HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/1996 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1996
The City of Springfield Council met in Work Session in the Springfield City Council Chamber
Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, March 4, 1996, at 6:00 p.m., with
Mayor Morrisette presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Morrisette, Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver.
Also present were City Manager Michael Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City
Attorney Tim Harold, Administrative Aide Julie Wilson and members of the staff.
1. Review Final Draft of Police Long Range Strategic Plan.
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Chief DeForrest introduced members of the Police Planning Task Force (PPTF). Members
were Rev. Zane Wilson, Chairman of the PPTF, Patrick Lucanio, Sally Walsh, James
Crudele, Bill Coons, George Teneyck, Maritza Janecek, staff members Lynn Wakefield,
Byron Vanderpool, Captain Golden, Captain Smith, Captain Weitzel and Steve Gordon,
Lane Council of Governments. Chief DeForrest presented the staff report on this issue. He
eXplained that the presentation of the long range strategic plan for police services is the
culmination of an 18-month planning effort by the Council-appointed PPTF and the Police
Department. The PPTF adopted a planning methodology which included the development of
two working papers. The first paper examined existing services and the second paper
examined trends and issues affecting police services. Council was provided progress reports
on these papers on February 27, 1995 and November 13, 1995, respectively. The PPTF
engaged in a citizen involvement effort which is documented in the agenda item summary
packet. He stated that information obtained from the above efforts was used by the PPTF in
crafting the draft plan being presented this evening.
The executive summary provides an overview of the plan, including a summary statement of
financial impact. The first three years of the strategy are focused on bolstering prevention
and support services to create the desired greater balance between law enforcement and
prevention. Every attempt has been made to take advantage of reclassification and upgrade
of existing positions to reduce the cost of implementing new strategies.
It also is important to note that Section 5 of the resolution adopting the plan directs that
fiscal implementation of the adopted goals and policies shall be considered each year during
the annual budget process and is contingent upon available resources.
Rev. Wilson provided additional information regarding efforts of the PPTF. He discussed
the 20 year plan, history and trends. The PPTF recommendation included proposed
community policing, in an attempt to address current and future community needs.
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Rev. Wilson acknowledged that the Springfield Police Department delivers excellent service
but citizens still have concerns regarding their safety. The question at hand was how to deal
with the fear of crime and the perception of safety.
He reviewed page six and seven of the report and discussed the listed goals, the need to
identify future concerns and identify problems. He also discussed the need to prevent crimes
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City Council Work Session Minutes
March 4, 1996
Page 2
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and stated there was need for balance between prevention, enforcement and problem oriented
solutions. He provided examples of situations that could degrade the quality of life in
neighborhoods.
He also discussed the need for a career track for employees. He explained the difference
between police officers along with the three tier classification structure of community
service officer (CSO).
Chief DeForrest discussed the proposed resolution on page 52 of the draft report. This
resolution referenced adoption of the long range strategic plan for police services (1996-
2016).
Councilor Ballew discussed drug related problems within the community and thanked the
PPTF for their commitment and efforts related to the plan. She discussed the funding
required to support community policing. She expressed doubts and felt reluctant to "jump on
board" at this moment. She also discussed the staffing increase that would result from the
plan. Chief DeForrest responded that Council needed to review the option of prevention as
an alternative to addressing community needs. He explained that community officers would
be non sworn officers. He discussed the balance between officers and non sworn community
officers.
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Councilor Shaver acknowledged the commitment and work that went into the project and a
need to further review the project. He was pleased with the holistic approach of police
services. He discussed the positive action and results from prevention. He discussed current
employees (nuisance abatement personnel) and questioned if it was possible to refine
positions and possibly combine current work activities with duties of a CSO I Officer. He
discussed combining nuisance duties along with other duties and acknowledged there could
be an overlap in duties.
Councilor Maine explained that the questions raised by Council members were similar to
those raised during discussion and drafting of the plan. She discussed quality of life and the
need to address issues and that people needed to have more confidence in their surroundings.
Chief DeForrest explained that volunteers could not provide essential services. He
recognized efforts provided by volunteers.
Councilor Beyer liked the proposal. She questioned if some services listed were currently
being provided by the police department and Chief DeForrest responded yes.
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Councilor Burge agreed with comments made by other Councilors and recognized the work
and effort put into this plan. He felt it was a spectacular document. He made exception to
some comments made regarding the public perception that the citizens may be at risk. He
stated this was not a perception, it was a reality. He discussed drug abuse problems in the
community and expressed support of law enforcement. He did not see what measure of
impact this plan would have on current criminal issues being discussed. He said staff could
spend time and resources, but no rate of return was identified. He felt the rate of return
needed to be judged by having a safer community. He did not see where this plan had a
measured effect of identifiable results and he discussed accountability. He also discussed the
lack of accountability in the government and how the community feels about government.
He discussed the issue of this project being dealt with on a state, federal and local level. He
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March 4, 1996
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stated at this point funding could occur but wondered if there was a need for a coordinated
effort including state, city, county, etc. He discussed the need to address coordination on
these efforts along with accountability. He stated he did not see a measurement for the
amount of crime that would be reduced as a direct result ofthe plan. Chief DeForrest replied
that the performance measures are those listed in the annual budget. He stated he could
make some effort to identify these issues and stated it was difficult to measure the results of
prevention.
Councilor Dahlquist felt it would be difficult to tie performance measures to the plan. He
felt something need to be done and supported the plan.
Councilor Shaver discussed Section 4 of the proposed resolution and stated he was in favor
of that section of the resolution.
Councilor Beyer did not feel people would trust the police force unless it was responsive to
their concerns and felt the proposed plan addressed these issue.
Councilor Burge thanked the task force members for their work and was in support of the
project but had unanswered questions.
Councilor Maine suggested the resolution be scheduled for adoption.
City Manager Mike Kelly discussed the schedule of budget presentations for review of issue
papers. Police reviews were scheduled for April/May. Staff would reschedule this issue
within the next few weeks for discussion during a work session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson
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Mayor
Attest:
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City Recorder