Public Safety Committee Meeting

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, April 11, 2023 1:05 PM PUBLIC SAFETY PRESENT Mayor Garnett Johnson Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight Commissioner Alvin Mason Commissioner Bobby Williams Commissioner Brandon Garrett 1. Motion to approve the minutes of the Public Safety Committee held on March 14, 2023. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Smith-McKnight, Mason, Williams, Garrett Motion carries 4-0. 2. Motion to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement between Augusta, Georgia and USAG Fort Gordon, GA and to authorize the Mayor to execute the appropriate documents. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Smith-McKnight, Mason, Williams, Garrett Motion carries 4-0. 3. Presentation by Mr. Richard E. Jones regarding Central EMS service for the City of Augusta. It was the consensus of the committee that this item be received as information without objection. ADDENDUM ITEM 1. Consider/discuss the March 14, 2023 presentation from Best Friends Animal Society regarding an introduction of a new way to manage outdoor cats that is more effective and fiscally responsible than the current method of trapping and euthanizing. This would require an ordinance change to exempt fixed outdoor cats who are not a nuisance from mandatory impoundment. (Requested by Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Garrett) It was the consensus of the committee that this item be added to the agenda without objection. Motion to approve the ordinance change for the pilot period for three years and then review at that time for renewal and further discussion. Motion made by Garrett, motion dies for lack of a second. Motion to refer this item to the full Commission with no recommendation. Motion made by Mason, Seconded by McKnight. Motion carries 4-0.