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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on March 15, 2005.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
March 15, 2005
The Jonesboro Public Safety Committee met March 15, 2005 at 5:15 p.m. in the Haworth Room of the Huntington Building located at 900 W. Monroe, Jonesboro, Arkansas. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Judy Furr, Tim McCall, Jim Hargis, Mitch Johnson, Chris Moore, City Clerk Donna Jackson, Staff, Press, and Audience. Councilman Perrin was unable to attend.
Chairman Moore opened the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
POLICE
Crown Victoria: A statistical report was provided by Interim Police Chief Tim Eads. Councilwoman Furr reported a case had been filed by Mike Beebe against the Ford Corporation regarding Crown Victoria cars being sold as police interceptors, but not containing the full package of options. Councilwoman Furr stated there had been no reported problems with the Crown Victoria vehicles, and the only difference being a six blade fan compared to an eight blade fan. She explained a waiver had been issued that would allow municipalities to purchase the Ford vehicles, but City Attorney Crego had determined it was an administrative decision for the Mayor’s Office to execute.
Security - Municipal Court: Chairman Moore questioned who is responsible for security in Municipal Court, and was told security is provided by the Jonesboro Police Department on days city cases are being heard, while the Sheriff’s Department is responsible for county cases. Chairman Moore expressed concern for public safety in lieu of the recent Atlanta courthouse shooting. Mayor Formon and Police Chief Eads were asked to research the matter and provide recommendations to the Public Safety Committee.
Justice Complex: Councilwoman Furr stated the Jonesboro City Council adopted Resolution No. 2003:42 authorizing William T. Gavin, P.E. to conducting a cursory, one-day inspection of the Justice Complex, however, there is no evidence the inspection was ever ordered. She explained they are waiting for Mr. Gavin to return a phone call in order to confirm if a report exists, but to date no invoice, or check has been found for the work. Mayor Formon was asked to research the matter and report back to the committee within thirty days, so if needed another structural engineer could be hired to inspect the property.
FIRE
Forum: Mr. Leonard Jadrich, the Jonesboro Fire Marshall provided a listing of the required duties for his position. It was explained that the population and geographic size has increased since its inception in 1968, and is expected to continue to increase with the opening of Turtle Creek Mall. Councilman McCall stated he was overwhelmed by the volume of work Captain Jadrich is required to do, and asked committee members to review the material in order to make recommendations for making the position more efficient. Captain Jadrich stated progress is being made with the Forum, but were waiting on Dixie to provide certification for the sprinkler system. Councilman Moore stressed he wanted all city buildings inspected and the report on file. Captain Jadrich asked for a list of the city properties and was told to get with Keith Sanders or City Clerk Donna Jackson for the information. Captain Jadrich was asked to inspect three properties: Joe Mac Campbell, Sr. Citizens Center, and the Justice Complex. He was also asked to make any recommendations with regard to legislation that would assist in making the job more efficient. Mayor Formon questioned the need to reinstall the side exits to the Forum building, to which Captain Jadrich responded saying the problem is the age of the building and height requirements. Councilman McCall stated it was distressing to learn of events in the newspaper, and not be informed of problems before hand. Attorney Scott Emerson responded saying the last thing the Forum Commission wanted to do was cause a stir, but were merely responding to the language of the report. Councilwoman Furr stated we are a community that is in transition governmentally and economically, but as long as the lines of communication stay open things will work themselves out. Councilman Hargis asked since the commissioners were “insiders” could they not make recommendations to the Mayor’s Office as to what they saw as risks and opportunities. Mr. Emerson responded saying while they are not safety experts and rely on safety personnel; hopefully the lines of communication are open and can begin to work together. Councilman McCall pointed out that funds have been allocated in the 2005 budget for the Forum.
Lease or Purchase of Fire Truck: Interim Fire Chief Keller provided a fire report through the month of February, and thanked the City Council for the hiring of a part-time administrative secretarial position. Mr. Keller reported the hazmat truck, also known as the “Newport Truck” will be done Friday, and fire truck specs are ready to be sent out for bids. Discussion was held on the purchasing versus the leasing of fire trucks. Mayor Formon was asked to research the matter, and make a recommendation to the Public Safety Committee.
