Town Council Regular Meeting

Tyrone Town Council Meeting Minutes Thursday August 25, 2016 Special Called 6:00 pm Present: Mayor Eric Dial Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Furr Council Member Ken Matthews Council Member Linda Howard Council Member Ryan Housley Town Manager Kyle Hood Police Chief Brandon Perkins Town Clerk Dee Baker Finance Manager Sandy Beach Approval of Agenda Council Member Furr made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Consent Agenda: All matters listed under this item are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered separately. Consideration of Founders Day Carnival Contract. Mitch Bowman, Recreation Events Programmer Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. New Business: 1. Discussion on the millage rate of the Town of Tyrone for fiscal year 2016-2017. Kyle Hood, Town Manager Mayor Dial opened the Public Hearing for anyone in favor of the item. No one spoke. Mayor Dial opened the Public Hearing for anyone in opposition of the item. No one spoke. Page 1 of 4 2. Consideration and approval of the purchase of a firearms training simulator for the Police Department. Brandon Perkins, Police Chief Chief Perkins explained the importance of firearm training. He stated that the significance is not solely for the purpose of becoming a good marksman, it is also important to be trained under pressure for all types of situations. The requested firearm simulator, for all intents and purposes, is a giant video game. He described that the simulator uses actual pistols and with compressed air, the officer can feel the recoil. There is actual sound but no projectile; the simulator uses a laser. Chief Perkins informed Council that the simulator records every shot and translates well for returning to the firing range. He added that the benefit of the simulator is that it offers 600 different scenarios that “branch out” and the instructor can change the outcome for training purposes. This training puts the officer under pressure and allows them to react to very stressful situations. Chief Perkins indicated that if the simulator is approved, his plan is to offer the training device to other agencies in order to recoup some of the cost and to strengthen good will between jurisdictions. Chief Perkins added that the simulator could also be used for public outreach with firearm safety classes. In today’s climate, this would help demonstrate the importance of what police officers go through every day. He added that the biggest selling point is that every component, excluding the software is non-proprietary. The software is expandable and every quarter we would receive a new download and perhaps create our own scenarios. Council Member Housley asked “how is it housed?” Chief Perkins informed Council that the simulator is in a rolling hard case (suitcase). He added that his goal is to utilize drug money to purchase an air-conditioned enclosed structure or to acquire a room in the former elementary school. Council Member Housley mentioned that the simulator could also be a tool to recruit new Police Officers. Chief Perkins echoed that sentiment and added that he is revamping the recruitment ads and highlighting the department’s equipment as a focal point; this may draw more millennial cadets. Mayor Dial asked if the memory storage is similar to the body cameras. Chief Perkins stated no, the purchase comes with a laptop and software, it is all self-contained. Council Member Housley inquired as to the strategy for recouping some cost by training other agencies. Chief Perkins stated that once the simulator is in a permanent facility, the department could charge only $5 to $10 for sessions for officers; to build good will. The simulator requires one person to operate each session. Mayor Dial inquired as to the life-span of the simulator. Chief Perkins stated that the warranty was 3-4 years, but reminded Council that each component could be replaced on an as-needed basis. Page 2 of 4 Council Member Furr made a motion to approve for the Police Department to move forward with the purchase of a firearms simulator system from TI Training Corporation at a cost not to exceed $30,000 from the Federal Drug Fund. Council Member Matthews seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 3. Consideration and approval of the purchase of twelve Taser Electronic Control Devices for the Police Department’s Patrol Division. Brandon Perkins, Police Chief Chief Perkins stated that in past years, Tasers were not well received, but studies have shown that Tasers reduce officer injury significantly and lessens the use of force. Other agencies have shown that just by having the presence of a Taser calms the situation. Chief Perkins informed Council that locally, they are the only agency that is not equipped with Tasers; they are a great tool. Chief Perkins took time to discuss the benefits and potential issues that accompany the use of these weapons, but ultimately, Tasers would assist with long term safety of officers and perpetrators alike. Chief Perkins proposed the purchase of twelve Tasers, one for each patrol slot. Each Taser would have two shots. The system records the date and time, how many times the trigger was pulled and all information regarding the strike itself. Chief Perkins requested a three year warranty and added that all officers would attend a certification class. The department would also create a policy that all must follow prior to being allowed to carry the device. Council Member Furr asked how long the shots last. Chief Perkins informed Council that the law enforcement version lasts 5-8 seconds and could be repeated, it needed. The civilian version only fires one shot for 5 seconds. He added that his policy would reflect only three repeats would be allowed. Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the Police Department to purchase twelve Taser devices from the Federal drug fund at a cost not to exceed $20,162.37. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Public Comments Staff Comments Council Comments Page 3 of 4 Adjournment Council Member Matthews made a motion to adjourn. Motion was approved 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:28 pm. ____________________ __________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Page 4 of 4