Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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When the agenda item number 8. came up, the Mayor asked for a report from Chief of Police Randall Davis. Chief Davis opened his report to the Council by stating that he understood several people were against having a temporary building on the Square. He went on to say that the Police Department is still searching for grants to help finance a new building for the Police Department and until a way to purchase the building could be found, he could not recommend moving ahead. Davis said he needed direction from the Council. He also said he had brought a need to the City Council concerning space for the Department and he was told to look into it further and now he finds that a City Council Member is questioning his budget.
Council Member Judy Skolaut then made a motion to table all 4 remaining items and have a workshop concerning the building. Her motion was approved unanimously.
Chief Davis was instructed to continue looking into other options for the space concerns of the Police Department and report back to the Council at a later date.
In a letter to the Leader, Chief Davis wrote: “The proposed purchase of a building to house the Police Department was based on needs of the community and is, in fact just that, a proposal. The only action taken by the Council is to look into the feasibility of obtaining additional required office space at the most economical price.
“The proposed purchase is only one option the City is considering. If one proposal isn’t right for the growing needs of the City, then we need to keep looking until the best option is found.
“Any person visiting the offices currently occupied by City officials including the Mayor, City Secretary or Police Department, has surely found it difficult to conduct their necessary business in the cramped and crowded atmosphere. Currently the Police Department consists of the chief of police and three officers working out of a 12-foot by 12-foot room. The current office severely limits the abilities of the police, lacks privacy and does not allow for the maintenance of secured documents or proper handling and maintenance of evidence. The office does not allow sufficient space or seating needed by the very citizens we serve, to sit down and fill out a complaint or write a statement in relative comfort when it is needed most.
“The current proposed building would provide adequate office space for the police department, and would have a traditional stone and stucco front resembling other area structures enabling the building the same characteristic details of the downtown area. Nobody, including myself, or any member of the council that I am aware of, wants a building that would place a financial burden on the city, looks temporary, distasteful, or would detract from the Square.
“The proposal for the temporary building being placed on a lot already owned by the city located north of the Woodson Community Center would allow for future growth, would be suitable for removal or relocating if necessary, and could be provided at a cost less than other proposals.
“The cost of the current proposed building appears to be a great concern, coming in at estimates of $20,940 to $ 32,443. The estimates were higher than expected and steps are being taken to lower those estimates. Steps to offset possible financing of the proposed building are being investigated, and the city is searching for grants to fund all or part of the proposal.
“I feel confident that short-term financing for the proposed building is feasible if necessary, and still maintain a reasonable budget for the police department. The City Council and Police Department were able to reduce the current (2004-2005) Police Department budget by over $11,000 from the previous (2003-2004) budget. Current proposals would allow for the payment of the proposed building even with further trimming and while reducing the 2005-2006 Police Department budget. The reducing of the budget has been successfully accomplished over the past year through the responsible use of funds and keeping the Department’s goals intact and reasonable. This has further been accomplished while experiencing more than a 40-percent increase in reportable cases, development of positive community programs, and generating increased revenue. The current proposal is not a venture that is being rushed into or treated in a hasty manner but rather a long-term continuation of a process with the sole intent of solving difficult situations.”
The City Council workshop on the proposed portable building to be placed beside the Woodson Community Building has not been scheduled at this time.