HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCSpecialMeeting_12082010CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2010 5:45 P.M. IONA
COMMUNITY CENTER
PRESENT: Mayor Brad Andersen, Council President Jane Shaw, Council member
Bruce Case, Council member Dennis McArthur, Council member Dan Gubler, City Clerk
Robyn Keyes. Police Chief Shannon Basaraba
VISITORS: None.
Police Business. Chief Basaraba said the Council needed to make a decision on how they
wanted to handle the incident involving a Sheriff Deputy speeding while passing through
town. The Chief said a Bonneville County Sheriff Department reconstructionist had
determined the deputy was traveling approximately 92 mph, but according to the
Wyoming Highway Patrol and Jackson reconstructionists the deputy was traveling
between 101 and 111 mph. The Chief reminded the Council that the deputy drove
through a school zone 20 minutes before school was out, and though he did have his
lights on, he did not have his siren on. The Chief said there have been several complaints
about the Sheriff Department speeding while within the City's limits, but this is the first
documented proof the City has that speeding has occurred.
According to Attorney Storer, the City had several choices on how to address the
incident. The City could charge the deputy with speeding, make a criminal charge of
reckless driving, or the City could issue a letter to Bonneville County putting them on
notice that the City would not tolerate excessive speeding while within the City's limits.
and the City would not tolerate such excessive speed through the City, which is a
residential area. Furthermore, if such speeding occurred the City would follow through
with issuing a citation or prosecution.
Council President Shaw asked if the deputy received disciplinary action by the Sheriff.
Chief Basaraba said that according to the Sheriff's Department the deputy had received
some sort of discipline, but the information was not being released by the Sheriff's
Department.
Council member McArthur said the City could issue a speeding ticket to the deputy, but
he said that might add to the already existing disconnect the Sheriff Department had
exhibited with the City through reluctance to communicate.
Council member Gubler said he believed Sheriff Wilde was willing to communicate and
cooperate, but that the reluctance seemed to be coming from Captain Hulse.
Council member Gubler agreed the issue was recurring and stated that he has seen Sheriff
Deputies speeding in front of his house often, and he also witnessed a time a deputy was
driving on Owens Avenue at a very high rate of speed, there were children at the
crosswalk and the deputy did not even slow down. The deputy did not have his siren on at
that time either. Council member Gubler said a clear message needed to be sent to the
Sheriff Deputies.
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Council President Shaw agreed that whatever the decision, it needed to get the attention
of the Sheriff Department because this was obviously a reoccurring issue.
Mayor Andersen said his recommendations were either give the deputy a citation, or
write a letter of warning. The Mayor said he preferred the choice of writing a letter. The
Mayor said a letter would offer documentation and was the least confrontational
approach.
Council member Gubler said he heard through the grapevine that the deputies were
ordered to not respond to Iona. Council member Gubler said he believed the deputy
probably either heard incorrectly or misunderstood the order and perhaps the order was to
not respond through Iona.
Council member Case said the issue went beyond speeding; the relationship with the
Sheriff Department was not good and would get worse if the City prosecuted the deputy.
Council member Case agreed a letter stating the City's policy on such behavior would be
a good choice, that way it would not strain the relationship further. Council member Case
also asked if the City needed to make the policy a resolution.
Mayor Andersen asked Clerk Keyes to speak with the City Attorney regarding the
situation.
The Mayor said after the letter was sent, then the City should offer to meet with the
Sheriff to open communication and clear up any misunderstandings.
Chief Basaraba recommended the City send the letter to all emergency response agencies
including Iona's, that way the City would not be showing bias.
Council member McArthur said the incident was poor judgment on the deputy's part and
agreed a letter was a good choice with a summary of explanation without naming the
Sheriff's Department.
Everyone agreed upon sending a letter.
Chief Basaraba said he would draft a letter and give to the Mayor for review and editing.
Meeting adjourned 6:21 p.m.
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