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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on June 16, 2003.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 16, 2003
The Jonesboro City Council Public Safety Committee met Monday, June 16, 2003 at 5:15 p.m. A quorum was in attendance. Those members present were Chris Moore, John Street, Jim Hargis, and Paul Copeland. Councilman Harold Perrin was out of town and unable to attend. Chris Moore, the committee chairman, called the meeting to order.
The committee heard from Dr. Bill Beasley, the superintendent of Jonesboro Public Schools, who had requested to be placed on the agenda to address the committee. Dr. Beasley submitted a requested for the city to pay one half of the cost to train seven new school resource officers which will be provided for by three year federal grant. The cost for 7 officers over the 31 week training period was estimated to be $135,119.39. Councilman Copeland moved, seconded by councilman Street, for the committee to recommend that the city pay 50% of the training cost with Mayor Hubert Brodell negotiating the actual cost. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Moore, Street, Hargis, and Copeland.
Next the committee addressed new business.
Police Committee - Chairman Paul Copeland
Councilman Copeland turned discussion over to Assistant Police Chief Rusty Grigsby, who submitted a request by citizens in the immediate neighborhood to change a section of Word St. from N. Fisher St. to Allis St. to one way traffic. Councilman Moore suggested that Assistant Chief Grigsby refer the request to Captain Bagget, the head of the city’s traffic division, for a feasibility study, and report his findings and recommendation to the Public Safety Committee at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
Inspection Committee - Chairman John Street
Councilman Street had no new business for the committee.
Fire Committee - Chairman Chris Moore
Councilman Moore turned discussion over to Assistant Fire Chief Butch Herrin, who requested consideration for two positions of the rank of firefighter for the current budget year of 2003 to replace two personnel that were activated for eighteen months with their National Guard Units. He indicated that overtime pay to fill this shortage was accumulating rapidly, and that these positions were needed anyway, as the department is currently 12 firefighters short of the staffing needed to increase the needed personnel from the current 23 men per shift to 27 per shift.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by councilman Hargis to make the recommendation of hiring 2 additional firefighters on the 2003 budget be presented to the Finance Committee. A voice vote was taken with all members present voting aye. Those voting were Councilman Copeland, Moore, Street, and Hargis.
The Assistant Fire Chief Butch Herrin then discussed the need for a full time civilian mechanic. Councilman Moore suggested that he hold the request for additional personnel for the 2004 budget for consideration. Further discussion by the Assistant Fire Chief covered the necessity a burn ordinance for the city of Jonesboro that will comply with Arkansas State Law. He indicated that he would work on drafting the ordinance and present it to the committee when completed. Assistant Chief Herrin also wanted to discuss the revamping of the two-way radio infrastructure for the public safety departments, but Councilman Moore suggested tabling this discussion until Councilman Perrin, Chairman of Information Systems, was present. Further discussion by Assistant Chief Herrin covered revision of the Rules and Regulations manual for employees of the Jonesboro Fire Department. He proposed that these be added to the addenda of the Employee Handbook. It was suggested that this revision be referred to Jonesboro’s Human Resources Department for their input before consideration by the Public Safety Committee. Assistant Chief Herrin also updated the committee on the status of the Fire Department’s new tanker truck which he said was expected to be delivered to the department on June 19, 2003.
Animal Control Committee - Chairman Jim Hargis
Councilman Hargis stated that a Vicious Dog Ordinance is being developed. He also updated the committee on the status of the new septic system that is being installed at the animal control building. He also stated that Animal Control is requesting a new building and animal holding facility in the 2004 budget. It was previously approved in a prior budget, however, ADEQ refused to allow an additional structure on the existing land fill site. Construction of this new facility is pending the current decision involving the proposed Class IV landfill site. He also indicated that he was receiving a positive response from citizens with regards to mosquito control.
Alan Young - Acting Information Systems Director
Requested a recommendation for the City of Jonesboro to purchase new user licenses for Jonesboro’s Imaging System. He requested that competitive bidding be waved. Councilman Moore requested that the committee evaluate the request, but table any consideration until the Information Systems Committee Chairman, Councilman Harold Perrin is present.
Bob Andrews - 911 Director
Presented bids on new dictaphone systems for the 911 center that would allow all four consoles to have play back capability. He recommended accepting Rhodes bid which was not the lowest, but is located in Memphis, Tn. which is closer, and is also able to provide in house training of personnel. Chris Moore suggested that this request be tabled until Councilman Harold Perrin was present, as he is Chairman of the Information Systems Committee. He also suggested that the bids be presented on the approved format from the City Purchasing Agents Office.
With no more business before the Committee, Paul Copeland moved to adjourn, seconded by John Street. A voice vote was taken, with all members present voting aye.