FEMA Grant: Interim Fire Chief Keller informed committee members that Jonesboro had received a $225,000 FEMA Grant which had been applied for by the previous Fire Chief, Butch Herring. The grant was a 70/30 match with the City of Jonesboro paying $67,000 and would go toward the purchase of automatic defibulators, generators for all fire stations, fill stations for air bottles, and three repeaters for the UHF radio system (which has not been purchased yet). Chief Keller was asked to take the information to Grant Coordinator, Paul Copeland.
Interim Fire Chief: Councilman McCall questioned if anyone had been officially named Interim Fire Chief yet. Mayor Formon stated they had sent two different press releases, appointing Mr. Keller as the Interim Fire Chief but to date nothing had been printed yet.
INSPECTIONS
Mr. Ron Shipley reported they had implemented a new procedure for inspections, in an effort to conserve fuel which involves cross training and responding to morning calls in the afternoon, and afternoon calls the following morning.
ANIMAL CONTROL
Councilman Hargis reported that Animal Control Director, Jim Bowman was back in the hospital due to a broken vessel in his lung. Mr. Terry Veal of the Animal Control department reported they had received an email from Councilwoman Furr regarding an incident involving a 2-year-old child who had been bitten by a stray cat. Councilwoman Furr explained she had been contacted by a citizen who wished to remain anonymous, who complained she had contacted the Mayor’s Office regarding a 2-year-old child who had been scratched (not bitten) by a stray cat and had to be taken to the emergency room. The Mayor’s Office referred the lady to Animal Control, and Animal Control told her they do not respond to such matters unless the hospital calls them, and then referred her to the Police Department. The Police Department referred her back to Animal Control, so the lady explained she had already contacted Animal Control and was told it was against the law to pick up cats. The lady then called the Mayor’s Office and was told it was not their problem and she should call her councilperson. Councilman Hargis responded saying Animal Control personnel do not respond unless an affidavit is filed. Councilwoman Furr responded saying we are required by State Law to investigate and pick up any animal that has caused an injury. Ms. Furr further explained she told the lady that the parents of the injured child would have to file a report with Animal Control. Ms. Furr stated she had suggested to Councilman Hargis, that the Vicious Animal Advisory Committee address the issue of cats. Discussion followed with Councilman Moore stating while he was for addressing the cat problem, he was not in favor of responding to calls based on hearsay. Councilman McCall stated the problem was that the lady got the runaround by various city departments. Councilwoman Furr responded saying the city dropped the ball by not picking the animal up and checking it for rabies. Councilman Johnson stated it was a lack of communication within the Department, the Mayor’s Office, and the Council, and it isn’t until you read the newspaper that you learn of such matters. Mayor Formon stated it has always been the policy of the Police Department to respond only to formal complaints. He explained he had questioned his staff and was told the only call made was from a lady wanting someone to pick up a stray cat. The Mayor’s staff explained the City does not have a leash law for cats and referred them to Animal Control. Ms. Glenn Gossett, of Animal Control stated when the lady called, she only wanted to know what could be done about stray cats, and nothing was ever mentioned of a cat bite, otherwise something would have been done. Animal Control explained to the lady that no ordinance existed, and she should contact her councilman to have one adopted. Discuss followed with Councilman Hargis recognizing the Vicious Animal Advisory Committee, stating too much time had been spent on the cat issue, to which Councilwoman Furr responded saying she was not the one who brought the subject up, but merely provided the information to the proper authorities.
Vicious Animal Ordinance: Councilman Hargis stated the proposed vicious animal ordinance had been approved as to form by City Attorney Crego, but as to content they would not be able to please everyone. He asked that the ordinance be placed on the next agenda, and was told to bring it to the next Public Safety Committee meeting for review.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis for adjournment. All voted aye.