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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on March 31, 2003.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
March 31, 2003
The Jonesboro Public Safety Committee met March 31, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. at 900 West Monroe, Jonesboro, Arkansas. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Jim Hargis, Chris Moore, Harold Perrin, and John Street. Councilman Copeland was unable to attend. Chairman Moore called the meeting to order.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss whether or not to return to employing a Fire Chief and Police Chief. Councilman Moore explained a survey had been filled out in November by a majority of the present city council members indicating there was interest in returning to a “Chief/Chief” system for the Police and Fire departments. He stated the meeting had been called at the request of Councilman John Street, Chairman of the Inspection Department. Councilman Street stated he had been contacted by various citizens who supported returning to the original plan of employing both positions, and explained Jonesboro’s size warrants both positions for a more effective utilization of the Police and Fire departments.
Councilman Hargis stated the issue was leadership, in that we have a leadership situation without the recognition it deserves. He entered in to the record a letter from Mr. George Catlett that spoke of accountability for the two positions (Attached).
Councilman Moore responded saying we have two assistant chief positions running the departments, but their benefits and title do not reflect their true job description. He stated that issue needed to be addressed, and asked Human Resources Director, Suzanne Hackney to provide an entire scope of the job descriptions for Police/Fire Chief and Police/Fire Assistant Chief positions to include benefits, job description, and salary compared to other cities.
Ms. Hackney responded saying she already had surveyed eleven cities and provided a copy of the survey to committee members (attached). She stated if we hire from the outside to include salary and benefits it could cost anywhere from $73,000.00 to $93,000.00 a year. She reminded committee members that Professional Services (Finance and Administration Committee) would be studying RFPs for a review of job descriptions with completion within four to five months after negotiations are ended.
Councilman Moore announced there would be several meetings on the subject and opened the floor to anyone wishing to speak for or against the issue.
Firefighter Nathan LaRue, representing Local 3718, and as the elected representative for the fire department, addressed committee members saying firefighters were not against a public safety director position, but rather in support of replacing the lost position of Fire Chief. He explained the department was short on administrative staffing, and duties were being handled by different personnel resulting in certain duties being neglected. Councilman Street stated that is the problem, duties of the Police Chief are being preformed by various personnel within the fire department without having the authority or compensation.
Mayor Brodell stated the reason for creating the position of Public Safety Director, was because both the Police and Fire Departments were trying to run Emergency Services 911 that created friction among the departments. He also stated of the cities surveyed, by Ms. Hackney, not all the cities have both positions of Chief and Assistant Chief, but clarified it was up to the council what they wanted to do. Mayor Brodell stated Little Rock has a 911 Director who answers to the Assistant Police Chief.
With no further discussion, Councilman Hargis moved, seconded by Councilman Street to adjourn. All voted aye.