030397 sm agenda & min.
AGENDA
Sanford City Commission
Special Work Session
4:00 o'clock P.M. on Monday, March 3, 1997
City Commission Chambers, First Floor
Sanford City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue
Sanford, Florida
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1. Discussion re: operation of the Sanford Police Department.
ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC: IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION
MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THE ABOVE
MEETING, OR HEARING, HE MAY NEED A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE, WHICH RECORD
IS NOT PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF SANFORD. (FS 286.0105)
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY
OF THESE PROCEEDINGS SHOULD CONTACT THE PERSONNEL OFFICE ADA
COORDINATOR AT 330-562648 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING.
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The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida met in Special Work Session Monday, March 3, 1997, at 4:00 P.M. in the
City Commission Room, City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present:
Absent:
The Chairman
Police Department
Mayor-Commissioner Larry A. Dale
Commissioner Whitey Eckstein
Commissioner Velma H. Williams
Commissioner Brady Lessard
Commissioner Kerry D. Lyons
City Manager William A. Simmons
City Clerk Janet R. Dougherty
City Attorney William L. Colbert
called the meeting to order.
Mayor Dale reported that the purpose of this Work Session is to discuss the operation of the Police Department, there wilI be
no comments from the audience, and only those involved in the process will be allowed to speak. Mayor Dale recommended that the
Commission establish a committee comprising three (3) to five (5) individuals with experience in the law enforcement field to
interview, evaluate and recommend a consultant firm to provide suggestions/procedures on how to get the maximum efficiency from
the Police Department, and to meet State and Federal accreditation standards, with said firm to come back in six (6) to nine (9)
months and evaluate the progress. Further, he has an open door policy, anyone can contact him without fear of retaliation, and
while he cannot direct the Police Chief and Fire Chief without the vot~ of the City Commission, it is important to offer resolutions.
Commissioner Lyons concurred with hiring a consultant firm, and stated that he was concerned that the steps and procedures
put into place are taken seriously and followed. Also, the channels of communication between the City Commission and the Police
Chief need to be addressed and resolved.
Commissioner Williams reported she supports hiring a consultant firm, however, Police ChiefDillard and the police officers
need to know that this in no way suggests or indicates that the Police Chief does not have the skills to address the problems within the
Police Department. Further, it is important that the City Commission send a message that it supports the Police Chief and police
officers, and that the Commission will not accept anything less than a team effort.
In response to Commissioner Willjams, Police ChiefDillard reported he does not have a problem with hiring a consultant
firm, and he would be receptive to whatever information is obtained. In response to Mayor Dale, Police ChiefDillard stated that
State accreditation is one of his goals.
Commissioner Lessard agreed with hiring a consultant firm, and stated he would like to have a .representative from the Police
Department on the selection committee.
After discussion, the Commission concurred that Mayor Dale, the City Manager, and the Police Chief select three (3) to five
(5) individuals with experience in the law enforcement field to prepare a Request for Proposal to hire a consultant firm to evaluate
and provide comments and recommendations on how the Police Department can be more efficient and effective, and to meet State
and Federal accreditation standards.
Commissioner Lyons proposed that the Commission consider hiring a Deputy City Manager to oversee the Police and Fire
Departments, who can be involved with economic development and other areas.
Commissioner Eckstein reported that his first commitment at Budget time will be to give a substantial raise to all four hundred
City employees, even if it means an increase in ad valorem taxes, and to look at the merit system, which has flaws. Further,
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discipline needs to be instilled within the Police Department, and consideration should be g/ven to returning to the eight (8)
hour shift.
Commissioner Williams stated that she too sees increased salaries, particularly with police officers and firefighters, as
an important issue. Further, she would like to receive a forrealized list of needs and concerns from all police officers as a
collective unit as well as the Police Chief and h/s Staff. Also, there needs to be a more effective and objective evaluation
system of employees.
Commissioner Lessard reported that police officers are entitled to a raise, but it will not soIve all of the problems
within the Police Department.
In response to Commissioner Lyons, Mayor Dale stated that it would be just as inappropriate to have a member of the
Citizen' s Advisory Committee, as himself, to serve on the Selection Committee. Further, in response to Commissioner Lyons'
earIier proposal that the City hire a Deputy City Manager, the citizens voted to have the City Commission continue overseeing
and directing the Police Department.
Commissioner Lessard stated that another position does not need to be created, that there is sufficient Staff and funds
to solve the problems with the Police Department.
Commissioner Williams referenced a letter dated March 3, 1997, from John Vemon Head, representative for the
Fraternal Order of Police, regarding "response to requests for areas of concern by employees of the Sanford Police
Department," and questioned whether there were any guideIines or requirements in the union contract to prevent the list of
grievances/concerns being presented to the Commission prior to this Work Session.
Mayor Dale stated that he woald have preferred to speak (deal head-to-head) with the police officers or their
designated representative/spokesperson, not a labor attorney.
Police ChiefDillard reported that it took two and one-half (2 ½) years to negotiate the union contract, which was
ratified in. October 1996, that Article 9, Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4, Page 13 of said Union Contract states that there shall be a
Labor Management Committee consisting of three (3) members designated by the FOP and three (3) members designated by
the City. Further, the Labor Management Committee shall meet on a quarterly basis on dates mutually agreed upon by
participants, for t-he sole function of discussing general matters pertaining to employee relations and departmental operations,
and that the Committee shall not engage in collective bargaining or resolution of grievances, and that to his knowledge no
such meeting has ever taken place.
Police Officer Darryl Presley reported that the FOP felt it necessary to retain Mr. Head as its spokesperson for fear of
retaliation. Further, there is not one police officer who is not willing to meet the City Commission half way, and that they
only ask that administration come half way down the road.
After discussion, the Commission concurred that a Labor Management Committee be established, with the FOP to
designate three (3) members, the Police Chief to select two (2) members, with Mayor Dale to Chair said Committee, and that
the first order of business will be to establish procedures.
(Commissioner Williams briefly left the meeting, then returned. )
Commissioner Lessard stated that he would like to provide incentives such as low interest mortgages for police officers
to reside within the City of Sanford.
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Police Chief Dillard stated that management is willing to work with everyone to overcome these small differences in the
Police Department, the problems can be overcome, and there are some good things on the table.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
A ¥OfR'
Attest:
/~ity Clerk