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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20130530 public safety minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The May 30, 2013, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 8:00 a.m. by Councilman Prather. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Rick Prather, Councilman Larry Henry, Councilman Carlos Graham, Councilman Rick Mihalevich, Councilman Ken Hussey. Guests: Councilman Bob Scrivner, City Counselor Drew Hilpert, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Interim Fire Chief Jason Turner, Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr, Interim Public Works Director Matt Morasch, Public Works Operations Director Britt Smith, Lincoln University Police Chief Bill Nelson. Approval of Minutes Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2013, and the May 3, 2013, committee meetings. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Vacation of Chestnut Street (800 Block) City Counselor Hilpert stated this issue had been discussed in the past, and was being brought before the Committee again. Lincoln University Police Chief Bill Nelson is asking the City to vacate a portion of Chestnut Street between Atchison and Dunklin and turn it into a pedestrian area to address pedestrian safety issues. A student was recently struck by a car on Chestnut. There is also an issue with illegal parking in the 800 block of Chestnut Street. Mr. Hilpert advised the City staff is neutral on the proposal. Interim Public Works Director Morasch advised traffic studies were done in this area in 2007 and again in 2012. The numbers for both years were similar with approximately 1,000 cars traveling the street when school is out, and approximately 2,000 when school is in session. There were mid-day peaks, the majority of which were attributed to Lincoln University student drivers. Chief Nelson advised this is a safety issue that has been discussed for many years. Closing a portion of Chestnut Street would be an easy way to facilitate student safety as there are a large number of students traveling back and forth across Chestnut Street to get to various parts of LU’s 2 campus. A gate to close off the area would be monitored by the Lincoln University Police Department and would be remotely opened for emergency personnel when needed. Chief Nelson advised that LU ceded property for the roundabout on Leslie, and part of that agreement was for the City to design a pedestrian area for Chestnut Street. Another concern is the speeding of vehicles on Atchison, as the street is not conducive to speed enforcement. Britt Smith advised that officers ticket vehicles that are illegally parked on that area of Chestnut, but there is little compliance. At the suggestion that there be a “trial” closure of the street, Chief Nelson stated that option would be too expensive for the University. Councilman Mihalevich advised he was ultimately in favor of the closure, but asked if all of the enforcement options have been reviewed. He also questioned the possibility of vacating adjacent streets and the safety on Atchison Street which is narrow with no sidewalk, and if widening Locust Street and making traffic two-way would relieve traffic issues. An unknown factor is the impact of diverting traffic during the Dunklin interchange construction. Councilman Mihalevich suggested tabling this discussion awaiting a report from Lincoln University and the City regarding additional enforcement options. Chief Schroeder advised he agreed with everything that was said, but cautioned against anyone looking for the perfect solution. Illegal parking enforcement is difficult. Citations are issued, but have little effect as a large number of the students are from out of town and simply leave without paying. In response to a question by Councilman Scrivner as to why Lincoln University police allow parking on Chestnut, Chief Nelson advised they cannot enforce laws on a City street. Councilman Scrivner suggested an ordinance be written allowing LU police to have authority to regulate parking on City streets within LU campus. He also suggested that the Public Works Committee review this issue. Councilman Prather advised the issue of vacating Chestnut Street would be placed on the Public Works Committee agenda for June. Snow Priority and Emergency Area Routes Public Works Operations Director Britt Smith advised the difference between snow routes and snow emergency routes is the no parking on streets which are declared snow emergency routes. There are only four streets in the City of Jefferson designated as snow emergency routes. Since emergency routes can be used for emergencies other than snow, Mr. Smith suggests the ordinance reflect “snow priority and emergency routes”. This would also eliminate the need for the Police Chief to designate snow emergency routes. Rewording the ordinance would have no effect on parking on the streets as the City Administrator can designate “no parking” areas with advance notice. Councilman Hussey made a motion to move the proposed ordinance amendment onto the City Council. Councilman Henry seconded the motion. Motion approved. Door to Door Sales Qualifications City Counselor Hilpert advised this proposed change in the ordinance affects background searches and bonding. The current ordinance states an application will not be granted if the 3 applicant has been convicted of a felony in the past five years of a crime or ordinance which relates to his fitness to carry on the proposed business or activity. The amendment to the ordinance adds the wording “or has served any portion of a sentence or probationary period imposed for such crime or ordinance violation by a Court of the United States within the past five (5) years”. Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to forward the proposed amended ordinance onto the City Council. Councilman Graham seconded the motion. Motion approved. Application for 2013 Justice Assistance Program Grant (JAG) Chief Schroeder stated that timing with grants is sometimes difficult, and this grant is already on the Council agenda for Monday. This is merely an FYI for the Committee and to answer any questions. There were no questions from the committee. Bid 2674 – Patrol Vehicle Equipment Chief Schroeder stated this bid will go before the Council on Monday and is for equipment for the new police vehicles that have already been approved by Council. The expenditure is approximately $27,000, which is $10,000-$12,000 less than estimated. The police department is splitting bids, with the approval of the vendors. The lowest bid was taken for each particular piece of equipment. The funding for the equipment comes from the ½ cent Capital Improvements Sales Tax. Outdoor Warning Sirens Emergency Management Coordinator Farr advised that two weeks ago the installation of outdoor warning sirens in Cole County was complete. He would like to have a community ribbon cutting ceremony that would include both the City and the County after all the sirens have been tested. Councilman Milahevich stated he would like to look into the use of indoor enunciators for citizens. Mr. Farr advised several options have been researched. The City of Fulton u ses a “Red Bird” system which costs citizens $20 a month, and there has not been an extensive buy in from the citizens. Code Red was also looked at, but some of the capabilities were not effective. Mr. Farr advised awareness by the public to use weather alert radios indoors was important. Councilman Graham asked if a siren map location was available. Mr. Farr advised he would provide a location map. See Attachment. Chief Schroeder advised considerable energy has been devoted to indoor notifications system , which were reviewed along with the new outdoor warning sirens. There are many options available, and the police department will continue to research those options. The old sirens are still up due to budget limitations. The police department is checking into eliminating power to those old sirens. Mr. Farr asked the Committee to keep in mind future funds for additional outdoor warning sirens. There are still “dead” areas in both the City and County. He would like to see one or two additional sirens installed per year to address those areas. 4 Councilman Prather asked Mr. Farr to coordinate a ribbon cutting with the police department. Chief Schroeder suggested the ceremony focus on the rural locations since the police department has already had a ribbon cutting within the City. OTHER BUSINESS Chief Schroeder expressed support for the reclassification of a building service worker position to a police maintenance worker position that is before the City Council for approval on June 3rd. He has unsuccessfully pursued this reclassification for several years, and he appreciates the support from City Administrator Nickolaus. Interim Fire Chief Turner advised Summer Fire School will begin on Tuesday, June 4 th. Fire fighters from 13 states will be participating. The next Public Safety Committee will be held on June 27th. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m.