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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 03/26/2002 - JointI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Joint Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of March 26, 2002, which were approved by the City Council on April 16, 2002. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 16th day of April 2002. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES JOINT MEETING OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL AND CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS March 26, 2002 - 12:07 p.m. CITY COUNCIL Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr.* Mayor Pro Tem Brent Chesney* Javier Colmenero* Henry Garrett Bill Kelly Rex Kinnison John Longoria* Jesse Noyola Mark Scott City Staff Present City Manager David R. Garcia City Attorney James R. Bray Jr. City Secretary Armando Chapa Police Commander Bryan Smith Recording Secretary Rachelle Parry CRIME CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD Linda Bridges, President Vicky Alexander Larry Baker John Heldenfels W.L. Hermis Butch Pool Rose Marie Soto Isaac Valencia ABSENT Danny Mora (Crime Control) The meeting was called to order in the Basement Training Room of City Hall. City Secretary Chapa checked the roll and verified that quorums of both the Council and the Crime Control District (CCD) Board were present to conduct the meeting. Ms. Bridges said that the board would make a short presentation to update the Council on the district's progress and then be available for questions. Cmdr. Smith explained that district funds were used to purchase 20 radars which have been installed in the patrol cars; another 17 will arrive in the next allotment. Assistant Chief Bung said they are awaiting one more signature to proceed with the video imaging project. Cmdr. Smith said the community policing mobile vehicle has been used in various ways around the city and there are 179 families in case management at the Juvenile Assessment Center. The district provides funds for two case managers there. *Mayor Neal and Council Members Colmenero and Longoria arrived at about 12:10 p.m. Cmdr. Smith also discussed how district monies have assisted the city in installing a special graffiti -resistant laminate on street signs in specific neighborhoods identified by directed patrol officers. He said it is cost -prohibitive to use that laminate on all the city's street signs. Ms. Bridges addressed the district's proposed FY 2002-03 budget. She said the CCD board will hold a hearing on the budget on April 17, 2002 and adopt it during their May 8th meeting. The City Council must hold a public hearing on the adopted budget on or before the June 1 l th Council r r Minutes - Joint Meeting March 26, 2002 Page 2 meeting to meet the June 16th deadline. On or before their June 25th meeting, the Council must approve or reject the CCD budget by the July 2nd deadline. Ms. Bridges said that while the board is very positive about the CCD being renewed by the voters during the November 2002 election, they also want to ensure that they have contingency plans in case it is not renewed. Cmdr. Smith said the proposed budget essentially continues the funding of the 50 police officers (the last 10 officers will start the police academy in April). Cmdr. Smith said that when the CCD was formed five years ago, it paid for 25 civilian positions. In FY01-02, six civilian positions were cut (three dispatchers and three crime scene technicians). In order to fund the remaining 10 police officers in FY02-03, another 16 civilian positions will have to be cut: legal advisor, seven dispatchers, one crime scene technician, and seven office assistants (three from the pawn shop unit and four from the telephone reporting unit). He said those reductions --which equal about $750,000 --will result in three civilian positions being funded by the CCD. Cmdr. Smith said that staff had recommended retaining those civilian positions and limiting the number of police officers to 40 instead of 50. A discussion ensued about the proposed budget and Cmdr. Smith responded to Council members' questions. Assistant Chief Bung pointed out that the elimination of seven of the civilian positions will slow down the implementation of some of the CCD's technological programs. Mr. Mark McDaniel, Director of Management and Budget, said the proposed revenue for FY02-03 is about $3.8 million. Cmdr. Smith also reviewed the budget calendar. *Council Member Chesney arrived at approximately 12:25 p.m. Ms. Bridges said she had informed the Council via a letter that the CCD board unanimously supports a five-year renewal of the district through a continuation referendum in the November 2002 election. She said the board had originally discussed a 10 -year renewal period but reconsidered to five years for several reasons. She said the board has budgeted monies for administrative costs associated with the election. Council Member Scott asked what would occur if the CCD renewal failed in November. City Manager Garcia said the city would begin the process of realigning the Police Department, which would have to be reduced by the 50 officers being funded by district monies. Additional discussion ensued and Mr. Garcia pointed out that the city does not have the resources to support the district's programs. Mayor Neal asked the CCD board members to develop suggestions on how the Council can promote the district's renewal. Responding to Council Member Colmenero, City Attorney Bray said the ballot language for the renewal election is prescribed by the statute. The Mayor said it is important to promote the many benefits of the Crime Control District. Cmdr. Smith added that the existence of the district is critical to the community policing initiative. There being no other business, Mayor Neal adjourned the joint meeting at 12:42 p.m. on March 26, 2002. i r r