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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981.05.05_City Council MinutesOn Tuesday, May 5, 1981, the Owasso City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers at City Hall, per the Notice of Public Meeting and Agenda posted on City Hall bulletin board at 1:00 PM on May 1, 1981, and by reference made a part hereof. ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM with Mayor Spencer presiding. ITEM 2 - FLAG SALUTE. Flag salute was led by Mayor Spencer. ITEM 3 - SEATING AND SWEARING IN OF PHYLLIS GROSS AS NEW CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. i Phyllis Gross was given the Oath of Office by the City Clerk and seated as the Councilwoman for Ward 3. ITEM 4 - SEATING AND SWEARING IN OF BOYD SPENCER AS REELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEM- BER. - Boyd Spencer was given the Oath of Office by the City Clerk and seated as the Councilman for Ward 4. ITEM 5 - ROLL CALL. Present: Boyd Spencer Al Lambert Dennis Burke Steven Clark Phyllis Gross Harold Charney, City Attorney Kenneth Thompson, City Manager Wauhilleau Webb, City Clerk Absent: None ITEM 6 - ELECTION OF MAYOR. Motion was made by Al Lambert, seconded by Dennis Burke, to appoint Boyd Spencer as Mayor for one year term of office to expire May 4, 1982. Ayes - Messrs. Burke, Lambert and Spencer Nays - Dr. Clark and Mrs. Gross Motion was made by Steven Clark, seconded by Phyllis Gross, to appoint Dennis Burke as Mayor for one year term of office to expire May 4, 1982. Ayes - Dr. Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - Messrs. Lambert and Spencer Abstain - Mr. Burke Boyd Spencer was elected Mayor. Owasso City Council Page Two May 5, 1981 ~~i~, ITEM 7 - ELECTION OF VICE MAYOR. Motion was made by Al Lambert, seconded by Boyd Spencer, to appoint Dennis Burke as Vice Mayor for one year term of office to expire May 4, 1982. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Clark and r4rs. Gross Nays - None Abstain - Mr. Burke Motion carried. ITEr4 8 - APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 1981 REGULAR MEETING. Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Al Lambert, to approve Minutes of April 21, 1981 regular meeting, and by reference made a part hereof. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lart~bert, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - None Motion carried. ITEM 9 - HEARING ON STATUS OF JUNK. DISMANTLED OR INOPERABLE VEHICLES. Four residences were notified to appear at this public hearing which did not appear at the April 7th meeting regarding junk vehicles in accordance with Section 13 of the Owasso City Code, as follows: 206 East Third Avenue - No one was present from this address. 104 East Eighth Street - Advised by Building Inspector auto has been moved. 1003 North Ash - No one was present from this address. 402 East 16th Street - Advised by Building Inspector auto is operable. City Manager and City Clerk were directed to take care of the two addresses in which no one was present. ITEM 10 - REQUEST TO CONSIDER RESTRUCTURING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. Dr. Clark addressed this item. He stated in June of 1980 he came before the Council in opposition to the Department of Public Safety and the system was then instituted on July 1, 1980. He said the public might ask by whom it was initiated. He said it was introduced by a few individuals within the City to Wayne Meyer, City Manager at that time, and he did not approve it. Dr. Clark said he was told this was an administrative enactment and he personally felt an enactment of this magnitude should go through the Council as they vote on items with much less impact. Owasso City Council Page Three May 5, 1981 Dr. Clark said we were to give the program six months and it has now been almost a year and it has not accomplished anything. He covered some expense items such as the cost to change uniforms being $9,520.00, a car for personal and business use at $5,500; the cost of rehiring, advertising and physicals for 18 Firemen, Policemen and Ambulance personnel which have been lost and which were replaced with people that will go along with the system but do not have much to offer the City; retraining and cross training of two supervisors at $8,000 each and cross training of employees at $3,527. Dr. Clark further stated that you can never adequately or professionally cross- train a policeman to do an EMT Ambulance Paramedic job, and Life Flight has made a mint off of Owasso. He also referred to the overtime being paid. He said he didn't know if the ambulance personnel were being trained as he is not asked to assist with training as he was in the past and feels our present cross training is grossly inadequate. He said he thinks the Director of Public Safety has it's own inadequacy and he has told Mr. Lombreglia he wouldn't want his job on a sil- ver platter, as it is a job responsible for all three professions, and it is too much pressure. He said there are some problems under investigation and he prom- ised they will be corrected in the very near future. He said he feels the City has double standards as was illustrated at the last Council meeting and there is no organization or disciplinary action taken under the present system and poor organization of work schedules. Dr. Clark said his plans are: 1. Discontinue the position of Director of Department of Public Safety which will be a savings of approximately $17,000.00. 2. Under no director we will need a Fire Chief, Police Chief and an EMT Supervisor. 3. Under the EMT Supervisor would like to see the firemen actually trained to aid the qualified paramedic in his activities. With someone always on duty knowledgeable about starting an IV. 4. All Chiefs of the Departments directly responsible to the City Manager. 