05 - 01/25/2016 COUNCIL MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular Council Meeting January 25, 2016 Page 8 21. Discuss and act on a lighting policy for the Plaza. Mr. Godwin explained that a number of groups had requested to turn the lights at the plaza to different colors for a month at a time to honor certain causes and several problems had arisen. He said sometimes the City receives overlapping requests, or complaints from citizens who do not like the changes, and because the light fixtures were historical and difficult to handle the staff increased the risk of permanent damage every time they were changed. Council Member Clifford said breast cancer awareness was of great significance to him, and citizen Louise Moseley said it was dear to her heart. Following discussion about the possibility of not changing out light bulbs but placing LED lamps with the ability of changing colors, it was a consensus for Mr. Godwin to make necessary changes to the policy and bring it back to the Council for approval. 22. Receive status report from the police chief about activities in the police department. Mayor Hashmi said during the budget process, Chief Hundley had made some promises about the police department and he would like a report. Chief Hundley reported to the Council that all officer positions were filled, but there were three recruits in the basic academy, two officers in field training and two officers remained on light duty for work related injuries. He said they had not lost any officers since July and two returned to the department when the police department received raises. He also reported that open positions in the CID and OPS Office had been staffed, which included the replacement of a drug investigator. Chief Hundley said that seniority was still used for off -duty work, but changes had been made to allow more opportunities for less senior officers. He also said they had opened training opportunities for officers to serve as instructors for the department and other moves were in the progress to replace officers in administrative positions with civilian personnel. Mayor Hashmi inquired if the drug task force had been created and Chief Hundley said no, but that normally the police department and sheriffs office works together. Mayor Hashmi inquired if he had added a K -9 unit and Chief Hundley said he had explored it, but that it came down to they did not have the personnel. Mayor Hashmi asked if the drug investigator was not willing to take that on and Chief Hundley said he had not asked the investigator. Council Member Pickle said recently there had been a chase and what he heard was the police department had done everything right. 23. Consider and approve future events for City Council and/or City Staff pursuant to Resolution No. 2004 -081. None were referenced.