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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on May 16, 2006.
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Public Safety Committee Minutes
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
5:15 p.m.
Members present were: Jim Hargis, Tim McCall, Chris Moore, and Harold Perrin. Councilwoman Furr and Councilman Johnson were unable to attend.
MINUTES
Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Councilman Hargis, to approve the minutes as written for the regular meeting on April 18, 2006, as written. All voted aye.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Mr. Derek Hogue from Vector Mosquito Control presented the committee with a report concerning their services. Mr. Hogue stated after warmer weather start and the rain stops down, they will start spraying areas with their trucks. It was questioned whether spending more money towards mosquito control would do anything to improve services without wasting money. Mr. Jim Stark spending beyond another 15-20% of the contract price would be wasting money. He added that the City would benefit from additional spraying trucks. It was asked for Mr. Stark to send Councilman Hargis a cost proposal for the addition of a truck.
Mr. Jim Bowman stated the Animal Control department is short one person, even though they just hired someone yesterday. He added they have received their new trucks and they have been striped. It was questioned whether the security devices that were budgeted for the department had been purchased yet. Mr. Bowman stated they have purchased the stun sticks and cameras. He added Mr. Terry Veal is not doing well because of a massive stroke and light heart attach he had recently. Mr. Bowman was unsure whether Mr. Veal would return to work.
Mr. Bowman noted Police Chief Michael Yates has agreed to help the Animal Control Department with some training needs. He also stated they should be presenting the ordinance at the next meeting after receiving City Attorney Phillip Crego’s approval. It was questioned what would happen with the cats that are picked up. Mayor Formon stated that would be answered at tomorrow’s special meeting when the committee will discuss the facility needs of the department. Councilman Perrin stated the ordinance needed to state the City does have a right to pick up the cat and while be taken to an authorized person, such as a vet, for a certain amount of time at the expense of the owner.
FIRE
Councilman McCall recommended scheduling a special meeting within the next 7-10 days with the sole purpose of discussing ISO ratings and what the City needs to do. He also suggested the Mayor should come up with a plan to finance the needs of the Fire Department. It was also suggested the special meeting should be for the full Council so the full Council could hear the information. Discussion was held regarding possible options to pay for the Fire and Police Departments needs, including a possible tax. It was asked for Mayor Formon to set the meeting up to be held within the next 10 days.
It was questioned when a report from the City’s long-range committee could be expected. Mr. Otis Spriggs stated a report would probably be done in at least 60 days. He stated someone outside of the City is conducting a spatial analysis and the committee would like to get the results of the analysis back before presenting a report to the Council.
Fire Chief Aaron Keller stated they have received the exercise equipment and more will be delivered tomorrow. The equipment is located at Station #1.
POLICE
Police Chief Yates presented the committee with a resolution allowing the department to seek national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). He added the cost of the accreditation is already in the budget, but since it’s a contract approval is still needed from the Council. He noted fewer than 5% of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. are accredited by CALEA. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Perrin, to recommend the resolution to full Council. All voted aye.
Discussion was held regarding Code Enforcement being placed under the Police Department. Chief Yates added he and Sgt. Steve McDaniel will make clear what the expectations and priorities are for the Code Enforcement Department. He stated he’d like to review the condemnation process and do it the way it’s supposed to be done. Mayor Formon stated they’d also like to stripe their vehicles like the Animal Control Department’s vehicles and also have the officers wear uniforms.
Discussion was held regarding giving out death notices. Chief Yates stated his interpretation is there are some technical issues with the software and some problems with personnel.
INSPECTIONS
Mayor Formon informed the committee the position for Chief Building Inspector is currently being advertised.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Councilman Hargis, to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye.