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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-11/07/2016COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7, 2016 3:30 p.m. Harold E. Getty Council Chambers Members present: Morrissey, Powers, Lind, Amos, and Welper. Mr. Jacobs arrived at 4:02 p.m. Absent: Schmitt Moved by Welper seconded by Amos that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Objective: Proposed Taser Purchase. Captain Frank Krogh explained that the majority of TASERs used by the police department are 8-10 years old and are nearing the end of their life. It would be $1,400.00 per TASER to replace each one. Ron Denny, a representative with TASER International, told the Police Department he has a program that allows them to purchase TASERs and pay for them over the course of five years. The PD proposes to purchase 80 TASERs then pay for them through the program over five years. This would alleviate the need to purchase TASER equipment on an annual basis. Krogh explained he did not want to bond over $100,000.00 to replace TASERs in one year. The cost of the contract would be $21,760.00 and next four would be approximately $29,000.00. Krogh further proposed bonding $25,000.00 for five years to help cover the costs. He further explained that TASER technology changes rapidly and once broken they are unable to be repaired. Officer Greg Erie, stated that the department currently has 110 TASERs with zero in inventory and 70 of those TASERs are 9-10 years old and the recommendation is to replace them after 5 years. The TASERs we have now are no longer being made. The proposed purchase tracks usage information for each TASER. The contract would save approximately $16,000.00. Captain Krogh stated that, if purchased outright, it would cost $156,700.00 to purchase 80 new TASERs including all needed accessories but under the TASER60 program the cost would be $141,000.00. Mayor Hart questioned if the old TASERs could be sold back. Captain Krogh explained that the TASERs could not be sold back. Officer Erie explained how this program will allow the department to have 35 extra TASERs on hand as spares at all times. Captain Krogh explained that, of the TASERs they would have on hand, almost half of them would be of the newer design. Mayor Hart questioned if Waterloo is the only municipality that uses TASERs and if we get a better deal by buying in bulk. Captain Krogh stated that they believe Black Hawk County Sheriff Deputies and Cedar Falls Police Officers use TASERs. He added that he did not believe a bulk discount is offered but TASER has offered to give us $100 for each of the 80 old TASERs that will be destroyed. Mr. Lind questioned how many officers are on the job during each shift. Krogh explained that it depends based on the time of day and that TASERs are assigned to each officer. Erie explained that the problem with turning in TASERs at the end of the shift is accountability. Mr. Lind noted that the contract would be the same cost of a squad car. Mr. Welper questioned how often TASERs are used. Page 2 Officer Erie explained that TASERs are intermediate force tools and are to be used prior to using a hand gun. Mr. Welper questioned if TASERs are used every day. Officer Erie explained that officers are trained to talk down a situation prior to using a TASER. There have been 30 instances of TASER use this year. Mayor Hart clarified that the department is trying to find an aggressive way to replace the equipment while avoiding a large lump sum payment. Captain Krogh explained that if a TASER breaks they can send it back in and receive a new TASER. Mr. Amos questioned if probes have to be removed from the individual by another person. Captain Krogh explained that officers are trained to remove the probes unless they hit an individual's face. Mr. Morrissey questioned, besides TASER International, how many companies make these devices. Officer Erie explained that TASER International is the only company that makes TASERs. He added that off -brand equipment is available but is of much lesser quality. Mr. Morrissey questioned if alternative force could be used. Erie explained that alternative methods are available but a TASER is most effective in subduing someone using intermediate force. Mr. Morrissey questioned the durability of newer TASERs. Erie explained that newer TASERs are much more durable. Objective: Discussion of goals for the City of Waterloo Strategic Plan. Mayor Hart explained the handouts presented to council and provided a recap of the strategic planning process and read the draft goals discussed at the August 30, 2016 Special Meeting. Mayor Hart then explained the draft goal worksheet to council and how to fill out the worksheet. Worksheets are due to Mayor Hart by Friday, November 11 and will be submitted to IDM. A meeting will take place in the future to vote on the goals. Mr. Lind commented that there are too many goals and suggested reducing to three to five goals that could be more achievable. Mayor Hart recommended crossing out goals that they do not want to see and include an explanation to help put the plan together. He further stressed the need for a five-year plan and the desire to find common ground with council to put together a plan. Mr. Jacobs questioned if residents have been surveyed to see what they would like for goals. He further explained that the goals be listed in priority and that goals that are not measurable should be deleted from the list. He explained that his and his constituent's biggest concern is crime in the city and finding a reason to move to Waterloo including livable wage jobs. The third most important would be to reduce taxes. Mayor Hart emphasized that the goals need to be created out of areas where council can find common ground. Mr. Morrissey questioned what happens with the worksheets once turned in. Page 3 Mayor Hart explained that IDM will look at the worksheets to find common ground and bring them back to council. Mr. Morrissey questioned if the council will review the worksheets as a whole. Mayor Hart explained that it would go to council for a vote on November 21 but could bring them back for a second work session. Mr. Morrissey explained that another work session would be beneficial to review what has been turned in and have further discussion, then proceed with putting it on the agenda. Mayor Hart explained that he will work on some dates upcoming and set up a meeting. Mr. Welper questioned if the worksheets will go directly to IDM. Mayor Hart explained that he and IDM will look at the worksheets. Mr. Morrissey questioned the next steps. Mayor Hart explained that council would adopt the plan and it would be the responsibility of him and staff to implement the plan. Mr. Morrissey questioned the types of reports that might be generated throughout this process. Mayor Hart explained that IDM will put a plan together which will include both approved and unapproved items. Mr. Morrissey asked if it could include prioritization of these goals. Mayor Hart explained that each goal is rated. Mr. Morrissey stated that he would like to see each goal rated according to its level of importance. Mr. Lind suggested council rank each goal individually. Mr. Amos clarified that this would allow each council member to prioritize each goal based on how they perceive that goal's level of importance. Mr. Morrissey stated that the ranking would allow each council member to add in goals or delete out goals based on how they perceive each goal's level of importance. Mayor Hart asked for clarification. Mr. Morrissey explained that he thinks more goals could be added but stressed the need for prioritizing what council thinks is most important. Mayor Hart clarified that there could be more goals that just what is currently listed. Mr. Amos commented on the process of coming up with goals at the strategic planning session. Mayor Hart reviewed the process of coming up with the goals. Mr. Jacobs commented that he is nervous that if the plan has too many goals then it would become difficult to accomplish the goals. Mayor Hart commented that the goals could be a priority to an individual council person but not another. Mr. Morrissey commented on the need for the process to be open and allow council to have the ability to add goals. Page 4 Mayor Hart commented that saying the process is not open gives the wrong impression of the planning process. Mr. Morrissey stated that this should be an open process. Mayor Hart stated that this has been and will continue to be an open process. Mr. Jacobs questioned the proposed goal for reducing crime in the city. Mayor Hart explained that Mr. Jacobs could put the proposed change on the worksheet. Mr. Powers commented that many of the goals fit together. Mr. Lind suggested that the city could look at the FBI's violent crime and property crime statistics as a metric. He further questioned if council has input on the strategies. Mayor Hart encouraged council to speak with him on the strategies for the goals. He further commented that it is up to staff to try to figure out how to reach the goals council sets. Mr. Morrissey commented that it would be beneficial to have the agenda note when an item ties into a goal. Mayor Hart commented on the previous goal setting process. Mr. Welper questioned if the worksheet will change. Mayor Hart asked council to rank the goals by priority on the side of the sheet. With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Welper seconded by Lind that the meeting be adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Kelley Fel City Clerk