title
Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on August 15, 2006.
body
Public Safety Committee Minutes
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
4:45 p.m.
Members present were: Judy Furr, Jim Hargis, Mitch Johnson, Tim McCall and Chris Moore. Councilman Perrin was unable to attend.
MINUTES
Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to approve the minutes as written for the regular meeting on July 18, 2006, as written. All voted aye.
ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER
Mr. George Krennerich discussed the proposal for the animal control shelter. He explained it will be located across from the Humane Society. He further explained the shelter will have 60 kennels with 20 optional outside kennels that could be used when needed. He added the budget for the building would be about $1 million. Mr. Krennerich noted the building would allow for future expansion that would double the kennels size. Councilwoman Furr questioned how big the kennels would be. Mr. Gene Vance stated the kennels would be a mix of 4x8 and 8x8, but they are considering changing the kennels so they’ll all be 4x8 pens. He noted that way they can move the back wall and make some 8x8 pens in the back in case they need to house horses or other large animals. Councilwoman Furr questioned whether this would be enough pens to get by for the next few years. Mr. Jim Bowman stated he thinks the 60 pens will be enough for a while. Mr. Vance added more input is needed from the staff regarding the proposed building. Mr. Krennerich also stated they need more topographic data for the building as well so they can determine where the utilities will be coming from. He then discussed expansion options the City will have in the future. Mr. Krennerich explained they were considering ventilation for the building, but found out there was only a $2,900 difference between ventilation and air conditioning. He added they opted for the air conditioning because it would be a more pleasant environment, plus some of the odors will be minimized and the maintenance will be less. Mr. Vance noted that the building would be more environmentally controlled rather than air conditioned. Mr. Vance discussed his previous experience with the Humane Society and VetCare. Discussion was held regarding Houndquarters and how it would be used with the shelter. Mr. Vance noted they will just be taking the kennel system from Houndquarters. He added he thinks it would be wise to go with them as opposed to other systems. Councilwoman Furr stated it would be nice for the City would set aside money every year for the next 4-5 years to expand the building in the future. Mr. Vance noted the $1 million is just a budget, not necessarily what will actually be spent on the building. Councilman Johnson questioned how confident they feel they’ll stay within budget. Mr. Vance stated he feels very confident that they’ll stay within the budget if there are no delays in starting the project. He added they have approximately $50,000 to $60,000 in contingency for rising prices if needed. Councilman Hargis explained there are at least 16 biddable parts to the project. Mr. Krennerich noted they will also take into consideration any acceptable bids that are similar to Houndquarters. Discussion was held regarding some of the bids that will be available and how many people might bid. Councilman Hargis questioned whether it would be explained if there are not 3 bidders for a bid. Mr. Vance stated they can give the committee a written explanation of why there are not 3 bids for a project if that’s what the committee wants. Mayor Formon recommended going with the proposed base budget and alternate #1, which would total $1,076,324. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to recommend to the Finance Committee going with the base budget and alternate #1 for the animal control shelter. All voted aye. Mr. Krennerich noted the estimates are just a budget and he feels confident they will be able to beat it.
Mayor Formon presented a resolution to contract with Brackett-Krennerich and Associates for architectural services for the animal shelter. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman Hargis, to approve the contract and send it with the animal control shelter plan to the Finance Committee. All voted aye.
FIRE
Fire Chief Aaron Keller explained he has met with or talked with each of the committee members to discuss the plan he has for the fire stations and how the City can get back to a Class 3 rating. Mayor Formon noted they reduced the price down to $13 million. Councilman McCall added the City will be getting more for the money they’re spending. Chief Keller explained some of the land where the fire stations are that will be relocated costs a lot more now than when the City originally purchased it. He stated the next step is to send a letter to ISO letting them know of the City’s intent. He presented the committee with a copy of the letter, which would be signed by Mayor Formon, and a resolution approving the letter being sent. Mayor Formon noted that there has to be an understanding that the steps have to be followed through with for the other stations. Chief Keller stated it would be best for them to move forward with Phase 1 and then wait 3 to 4 months and begin Phase II. Councilman McCall was questioned whether there were savings involved with doing several projects all at the same time. Mr. Gene Vance explained there could be savings to doing similar projects at the same time, but added the savings would not be anything substantial. Mayor Formon stated by going through with Phase I the City will go back to a solid Class 3 rating and it would also eliminate the split rating in the City. He added the other Council members need to understand after Phase I and Phase II are complete there will be holes in the City’s protection that need to be fixed as well, so it will be necessary to complete the relocation for the other stations as well. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to proceed with the plan as proposed and proceed with Phase I and II as soon as possible and recommend it to the Finance Committee. All voted aye.
POLICE
Police Chief Michael Yates presented the committee with a proposed budget for Parking and proposed changes to the Downtown Parking Code. He noted that the budget includes a lot of one-time costs. He explained the Segway and the software for the citations they would like to include in the budget were part of a recommendation from ASU’s Parking Department. Chairman Moore stated an ordinance is needed to make the changes to the code. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to approve the budget and send it to the Finance Committee for approval. All voted aye.
Councilman Hargis questioned why the City would be getting out of the leased parking downtown. Chief Yates explained the main reason to get out of leased parking is because they do not have a way to manage it properly. Mayor Formon noted not everything will be 2-hour parking; rather there will also be designated free parking.
Chief Yates added he’s sent out a draft ordinance that he’s seeking input on.
911
Mr. Bob Andrews informed the committee he lost 3 dispatchers this month. He explained he would like to ask in the 2007 budget for call takers who would only take calsl and not have to answer the radio.
Chairman Moore questioned why the numbers increased so much between 2004 and 2005 for the Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Andrews explained it was probably due to better call logging with the CAD system. He added it was probably not caused by additional calls, just better tracking of the calls.
Councilman McCall questioned whether the AVL units were working properly with the ambulance services in town. Mr. Andrews explained they will use CAD to send the closest ambulance to the location. He added if the caller requests a certain ambulance service, then they will send the service that is requested. Councilman McCall stated he has heard some concerns about the AVL units not working properly and asked Mr. Andrews to look into it.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Councilman Hargis passed out the monthly reports from Vector Mosquito and Animal Control. He also mentioned a recent lawsuit in Ohio that said it was unconstitutional in Ohio for cities to ban pit bulls.
INSPECTIONS
Mr. Paul House, Chief Buildings Inspector, informed the committee that they are working on a resolution to update the fee charges. He explained they’ve met with a committee made up of local electricians and plumbers, including Councilman Johnson, to discuss the fee changes. Mayor Formon noted the Homebuilder’s Association has also reviewed the fee changes. Councilman Johnson stated in the meetings everyone seemed positive to the changes. Mr. House explained some of the fees have not been changed since the 1950s and 1960s.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to adjourn. All voted aye.