but does not obligate the City without first giving them the chance to approve or disapprove the final plan. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to recommend the resolution to the full council. All voted aye.
POLICE
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to recommend an ad hoc committee to assist in the search for the position of Police Chief. The following individuals were recommended: Councilwoman Judy Furr, Councilman Harold Perrin, Captain Kelly Baggett, Lieutenant Lynn Waterworth, Sergeant Ken Oldham, Patrolman Jeff Vernon, Ms. Maggie Guinn, and Mr. Eric Woodruff. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business the meeting was adjourned. All voted aye.