EVENDALE POLICE-FINANCE-RECREATION-ADMINISTRATION
COMMITTEE MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2006
The meeting of the Evendale Council Committee for Police, Finance, Recreation and Administration was called to order at 6:00pm. Councilmembers Albrinck (Chairman), Lohmeier and Puthoff were present. Police Chief Gary Foust, George Snyder, Village CFO; Assistant to the Mayor, Jack Cameron and Recreation Director, Dave Nichols were also present.
POLICE DEPARTMENT Police Chief Gary Foust was in attendance.
(1) Chief Foust submitted the 2005 Police Department annual report. A copy is attached. The Chief did not elaborate on the report stating that it is self-explanatory.
(2) The police department will be participating in random drug and alcohol testing. They are looking to initiate implementation in February or March. Tests will occur once a quarter. The tests will be administered by Tri-Health. The question was raised whether the Recreation and Service Departments should also be involved. Chief Foust indicated that we cannot randomly test Recreation or Service unless there is a specific reason or accident involving an employee in either of those departments. He did indicate that new hires can be tested.
(3) Discussion on public defender in Mayor=s Court - Chief Foust has indicated there has been many requests for a public defender mayor=s court. In the past, most of these cases were sent downtown, which ended up costing the Village more to prosecute any given case. Chief Foust has found someone who will act as a public defender for $125 per case. The Chief would like to try this new public defender and we will be able to keep the fines within the Village. He believes that the approximate $1,500 left in the budget for the Mayor=s Court will cover this potential expense.
(4) Accreditation - the assessor will be out sometime in April. This is a review that occurs every three years and examines our police personel on 484 different standards. Jeff McDaniel continues to be our accreditation officer and the Chief didn=t see any problems receiving this recognition for high standards.
(5) Cruiser Replacement - we will be receiving two new police cruisers in mid-April.
(6) The Penn alert update - Chief Foust and Fire Chief Vail will be getting additional information on
Feb. 3. The Penn alert system will enable the officers to communicate with large groups of people in a very short period of time.
(7) Chief Foust also anticipates a few vacancies within the police department within the next year and they currently are reviewing how those vacancies will best be addressed.
At this time, Chief Foust was excused.
Finance Department - Chief Finance Officer George Snyder was present.
(1) Mr. Snyder provided the committee with proposed changes to three separate policies: Section 260.12H Holiday for part-time employees, Section 258.113 Holiday pay for fire department personnel, and Section 258.121A personal leave. Each of these changes were recommended to bring consistencies within the departments and different employment status. A copy of that memorandum addressing each of these changes is attached. The committee unanimously supported the revisions and the ordinances will be prepared for the February council meeting to address each of these issues.
(2) Mr. Snyder submitted to the committee a proposed ordinance for additional appropriations in various forms. These transfers have been previously addressed during the budgeting process. The council committee approved the placing of this ordinance on the February council agenda.
(3) Mr. Snyder informed the committee that he will be purchasing nine new computers for approximately $14,493.40. This is part of the previously discussed plan that will replace nine computers every year. Throughout the year, it will be determined which department and which computers have the shortest life span and have the highest need for replacement.
(4) Mr. Snyder informed the committee that the annual report will be condensed and will get us out of the adverse opinion that has plagued the audit process in the past.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT - Assistant to the Mayor, Jack Cameron was present.
(1) The committee discussed the ongoing issue with the newsletter. The recreation department=s new website is not getting the job done. The workers within the department are trying a condensed two page list of programs. They will try mailing this out quarterly. The programs change approximately every 3-4 months. Hopefully, this will provide satisfactory communication until such time when the residents can use the website in greater numbers for registering for programs.
(2) It was brought to Councilmember Albrinck=s attention that a request has been made from a resident regarding his inability to get enough Evendale residents to field a baseball team. He indicated that approximately six to seven residents were very interested in playing. In order for them to be on the team, he would need to look to other communities to fill the roster. He has requested a clarification of the recreation committee=s policy and the distinction between the Arec@ team and a Aselect@ team. Although, he would be asking specific kids to play on the team, he did not limit in any way the Evendale residents that could participate. It was clarified that this was an inappropriate issue to bring to the recreation committee, however, the rec commission does not meet until sometime
after the various sign ups for the respected teams. This resident had contacted Councilmember Albrinck for clarification of this issue among the council committee members. After a lengthy discussion it was determined that the decision laid in the hands of the Rec Director Dave Nichols, who indicated that he would allow the residents with the majority of the Evendale players to field the team under the Evendale name and permit them to use the fields, uniforms and equipment.
(3) A Grand Caravan Van has been ordered by the Recreation Department. This will replace the old rec department vehicles. Mr. Nichols indicated that this was a change from the previously suggested vehicle since it was approximately $3,000 less than the original vehicle.
(4) Mr. Nichols indicated that there was an increased interest in a skate park within the Village of Evendale. This is very preliminary and Mr. Nichols will keep the council committee posted as to any new developments or data that will further support creating such a park.
(5) Mr. Nichols is in the process of updating the five year master plan which will include a discussion of the trails. The primary topic of the five year master plan is the trail system, which continues to be discussed within the recreation commission.
There being no further items to come before the committee and upon made motion by Councilmember Doug Lohmeier , seconded by Councilmember Bill Puthoff, the meeting was adjourned.
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J Jeffrey Albrinck, Chairman
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