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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20130801 public safety minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The August 1, 2013, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 8:03 a.m. by Councilman Prather. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Rick Prather, Councilman Larry Henry, Councilman Carlos Graham, And Councilman Rick Mihalevich Absent: Councilman Ken Hussey Guests: City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus, City Counselor Drew Hilpert, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Interim Fire Chief Jason Turner, Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr Approval of Minutes Councilman Henry made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 30, 2013, committee meeting. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Increasing Maximum Fines City Counselor Hilpert advised that most cities have a maximum of $500.00 for fines, although the City has the authority to increase that number to $1,000.00. Counselor Hilpert and City Prosecutor Stumpe are recommending that the ordinance be changed from $500.00 maximum fine to $1,000.00. Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to move the proposed ordinance amendment onto the City Council. Councilman Henry seconded the motion. Motion approved. Disabled Parking Fine An ordinance change is suggested in light of budget constraints. The fine for parking in a space designated for disabled parking was previously increased from $147.00 to $159.00. However, the police department has numerous ticket books that designate the fine as $147.00. Because a small number of these tickets are issued, and considering the cost of reprinting the ticket books, Counselor Hilpert is recommending the fine for illegally parking in a disabled parking space be returned to $147.00. Councilman Henry made a motion to move the proposed ordinance amendment onto the City Council. Councilman Mihalevich seconded the motion. Motion approved. 2 Speeding 25 Over City Counselor Hilpert advised that the computer software used by City Court requires offenses that mandate a court appearance to have a separate code. This ordinance amendment designates speeding 25 over as an offense mandating a court appearance and would assign the offense a code to be entered into the Court’s software. Councilman Graham motioned to move the ordinance to the City Council. Councilman Henry seconded and the motion was approved. Pedestrian Operation and Riding of Certain Unlicensed Motor Vehicles City Counselor Hilpert asked that both of these issues be considered together. These proposed changes to clarify current ordinances were brought about by conversations with a local citizen who utilizes an electric wheelchair. The citizen frequently travels on the streets and has been told by police officers to utilize the sidewalks for safety. The amendments will clarify existing ordinances in that someone using a wheelchair/electric wheelchair can lawfully travel on sidewalks. During discussion Councilman Mihalevich noted there are no sidewalks in some areas of Jefferson City, notably Industrial Drive. Counselor Hilpert clarified the changes in the ordinances would not prohibit travel on streets; only make it lawful to travel on sidewalks. City Administrator Nickolaus advised that the City has an ADA compliance plan and as repairs are made to streets and curbs, they will be made ADA compliant. The City is realizing success. Councilman Henry made a motion to combine the two proposed ordinance changes into one proposal and to move the proposed ordinance change onto the City Council. Councilman Graham seconded the motion. Motion passed. Discussion of Sales of Fireworks Inside the City Limits Councilman Graham advised he was approached by constituents in his ward expressing their support for the continuing sale of fireworks inside the City limits. He stated he was not supporting or opposing the sale inside the City limits, but requesting clarification and opening a discussion on the issue. Interim Fire Chief Turner stated the City adopted the International Fire Code several years ago that prohibits the sale of fireworks inside city limits. At that time several businesses having fireworks stands within the city limits were “grandfathered” in and were allowed to sell their fireworks for an additional seven years. That time period has expired. Interim Chief Turner stated both the police and fire departments respond to complaints of fireworks being shot inside the city limits, which is prohibited by law. Selling fireworks inside the city limits may have provided false information that shooting of fireworks inside the city was legal. He feels that education provided to the public regarding fireworks has been successful. Firework stands in Missouri are regulated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and inspected by the local fire departments. These inspections are very time consuming. Interim Chief Turner advised that Columbia has passed an ordinance making it illegal to possess fireworks within the city limits. Police Chief Schroeder urged the committee to allow the expiration and not allow fireworks sales within the city limits. In his opinion, there is no credible reason to allow the selling of fireworks within the city. Councilman Graham thanked the committee for the clarification and discussion. 3 OTHER BUSINESS Councilman Prather stated that City Council members had received a Fire Department Leadership Resolution which urged the appointment of a permanent fire chief in the next budget year. He asked for comments and discussion on the issue. City Administrator Nickolaus advised he had not included hiring a permanent fire chief in his 2013-2014 because the budget will be balanced with vacancy savings which amount to approximately $400,000. The city can function by balancing duties instead of filling vacancies. His intention is to leave the permanent fire chief position vacant through the bulk of the new fiscal year. The duties of the training officer have been given to three persons on three different shifts. He does not feel there is a problem with progress being made within the fire department. Councilman Graham suggested Mr. Nickolaus consider assembling a committee to start the hiring process, and that the hiring of a permanent fire chief be a top priority moving forward. Councilman Prather stated the general consensus of the City Council is that the hiring is not feasible in the next fiscal year. Mr. Nickolaus stated the committee should not be established until the actual process of soliciting for a permanent fire chief is underway. He stated having councilpersons on the selection committee has been difficult due to their unavailability to attend the interviews. Councilman Prather stated he wants to have a voice as to who is appointed to the committee. Councilman Mihalevich stated that stability has been questioned, and he would like a progress report for the fire department from Mr. Nickolaus. If progress can be shown, the results may support retaining an interim for the next fiscal year. Interim Chief Turner stated there are three assistant fire chiefs who oversee the direction of the shifts and keep him advised. All policies are reviewed by the command structure. The issue of “mixed messages” concerning policies is a false statement. His number one priority for policies is the safety of the firefighters and citizen safety. Chief Schroeder supports Mr. Nickolaus’ time frame for a committee. Timing is key for concentrated and productive work, and it would be pointless to appoint a committee too soon. Councilman Prather advised the committee would revisit the issue in an upcoming meeting. Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr stated the Department of Public Safety public information person featured the Jefferson City/Cole County outdoor warning siren system in a video posted on their website. Councilman Graham advised an active shooter exercise had been held on the Lincoln University campus, and inquired if the outdoor warning siren on the LU campus could be singularly activated in the event of an emergency. Mr. Farr advised Lincoln University had purchased an enunciator and had the capability of broadcasting an audio warning through the siren, located on the Lincoln University campus. Adjourn Councilman Graham made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Henry seconded the motion. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 a.m.