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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on September 19, 2006.
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Public Safety Committee Minutes
Tuesday, September 19, 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. Mr. Tony Thomas from the Mayor’s Office was also in attendance.
MINUTES
Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to approve the minutes as written for the regular meeting on August 15, 2006, as written. All voted aye.
FIRE
Fire Chief Aaron Keller informed the committee he sent the letter to ISO regarding future improvements and received a reply not long after. The letter from ISO indicated there would be no reclassification action at this time, but they will check on the City’s progress in 6 months. Chief Keller noted he has been asked by Mayor Formon to start getting appraisals on Station 3. Councilman Perrin suggested Chief Keller put together a site project report study of the projects. Chief Keller presented the committee with a list of possible land acquisitions ranked by importance. Councilman Perrin explained the site project report should include the land acquisitions, including the other properties looked at and their prices; the building to be built; and the costs associated with the new station, such as equipment costs. Councilman Hargis questioned when Phase I would need to be finished. Chief Keller explained Phase I would need to be finished or have substantial work done on it by September, 2007.
Chief Keller noted the new trucks should be delivered the week of October 23rd. He added he would like to have a chili dinner or something similar to invite CWL and the Council to as a thank you for the new trucks.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Chairman Moore questioned whether the Finance Committee approved the plans for the new animal shelter. Councilman Perrin recommended tabling the ordinance concerning appropriating the money for the animal shelter and holding it so questions about the cost can be addressed. Councilman Perrin expressed concerns over the proposed budget of $500,000 for site preparation. He added he has already spoken with Mr. Tony Thomas concerning tabling the ordinance and Mr. Thomas agreed to table it so questions can be answered. Mr. Thomas stated he understands the Finance Committee wanted a total cost brought to them. He added if they would like an actual cost of the site preparation they will need to go through the bid process.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Councilman Hargis noted Vector Disease Control’s contract with the City will expire on December 31st. Councilman Hargis motioned, seconded by Councilman Perrin, to request RFP’s within the next 30 days for mosquito control for the City. All voted aye.
911
Councilman Perrin stated he spoke with Mr. Bob Andrews recently and Mr. Andrews informed him that the City has been given permission by Arkansas State Police to use the tower at the Services Center. He added the City will now have use of 4 towers. He also asked if there are any requests for AVLs to put the request in the budget. Police Chief Michael Yates explained they are currently waiting for an estimate from Motorola concerning the cost of AVLs because they could be put on a new infrastructure system. He noted the City could possibly receive some grant money to help with the cost of the AVLs.
POLICE
Chief Yates presented a resolution proposing speed limit, intersection and No Parking sign changes as recommended by the Traffic Control Review Committee. Councilwoman Furr discussed the speed limit sign changes that would occur in the Ridge Road and Rich Road area. Councilman Hargis motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to approve the resolution and place it on the agenda for the full Council. All voted aye.
Chairman Moore discussed the traffic problem around the Kindergarten Center. He noted parents are parking on the street causing traffic to back up and block some driveways. Chief Yates stated he would see what could be done to help the matter. He added they may have to look into changing the flow of traffic in that area.
Councilwoman Furr discussed the intersection at Metzler Lane and Nettleton Avenue. She explained there have been 17 reported accidents at that intersection since 2003. She further explained the problem has to due with the wall the City built there. Discussion was held regarding moving the brick wall back so drivers could see around the corner. It was asked for Chief Yates to look at the intersection.
Chief Yates discussed purchasing three new trucks for the Code Enforcement Department. He noted there are three employees and only one vehicle. Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to recommend purchasing three new trucks for the department. All voted aye.
Chief Yates presented the committee with an ordinance to delete two sergeant positions and create two lieutenant positions. Councilman Moore suggested considering the lieutenant positions separately. Chief Yates explained a sergeant position in the narcotics area has historically been a lieutenant’s position, but over the years had become a sergeant position. He further explained he’d like to turn the position back to lieutenant status. Councilman Hargis motioned, seconded by Councilman Perrin, to recommend to the Council the deletion of one sergeant position and the addition of a lieutenant position for the narcotics division. All voted aye. Chief Yates explained the second lieutenant position would be for the public information sergeant position, which is currently held by Sgt. Steve McDaniel. Chairman Moore suggested hiring a full-time person to supervise the Code Enforcement officers instead of continuing to place the responsibility on Sgt. Steve McDaniel who already has full-time duties as a public information officer. He noted he has already spoken with Councilwoman Furr and Councilman Hargis concerning the supervisor position. Discussion was held regarding hiring a Code Enforcement supervisor. Chief Yates noted some of the management for the Code Enforcement officers could be helped with technology. He added the rules the Code Enforcement officers are operating under may need to be changed to give them more authority. It was asked for Chief Yates to come back with a full plan for the Code Enforcement Department. Chief Yates questioned what they should do in the interim for the supervision of Code Enforcement. He added Sgt. McDaniel has added responsibilities with Parking and Special Projects as well as the research Sgt. McDaniel has done, so he should be compensated for the work he has done. Chairman Moore explained it’s possible the public information officer position should be re-evaluated for a lieutenant’s position with or without the addition of Code Enforcement.
Chief Yates questioned whether the committee wanted financial information on the monthly reports he makes for the committee. It was suggested the department heads start sending reports to the committee like Chief Yates does.
INSPECTIONS
Mr. Paul House presented the committee with an ordinance to add the position of Senior Inspector to the Inspections Department. He noted Ms. Shirley Thomas would fill the position of Senior Inspector. He also added the ordinance has been approved by the Finance Committee already. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman Perrin, to approve the ordinance and recommend it to the full Council. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to adjourn. All voted aye.