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HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-04-1973 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY OF THE % 5 CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, OCTOBER 4, 1973 ,. _� The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular session October 4, 1973, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. in the Municipal. Building in said City. Mr. Judge presided with Mr. Burton and Mr. Willis pre- sent. The following business was had to-wit: Mr. Willis moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, seconded by Mr. Burton and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Police Chief Lewis E. Doren presented the following letter to the Board: October 4, 1973 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Jerald J. Judge, President Dear Board Members: I wish to recommend that Officer Philip Ritter be advance from the rank of Probationary Patrolman to that of Patrolman First Class on the Richmond Police Department. Officer Philip Ritter has successfully completed one year Probation as required. Please make this effective October 6, 1973. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Lewis E. Doren Mr. Judge moved to advance Officer Phillip Ritter to Patrolman First Class on the Richmond Police Department effective October 6, 1973, seconded by Mr. Burton and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Chief Doren also presented the following letter: October 4, 1973 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Jerald J. Judge, President Dear Board Members: I request this Board to withdraw all Police Powers as a Special Police Officer for Dog Warden, Thomas England; as he is no longer employed in this position. Please make this effective as of October 2, 1973, the date of his resignation. Sincerely, /s/ Lewis E. Doren Chief of Police Mr. Judge moved to withdraw all Police Powers as a Special Police Officer for Dog Warden from Thomas W. England, seconded by Mr. Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mr. Burton moved to sign an agreement with John E. Simmons for architectural services to be performed on the multilevel downtown parking facility, seconded by Mr. Judge and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mayor Byron E. Klute read a letter to the Board from the State Highway Commission recommending the urban area limits of the City of Richmond be extended in order for Richmond to be eligible for Federal aid for street lighting at I-70 and other exchanges. Mr. Willis moved to take under advisement the proposed urban -limits as recommended by the State Highway Commission, seconded by Mr. Judge and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Board of Works Minutes October 4, 1973 "' Page 2 Safety Director Donald Strahan presented the following report: October 4, 1973 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Jerald J. Judge, President Dear Board Members: This is a continuance of my August 2nd report in response to recommendations of the Mayors Citizens investigating the Melody Skateland disturbance. The Police Department has appointed a "Conflict Management Officer" as recommended. He has made contact with Townsend Center Officials and discussed programs which may help Police - Community Relations. Hopefully these will be implemented in the near future. Concerning recruitment of minorities and specifically Black officers; Any program the Police Department designs to encourage Blacks to become Police Officers is doomed from the start unless certain members of the Black community change their attitude towards the Police and specifically Black officers. The lack of respect and pride felt by present Black officers, the "Uncle Tom", Black pigs, and other labels reflect the attitude of certain Blacks toward Black officers. We suggest an immediate educational process initiated by the various Black groups and especially those dealing in youth programs such as OEO and the Youth Service Bureau. The Police Department would supply films, speakers and information with the goal of a change of attitude and greater recruitment of Blacks. Letters will be sent to Black-oriented organizations asking their help in recruitment. Psychological testing is now being done for more than 5 years by the Police Department. A psychologist at Indiana University East is presently doing the department testing and my recommended changes in the type of testing he might suggest would be followed as much as the budget permits. Tests are being changed at the pre- sent time and structured toward minority recruitment. A selective-assignment of officers to certain neighborhoods is now being used as recommended. However manpower problems do exist and will influence this problem to some degree. A police officer should be "well-rounded" individual and have the ability to work anywhere in the City. A Police Athletic League is a voluntary organization and is not an accepted function of the Administrative branch of the Police Department. This suggestion should be addressed to the F.O.P. which presently helps support youth programs. Their past attitude has been rather negative for lack of volunteer help from Police Officers. The Officers site their lack of free time and in-service schools. The remainder of their free time they often wish to spend on a part time job or at home with their families. - There also seems to be playgrounds., Gray-Y, Little League, Townsend Center, etc. We propose to send an on-duty police