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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/10/1977 City Council 000118 MINUTES OF SPECIAL SESSION CITY OF THE COLONY DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS DECEMBER 10, 1977 STATE OF TEXAS ) ) COUNTY OF DENTON ) The City Council of the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas convened in Special Session with the Law Enforcement Commission in attendance, open to the public, at the City Hall of the City of The Colony, Denton County, Texas, at 9:30 A.M., Saturday, December 10, 1977, and the roll was called of the members of the Council to wit: Luis Guerrero Mayor Linda Adams Alderman Cathy Bock Alderman Dave Dall Alderman Joe Gaulden Alderman Sandra Shearer Alderman All members were present with the exception of Alderman Adams, thus constituting a quorum. Due to a long distance call, Alderman Adams was late, but arri~d during Executive Session. Also present were members of the Law Enforcement Commission; Vicki Harkrider, Bill Devlin, Wes Gray and John Vasil; Jim Beltran, Chief of Police; and Janice Carroll, City Secretary, and members of the public. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Guerrero who welcomed members of the audience. He then stated the first agenda item was dealing with personnel matters and would be held under executive session. The Mayor and Council members then adjourned to the Mayor's office. At the conclusion of the Executive Session, Mayor Guerrero stated that no decisions were reached nor motions made. At this time Mayor Guerrero turned the meeting over to Alderman 000119 Gaulden to present agenda item number two, consideration of appointees to the Law Enforcement Commission. Alderman Gaulden stated that the Law Enforcement Commission has recommended Ethyl Solomon, Dennis Kelly, and Dr. Joseph Murphy to fill the present vacancies on the Commission. Alderman Gaulden then made the motion that the CouNcil accept the recommendations of the Law Enforcement Commission and appoint Ethyl Solomon, Dennis Kelley and Dr. Joseph Murphy as members: of the Law Enforcement Commission. Alderman Bock seconded the motion. Mayor Guerrero asked for comments. A member of the audience presented his application for the Law Enforcement Commission at this time. Mayor Guerrero stated that this and other applications would be considered when positions are available. There being no further comments, the motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None ~-- The consideration of the police vehicle bids was the third agenda item. Mayor Guerrero emphasized that this was the first "police package" vehicle to be purchased by the city. Alderman Gualden stated that this was a budgeted item, and the Council has previously studied all bids received. Alder- man Gaulden then moved that the Council approve the bid submitted by Van Winkle Pontiac for the purchase of a City Police Vehicle. Alderman Dall seconded the motion. Mayor Guerrero then asked for comments from the Council. Alderman Shearer stated that she felt that the fact that Van Winkle was the low bid received should be included in the wording of the motion. It was so agreed. Alderman Adams stated that after Monday's Council Meeting many valid points in favor of a marked car were made by the members of the audience. She then asked if it would be possible to mark the car. Chief Beltran replied that the car could be marked immediately 000120 after the car has been accepted by the city. Before contin- uing, he did want to clarify to the members of the Council that his comments reflect the combined conclusions of the Police Department and the Law Enforcement Commission. The first consideration when forming these policies is the best service to the citizens. Chief Beltran said that a marked car could accent the police department's weakness - lack of man- power. After further comments Chief Beltran concluded with the statement that a marked vehicle would let everyone know where the police are, and if this is what is wanted by the citizens then this is fine with the Police Department, but the decision must be made by the City Council. At this point, Mayor Guerrero asked what legally constitutes a police vehicle? Chief Beltran answered that a siren and red lights are all that is required; he added that at night markings on a car cannot be seen. Chief Beltran said that he looked upon The Colony as a pioneer community, and its accomplishments are unparalleled. He felt that The Colony should not adopt policies just because they are tradition. Once a traditional approach has been introduced it is difficult to change. "Ef- fectiveness'' should be the first consideration when a city policy is being for. med. Replying to Chief Beltran's statement, Alderman Dall said that the Council is willing to try various methods. The Council is considering ordering a car in a color that can possibly be marked when needed. Chief Beltran interjected that the present car is indeed marked by the three antennas and by the tax exempt tags. Chief Beltran emphasized that this is not a personal desire and whatever decision is made by the Council the effectiveness of his department will remain constant. Colonel Gray said that the Commission could certainly appreciate a Mother's concern that her child not get into a strange car. 000121 However, the subject of prevention vs. apprehension can be argued all day long. Alderman Dall asked for a time table as to when a decision can be made. After a general discussion, Chief Beltran concluded that it would be one and a half to two years before another police vehicle would be purchased and a decision could effectively be reached at that time. He added that it would possibly be three to four years before two patrolmen would be on the streets at the same time. Alderman Dall asked if the reserves would use police vehicles. Chief Beltran replied that they would. Alderman Dall then asked what equipment is included on this second car. Beltran stated it is a basic police package. Dall explained that the Council has not yet decided how city cars will be used as they are retired from the police depart- ment. Colonel Gray said that a police package would not preclude other uses of the car by the city. Alderman Shearer requested that a stepped up program be developed to acquaint the children with our police officers and the cars they drive. Alderman Gaulden recommended that the City have a coffee for the second police officer as well as the reserves so that citizens will become acquainted with the men that will be patroling our City. Chief Beltran did remind the Council that all officers will have their badges on when on duty. Mayor Guerrero then asked for further comments from the members of the audience. Vita Koenig was recognized by Mayor Guerrero. She agreed with the idea of having an open house to become acquainted with our police officers. She then answered some of the comments made by Chief Beltran. Mrs. Koenig disagreed with 000122 Chief Beltran that a marked car put an accent on the police ~ department's weaknesses, but felt that a car was a deterrent to crime. She felt that her daughter or other children would not be likely to identify a police car by the tax exempt tags or antennas. She stated that in her opinion two years was too long a time period to decide the question of marked vs. unmarked cars. She indicated that uniforms were not viewed as a "storm trooper" image by many of the citizens of The Colony, but as a friendly image. Colonel Gray answered Mr. Koenig that two years was the max- imum limit to make a decision. Alderman Dall added that an unmarked second car could be marked at any time. Thirdly, Mayor Guerrero added that the third vehicle will be marked to serve as a deterrent to crime. However, police records indicate that the drug problem, va~dalism problems on Brandenburg Lane and repeated tire slashings have almost come to a complete halt Mayor Guerrero told the members of the Council. Mrs. Koenig requested that the City reevaluate these areas periodically. Mayor Guerrero assured her this would be done. There followed a brief discussion of opinions of the citizens on the aforementioned matters. Alderman Bock stated that citizens in favor of the police department policies were seldom heard from by the Council. The Council emphasized that they needed more input from all citizens on each issue. Again, Mrs. Koenig asked that the City keep the citizens posted on studies made. Mayor Guerrero stated that he would personally promise to keep the citizens of The Colony posted. Mayor Guerrero asked for further comments. There were none. 000123 Mayor Guerrero repeated the motion to accept the low bid pre- sented by Van Winkle Pontiac in the approximate amount of $5,500.00, which is within the budgeted amount. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None There being no further action to be taken by the Council, Mayor Guerrero asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Bock moved that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Shearer seconded the motion. The motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: All members present voted aye Noes: None The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Guerrero. J ~i~c e Carroll Secretary