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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on November 17, 2003.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 17, 2003
The Jonesboro Public Safety Committee met November 17, 2003 at 5:15 p.m. at 900 West Monroe, Jonesboro, Arkansas. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Jim Hargis, Chris Moore, Judy Furr, Harold Perrin, and John Street. Others in attendance: City Clerk Donna Jackson, Mayor Brodell, Mr. Larry Johnson, Suzanne Hackney, Alan Young, Nathan LaRue, Bob Andrews, Rick Elliot, Tim McCall, Glenn Batten, Bernie Auld, Robert Loe (Vector Mosquito Control) Keith Inman Jonesboro Sun. Chairman Moore called the meeting to order.
MINUTES - October 20, 2003
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to approve the committee minutes of October 20, 2003, 2003 as provided. All voted aye.
INFO SYSTEMS & 911
Cad System - Councilman Perrin reported they were still confirming prices for accuracy, and were going to have another presentation on December 15th, 2003.
FALSE ALARM - REGULATION OF FINES
Mr. Monty May, owner of Western Sizzlin addressed the committee regarding a fine he had received for several false security alarm violations. He requested the law be reconsidered and complained the regulation was “1 size fits all” regardless of the size of the business. He explained he has a high turn over rate at his place of business causing an increase in employee error which results in the alarm being incorrectly activated. He suggested the penalty be adjusted according to the size of the operation. Councilwoman Furr explained the cost for the city to respond to a false alarm call is $150.00 per call. Councilman Moore gave a history of how and why the law went into effect, and explained the purpose was to make the owners responsible for covering the cost of responding to so many false alarm calls. The decision was made to have the committee review the matter after the first of the year and to include Mr. May in the discussion of fine violations.
VDCI - MOSQUITO CONTROL
Mr. Robert A. Loe, President of Vector Disease Control, Inc. addressed committee members regarding renegotiations of price in the VDCI contract. Mr. Loe explained he went in the whole $66,000.00 last year and contributed the loss to Jonesboro’s growth, increase in insurance, increased fuel costs, and additional equipment and employees. He further explained the contract allows for negotiation of price and that either side could break the contract, however he stressed he would fulfill his end of the contract regardless of the committee’s decision. Chair, Chris Moore raised questions of the city’s legal responsibility with regard to negotiating a higher price without putting it out for bids. Mayor Brodell was asked to get a legal opinion from City Attorney, Phillip Crego on negotiating the bid without re-bidding, and bring it back to the committee for further consideration.
PROFFESSIONAL DUES - PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
Chairman Moore questioned Mayor Brodell is there was any reason the Police and Fire Departments could not have their professional dues payroll deducted. Mayor Brodell explained a previous city council made the decision to not payroll anything unless it was straight across the board for all employees. Councilman Hargis stated that is a refined statement to what he had been told previously. He stated he had been told they mechanically could not do it because of the financial software. Mayor Brodell stated if it was going to be opened up, it would have to be opened up to everyone. Chairman Moore questioned the Mayor on who else has professional dues. Mayor Brodell responded saying you would have to hold it to professional dues only. Chairman Moore called for a motion directing the Finance Director payroll deduct professional dues for all city employees. Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis. Mr. Alan Young stated the current financial software has two extra deductions, but beyond that it would take reprogramming. Councilwoman Furr stated when this was asked about a few months ago they were told it could not be done, but then a few months later more deductions were taken. Mr. Young stated at that time with the additional deductions he had to make the time to add the additional deductions and went ahead a included two more additional deductions. Chairman Moore asked if he could not take the time to add one deduction. Councilman Perrin responded saying there are only two more fields available for deductions. Mr. Young stated there was enough space available for the fire and police professional dues, but that would be the only two additional deductions available at this time. Chairman Moore questioned if the motion needed to be changed from all city employees to only Police and Fire so not to exceed the two payroll deductions. Councilman Hargis stated it needed to be for all employees, but these were the only two groups requesting the deductions at this time. He also stated we needed to get the additional software so we could be set up for any additional deductions. Councilman Perrin recommended the motion be specific to include the wording professional dues, otherwise it would open it up for everything. Councilman Street and Councilman Hargis rescinded their previous motion. Chairman Moore called for a motion to approve payroll deductions for police and fire for professional dues effective January 1, 2004. Councilman Street so moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis. All voted aye.
COMPENSATORY TIME RECOMMNDATION
Assistant Police Chief, Rusty Grigsby provided written documentation in support of a 40 cap on compensatory time to be used for overtime hours. Other letters of support were provided to committee members from Public Safety Director, Floyd Johnson and Lt. Rick Elliott, President of the Fraternal Order of Police. Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to refer the matter to the Finance Committee with consideration being given to all city employees, not just the Police Department. City Clerk Donna Jackson was asked to provide a copy of the minutes to Chairman of the Finance Committee, Alec Farmer. All voted aye.
PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
Councilwoman Furr provided information regarding the position of Public Safety Director. She explained the results of the last political forum revealed that each participating candidate favored the return of dual chief positions over the position of public safety director. The reasons provided were morale, day to day operations, and for the overall best interest of the city. Ms. Furr provided detailed information regarding the establishment of a public safety department explaining Jonesboro does not qualify under the state regulations. One specific state requirement mentioned was population. She explained according to state law a Department of Public Safety could be established by ordinance, for cities with a population of at least 21,000 but less than 24,000 based on the 1970 federal census. Jonesboro she explained was considerably larger in population and therefore does not qualify. She explained she spoke with Public Safety Director Floyd Johnson who expressed concern for both the Fire Department and Police Department to be able to continue to operate in an effective manner. Councilwoman Furr recommended the position which was lost when the public safety director position was created, be restored to the Fire Department. She further explained should the Jonesboro City Council agree to do away with the position of public safety director it would be up to Mayor Brodell to appoint the Police Chief and Fire Chief positions. Mayor Brodell responded saying the reason for creating the position of public safety director was due to problems with the 911 department. He stated there was no violation of state law because a department of public safety was not created, only the position of public safety director. Councilwoman Furr explained the reason this needs to be addressed at this time is because of the 2004 budget. Questions were asked regarding the salary survey. Ms. Hackney explained the salary was surveyed as assistant chief rather than a chief position. Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hargis to refer the matter of reinstating the positions of police chief and fire chief and doing away with the position of public safety director to the Finance Committee. Mr. Nathan LaRue wanted it clarified that both positions of chief and assistant chief would be included. The committee confirmed both positions. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis for adjournment. All voted aye.