Public Safety Committee

Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Committee Held in the Conference Room at City Hall June 18, 2019 @ 4:30 p.m. Notice of this meeting was given to the public in compliance with Sections 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978 and Resolution 1 9 - 3 7 . ROLL CALL The meeting convened at 4:30 p.m. with Chair Best presiding, Councilor Moore, Councilor Foster and Councilor Henderson being present. Staff present: Mike Mathews, Deputy City Manager, Joe Neeb, City Manager, Karen Sanders, Chaves County Emergency Manager, Devin Graham, Fire Chief, Angela Vegara, Fire Department, Michael Taylor, Police Captain of Investigation Services, Phil Smith, Police Chief, Joe A. Smith, Police Lieutenant, Megan Tellez, Roswell Animal Services, Joseph Pacheco, Roswell Animal Control Guests Present: Tracy Laney, Consolidated Dispatch, Barbara Andrews, Consolidated Dispatch, Dr. Mike Albers, Roswell Humane Society, Larry Connelly APPROVAL AGENDA Councilor Moore motioned to approve the agenda of the June 18, 2019, Public Safety Committee meeting. Councilor Foster was the second, with a voice vote unanimous, and the motion passed 4-0. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 1. Councilor Moore motioned to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2019, Public Safety Committee meeting. Councilor Foster was the second, with a voice vote unanimous, and the motion passed 4-0. REGULAR ITEMS 2. Consider Approval of Memorandum for Understanding with Chaves County for housing of county stray animals. Mr. Mathews addressed the Committee regarding the MOU. The Deputy City Attorney drafted an agreement for the costs associated with the housing and shelter of stray animals brought in by the County. The agreement will be for one year with the option to extend for an additional year. If approved, the County will pay the City $5,000 at the time of signing and $15,000 on July 1, 2019. The annual fee due from the County will be $20,000.  Councilor Henderson moved to recommend approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with Chaves County to full council. Councilor Moore was the second, with a voice vote unanimous, and the motion passed 4-0. NON-ACTION ITEMS 3. Ambulance Update Chief Devin Graham gave the Committee the current update. He informed the Committee that there was no update to report at this time due to the incidents that have occurred at the Fire Department. There will be an update given at a later date. 4. Animal Control Update Mike Mathews, Captain Taylor and Megan Tellez gave the updates to the Committee. Mr. Mathews provided the Committee with a rough draft of the updates, revisions, fees and removals of ordinances that will be proposed to the council. He asked that the Committee, Humane Society and the rescue groups review and give their input, or any suggestions to provide to full council. The goal is to provide a document for the community and all of the facilities. Dr. Albers of the Humane Society, suggested clarification and review of several section ordinances. Mr. Mathews along with Ms. Tellez will review the requests suggested by Dr. Albers as well as doing some additional research. Councilor Best asked that any changes or additions to the proposed ordinances be provided at the next meeting July 16, 2019. Mr. Mathews asked the Committee to focus on the draft in the next meeting in order to prepare it for presentation to Council. Ms. Tellez informed the Committee regarding a grant titled Trap Release & Neuter, which is for a two-year term. After two years, the City would be responsible for the service. With this grant, only cats would be trapped, neutered and released within a chosen set area. This will only reduce the population not resolve any other issues. Ms. Tellez is relying on donations to furnish the surgery suite to allow for these procedures. Dr. Albers voiced his concerns on the funding of the program as he recalled a previous similar attempt and funding was exhausted. A donor has offered to purchase and fully furnish the surgical suite at Animal Control. With this donation, it will allow the T&R grant funds to extend its usage. They would like direction from the Committee if they should continue to pursue this grant. Ms. Tellez will do research and get additional information regarding the grant and provide to the Committee at a later date. 5. Combined Dispatch Update Tracy Laney gave the staffing and dispatch update to the Committee. Currently there are five openings available and are in the process of interviewing. There were ten applicants interviewed with six currently in the background process. Two at a time will be submitted for the background checks, if all pass, they will begin the training process. 6. RPD Staffing Update Chief Phil Smith and Lieutenant Joe Smith gave the current update to the Committee. There are currently sixteen vacant positions, as well as one Records Clerk, and one resignation. Nine recruit officers will be attending the Academy in July. One lateral out of state officer will begin on June 31, 2019 and four applicants are in the background phase. The last recruitment was on June 6, 2019 with only two applicants. Of the two applicants, one was eliminated due to not passing the requirements. For next recruitment scheduled for June 20, 2019, Chief Smith said that the department relies on social media for recruitment. Lt. Joe Smith, is reviewing the departments turnover. The department year to date has hired sixteen and lost nineteen. Lt. Smith explained that recruitment is being done through Facebook and they might possibly use Twitter. Currently the department is working with Ms. Jennings on recruitment posting using various social media advertising. Councilor Best asked if it was possible to share the postings with the councilors to enable them to share it, in order to advertise further. 7. Emergency Management Update Karen Sanders, Chaves County Emergency Manager updated the Committee on the costs of recovery of the Tornado in Dexter and high winds damage. Ms. Sanders informed the Committee that the State is still working on the reimbursement award of 75% to the City for the damage. Ms. Sanders is currently awaiting the grant from the State that will pay 50% of her salary, the City of Roswell pays 25% and Chaves County 25%. She has also applied for a grant for the Roswell Fire Department for training equipment. INFORMATION Councilor Henderson presented Chief Graham the Freedom Award nominee certificate for the department on behalf of the Employer Support of the National Guard Reserve. A specialty flag shirt tie was also presented on behalf of the Guard. Councilor Henderson presented Chief Graham a Patriot Award plaque and flag tie  for retired Battalion Chief Shane Adams. The award was presented in behalf of the Americas National Guard Reserve Force. BC Adams was nominated for the award by local Firefighters. Chief Graham addressed the Committee regarding the medical condition of Firefighters Stroble and Bonham. Chief Graham informed the Committee that the Fire Department has eighteen vacancies with nine recruits in the academy. There will be a recruitment opening on June 21, 2019 in attempt to fill vacancies and upcoming retirements. Several social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter & Snap Chat will be utilized for recruitment. Guest Larry Connelly spoke; he believes that in order to avoid animal cruelty from using tethers, they should be permanently be removed from use. Next meeting July 16, 2019 at 4:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room. CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS None ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.