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HomeMy WebLinkAbout091097 rm min CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD Minutes Wednesday, September 10, 1997 7:00 PM City Commission Conference Room PRESENT: Kevin Hipes, Richard Huber, Dean Ray, Linda Kuhn, Paul Legge, Joan Campbell, Tom Carpenter, Rev. Ricky Scott, Police Chief Joe Dillard, Deputy Police Chief Dennis Whitmire, and Gracy Posley This meeting was called to order by Vice - Chairperson Mr. Hipes. Mr. Hipes requested approval of CAB minutes for August 13, 1997 if there are no changes or corrections. Motion made by Mr. Ray, seconded by Mrs. Kuhn; motion carried for the minutes to be approved. The City Commission approved CAB by -laws at their meeting of 08/25/97. The PAS assessment report was distributed to CAB members. Mr. Hipes opens the PAS report for discussion. Chief Dillard states he has met with department supervisors and have established a committee in assisting with reorganizing the police department. (CAB members have not read the 178 page PAS report. Will be discussed further at the next CAB meeting.) Meanwhile Chief Dillard and Deputy Chief Whitmire enlighten members to the three options of the report, the City Commission's involvement, etc. Mr. Ray comments he read in the newspaper the City Commission wants to comprise a review committee re the report and options recommended in the assessment report. Asks why couldn't the CAB do this review? Deputy Chief Whitmire points out page 25 of 26 of the Executive Summary that pertains to the review committee. Mr. Legge suggests at least one member from CAB should be a part of this review committee. Motioned by Mrs. Kuhn, seconded by Mr. Ray; motion carried for CAB to send a memo to the City Manager /City Commission re CAB being the review committee or a part of the options review committee. CAB members to attempt attending the City Commission Workshop, 09/15/97 at 3:30 PM. George Hubler with P.A.S. will discuss the assessment report at this Workshop. Mrs. Campbell asks has there ever been such a report done on the police department? Chief Dillard responds, no; not in his 25 years of employment with the police department. Mrs. Campbell comments per the report, many problems at the police department were in existence. Chief Dillard mentions a number of changes mentioned in the report re changes to the police department, implementing new programs to the department were suggested at various times, but were never upheld by the head administrator. Deputy Chief Whitmire comments he and Chief Dillard are in agreeance with much of the report, but some information in the report is not factual or complete. Chief Dillard discusses the options of the report further. The police department being contracted to or taken over by the Sheriff's Department was addressed. Mrs. Kuhn asks does the City Charter specify if the decision is made to turn the police department over to the Sheriff's Department, will this decision be done by the voters or the City Commission? Deputy Chief Whitmire advises this procedure is unclear in the Charter and would have to be deciphered by the City Attorney. Mr. Legge comments to be aggressively proactive regarding the report and changes to be made. Mr. Hipes comments the report can be made positive; and assumes the police department wants to reorganize within itself and remain independent. Chief Dillard responds, yes. Mrs. Kuhn asks is part of the difficulty as the Police Chief in making administrative decisions, is the Police Chief answers to five City Commissioners instead of the City Manager? Chief Dillard responds, very difficult. Deputy Chief Whitmire states all cities want their own police department. Points out Sheriff Eslinger disclosed in his letter if his Department take on the police department, operational direction of Sheriff Office personnel will remain with the Sheriff. CAB Minutes September 10, 1997 Page 2 of 2 Mr. Ray mention Earl Myers has not attended the past several meetings. Motioned made by Mr. Ray, seconded by Mr. Huber; motion carried for letter to be mailed to Mr. Myers re his absences and intentions as a member. Mr. Ray mentions advertisement re CAB. States meeting notice was not in the newspaper, again. Miss Posley advises agendas are mailed to the Sanford Herald and Orlando Sentinel. Mr. Hipes advised Mr. Ray he was appointed at a previous meeting as CAB's media contact. Now that the by -laws are approved, Mr. Ray can contact the media when necessary. Mr. Carpenter states one way of announcing CAB is through neighborhood crime watch contacts /meetings. Mr. Carpenter gives an update of the elderly couple's house burglarized in his neighborhood. States a $100. reward was offered for any information re the burglary. Mr. Carpenter commented offering rewards does help. Deputy Chief Whitmire states this case was resolved because the investigator had something to work with; all cases are not solvable. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.