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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-11-2002 Meeting I PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - February 11, 2002 1:30P.M. PRESENT: M. Williams, Chairman, L. Beard, T. Boyles, S. Shepard, members, Commissioner A. Cheek, G. Kolb, Administrator, J. Wall, Attorney, B. Bragdon, Animal Control, L. Bonner, Clerk of Commission. MEDIA: H. Williams, Augusta Chronicle, S. Eidson, Metro Spirit, R. Jones, Augusta Focus, G. Eskola, Channel 6. 1. Update/report regarding identification of a funding source for the implementation of a Community Emergency Notification System for Richmond County. (Referred from January 24 Public Safety) Mr. Russell: I spoke with Dave and he is in the process of coming up with an actual presentation. It looks like there is some funding available possibly from Bell Atlantic as far as doing something with the phone numbers. He is not ready to make a presentation at this point and ask that this be continued to the next meeting. Mr. Beard: I move we receive this as information and it is continued to our next meeting. I Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Request for approval of Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAlBG) application for Richmond County Juvenile Court and The Children and Youth Coordinating Council (CYCC). Mr. Beard: So move for approval. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Update on construction of new Animal Control facility. I Dr. Bragdon: I wanted to bring you up to date on the progress of construction. On January 29 we had a meeting with Commissioner Williams, Warden Leverett, Mr. Russell, our contracting architect, Phil Rhodes as well as two representatives from the Dept of Corrections. We asked a lot of questions about how the program operates. We asked a lot of questions about logistics and how the program operates. I believe everybody came out with a favorable impression and was very happy with the way the program operates. Last Tuesday the Commission did approve to write a letter requesting assistance from that department and it was passed. We did deliver that letter to Commissioner Wertherington of the Dept of Corrections. My understanding is that we now wait four to five weeks before we get exact information on a timetable as well as the actual cost of the project. I Mr. Shepard: I move we receive this as information. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion carries unanimously. 4. Motion to disapprove a request for waiver of fire regulation requirement that a fire hydrant must be located within 500 feet of commercial structure, as it relates to a proposed location for a drop off laundry at the corner of Robinson Avenue and Gordon Highway. Mr. Wall: A gentleman approached Planning & Zoning with a request to locate a module building off Gordon Hwy at Robinson Ave for the purpose of a drop off laundry service. When it was reviewed, as part of the review process it was turned down. He then contacted my office and I indicated that I would not recommend it. The closest fire hydrant is approximately 3000 feet from this. This is a situation where he is at the end of the county so to speak. There is a convenience store that is located there but it was grandfathered in. You have a situation here where it's not just his property but other people's property as well in that area This will be a module building where he does not have the proper exits like other locations that where we have approved waivers. I am recommending that this waiver be denied. I Chief Rogers: The Fire Dept is also recommending that the waiver be disapproved. Mr. Shepard: So move for approval. Mr. Beard: Second. Motion carries unanimously. 5. Discuss the Augusta Fire Department's First Responder Program. (Requested by Commissioner Williams) Mr. Williams: I have been observing for some time now that we have been sending our fire trucks as First Responders to everything. I think our fire calls have almost doubled. I would like Chief Rogers to give us a report on the increase that we've had. My concern is that we've got fire apparatus, police cars, I and even an ambulance going on these First Responder calls. We could have I I I could have a major catastrophe if we have an accident. I think that when you take a fire vehicle with as much equipment as they carry out for that reason we could be placing our city in a position for a lawsuit. Chief Rogers: Starting in November when we went into it basically full force we answered 1,068 calls for the calendar year. Since January 2002 we've already had 492 calls. . This is about 38% more of the total response for this year. We estimate at this rate that our call volume will probably be up around 5000 emergency medical calls for the year. With those calls along with the haz-mat calls and the 911 calls our call volume will be doubling. With the emergency medical response, First Responder mode will add considerably to that response. Mr. Boyles: I move we receive this as information. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Discuss the use of fire apparatus by fire personnel while on duty as transportation for acquiring meals. (Requested by Commissioner Williams) Mr. Williams: I requested this be placed on the agenda because the department is using these vehicles to transport the firefighters for meals. I don't think we should be using these vehicles for that purpose. Chief Rogers: .I think it's a combination of several things. We're doing numerous things with the public when we're out with the trucks fire safety and Adopt-a-Schools. We're asking so much more of our folks and they're providing so much more service to the community. There are days that they are not able to cook in the station, basically because they have so much more going on outside of the station. Mr. Boyles: I move we receive this report as information. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion carried unanimously. 7. Receive report from Marshal Steve Smith on the implementation of the Municipal Building Security Plan. (Requested by Commissioner Shepard) Marshal Smith: The equipment is currently being installed. There was a probl= with scheduling. We will begin training on Tuesday. We're waiting on one last thing with the locks. We'll be utilizing the walk through and the x-rays next week. Mr. Williams: What is the procedure when you go through with the cell phones and the jewelry? I Marshal Smith: Obviously you can set the sensItivIty of the machine. We'll be working with the U.S. Marshal's service also the manufacture of the equipment to try and determine what's accessible on the sensitivity to make sure that no weapons get in. Certainly, we'll have to look at belt buckles and shoes. Mr. Williams: What doors will be used? Marshal Smith: Our plan now is to use the front door. We're going to have the ADA compliant door set up for employee use. If you're identified properly with the ID card with your picture you'll be able to use the ADA door as an employee door when it manned by an officer. Other than that all entry and exit will be through the front door. Mr. Shepard: What about people that need to come in through the ADA back? Marshal Smith: There is a button on the door that you can ring. We will adjust the button so that it will be wheelchair accessible. Anybody that needs to get through that is handicapped can ring the bell and we'll have an officer let him or her in. I Mr. Shepard: What about the peek pushes that we have as utilization with the crowds that come in for courts. The calendar calls for the defendants and lawyers and the jury pool? Marshall Smith: The jury notices for the next couple of weeks have been sent out. Our plan is to follow what some of the other jurisdictions are doing and that is to send a temporary identification card to the jurors. We'll have them come to a designated door at a designated time and that will cut down on the juror entrance. We want all of the witnesses and defendants to come through the front door. Mr. Boyles: I move we receive this report as information. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Discuss the status of the Fire Chief appointment. Commissioner Shepard) (Requested by I I Mr. Kolb: At this point in time I have done nothing since there were two no action votes. It's up to the body to give me some direction. Mr. Beard: I don't think that was our direction. After further discussion, Mr. Boyles: I move we receive this as information. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion carries unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission /bb I I I PUBLIC SAFETY AGENDA COMMITTEE ROOM - February 11,2002 1:30 P. M. I. Update/report regarding identifieation of a funding souree for the implementation of a Community Emergency Notification System for Richmond County. (Referred from January 24 Public Safety) 2. Request for approval of Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAIBG) application for Richmond Countyjuvenile-Coutnhd'The Children andYotith Coordinating Council (CYCC). 3. Update on construction of new Animal Control facility. 4. Motion to disapprove a request for waiver of fire regulation requirement that a fire hydrant must be located within 500 feet of commercial structure, as it relates to a proposed location for a drop off laundry at the corner of Robinson Avenue and Gordon Highway. 5. Discuss the Augusta Fire Department's First Responder Program. (Requested by Commissioner Williams) -- 6. Discuss the use of fire apparatus by fire personnel while on duty as transportation for acquiring meals. (Requested by Commissioner Williams) 7. Receive report from Marshal Steve Smith on the implementation of the Municipal Building Security Plan. (Requested by Commissioner Shepard) - 8. Discuss the status of the Fire Chief appointment. (Requested by Commissioner Shepard)