HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 0823 min116
The City Council met on August 23, 2007, at the Plainview Convention Center, 2902
West 4th Street, Plainview, Texas. The agenda for this meeting was posted in City Hall
at 11:15 a.m. on August 20, 2007. Mayor John C. Anderson presided.
Councilmembers present were: Kelvin Tipton-District 1, Cathy Waggoner-District 2,
Belinda Pena-District 3, John N. Bertsch-District 4, Ron Truster-District 5 and Roland
Nash-District 7. Councilmember Wendell Dunlap-District 6 was absent.
Staff members present were: Greg Ingham-City Manager, John Castro-Director of
Community Services, Leslie Pearce-City Attorney, Jack Keller-Budget Manager, Will
Mull-Police Chief, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director and Belinda Hinojosa-City
Secretary.
News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald
Councilmember Ron Truster delivered the invocation.
Councilmember Wendell Dunlap-District 6 was granted an excused absence.
The Council and staff reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of August 28,
2007.
Greg Ingham presented discussion on Police Emergency Committal Transportation.
He stated they have been having discussions with the County and MHMR regarding
police committals. Our Police Department goes out and determines need for mental
assistance. If such need occurs, then the person is transported to the nearest available
facility such as the Big Spring facility. The County does commitments through the court
system. Anytime we do a committal it takes two off duty officers to transport the
individual. If off duty officers are not available then on duty officers are used thereby
reducing the number of officers on the street. Also there is concern for the officer's
safety. He stated the big issue on working on something with the County is if it can be
done legally and City Attorney Leslie Pearce and County Attorney Jim Tirey believe this
can be done. Now, we need to get back with the County representative to see how to
structure.
The Llano Estacado Alliance of Families (LEAF) has funds available to assist this
project. They need a tentative commitment. All the details have not been laid out. We
will sit down and work the details out. They are requesting the City issue a letter to say
we intend to continue to work with the County on terms of committal. If such is
Council's consent we can put on regular agenda for Tuesday.
Councilmember Ron Truster stated LEAF fills area where there is a gap in services.
They receive $25,000 this year and they have until August 31 to encumber these funds.
LEAF can assist in the effort to develop a solution to this challenge with a one time
donation of $10,000. But they would need a letter of intent to see if they can encumber
the funds.
Mayor Anderson asked if there might be additional funds available. Councilmember
Truster stated if LEAF chooses there might be additional funds.
Mr. Ingham stated this has been an ongoing issue since 1999. He stated one way to
address it is for one entity to hire someone part time and to provide a vehicle for this
City Council Minutes August 23, 2007 Page 1 of 2
person. He stated one of the biggest concerns with the current system is pulling guys 1 1 7
off the street. Much larger issue is stress on manpower.
Mayor Anderson asked who can make decision to commit. Chief Mull stated the officer
makes the decision and makes contact through the MHMR hotline. MHMR calls
facilities to find availability of bed. For the County, the County Judge makes decision
on court committals.
Councilmen-fiber ~ripton asked how many were done last year. He was advised 23.
Councilmember Cathy Waggoner left the meeting at 12:20 p.m.
The numbers of committals for the previous years were:
2005 - 29
2005 - 34
2003 - 28
2002 - 29
2001 - 32
Councilmember Bertsch asked for the cost of transportation. He was advised a trip to
Big Spring for one officer would be salary at $22.00 an hour plus .40¢ per mile for a total
of $230.00. If you added another officer it would be $340.00 total. EI Paso would be an
overnight trip.
Councilmerriber -Truster stated lack of transportation puts residents at risk. We have a
real problerri with transportation issues.
Mr. Ingham statE:d the reason it does not appear feasible for an outside individual to
perform these duties is because of the liability issue.
Councilmember Pena asked if a peace officer was the only one who could transport.
She was advised a mental health officer could in an unmarked car, with no uniform and
without restraints or the family of the individual can transport them.
Councilmember Bertsch asked if an ambulance could provide transportation.
Councilmember Truster stated it was very expensive and that the last ambulance his
agency paid to Amarillo had cost them $1,100.
Mr. Ingham reiterated we would need to write a letter saying it is our intent to continue
our efforts to work with Hale County to develop a cooperative program to transport
individuals that need to be moved to specialized medical facilities and by doing this we
would not bey agreeing to anything. This matter still needs additional discussion.
There being no further business, Mayor Anderson adjourned the meeting at 12:39 p.m.
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Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
City Council Minutes August 23, 2007 Page 2 of 2