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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Crime Control And Prevention District - 03/07/2001 v11.0 MINUTES CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT MARCH 7, 2001 - 2 : 00 P.M. FIFTH FLOOR CONFERENCE, POLICE DEPARTMENT Members Present: Isaac Valencia Linda Bridges W. L. Hermis Larry Baker Leon Loeb Adolfo Garza, Jr. Danny Mora Eddie Gamez John Heldenfels, Jr. Others Present: Cmdr. Bryan Smith Mariah Boone, Assessment Ctr. Pat Eldridge Dan Whitworth, Parks & Rec. Police Chief P. Alvarez, Jr. Capt. T. Wilson Asst . Chief K. A. Bung Abel Alonzo, Citizen Asst . Chief L. A. Villagomez Juan Garcia, Jr. , Citizen Capt . L. Scott Oscar Hinojosa, Citizen John Hornsby, Police Department Steve Zastrow, Legal Advisor Adele Rowland, Finance News Media Mario Tapia, Budget Vice President Valencia called the meeting to order. The Board Members began their tour in the Police Department Auditorium with a demonstration by the Canine Handler. They proceeded to the MetroCom Center and then examined the Identification vans . Completing the tour President Loeb thanked staff and opened the floor for questions from Board Members. John Hornsby addressed the issue of staffing in the Identification Section. The February 22, 2001, minutes were approved. Cmdr. Smith told the Board that 13 of the 17 Citizen Advisory Councils have been developed. The first Wynn Seale meeting occurred last night and it was extremely productive with 94 individuals attending. Cmdr. Smith proceeded to explain the Enhanced Directed Patrol Proposal combining the services of Crime Prevention, Education, and Directed Patrol. He said that with a one-time expenditure 1 SCANNED 4140 of $95, 242 from the Crime Control budget the Police Department could revamp the Community Relations Division into a Community Policing Division. That would entail taking the five DARE officers and the three Crime Prevention officers and converting them to Directed Patrol officers which covers 16 districts. Cmdr. Smith said that drug education provided to CCISD and crime prevention services would have to be incorporated into the Directed Patrol Program integrating the operations of the Community Relations Division which is consistent with the community policing model . He said that he has not come up with a plan with CCISD but has spoken with Dr. Goodloe and she does believe that a program can be implemented to better suit the schools and communities they serve . Cmdr. Smith and Chief Alvarez will meet with CCISD and prepare a plan they feel would meet the needs of CCISD, is revenue neutral, and will allow them to use the Directed Patrol officers in a manner that is consistent with this program. Chief Alvarez told the Board that the additional eight officers come at no cost to the City or District . He said the reason the proposal is being presented to the Board is that a few funds (one-time costs) are needed to get the program implemented. Mr. Hermis made the motion that the Board approve $94, 242 for the implementation of the Enhanced Directed Patrol contingent on CCISD' s endorsement of the program, Mr. Garza seconded, and the motion carried. Mr. Loeb said the purpose of the meeting today was to discuss the 40-officer budget versus the 50-officer budget . Mr. Loeb said he would like to entertain a motion to which budget plan to approve then the Board can discuss it . Mr. Valencia made the motion to approve the 50-officer budget; Mr. Garza seconded the motion. A lengthy discussion began. Mr. Hermis asked what would happen with the support personnel if the 50-officer budget were approved. Mr. Loeb explained that there would be a two- year transitional period and the decision would have to be made by the City budget process whether the personnel would be retained or forces reduced in those particular job classifications . Mr. Loeb allowed Mr. Alonzo to speak in favor of the 50-officer plan. Mr. Alonzo said the 50-officer plan was promised to the citizens of Corpus Christi and without its approval it is going to produce a negative impact when it goes before the voters again. Cmdr. Smith said he would like to clarify two points . He said this program has not needlessly spent money, it is not in anyway defunct . It is a five-year program and it is being operated within the five-year program revenues . Cmdr. Smith explained that growth had been lower than projected and there was a belief 2 tie 410 that money was going to be obtained from utilities and telecommunications that turned out to be exempt from taxation. He said he wanted to clarify that this plan is solvent, and would accomplish the objectives set out for it over the course of the five-year plan. The second point is that if the Board approved the 50-officer plan there are some critical positions that need to be carried forward on the budget until the City can find the resources to pick them up. He said the Board needs to understand there needs to be flexibility. The Board agreed with Cmdr. Smith. Mr. Tapia told the Board that he contacted the Comptroller ' s Office and received the amount for January sales and they told him that the Board is approximately $32, 000 over projection, which overall is approximately $10, 000 under where it should be . Mr. Loeb said there is a motion to approve the 50-officer plan and called for a vote. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Loeb said the next step for the budget is to review a more refined product on March 21s`. Mr. Loeb said he would also like to discuss using surplus for non-recurring types of expenditures, such as streetlights and other projects . Cmdr. Smith said that there is no money to pay for some of the activities performed by the Directed Patrol officers such as boarding up drug houses . Mr. Loeb asked Cmdr. Smith to present an amount needed by the next Board meeting. Cmdr. Smith also mentioned $75, 000 for the Police Department ' s community policing vehicle. There was $150, 000 obtained from a grant for that vehicle but to get a true community policing van it will cost approximately $225, 000 . Chief Alvarez told the Board what this vehicle would actually be is a mobile police substation. He said he thinks this unit is a plus not only for the community but also for the Crime Control District . The Board will meet again on March 21, 2001, at 2 : 30 p.m. at City Hall, Basement Training Room. Oscar Hinojosa told the Board that he supports the 40-officer plan due to the unemployment rate in Corpus Christi . There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4 : 03 p.m. 3