Minutes February 8, 2005
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 8, 2005
The City Council convened in a 2nd Tuesday Session of the City of Denton City Council on
Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Work: Session Room at City Hall.
PRESENT:
Mayor Brock:, Mayor Pro Tem McNeill, Council Members Kamp, Montgomery,
Mulroy, Redmon, Thomson.
AB SENT:
None
1. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the
Police Department staffing study performed by Del Carmen Consulting, LLC, to include a staff
analysis of the rolling stock: in the Police Department fleet of motor vehicles.
Chief of Police Charles Wiley, introduced Alex del Carmen, Del Carmen Consulting, LLC, who
was hired by the Police Department to conduct an assessment of the Police Department staffing
as well as the Department's tak:e home vehicle program.
Alex del Carmen introduced Rick: Smith and Wade Goolsby, who had assisted with the study.
Del Carmen stated that the obj ective of the study was to determine the need for additional
support staff and officers in order to continue to offer community-policing services; determine an
adequate number of support staff and detectives in the investigative function; and determine if
the Tak:e Home Vehicle Program should remain in place.
Smith reviewed recommendations relating to Patrol Staffing and Allocation. The study focused
on the number of patrol officers needed to adequately respond to calls for service. The Police
Department currently had 66 officers assigned to the patrol function. The study recommended
that the Department increase the number of patrol officers to 69. The Department needed to
continue to build on and enhance its commitment to Community Oriented Policing. The
Department's ability to maintain and enhance community policing was related to adequate
staffing levels in patrol. The current information systems used by the Department were in need
of improvement.
Council Member Mulroy requested a report on the percentage of time 66 patrol officers were
involved in the COPS program.
Council Member Montgomery requested information on how the departmental budget was
allocated to personnel and equipment.
Mulroy requested a more comprehensive report on capital costs.
Recommendations relating to the Investigative Function included: Implement a Case
Management System which would track: the number of cases assigned, track: the number of cases
cleared, monitor investigator performance, ensure case accountability, and monitor cases over 30
days old. Restructure Investigative Services: add two sergeant positions, re-distribute units to
balance responsibility, limit number of subordinates to ensure adequate supervision, add Pawn
Detective position. Improve efficiency: assign physical work:spaces related to assignment; add
clerical staff - create data entry position for pawn tick:et entry, create clerical support position to
minimize the typing, filing, etc. by investigators. Follow up implementation of a Case
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February 8, 2005
Page 2
Management System with a review of caseloads and unit structures. Conduct annual reviews of
caseloads, crime trends, and re-evaluate ISB structure.
Recommendations relating to the Tak:e Home Vehicle Program: Retain and expand the current
program. Develop a data collection mechanism that records the number of criminal incidents
responses by participating officers.
Council Member Mulroy requested a separate analysis of the Tak:e Home Vehicle Program
versus a pooling policy.
2.
The Council held a follow-up discussion on the Council's 2004 Retreat considerations.
I. City Council Governing Control Algorithm - staff was still work:ing on
implementing policies and procedures.
II. Council Operating Procedures - Changes to Citizen Reports had been
completed. Council stated they needed to be more diligent in their interaction with City
Staff. Council would continue to steer citizens to appropriate City staff when possible.
Council requested that if they forwarded e-mail or questions to staff that staff would send
e- mail to all Council letting them lrnow they got the request and were work:ing on a
resolution or how the problem was resolved. The Council reminded each other to advise
Michelle when they would be participating in events so this information could be
included in the Friday memo. Staff and Council would continue to work: on items
relating to improving Council Planning and Work: Sessions.
III. City Departments - Evaluation of the Development Review process and
Engineering Department procedures was in process. General Government departments
were re-examining department processes to improve efficiency. Questions regarding
police protection, etc. remained unanswered after earlier presentation. Council requested
that Jon Fortune set up criteria on people vs. vehicles using information provided tonight
to do a proper review of the allocation of resources. Staff was moving forward with the
"red light" camera program. Council met with the Diversity Committee Chair. Staff was
still work:ing on re-evaluation of the hiring techniques for civil service positions. This
would be brought forward as part of the budget process because of funding implications.
IV. Planning and Development for the City - Several items had been discussed but
no policy direction had been given. City Manager evaluation of re-allocation of staff
positions for total development of the Downtown Master Plan was on hold. . A
"downtown" facilitated town hall meeting was being planned. Procedures to target
development of specific tracts and locations to meet the particular plans of the City was
part of Paris Rutherford's charge but it needed to be more comprehensive to include other
areas of the city including park: land to the south and development in the northwest
section of town.
V.
Environmental Concerns - Well underway but not totally complete
VI.
Service to Citizens - completed
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February 8, 2005
Page 3
4. Suggestions for Agenda Committee on future agenda items and/or placement of items for
upcoming agendas.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Council Member Kamp requested a work: session be scheduled to discuss the Fry
Street Fair.
Council Member Thomson requested information regarding tasers and the risk:
factor involved in using them.
Council Member Redmon requested an update on the Police Department satellite
offices and whether they were still effective.
Council Member McNeill requested a report on the contract process for street
repair and inspections.
3. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding a
proposed reorganization of the Legal Department.
The Mayor announced that the Council would convene into Closed Meeting to consider the
specific items listed below.
1.
Closed Meeting:
A.
B.
Deliberations regarding real property - Under TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
Section 551.072, Consultation with Attorney - Under TEXAS GOVERNMENT
CODE Section 551.071.
1.
Discussed and deliberated the potential value of and the sale or lease or
other disposition of numerous tracts of certain real property and
appurtenances, thereto, consisting of street right of way all owned by the
City of Denton, Texas, being situated throughout the City of Denton,
Texas relating to fiber optic operations both inside and outside the city
limits of the City of Denton, Texas; including possible agreements for use
of this real property with Denton County and Denton Independent School
District; and the receipt of legal advice from the City's attorneys on
matters in which their professional responsibility to the City Council
regarding real estate matters requires private legal consultation.
Personnel Matters - Under TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE Section 551.074.
1.
Discussed the evaluation of the City Attorney including deliberation on
the City Attorney's duties.
2.
Discussed the duties and responsibilities of the City Manager.
The Council reconvened into open session and took: the following action.
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February 8, 2005
Page 4
A motion was made and seconded for the City Attorney to work: with the Council Appointee
Performance Measures Committee to implement the recommendations for the Legal
Department's reorganization as discussed in Executive Session. On roll vote, Kamp "aye",
McN eill "aye", Montgomery "aye", Mulroy "aye", Redmon "aye", Thomson "aye" and Mayor
Brock: "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
EULINE BROCK
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
JANE RI CHARD SON
ASST. CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS