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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20130131 public safety minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The January 31, 2013, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 8:10 a.m. by Councilman Henry in Chairman Councilman Pope’s absence. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Larry Henry, Councilman Rick Prather, Councilman Rick Mihalevich. Guests: City Counselor Drew Hilpert, Fire Chief Bob Rennick, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Public Works Director Roger Schwartze, Human Resources Director Gail Strope, Police Captain Bob Cynova, Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr. Approval of Minutes Minutes from the November 1, 2012, committee meeting were approved. All voted in favor. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS Update on Cole County’s Outdoor Warning Sirens Emergency Management Coordinator Farr advised 8 of the 14 new outdoor warning sirens in rural Cole County have been placed and tested. Hitting rock during excavation and weather conditions has delayed the completion of the project. Homeland Security Update Emergency Management Coordinator Farr advised that Homeland Security provides funds to nine regions in Missouri. Region F is comprised of 13 counties, including Cole County. Mr. Farr has recently been appointed as chairman to both the local Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee (RHSOC) and the State committee. Homeland Security will notify the local RHSOC committee in February the amount of grant money they will receive, and the committee will decide on purchases. Update on New Fire Station 3/Secondary 911 Center Public Works Director Schwartze distributed information and architectural drawings to the committee members. Estimate of the total cost of the project is $2.4 million. The plan for the building has been completed and the project is ready to be advanced for bid. The Committee was asked to take the following action: (1) concur with the final layout and estimate of the facility; (2) endorse a supplemental appropriation of the funds that were received from the sale of the property to the Water Company for the new tower site; and (3) endorse the ½ cent capital improvements sales tax cash flow proposal that was recently discussed at the Council work 2 session. Mr. Schwartze advised a formal vote by the full City Council has been on hold. Fire Chief Rennick advised that the use of sales tax funds has also placed the lease of equipment and related expenditures on hold. After discussion, Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to move this project onto the Council for approval. Councilman Prather seconded the motio n. Motion approved. Outdoor Warning Siren-Related Projects Chief Schroeder stated this project was nearing the end. He asked Captain Cynova to provide an update to the committee. The 14 original sirens have been replaced and operational. Including city and county, there will be a total of 28 new sirens. One additional siren will be needed north of the river by the ABB plant, and the old siren poles need to be removed as citizens are complaining about their appearance. The poles will be sold at surplus. The project’s actual cost was below estimate, and Chief Schroeder stated no additional expenditure will be incurred for the additional siren and removal of the poles. The money to be used was designated for this project. Councilman Mihalevich stated he was concerned about indoor emergency notification. He inquired if enunciators that citizens could purchase on their own had been considered. Chief Schroeder responded the main focus has been the completion of the outdoor warning siren project. With its completion, focus can now be turned to an indoor warning system. A telephone notification system beneficial to the community has been reviewed. Public Works Director Schwartze added another system being reviewed would allow citizens to have the choice of various notifications, in addition to emergency warnings. NEW BUSINESS Maximum Number of Animals Ordinance City Counselor Hilpert advised Councilman Pope had asked to place this issue on the agenda. A 2010 ordinance limited the number of animals a person can have in a residential building. The issue is whether the ordinance should be changed to limit the number of animals on the property inside and outside. Councilman Mihalevich recommended postponing this issue until Councilman Pope was present. Councilman Prather requested a copy of the proposed ordinance be sent to the committee for review. Purchase of Police Vehicles Chief Schroeder stated the purchase of police vehicles is a very important yearly decision, more so now because there are several options from which to choose. Bids have been received for both the Ford Interceptor and the Chevy Tahoe. Although the Interceptor is less expensive, the Tahoe offers things the Interceptor does not, so the options are being weighed. Chief Schroeder will have a recommendation to the Council by the week of February 11. The cars are the officers’ office 10 hours every duty day and many factors are taken into consideration, including interior space for both the officer and those confined to the back seat. Councilman Mihalevich asked if a local dealer would have an advantage in the specifications. Chief Schroeder advised he respected that factor, but it would be the Council’s final decision. It would be a bonus, but not an overriding factor. 3 Chief Schroeder advised budget limitations have resulted in an aging fleet, and he is considering supplemental income to provide for a sixth car. The decision to approve an additional car would come from the City Administrator. Chief Schroeder advised no action is necessary today, he was merely providing an update. OTHER BUSINESS Councilman Prather congratulated Fire Chief Rennick on his pending retirement, and asked if a committee had been appointed to pursue a replacement. Human Resources Director Strope advised Chief Rennick’s position would be held for salary savings. It will not be advertised immediately, and an interim chief would be appointed. Councilman Mihalevich stated he does not want to delay progress on any pending projects, and he is willing to support safety issues by moving them forward. City Counselor Hilpert stated sales tax expenditures had been put on hold because revenues were less than originally expected. The Mayor would be the one to approve putting an issue on the City Council agenda. Chief Schroeder noted the police department also has projects to be funded by Sales Tax F that have been suspended pending authorization by the City Council. Adjourn The meeting was concluded at 8:50 a.m.