Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003.0311.TCWSM.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE WORK STUDY SESSION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL MARCH 11,2003 car Mayor Jon Beydler convened the work-study session at 5:00 p.m. Councilman Melendez and Vice Mayor Ralphe updated the Council on the revamping of Channel 11 in connection with the school district. Each councilperson would be asked to submit a person's name to serve on a committee to improve Channel.11. ROLL CALL: Present for roll call were the following members of the Fountain Hills Town Council: Mayor Jon Beydler, Vice Mayor Susan Ralphe, Councilpersons Mike Archambault, Rick Melendez, Leesa Stevens, and John Kavanagh. Also present were Town Manager Tim Pickering, Town Attorney Andrew McGuire, Director of Public Works Tom Ward, Accounting Supervisor Julie Ghetti, Interim Town Marshal Todd Tate, Captain Scott Penrose (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)and Town Clerk Bev Bender. It was announced that Councilwoman Nicola and Judge Armbruster would be arriving late. AGENDA ITEM #1 - DISCUSSION WITH POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING LAW ENFORCEMENT. Discussion focused on determining what information needed to be gathered by Staff so the Council could make a final decision on the future of law enforcement in Fountain Hills. Code enforcement and citizen involvement were discussed. Interim Town Marshal Todd Tate provided a brief overview Of the contents of the Law Enforcement Report as it related to the Fountain Hills' Marshals Department. Captain Scott Penrose gave a brief presentation thw relative to the contents of the Law Enforcement Report as it related to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office. (A copy of this presentation is available in the Clerk's office) Town Attorney Andrew McGuire provided an update on a request for a "reduction in force analysis" that was submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice in order to ensure that grant funding was safeguarded and not placed in jeopardy. The Justice Department had questioned that the grant was in the name of the Marshals Office rather than.the Town of Fountain Hills and the process that must be followed to rectify the situation. Additional discussion ensued relative to existing grants and associated timetables, the various types of grants that were applied for and awarded, complexities associated with the actual completion of grant applications, the importance of rectifying the situation that had arisen with the Department of Justice. Councilman Melendez directed Mr. Pickering and Mr. McGuire to pursue this matter with the Department of Justice without delay. Mr. McGuire indicated Staffs intention to continue to work on this matter and to report the status of their efforts to the members of the Council. Additional discussion ensued relative to the grant application/Justice Department issues and that an additional letter will be forwarded to the Justice Department clarifying this matter and emphasizing that the Town of Fountain Hills had not violated any grants. Mr. Pickering said that Staff would prepare long-term projections with an analysis of costs and a recommendation. Councilman Archambault requested breakdown sheets and copies of the pay scale that were approved by the Council for this budget year, as well as graphics and statistics to be collated for review by the Council. Other topics discussed: a "citizens' patrol," liability concerns, workers' compensation, utilization of civilians, volunteers or officers to carry out non-police type work, and training. Mayor Beydler requested that Staff provide information relative to traffic citations and warrants and asked if this was a budget related item to which Mr. Pickering responded yes. Mayor Beydler questioned if the policy decision should be addressed during a budget planning session or an agendized public meeting. E:\BBender\Documents\Current Minutes 2003\03-11 FHworkstudy.doc Page 1 of 3 Councilman Kavanagh requested Staff to collect the rest of the data so that the members of the Council could review the materials and render a decision on this matter in April. A video, Volunteers in Policing (VIPs), was played highlighting a program in effect in the City of Chandler. Councilman Melendez stated that the information could assist them to determine if monies should be allocated for one law enforcement department. Town Attorney Andrew McGuire discussed a letter to be sent to the Department of Justice regarding the completion of the Town's Reduction in Force analysis from the Justice Department and the two steps: 1) Withdraw from the grant; and 2) Provide the Department with the information that has been requested. Mr. McGuire stated that the Town Manager could place the item on a future agenda for Council discussion and/or action but expressed concern relative to what would occur should the Council decide not to rescind that previous action. Further discussion followed regarding the grants. The Mayor requested that the Town Manager agendize this issue for official Council action for formal consideration and action regarding the grant. Discussion ensued that this item would be placed on the April 3, 2003, (6:00 pm) agenda for discussion and Council action and the importance of receiving additional information (in house grants, applications, selection procedures, reports, awards, and issues related to COPS 3,4, and 5)before the meeting. Mr. McGuire discussed the two separate issues being pursued: 1) the Justice Department to sign off on a lower number of positions allocated to law enforcement, and 2) the current grant which the Town had not drawn upon. He stressed the importance of remembering that the grant applications were very clear about the criteria by which the grant will be evaluated. Additional discussion ensued relative to actual versus budgeted positions as they pertain to grant applications. AGENDA ITEM#2-ESTABLISH THE NEXT MEETING DATE. The next work-study session has been scheduled for April 8th at 6 p.m. A Special Council Session will be scheduled if needed but is not planned. No Council meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2003. Mr. Pickering announced issues that would be addressed at the April 8th meeting: the Sign Ordinance and Council Procedures. The Mayor requested that an agendized Special Council Session be scheduled in the event one is needed following the April 8th Work Study Session. Additional discussion ensued relative to the fact that the grant issue would be an issue for discussion at the next Regular Council Meeting. Councilwoman Nicola requested that Staff prepare a budget process timeline for the Council to review and they consider scheduling a Work Study Session to review the budget. Mr. Pickering said he would provide the Council with that information. AGENDA ITEM#3-ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. E:\BBender\Documents\Current Minutes 2003\03-11 FHworkstudy.doc Page 2 of 3 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS By: Jon Be dler, or ATTEST: ,P/y,e , 2xz,\ Bevelyn J.Bender,Town Clerk PREPARED BY: N '-C-C.t/rh �i44" Bevelyn J. Bendel-6/Town Clerk CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Work Study Meeting held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills on the 11th day of March 2003. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 3rd day of April 2003. -7-7 C7/5J'' 4( Bevelyn J. Beper, n Clerk IV.r E:\BBender\Documents\Current Minutes 2003\03-11 FHworkstudy.doc Page 3 of 3