HomeMy Public PortalAboutM 1977-02-22 - CC
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1977
The City Council of the City of Lynwood met in an
adjourned regular session in the City Hall, 11330 Bullis
Road, on above date at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Rowe in the chair.
Councilmen Byork, Green, Higgins, Morris, Rowe answered
the roll call.
The Mayor announced that the purpose of the meeting was
to continue the question and answer discussion of the
Contract Law Feasibility Study presented by the Los
Angeles County Contract Law Enforcement Bureau which
was commenced at the adjourned meeting of February 16,
1977.
After reading a brief statement concerning a division
of opinion about contracting for Sheriff's services,
Councilman Byork moved that in order to promote harmony,
the Council set an election as soon as possible for a
vote on the question. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Green.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green.
Noes: Councilmen Higgins, Morris, Rowe.
Absent: None.
The City Council discussed at length the financial
condition of the City and the projections of the Police-
related costs contained in the analysis of the Contract
Law Enforcement Feasibility Study.
Mrs. Joy Feryanitz addressed the Council to request that
the meeting be adjourned to Bateman Hall as there was
not sufficient space for all the people present.
It was moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman
Byork, and carried, that the meeting adjourn to Bateman
Hall.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:20 p.m. in Room II of
Bateman Hall.
The Mayor opened the meeting to questions from the
audience, asking that those who did not have an oppor-
tunity to speak at the February 16 meeting be permitted
to speak first.
Mr. Joe Smith disputed the figures about the City's
financial condition and asked how the remodeling of the
police facility would be funded.
Pastor Roger Vegdahl of St. Paul's Church, questioned
the members of the Council and the City Manager as to
the condition of the City's finances and the urgency
for a decision to be made on the Sheriff's services.
Mr. Ed Sachs questioned the number of cars in the field. „~„
Pastor Charles L. Floyd, 11400 California Avenue,
commented on the ethnic makeup of the police department.
Mrs. Luella Stickler suggested adding cost of the
Police Department on the Water Bill in order to increase
revenue to enable keeping the present department.
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Mrs. Helen Pearce questioned the number of units and how
many of the cars are traffic units. Captain Waller
exhibited a chart delineating the deployment of cars
contemplated by the Sheriff.
Mr. Dave Smith asked where the Sheriff gets help in case
of an emergency, and if it is true that most of the
Lynwood officers want to go to the Sheriff.
Mr. Wesley Wattree, 4288 Niland, spoke in favor of the
contract on the basis of economy.
Mrs. Edna Kinney asked what will happen to potential
developers if the City is in such poor financial
condition and if the Sheriff will respond to barking
dog calls.
Mr. Steve Jones questioned a possible ballott proposition
regarding the Sheriff and a tax override and what would
happen if one proposition carried and one failed. He
also asked how the Sheriff would handle problems with
youth gangs.
Mr. Ed Miller urged that an election on the question be
held and commented on the cities which changed from
Sheriff's service to local police departments. He also
questioned possible hidden costs in the Sheriff's pro-
posal.
Mr. Loya spoke to express the view that the majority
of the people want to keep the present police department.
Reverend James Edner, 3740 Palm Avenue, commented that
merchants would not come into the City if they didn't
,..._ have police protection and that it was being implied
that the City does not now have adequate protection.
Mr. Cunningham suggested consideration of a regional
police department such as Bell and Cudahy now have.
Mr. Ed Thomas, 10761 Elm, questioned Councilman Green
about the "POST" report, and asked the City Manager
about the cost shown in his analysis for Public Employee
Retirement payments for the police personnel. He also
inquired about contracting for crossing guards, and
insurance costs under the Sheriff's contract. He
expressed himself to be in favor of a tax override.
Mr. Richard C. Waranius questioned the comparison of
costs for the present police department and for the
Sheriff's service.
Mr. Wallace discussed the advantages of having a local
department where one is acquainted with the officers,
and reviewed an experience he had had with the Sheriff
in another community.
Mr. Coleman spoke about his experiences with the local
police and stated he felt that citizens do not have local
*~ control with their own department.
The Mayor declared the recess at 10:15 p.m. The meeting
was called to order at 10:35 p.m.
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Mrs. Peggy Myers, 5164 Century Boulevard, asked if the
Sheriff has women deputies and answered affirmatively,
asked if they had had any problems. She also asked the
cost of one one-man car for 24 hours for both traffic
and general law enforcement, and if traffic cars issue
citations at night. Mrs. Myers asked the cost of
remodeling the police building and how long it would
take to hire a new police department, what funds are
being used to widen Long Beach Boulevard, how crime
rates in Lynwood compare to areas served by the Sheriff
and whether in those areas, the crime rate is going up
or down. She also asked what salary a beginning deputy
sheriff is paid. Mrs. Myers discussed with the City
Manager the effect contracting for the service would
have on the retirement tax rate and if there was a
property tax increase in the current fiscal year. She
also questioned dates for a referendum election and
what effect not having the matter voted on until
November would have on the proposed contract, and
expressed her intention to circulate a referendum
petition.
Mr. Dave Richman questioned the savings figures and
questioned Captain Waller about the number of cars in
the field, and how many will be in East Compton and
Willowbrook. The deployment chart was again displayed
and explained.
Mr. Herb Myers, 5164 Century Boulevard, expressed the
opinion that the City should keep its present police
department.
Pastor Gray, 3945
experiences while
of the chaplaincy
program which had
which had not bee
problems.
Carlin Avenue, described his recent
riding in a Sheriff's car and spoke
program, and discussed a ride-along
been contemplated in Lynwood but
n carried out because of insurance
Reverend Charles Clark, 12217 Harris Avenue, commented
on the February 23, 1977 meeting of the "Citizens
Against the Sheriff."
Mr. Joe Smith expressed his objections to the City
negotiating with the Fire Department and the general
City workers but not with the police department.
Mrs. Joy Feryanitz, 10880 Alexander, questioned Chief
Ralston about the nature of the "top priority" police
call and what type of call it would be. She also
expressed the view that if the question were on the
ballot that the citizens would vote to give the police
a raise in salary.
Mr. Art Blair asked how large a tax increase would be
needed; spoke of loss of local control under a Sheriff's
contract, and cited an instance of a slow response by
the Sheriff in Norwalk.
Mr. Dave Smith asked if the local department has a
special weapons team.
Mayor Rowe made a brief statement of his analysis of the
question of whether or not to proceed with the Phase II
study.
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It was moved by Councilman Higgins, seconded by Councilman
Morris, that .the Sheriff's!Department be requested to cor~-
plete Phase II of the study.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Higgins, Morris, Rowe.
Noes: Councilmen Byork, Green.
Absent: None.
~„ It was moved by Councilman Higgins, seconded by Councilman
Morris, and carried, that the meeting adjourn to March 1,
1977 at 7 P.m.
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LCity er~c, Ci y of Lynwood
APPROVED MARCH 1,
or;-City off' Lynwoo