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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on March 20, 2007.
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Public Safety Committee Minutes
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
5:15 p.m.
Members present were: Faye McCall, Tim McCall, Chris Moore and Harold Perrin. Mayor Formon and Mr. Tony Thomas from the Mayor’s Office were also in attendance. Councilwoman Furr and Councilman Johnson were unable to attend.
MINUTES
Chairman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Perrin, to approve the minutes as written for the regular meeting on January 16, 2007. All voted aye.
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Councilman Perrin stated he talked with representatives in Little Rock concerning the money the City receives for cell phones in the City. He explained the City was receiving 50 cents per cell phone, but it was cut down to 47 cents per cell phone. He further explained he discussed with the state representatives increasing the cost back to 50 cents. Discussion was then held regarding running electricity to the tower the City will be placing on Arkansas State Police property. It was asked for the Mayor’s Office to look into whether the tower would be eligible for free utilities from City Water and Light even though it is on Arkansas State Police property rather than City property.
FIRE
Fire Chief Aaron Keller stated the bids are out for the ground preparations for the fire stations. Mr. Tony Thomas presented a resolution and contract concerning BB Vance construction management services related to the fire station additions and relocations. Mr. Thomas stated he has sent the resolution and contract to City Attorney Phillip Crego, but has not heard back from Mr. Crego yet.
Chief Keller recommended the City look into an emergency manager. Discussion was held regarding disaster recovery and a business continuity plan. Chairman Moore stated he would like to see a framework of information, such as how things would be administered and where each department would fall into place. It was asked for the Mayor’s Office to bring more information to the April meeting regarding the plans.
POLICE
Police Chief Michael Yates stated they are holding on the animal shelter so they can talk with the Humane Society about possibly working with them. Chairman Moore questioned whether the facility at the landfill is sufficient for an animal control shelter. Chief Yates said the building is enough if the City is not maintaining animals every day, but it’s not enough for a full-scale animal control shelter. Discussion was held regarding the Boling Green animal shelter and how they work with their local Humane Society. Chief Yates stated they still have questions that need to be answered.
Chief Yates also discussed a full-time employee in Animal Control that was hired temporarily to replace an employee currently serving in Iraq. He explained he would like to make the temporary employee full-time and give the individual benefits. He further explained he would like to eliminate the director’s position. He stated there would be no adjustment in the budget. Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall to recommend the position to the Finance Committee. All voted aye.
Discussion was then held regarding a resolution for 42 stop signs. Discussion was then held concerning whether a resolution or an ordinance was needed for the stop signs. Mr. Crego stated the resolution is proper form for the stop signs. Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to place the resolution on the Council agenda for April 3rd. All voted aye. Mayor Formon stated they are working to take down the signal on Union Street at Matthews Avenue because the signal has made the traffic flow worse than when it was a three-way stop. Mayor Formon suggested a signal could be place on Washington Avenue at Bridge Street.
Chief Yates discussed the ordinance requiring electronic submission of receipts by pawn shops. He stated the wording in the state law has changed, so he is hoping to present a new ordinance at the next meeting that would reference the new state law.
OTHER
Councilman Hargis suggested a right-turn lane coming south on Union at the intersection with Matthews Avenue may improve the flow of traffic. He also discussed the intersection of Race Street and Fair Park Blvd. Mr. Thomas stated they have studied the intersection, but are furthering looking into how they can place a right-turn lane at the intersection and what modifications may need to be done at the intersection of Caraway Road and Race Street. Councilman Perrin questioned whether they can start receiving status reports on the signalization projects in town. Mayor Formon stated they already make the reports for the Public Works Committee, so they can start sending the reports to the Public Safety Committee as well.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Perrin motioned, seconded by Chairman Moore, to adjourn. All voted aye.