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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on April 19, 2004.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
The Jonesboro Public Safety Committee met April 19, 2004 at 5:15 p.m. at 900 West Monroe, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Several members arrived early at 4:30 p.m. due to a misprint on the City Council agenda. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Tim McCall, Chris Moore, Harold Perrin, Jim Hargis, Judy Furr and John Street. Others in attendance: Mayor Brodell, Bob Andrews, Ron Shipley, Butch Herring, City Clerk Donna Jackson, and Keith Inman Jonesboro Sun. Chairman Moore called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
E911 SUBCOMMITTEE
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Furr for the recommendation of an ordinance transferring funds for the CAD and AVL. Councilman Perrin explained negotiations with Mr. Dillon Watkins, owner of Relativity Inc. had resulted in a savings of $87,000, due largely impart to Mayor Brodell. Councilman Perrin reported they were reviewing the contract which would contain the Scope of Work, price, time frame and penalties. He stated once the City Attorney had reviewed the contract, a resolution would be prepared for approval by the Jonesboro City Council. It was explained the contract would include a five year maintenance agreement and Relativity Inc would be responsible for selecting the provider. Mr. Perrin also announced a joint meeting of the Jonesboro City Council and Quorum Court for April 22, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. in the Police Training Room for the purpose of providing an overview of the CAD and AVL systems.
INSPECTIONS
Councilman Street reported that Mr. Ron Shipley was updating the Plumbing Code in order to allow for 3 inch pipe installation in upstairs new construction. It was explained the State Plumbing Code has a set of minimums and each city may go beyond that set of minimums, and they would be conducting a public hearing regarding the change. Councilman Street stated when the change was complete they would bring it back to the committee for recommendation to the full council.
MOSQUITO & ANIMAL CONTROL
Mosquitoes and Standing Water
Councilman Hargis reported Vector Mosquito Control stated they would continue to provide service to Jonesboro, including areas of standing water (a breeding ground for mosquitoes). Mr. Hargis explained on the west side of Jonesboro/Craighead Library between Oak and Cherry the Street Department incorrectly installed a pipe, putting too much asphalt in the drain and laying the pipe on top causing standing water. Mayor Brodell stated he would get with Engineering and check on the problem.
Lease of Fire Station to Northeast Arkansans for Animals
Councilman Hargis provided a report by Animal Control naming some trouble spots in the area naming Hope Street, Duncan Road, and Ridgepoint. He explained residents at Ridgepoint were complaining about dogs being dumped in the area, but would not allow animal control to set traps in the area. Mr. Hargis questioned the leasing of the Old Fire Station on Matthews and Caraway Road for a term of 120 days for the spaying and neutering of animals to the Northeast Arkansans for Animals. Discussion followed regarding the resolution being approved by committee prior to being placed on the agenda. The matter had been approved by the Infrastructure Committee on December 1, 2003, contingent on the City Attorney drafting a lease and resolution, for placement on the January agenda. Members of the 2003 Infrastructure Committee were: Farmer, Street, Province, Moore and Dover. It was explained the lease contained a 30 day notice to vacate should the city so decide. Mayor Brodell explained even though the lease allowed Northeast Arkansas for Animals use of the building for storage, it did not allow for animals to be in the building. Mayor Brodell reported there had been outside individuals interested in the old fire station building located on Caraway, and was hopeful of possible offers.
Vicious Dog Ordinance
Mayor Brodell recommended a vicious dog ordinance be adopted for the City of Jonesboro. Councilman Hargis stated there had been a vicious dog incident last year and to his understanding had been prosecuted properly. He explained vicious dogs usually have vicious owners, and current ordinances address that situation. Discussion followed with several members explaining Animal Control has no power to seize a dog if it is restrained and in the procession of its owner. Councilman McCall suggested putting a subcommittee together to look at creating an ordinance; however Mayor Brodell stated he already had a draft proposal and recommended having the City Attorney look at it then bring it before the Public Safety committee for recommendation.
Feral Cat Colony Located Behind Hillcrest School
Chairman Moore questioned if Dr. Bill Beasley, Superintendent of Schools had been notified of the situation as requested at the previous Public Safety Committee meeting. Mayor Brodell responded saying no a letter had been sent, but his assistant Aubrey Scott had looked at the area and the cats were being fed. Councilwoman Furr explained there were 25 feral colonies being maintained city wide by private individuals who use their own money to spayed, neuter, provide shots, and feed the animals twice a day, which helps the City of Jonesboro. She stated when a feral colony is established the property owners are contacted and grant permission for the colonies to be established. Ms. Furr further explained there are federal regulations that protect these feral colonies. Councilman Hargis stated he had hand delivered a letter to the Administration of Hillcrest Schools, so they were aware of the situation. Discussion followed regarding the various options available to the City of Jonesboro.
AMBULANCE
Councilman McCall reported Mr. Bob Andrews, 911 Director was working on scheduling a meeting with the various ambulance companies for the purpose of reviewing a proposed ambulance ordinance that would require all ambulance providers to install the Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) system in their ambulances at the providers expense.
Discussion followed regarding inspections, with Councilman Perrin explaining Inspection Reports are already being done by the State, and all the City of Jonesboro has to do is review these reports on a quarterly basis, and place the reports in the providers file annually. Mr. Andrews explained based on the proposed ordinance the yearly inspection would go into the providers file and the Ambulance Committee would have the right to place a provider on suspension pending investigation. It was explained once the proposed ordinance has been reviewed by the ambulance providers and City Attorney it would be brought back to the Public Safety Committee for review.
POLICE
Questions were raised about the status of the appeals process for the salary survey done by Condrey and Associates, with Councilman Perrin reporting most of the appeals were preexisting conditions, and Ms. Hackney had two or three corrections before taking it back to the Personnel Subcommittee of Finance and Administration for final approval. Councilman Furr reported on the success of Project 365 stating a large number of volunteers participated, and over 400 tires were rounded up in the area of Woodrow and Forrest Road which will aid in controlling the mosquito population. Councilman Furr announced an Abatement Training Seminar for April 22, 2004 at Allen Park from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and encouraged everyone’s participation. Councilman Moore requested Assistant Police Chief, Rusty Grigsby to research the possibility of drafting an ordinance to prevent the usage of hand held cell phones while driving. Officer Grigsby stated he would research the matter and provide information back to the committee by their next meeting.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Herring provided his monthly report and commented on the proposed burn ordinance. He explained in his original proposal he had incorporated state and federal regulations, however the City Attorney recommended eliminating those particular regulations since they would be repetitious. He further explained State law is vague in some instants when it comes to burning, explaining they encourage no burning of yard waste, yet do not make it illegal. Mr. Herring recommended allowing for yard waste burning with an effort being made to educate the public through the use of pamphlets. In closing, Mr. Herring reported Nathan LaRue would be leaving the fire department to pursue other opportunities and a new employee representative would be selected.
MINUTES - MARCH 15, 2004
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of the Public Safety minutes for March 15, 2004 as delivered. Copies were made available to all who were in attendance. All voted aye.
LETTER FROM PAUL FORD - PARKING
Chairman Moore stated he had been sent a letter from Mr. Paul Ford regarding Church Street Parking and asked that the matter be referred to the Parking Subcommittee.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Furr for adjournment. All voted aye.