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Minutes for the Public Safety Committee meeting on February 21, 2006.
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Public Safety Committee Minutes
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
5:15 p.m.
Members present were: Mitch Johnson, Chris Moore, Tim McCall, and Judy Furr. Councilman Jim Hargis arrived at 5:24 p.m. Councilman Harold Perrin was unable to attend.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Questions were raised concerning the status of the Justice Complex. Mayor Formon stated most of the Police Department is temporarily being located in the old City Hall building. Warrants and the district court offices are located in the Huntington building. He added that it will be about six to eight weeks before the departments can move back into the Justice Complex. He noted the work on the building may move along faster than estimated since everyone has moved out of the building. Mayor Formon also discussed his long-range plan to look at the City’s building needs. Discussion was then held regarding the popping noise heard from the building and whether or not the building was structurally sound or not. Several Council members commended Chief Yates for the way the evacuation was handled.
Police Chief Michael Yates explained he would like to hire the person whom they normally contract electronic work out to. He stated it would be cheaper to the department to hire the person full-time with benefits, as opposed to contracting labor out to him. It was questioned whether the person would be willing to work for less money per hour. It was explained the person is worried about insurance, rather than how much he’s being paid. It was also suggested the person in the future could do work for the Street and Fire departments as well. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to approve the hiring and send it to the Finance Committee. All voted aye.
Chief Yates also discussed the staffing of the Police Department. He stated he’d like to hire three to four additional officers to try to keep the department better staffed. He ...
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