Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 05-10-12 special - police reorganization — reading text

fA' Draft Minutes — City of Fort Walton Beach Special Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach Thursday, May 10, 2012 6: 00 PM 107 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Bwch, FL 32548 CALL TO ORDER 6: 00 PM Meeting was called to order on May 10, 2012 at Council Chamber, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL. Attendee Name Title '. Status Arrived Mike Anderson + Mayor Present Bobby Griggs Council Seat 1 Present Joyce gossom Council Seat 2 Present '.. Dennis Reeves Fcouncil Seat 3 Present Trey Goodwin i Council Seat 4 Present Bobby Nabors Council Seat 5 Bull Rigdon Council Seat 6 Presentent Pres Dick R} mearson Council Seat 7 Present PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION The Mayor asked for a motion to waive Roberts Rules of Order for this meeting, advising that after the Police Chiefs presentation, the audience be allowed to ask questions, followed by a motion and discussion from Council, then opening up for public comments. The vote on the motion to waive Roberts Rules of Order for this meeting carried RESULT: ADOPTED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bobby Griggs, Council Seat 1 SECONDER: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Police Chief Ted Litschauer advised a proposal for the Police Department was conducted with three requirements as goals: 1) the reduction of one million dollars from the police budget for FY 2013; 2) no reduction in safety to the citizens of the City; and 3) no increased threat to officer safety. Clry Council ofFart Walton Beach Page I Printed 511112011 290 Special Meeting Minutes May 10, 2012 Chief Litschauer discussed the plan to reduce the police budget, including a restructuring of the Patrol function to four 12 -hour squads; combining the Support Services and Criminal Investigation Divisions into a single Operations Support division; eliminating the community policing unit except for the CRA Officers, which are separately funded; the restructuring of the general investigations unit; the elimination of the street crimes (vice) unit; and the elimination of one communications officers and one administrative position. Chief Litschauer concluded that this proposed restructuring of the police department, resulting in the elimination of I 1 positions ( eight of which have recently been vacated mid not refilled) and a decrease of approximately $ 1, 019,000 further demonstrates the commitment of the police department' s members to protect and serve the community and its citizens. Discussion included that the loss of the general investigations unit will be offset, in, part, by the establishment and operations of a multi- agency major case squad which will be a cooperative effort with surrounding police departments. Mr. Griggs moved to decline the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Proposal to provide law enforcement services to the City, and affirm our recognition and support of the City of Fort Walton Beach Police Department. Also, that the Acting City Manager send a letter to Sheriff Larry Ashley to that effect, thanking him for his efforts in preparing a proposal for the City' s review. Mr. Rigdon seconded motion. Council commended both the sheriff for providing a proposal as the City requested, and Chief Litschauer government. for his proposal. Also discussed was the need for continuity and stability in the City's Laurie Arrington, 216 Fliva Avenue, discussed the increase in crime as noted in an FDLE Crime Report and asked that Council find other ways to reduce the budget without eliminating 11 positions in the Police Department. Bill Patterson, 35 Anastasia, presented a petition to Council containing over 1, 000 signatures from citizens asking that a referendum be placed on the issue and did so of their own free will, and that only in the United States could the voices of the citizens be heard. Joe Foster, 334 Park Circle, applauded the Police Chief for the work he has done and Council for their position, and echoed the concerns of the proposed reduction in force and the issue of cost vs. quality of life for the citizens of the City. Elaine Ridge, 224 Eglin Parkway, stated many people were involved in the petitions that were signed and that county residents were just as concerned as they did not want their level of services to be diminished with the addition ofproviding police services to the City. Tony Taylor, City resident and former police officer, noted the issue of police consolidation has come up many times through the years and the citizens have always voiced their opposition to any type of consolidation. He asked that a change in the City's Charter be considered so the issue of police consolidation can never come up again. The vote on the motion to maintain the City' s Police Department carried unanimously. City Cannot ojFari Walton Beach Page 2 Printed 51112012  291 Special Meeting Minutes May 10, 2012 RESULT: ADOPTED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bobby Griggs, Council Seat 1 SECONDER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson ADJOURNMENT: 6: 27 pm WOMPO MO Atte t: W., City Clerk Page 3 Printul 511112012 City Council of Fort Walton Beach