Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Regular City Council Meeting <br />May 8, 2006 <br />Page 10 <br /> <br />experience out of the Fire Department over the last two years. Council Member Manning <br />said we would probably never be able to compete with the metropolitan cities; however, <br />suggested a pat on the back and showing appreciation for the firefighters. <br /> <br />Council Member Ray asked Chief Grooms about the morale of the firefighters and <br />Chief Grooms said it was low. Council Member Ray wanted to know about the contributing <br />factors of low morale. Chief Grooms said it was due to several things, which included the <br />benefits being cut and loss of jobs. Council Member Ray said they needed to address <br />problems within the Fire Department. Chief Grooms agreed and said they also need to <br />address starting salaries for firefighters. <br /> <br />Council Member Wilkerson asked Chief Grooms to provide Council with two <br />recommendations as to what they could do to retain firefighters and recruit new firefighters. <br />She told Chief Grooms she would like a chart to review and he said that he would get one <br />together for Council. Council Member Wilkerson said they need to work together to bring <br />the Fire Department up to where it needs to be. <br /> <br />Mayor Fendley advised Chief Grooms that the budget process would be getting <br />underway shortly and he should address these issues with Tony. He said Tony will bring <br />recommendations to Council. <br /> <br />12. Citizens Forum. <br /> <br />Jeff Jameson - 775 Harvard, he said that he took a pay cut when he went to Greenville <br />and that he left Paris because of the possibility of them doing away with Civil Service. He <br />encouraged placement of three firefighters on an apparatus, because having two was not safe. <br /> <br />Bruce Conder - 4291 FM Road 3298, he said the reason the fire department was <br />having trouble was because of the chief. <br /> <br />Mayor Fendley told Mr. Conder there would be no personal attacks at this meeting. <br />He informed Mr. Conder if he had a grievance, that he should go through the grievance <br />process. <br /> <br />Ed Sidel- 1363 Pine Bluff, wants the Council to review the $150.00 water deposit, <br />as he feels the amount is excessive. <br /> <br />Brett Holbert - 331 CR, thanked Council for addressing the problems in the Fire <br />Department and asked that they work together to rebuild the department. <br /> <br />r" <br />