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