HomeMy Public PortalAbout4/25/1991 specialGREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL
• Special Session
April 25, 1991
The Greencastle Common Council met in special session on Thursday, April 25,
1991 at 7:3D p.m. in City Hall. On call of the roll the following members were shown to
be present: Councilor Sheri Roach, Councilor Tim Conway, Councilor Sue Murray,
Councilor Bob Sedlack, Councilor Mike Rokicki.
The minutes of April 8 public hearing, April 9 public hearing and April 9
regular session were distributed to Council. Councilor Murray moved approval of the
minutes as distributed. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack and was carried
by an aye unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jack Hanlon presented a proposal to develop and implement a
Greencastle Police Dispatch Center at the time that Central Dispatch moves to the
Courthouse. Points made in the initial presentation included 1) having a person
available 24 hours, thus maintaining and enhancing the service of the Police
Department; 2) maintaining a secure building and reducing liability; 3) continuing the
availability of confidentiality; 4) developing the ability to centralize the dispatch of
all city services and to service private alarm systems. Chief Hanlon noted that he had
contacted nine other similar sized cities and although they did not have a central
dispatch system, they each had their own 24 hour dispatch system. He also added that
the department would then have control over training of the dispatchers, and would be
able to maintain direct contact with and track their own officers.
Fire Chief Bob Elmore noted that the fire department would have to stay with
Central Dispatch because of the interaction with other fire departments, however, the
department would be more secure with the additional city system on their own
frequency.
City Attorney Larry Nilson entered the meeting at this time.
Assistant Police Chief Jim Hendrich added that 48% to 50% of the workload
occurs inside the city and the biggest opportunity is to enhance city services. He
continued that the community is accustomed to having the police department staffed
24 hours which also serves those without telephones.
Councilor Sheri Roach added that the Greencastle police department is the only
department in the county that has officers out on patrol 24 hours, the others being on
call.
Councilor Rokicki expressed a concern about city residents paying for E911 and
budgeting for a Greencastle dispatch system. Mayor Harmless noted that if a county
adopts E911 cities and towns within that county must comply and no, the city will not
receive any direct revenue from the collection of E911 fees. Each agency within the
county will receive an E911 printer and maintenance contract on that printer, supplies
will be the responsibility of each agency.
Councilor Murray brought up the concern for budget expenditures. The clerk -
treasurer noted that capital expenditures could be taken from the Cumulative Capital
Improvement Fund, and the personnel costs would have to be put into the budget of the
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police department. She continued that further investigation of miscellaneous revenue
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• would have to occur after the 1991 legislature closes. User fees for dispatching utility
calls and private alarm maintenance would help to defray the direct personnel costs.
Councilor Sedlack requested further information concerning the staffing the of
dispatch system and the dispatchers responsibility after hours. Chief Hanlon added
that the dispatchers have to do stop checks and remain in contact with officers in the
field.
Mr. Wilson added in support of our own frequency, the multi - agency chatter
during an emergency can be it difficulty, and that the concern is for saving lives.
Assistant Chief Hendrich added that most lawsuits involve failure to train, failure to
supervise and failure to protect, both the citizens and the officers themselves.
Councilor Sedlack also asked about the turn -over of dispatchers and securing the
area. Mayor Harmless responded that having our system would allow control concerning
training and supervision, and that remodeling should take care of securing the area.
No formal action on the proposal was taken by Council.
Presented to Council was a claim for expenditure from the Industrial
Development Fund in the amount of $95,813.89 to the Clerk, Putnam Circuit Court for
the judgement on Parccl #58, Southern Highway (Owners: Glen Robert Hampton &
Ruby Alice Hampton, Charles S. Alex & Jennifer S. Alex). Such claim is to be 75%
reimbursed by the state. Councilor Murray moved to approve the expenditure as
presented: This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack and was carried by an aye
• unanimous vole.
Councilor Roach commented that there was a good turnout for Spring Clean -up
Day and that many people are replacing trees lost in last year's storm.
With no further business Councilor Roach moved for adjournment. This motion
was seconded by Councilor Murray, was carried by an aye unanimous vote, and the
meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Michael NI. Harmless, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ju ith Berry, CI rk- Treasurer
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