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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on May 17, 2004.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 17, 2004
The Jonesboro Public Safety Committee met May 17, 2004 at 5:15 p.m. at 900 West Monroe, Jonesboro, Arkansas. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Tim McCall, Chris Moore, Harold Perrin, Jim Hargis, Judy Furr and John Street. Others in attendance: Bob Andrews, Ron Shipley, Butch Herring, Jim Bowman, Floyd Johnson, City Clerk Donna Jackson, and Keith Inman Jonesboro Sun. Chairman Moore called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
MINUTES - APRIL 19, 2004
Councilman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of the committee minutes for April 19, 2004. All voted aye. Copies were made available to all in attendance.
AMBULANCE - PROPOSED EMS ORDINANCE
Discussion was held regarding a proposed ordinance regarding emergency service requirements for ambulance companies. It was explained there would be more meetings conducted with the ambulance providers, and amendments could be expected changing the required number of standby ambulances. Currently it is four. Mr. Bob Andrews, 911 Director stated he was communicating with the state, and recommended the ordinance provide for penalties for violations, giving the example of probation and removal from the rotation list by city officials. Mr. Andrews was hopeful he would have the proposed ordinance available at the next committee meeting, after review by the City Attorney.
CAD AND AVL
Councilman Perrin explained negotiations were being handled by Mayor Brodell with Mr. Dillon Watkins, of Relativity Inc. regarding the CAD/AVL contract as it pertains to the up front costs. He explained the original up front cost for Jonesboro, was 88% but was later changed to 75%. It was recommended that an invoice plan be established, because the system was being newly developed by Mr. Watkins, and the City wanted to make sure everything worked properly and installed in a timely manner. Questions were asked about negotiating the price down by $87,000.00 and if this would affect the bid specifications, requiring it to be rebid. Councilman Perrin explained in the original agreement, the warrants program, ticketing, and another item was to be included, but after the power-point presentation they discovered it was optional, so they began renegotiating with Mr. Watkins at that point.
PLANNING & CODE ENFORCEMENT
Councilman Street announced there would be a public meeting Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Huntington Building for the purpose of discussing the State Plumbing Ordinance. Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Furr to recommend to the Finance Committee the hiring of an additional code enforcement officer and a receptionist responsible for routing visitors and calls coming in to city hall. Discussion followed regarding the use of technology to respond to incoming calls. It was explained software maybe a solution for routing calls and the web page for taking complaints. Councilman Hargis questioned if the new City Planner, as a department head who is responsible for the management and leadership of the employees, should not be involved with the selection process and recommended waiting until a new city planner was in place. Councilman Moore stressed he was not in favor of hiring another code enforcement officer to serve as a receptionist, and would only be in favor of the motion if both the code enforcement officer and a receptionist for City Hall were recommended. Councilman Perrin recommended a compatibility study be done of all the systems showing the calls being received and made through the current PBX System. He stated this was possible and a spreadsheet could be created showing detailed information. Councilman Perrin offered to chair the subcommittee responsible for a compatibility study, and making the information available in thirty days. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Hargis who voted nay.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
A police report was provided by Police Chief Floyd Johnson showing offenses by violation for 2004 as well as other pertinent information. Several committee members requested the report be provided on a monthly basis. Councilman Furr reported the Nettleton School District had requested 3 School Resource Officers, and a Dept. of Justice grant application had been sent to Washington for the 3 positions. Chief Johnson reported that Assistant Chief Grigsby had discussed it with City Attorney, Crego, the possibility of a proposed ordinance regulating cell phone usage, but there could be enforcement problems absent state law.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief, Butch Herring provided his monthly report, stating Mr. Rook, a fireman involved in a traffic accident, was home and doing okay. He thanked everyone for their over whelming support. He reported they were in negotiations with the insurance company regarding the value of the fire truck which was totaled in the traffic accident involving Mr. Rook. It was explained the truck was a customized truck purchased in 1994, but there were discrepancies in two separate appraisals provided by E-ONE, and for that reason they were unsure what the total insurance pay-off would be. Discussion was held regarding getting a loaner truck, but Chief Herring explained to use a vendor for a loaner truck obligates the City to that particular vendor and he did not want to be put in that position. Chief Herring reported they had converted a pumper-truck with emergency equipment temporarily, with one fire truck in reserve. He explained he had spoken with three vendors, but none of them have a replacement truck in stock, and to rebuild a new truck would take four to six months. Chief Herring stated he was hopeful in settling with the insurance company soon and would provide a punch list of requirements so the truck could be let for bid. He explained the truck that was damaged was a large truck, and he was exploring the possibility of replacing it with two smaller trucks outfitted with the needed equipment for no more money.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman McCall for the purchase of a pick up truck and a skid tank unit for $54,976.00 to come from the Fire Department budget. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for adjournment. All voted aye.