officer to these on-going events to promote acquaintances and communications. The Police Department has been removed from politics for some- tiem. Any reference to a man's politics such as on an application form, etc.were dropped in the 1960's. Promotions for the past 5 years have been based on job-oriented tests , leadership ability, productivity, attitude, education and merit. These are the same criteria used so successfully by the F.B.I . since 1935. Professional standards and education have become the most stressed programs in the Police Department since 1968. At the present time this department boasts 2 officers with Bachelors Degrees, 1 Master's Degree, 2 Associate Degrees and 13 officers enrolled at IU East seeking degrees in Police Administration. Officers are sent to in service schools both in the City and out of theCity. For example; 1969 - 72 officers, 1970 - 82 officers, 1971 - 71 officers, 1972 - 43 officers, and in addition: 34 officers completed attendance at the 6 weeks Indiana Police Training Academy, IU Bloomington for a total of 8,160 hours of training. Board of Works Minutes October 4, 1973 Page 3 Safety Director's Report cont. This is only a portion of the documented training received by Richmond Police Officers, and it is a continuing program. The Police Department opposes a Police Review Board as this system has never successfully worked. The Board often becomes, a bigger issue than the problem it's trying to solve due to it's make- up which involves both inter-departmental and external political party politics. It would also usurp the powers of the Board of Public Works and Safety which now has the statutory responsibility to govern the Police Department and investigate all matters involving the Police Department and it's officers. A Public Police Information program was started on Clearview Cable TV as a part of their "Roundtable" program beginning on Feb. 6, 1973, and has been aired weekly. Citizens should attempt to see this program as we have tried to explain the functions of the different Divisions and the duties of the people assigned. We would like to use some of the same material whith other media to educate the general public about the Police Department, and its functions. We will attempt to gain their support with this program. Concerning "rap-sessions" , a program will be initiated through the Juvenile Deprtment to work on a program of "communications" in cooperation with representatives of Townsend Center, the housing projects, and any other interested groups. This completes my report, however further reports will be forthcoming as warranted by the implementation or completion of these programs. Sincerely, /s/ Donald L. Strahan Director Mr. Burton moved to accept and file assessment for General Improvement Resolu- tion No. 1101-1973, seconded by Mr. Judge and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mr. Burton moved to set public hearing for assessment roll for General Improvement Resolution NO. 1101-1973 for October 25, 1973, in the Board of Works Room at 9:15 a.m. , seconded by Mr. Judge and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. The Clerk of the Board will notify by mail all persons affected by the assessment of the time and place of the hearing. Mr. Judge moved to advertise for bids to be received on October 18,1973, at 9:15 a.m. for construction of Sanitary Sewer to the Industrial Park, seconded by Mr. Willis and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Mr. Willis moved to approve the following curb cuts, seconded by Mr. Judge and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. Two curb cuts for Lawson Dairy one on Southwest 2nd Street and on on Main Street. Taking out two existing curb cuts and making one on Main and 15th Streets. Building Commissioner Claude E. Goins presented the following report for the month of September: October 2, 1973. Board of Public Works and Safety 50 North 5th Street Richmond, Indiana 47374 Gentlemen: The following is a report from the Bureau of Buildings for the month of September, 1973. II (' Board of Works Minutes October 4, 1973 Page 4 Month No. of Dwellings Evaluation Total Permits September 1973 4 $ 95,000.00 123 September 1972 5 99,000.00 144 August 1973 6 156,000.00 150 Total Cost September 1973 $ 717,007.00 September 1972 496,654.00 Total Permit Fees September 1973 $850.00 Total Permit Fees _September 1972 744.00 Total number of inspections made by this department in the mont of September 1973, 586. Richmond Systematic Housing Survey Inspections totaled 183 this month. Dwellings condemned in September 1973 - 2 Outbuildings condemned in September 1973 - 1 Number of dwellings razed in September 1973 - 16 Number of Outbuildings razed in September 1973 - 1 Number of Week inspections made in September 1973 - 72 Number of compliances to the weed ordinance in September 1973 - 20 Number of Board of Works letter sent out in September 1973 - 10 Number of cut orders sent to the Street Department in September 1973 - 7 Respectfully submitted, /s/ Claude E. Goins, Commissioner Bureau of Buildings Richmond, Indiana Mr. Burton moved to blockade the curb cuts at Burger Chef on U.S. 27 North unless by midnight tonight Burger Chef shows proof they are complying with order to close curb cuts, seconded by Mr. Judge and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried. There being no further business on motion duly made, 9econded and passed, the meeting was adjourned. Jerald J . Judge President ATTEST: Margaret Mellen Clerk of the Board