Police Headquarters To Move
The controversial move of the city Police Department from the one-time city hall building to the ground floor of the government complex remains on go, but the proposed schedule to have it done by July 1 won’t be met.
The estimated cost also remains an open question after a round of give-and-take Tuesday between Police Chief Dan Norris, City Council members and Mayor Susan Holmes. City manager Walter Smith, in his monthly report, estimated the cost at $27,000, but the chief said he had worked out his own cost estimates.
{{more}}
Noting that he hadn’t been told why he was requested to be at the council meeting, the chief said he had e-mailed his cost estimates to the city manager, but couldn’t provide details at the meeting. He also said facilities needed by the department could not be completed by July 1.
He emphasized the need for a “secure room” for the terminal connected to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). He noted that if an unauthorized person, “like a janitor,” were to gain access to GCIC information, the city could incur severe liability.
Noting that a police agency has three functions—administrative, patrol and investigative—he also stressed the need for privacy for investigations. “We pay for intelligence,” he said, apparently referring to use of “confidential informants.” Investigative interviews cannot be done in an area where other people are coming and going, he said.
He questioned provisions for parking also noting that when the department was expanded into the entire old city hall office space that he was able to arrange desks for individual officers. Noting that it gives them a “sense of belonging,” he conceded that individual desks were “a luxury we’d like to afford.” Such amenities help the city compete for qualified officers, he indicated.
Mayor Holmes, referring to the city’s recent budget woes, said some citizens “look at the Police Department and all they see is that half-million dollars in the budget (for police operations),” Some have suggested eliminating the department, she said.
“It’s a site we can no longer afford,” she said of the building. Earlier in the meeting Mr. Smith reported that an appraisal had set the value of the property at a minimum of $200,000.
The chief responded, “I’m not stuck on that building,” but he said the department needs an adequate “operational plant.” If the department is cut back to the point where he feels “the city can’t afford the safety of its citizens or the officers, we may have to look at consolidation (with the Sheriff’s Department),” he added.
A similar sentiment was voiced by Councilwoman Jacqueline Smith later in the session. Noting that she did not favor consolidation, she said, “If we have to do it for the safety of our citizens lets bring it up for a vote.”
The mayor and council also heard from another department head in the person of Richard Martin, who heads the Gas Department and reported on the long running project to bring the system up to state standards. Mr. Smith reported that Mr. Martin and two other employes have been assigned to work exclusively on the gas system for the next 90 days.
Mr. Martin reviewed surveys done by contractors on the pipes and cathodic protection system that prevents corrosion. Of 129 leaks found, 62 have been repaired, including all 22 classed as “Group One,” the most severe. He estimated that the remaining 67 can be repaired over the next six months.
Also appearing before the group was Lex Jackson, a resident of Fred Smith Street who was concerned about the distance of fire hydrants from homes in his neighborhood. He said he checked on the hydrants after burning debris from a nearby fire landed on some homes in the area. Noting how houses are close together in the area, he said, “If one goes they all go.” The distance to fire hydrants has residents “nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof,” he added.
Council members agreed that the situation needed to be remedied, but also that it would take some planning. All were committed to proceeding with improvements.
In other action, the mayor and council:
•Agreed with Councilman Glenn Newsome that the city’s sewer rates should be adjusted upward. He suggested that sewer fees be set at 71 percent of the amount charged for water for all users. Currently the percentage drops to 33 percent after water usage reaches 2,000 gallons. The increase may be adopted next month.
•Also received from Mr. Newsome a proposed “tree protection ordinance” that would regulate removal of trees within city jurisdiction. It would create a “Tree Board” to set out plans and specifications for tree protection provide guidance for preserving trees.
•Voted to declare as surplus a list of equipment provided by the city manager, authorizing the sale of the items.
•Approved a zoning variance to allow Jerry Edge to add a sunroom onto the back of his house on Magnolia Street.
•Heard, in lieu of the “Monticello History” segment, from Jeanette Standifer on activities of the Get Ahead House where she is director. She said more than 100 children were enrolled in the summer program with as many as 340 participating in various activities, including reading and math studies, tennis, arts and various recreational activities.