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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051299 rm min CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD Minutes Wednesday, May 12, 1999 7:00 P.M. City Commission Conference Room PRESENT: Tom Carpenter, David Johnson, Atty Manuel Acevedo, Acting Police Chief Thomas Bronson, and Gracy Posley Audience: Patsy Thompson and Linda Medlock Absent: Oscar Redden (excused), Phyllis Richardson (unexcused), Dean Ray (unexcused) This meeting was discussed by Acting Police Chief Bronson in the absence of Chairperson Dean Ray and Vice- Chairperson Oscar Redden. Due to there not being a quorum, Minutes for March 10 and April 14, 1999 were tabled for June 1999. The Citizen's Advisory Board Ordinance revision to include "the Police Chief appointing CAB members ", and the "clarification of CAB's roles and responsibilities" have been forwarded to the City Attomey to draft an amended Ordinance. CAB will be notified of the progress of the Ordinance. The 13 Street Community Service Center is developing essentially as scheduled. Telephone lines are connected, furniture has been placed in the building, landscaping is planted. CSCenter will be opening soon to the public. There is a interest to purchase two lots behind the CSCenter for expansion and parking. Acting Police Chief Thomas Bronson is searching for a store front building atmosphere for a CSCenter in District 2 (south end). Free spacing is being sought, to lease will be an option. The Community Service Area maps were distributed and explained. The CSAreas include District 1 (north end) CSA's 10 -15 and District 2 (south end) CSA's 20 -24. District 1 officers will be working from the 13 Street CSCenter. QUAD officers have been assigned to CSAreas until vacant positions are staffed. Officers will be involved in an assortment of upcoming training. Defensive Tactics and the Use of Force Policy will be included in this training. There has been a concern with new officers and non - prosecutable cases involving resisting without violence arrests. The State Attorney's Office will be conducting an in- service training to assist the officers in these arrests and other similar cases. Officers are encouraged to make arrests; but good, prosecutable cases are required. Arrest and legal problems being identified and the officers receiving training in these areas can avoid the City and the police department from law suits. The $168,000. grant money is in for equipment purchases. A portion of the grant funds will be used to purchase an additional (10) bicycles. Officers will be able to have a bike with them while on duty. Officers who have attended bike school are utilizing the present (5) bikes during duty. Officers on the bikes are a good public relations tool and officers can also drift up on situations. Bike training is an extensive 40 hour course. Officers must become bike certified before being assigned a bike. CAB Minutes May 12, 1999 Page 2 of 2 A five year Police Department Overview has been submitted to the City Manager /City Commission. Officers per citizen is estimated at 2 officers/1,000 citizens. The City Manager is also reviewing the police department's Annual Report. CAB will be provided a copy upon approval. Approximately 117 applications are being screened for the Police Chief's position. Aps will be eliminated to a lower quantity, applicants will be mailed a questionnaire, another elimination of aps to a minimum, oral interview and City Commission to interview individually. This is an anticipated procedure for the Police Chief interviews. Possibly, police supervisors and community leaders will be involved in the interviews. Patsy Thompson of "Operation Clean Sweep" Neighborhood Watch (Maple Ave. — 8 St. - 11 St. area, Coastline Park included) inquired of having the pay phone at 11 St. /Maple Ave. removed. Acting Police Chief Thomas Bronson advised property owners have contracts on the phones and are making a profit. FYI - there are (22) pay phones between 13"' St. and Southwest Rd. The Police Chief can request thru the Florida Public Service Commission to block incoming calls; Acting Police Chief Bronson to check. Requests to block incoming calls are generally applied for areas involving illegal activities. Lt Harden to attend an upcoming workshop in Miami re "Relationships Between Pay Phones and Law Enforcement ". Mrs. Thompson requested signs for "Children at Play" for speeders on Holly Ave. A traffic survey to be conducted. Operation Clean Sweep members are purchasing neighborhood watch signs for their area. Mrs. Thompson asked if the City would donate neighborhood watch signs for City property (such as Coastline Park area)? Acting Police Chief Thomas Bronson to inquire. Members commented on traffic being hazardous during Auto Auction days (W. 46); there's a magnitude of traffic from the auction and speeders coming over the overpass. Also, North Star Industrial Park roadway (W. 46 area) has traffic pile -up during 5 PM. These areas are in the County; County Traffic Engineering must survey. Acting Police Chief Bronson advised traffic impact is addressed with incoming businesses. Linda Medlock inquired of speed bumps being placed in the 2000 block of Hartwell Ave. Acting Police Chief Thomas Bronson advised speed bumps slows emergency response for law enforcement and fire. An alternative can possibly be to install 4 -way STOPs and increase enforcement. There being no further business, the meeting was adjoumed at 8:15 PM.