HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-04-1986 -,33
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, SEPTEMBER 4, 1986
1 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in
2 regular session September 4, 1986 at the hour of 9:00 A.M. in the Municipal Building
3 in said City. Ms. Silberstein presided with Mr. Brown and Mr. Willis in attendance.
4 The following business was had to-wit:
5
6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 28, 1986
7
8 Mr. Willis moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as prepared, seconded
9 by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
10
11 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
12
13 There were no claims presented for approval.
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15 PUBLIC REQUESTS AND COMMENTS
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17 Parking in the 1100 and 1200 Blocks of South 0 Street
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19 The inquiry from Mr. Frank Watson and Mrs. Dorothy Watson regarding the removal
20 of the no parking signs in the 1200 Block of South 0 Street was not represented
21 and Ms. Silberstein suggested this item be striken until necessary to bring back
22 to the agenda.
23
24 Mr. Brown moved to strike the Agenda item regarding parking on South 0 Street,
25 seconded by Mr. Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
26
27 Ms. Silberstein commented that there might have been a misunderstanding of the
111 28 action taken by the Board since there was a loading zone established at the Watson's
29 home at 1222 South 0 Street.
30
31 Shrine Circus Parade - Bill Delk
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33 Mr. Bill Delk requested permission from the Board for the annual Shrine Circus
34. Parade to be held on September 14, 1986 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 P.M. Mr. Delk
35 stated there would be 65 units and only three (3) would be motorized, the rest
36 would be horse drawn.
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38 Mr. Delk stated the route would be from the Fairgrounds on Salisbury Road to Peacock
39 Road to N.W. 13th Street to Main Street and back to the Fairgrounds on Salisbury
40 Road.
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42 Captain Ron Williams of the Traffic Division stated that he would get with Mr.
43 Delk to work out the arrangements,and, see if there wef e,any. problems .(; ;
44
45 Mr. Willis moved to approve the request for the Shrine Circus Parade on September
46 14, 1986 per the route requested contingent to traffic control approval, seconded
47 by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
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49 ITEMS UNDER ADVISEMENT
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51 Ms. Silberstein reminded the Board that reports would be due on the U.S. 40 and
52 Toschlog Road intersection on September 25, 1986 and on the traffic signal at
53 U.S. 40 and S.W. 16th on September 11, 1986.
54
55 DEPARTMENT REQUESTS AND COMMENTS
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57 Fire Department
58
59 August Monthly Report
60
61 The August Monthly Report of the Fire Department showed a total number of runs
62 of 65. Mr. Brown moved to accept and file the August Monthly Report of the Fire
63 Department, seconded by Mr. Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was
64 carried.
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Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
September 4, 1986
Page 2
1 Promotion to First Class Firefighter - Chester Kirkman
2
3 Ms . Silberstein read the following correspondence from Assistant Fire Chief Don
4 Trotter:
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6 Probationary Firefighter Chester Kirkman will have successfully completed
7 his probationary period on September 5, 1986.
8
9 It is my recommendation that Chester Kirkman be promoted to First. Class
10 Firefighter effective 9/5/86.
11
12 Mr. Brown congratulated Mr. Kirkman and moved to approve the advancement of Chester
13 Kirkman from Probationary Firefighter to First Class Firefighter, effective September
14 5, 1986, seconded by Mr. Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
15
16 Police Department
17
18 Revocation of Special Police Powers of Reserve Officers
19
20 Chief of Police, Joseph Nimitz, read the following correspondence to the Board:
21
22 After conferring with legal counsel and other members of the City administration,
23 due to cancellation of the Police Liability Insurance, these programs are
24 to be discontinued. (Volunteer groups including the Reserve Program)
25
26 The opinion of the. City is from a legal and financial standpoint, we are
27 not able to accept the liability of these volunteers until such date money
28 and/or insurance becomes available, it is therefore, requested that all special
29 police powers be immediately revoked. All weapons and equipment to be
30 returned immediately to the Richmond Police Department.
31
32 It is of the legal opinion that these volunteer groups may serve the City
33 and the Richmond Police Department by working as they have in the past inside
34 duties of the Department only.
35
36 It is with great regret that we are faced with this decision realizing the
37 amount of time, effort and sacrifices that were made by the volunteer groups.
38
39 Please accept the thanks of the City and the Richmond Police Department for
40 your commitment and we would hope that you would continue to serve the Department
41 and the City underthe new guidelines.
42
43 /s/ Joseph A. Nimitz
44 Chief of Police
45
46 Chief Nimitz stated that the Cadet Program would still remain in effect.
47
48 Mr. Willis asked what the special police powers were and Chief Nimitz explained
49 that they were the same as the regular officers.
50
51 MT . Willis asked about the Reserves not being covered by insurance and Mr. Barden
52 stated that there is no liability insurance for the Police Departments but that
53 City employees are covered by Indiana Law for legal defense and the Reserve
54 Officers are not City employees.
55
56 Mr. Barden stated this action also benefits the Reserves since they would be held
57 personally liable and they would need to make other arrangements on insurance
58 to be able to continue.
59
60 Ms. Silberstein commented that the liability risks outweigh the benefits of the
61 program.
62
63 Mr. Willis asked if there were other things the Reserve Officers could do for
64 the City and Mr. Barden stated there were less visible jobs within the Police
65 Department and the Department is willing to receive the assistance. Mr . Barden.
•
a3S
Board of Works Minutes Cont 'd -
September 4, 1986
Page 3
•
1 added that police powers are too much visibility.
2
3 Ms. Silberstein requested action be delayed for comment from the Reserve Officers
4 present.
•
5
6 Mr. Rick Kolentus, President of the Reserve Unit, informed the Board that the
7 Reserves have donated 63,680 hours to the City since 1976. He stated that the
8 notice that they had received from Captain Farmer meant there would be no Reserve
9 Unit at all. He added that they have saved the city 636,000.00 in the last ten
10 years.
11
12 Mr. Kolentus requested that the Reserve Unit not be disbanded, but rather put
13 on hold and retain the equipment to see what the future holds.
14
15 Mr. Kolentus stated that the Reserves do not desire to put themselves or the City
16 in any position of liability and that they have always backed the Police
17 Department and the officers.
18
19 Mr. Kolentus also said that the Fraternal Order of Police had voted unanimously
20 for the cor.'tinuaticn of the Police Reserves.
21
22 Ms. Silberstein stated that the City does appreciate volunteers and that there
23 value has been expressed. She said that the potential for problems is real with
24 no insurance and the City cannot gamble. Ms. Silberstein added that she is glad
25 to hear there is a continued need for the Reserves within the Department and she
26 hoped they would re-•form in that capacity and shift their duties that they have
27 performed.
28
29 Mr. Kclentus stated that there are many other possibilities except. termination
30 of the Ur.it.
31
32 Mr. Willis moved to revoke the pclice powers of the three (3) Reserve Officers
33 and requested the Chief to find viable alternatives for their assistance within
34 the Department, seconded by Mr. Brown and on unanimous voice vote the motion was
35 carried.
36
37 ADJOURNMENT
38
39 There being no further business, on a. motion duly made, seconded and passed the
40 meeting was adjourned.
41
42
43 Susan.: Silberstein, President
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46 ATTEST:
47 Mary Merchanthouse, City Clerk
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