5. Gradually revert back to uniforms that are professionally distinct to their department. This could come about by having each new employee as they are hired to supply their own uniform for six months at their own expense. Dr. Clark said these are outlines and he does not ask the Council to take action tonight but requests they be acted on at the May 19th meeting. Mrs. Gross said she was an employee of the City of Owasso last year and saw the induction of the Department of Public Safety which created many problems with the employees. She said they would attempt to talk to the City Manager but messages would get misconstrued. She said the program has cost the people quite a bit of money. Mr. Burke responded that he does not personally recall the six months period to make the Public Safety Department work but that it would take two to three years before it would be running as planned. He also suggested checking with other cities similar to Owasso to see how many employees they have lost during the same Owasso City Council Page Four May 5, 1981 period in their emergency services and compare it to the 18 we lost. He also commented it was budgeted last year and is to be budgeted this year to provide increases to these employees. He said if we check the minutes we will find that the statement was made that the money to be saved would be long range but not in the immediate future. He also questioned if we might jeopardize the DA's investigation if we hold our planned Public Hearing on May 12th if their inves- tigation is incomplete. Mr. Burke said he is in support of the Department of Public Safety. Mrs. McCaslin referred to Mr. Burke being new to the community and not knowing the old ways of Owasso. Mr. Burke responded the old ways may not suit the other people that have moved to Owasso. ITEM 11 - AUTHORIZE SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:00 PPS ON MAY 12, 1981, BY CITY COUNCIL TO INQUIRE INTO THE CONDUCT OF OFFICERS, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES OF THE OWASSO CITY GOVERNMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2-4(d) OF THE OWASSO CITY CHARTER. Motion was made by Steve Clark, seconded by Dennis Burke, to find out from the District Attorney's office if our Public Hearing will jeopardize their investi- gation and if they say it is okay go ahead with the meeting as scheduled on May 12, 1981. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - None Motion carried. It was decided that Lyle Wasserman and Harold Charney would go to the District Attorney's office and ask them if our Public Hearing would jeopardize their investigation. Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Steve Clark, to schedule a Public Hearing for Tuesday, May 12, 1981, immediately following the 7:00 PM Revenue Sharing Public Hearing, barring the request from the City Attorney's office that we not take suggested action, and if the meeting must be rescheduled notice will be given in the Tulsa paper and over the radio stations to be held at the Com- munity Center. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - None PZotion carried. ITEM 12 - AUTHORIZE SURVEY OF BUS RIDER INTEREST IN THE OWASSO AREA TO DETERMINE INTEREST IN PUBLIC BUS SERVICE. Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Phyllis Gross, to submit bus survey ,,,n,,,,,: form to Mr. Dale Johnson and ask to use their school's mailing list to mail it out with fihe City paying the cost, and by reference made a part hereof. Owasso City Council Page Five May 5, 1981 Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - Mr. Lambert Motion carried. Chair recessed at 8:16 PM and reconvened at 8:20 PM. ITEM 13 - APPOINTMENT OF MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE FOR TWO YEAR TERM IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12-8 OF THE OWASSO CITY CODE. Motion was made by Boyd Spencer, seconded by Al Lambert, to retain Judge Jerry Pickerill for another two year term as Municipal Court Judge in accordance with Section 12-8 of the Owasso City Code. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke, Clark and r4rs. Gross Nays - None Motion carried. ITEM 14 - CONSIDER REQUEST TO ANNEX HILLSIDE ESTATES SUBDIVISION. Motion was made by Al Lambert, seconded by Dennis Burke, to approve annexation of Hillside Estates Subdivision. Ayes - Messrs. Lambert, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - Mr. Spencer Motion carried. ITEM 15 - REQUEST TO APPROVE RURAL FIRE RUN CONTRACT WITH OKLAHOMA FARMERS UNION INSURANCE COMPANY FOR 130 ACRE TRACT IN SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 21 NORTH, RANGE 14 EAST. Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Al Lambert, to approve rural fire run contract with Oklahoma Farmers Union Insurance Company for 130 acre tract in Section 32, Township 21 North, Range 14 East, property owner C. E. and Maudie Keys, and by reference made a part hereof. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - None Motion carried. ITEM 16 - DISCUSS PROPOSAL BY REPRESENTATIVES OF F.O.R. CLUB. Mr. Burke asked this item be passed to the first meeting in July in order to have more conversation with. the F.O.R. Club. Owasso City Council Page Six May 5, 1981 ITEM 17 - REQUEST TO APPROVE ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH TULSA PSYCHIATRIC CENTER, INC. FOR TESTING OF POLICE APPLICANTS. Mr. Thompson said this organization would be sent the final applicants for test- ing which is $150.00 per test and we have had five or six done there and found their analysis very valuable. Dr. Clark said he didn't feel they are picking up what we are wanting and personally he felt it left a lot to be desired. Mr. Thompson said the test could be altered to meet our needs. Dr. Clark said he has worked in psychiatric centers and feels a lot goes undetected. Mrs. Gross commented she felt Fire Department applicants should also be tested and we should check into other forms such as lie detectors. Mr. Charney re- sponded that lie detectors are not recognized by the State. Mr. Burke said he is definitely in favor of the testing if it can detect some things we need to know. Tyr. Lambert questioned if the City might come under criticism by not utilizing the testing and he feels it is pretty good insurance. Motion was made by Steve Clark, seconded by Phyllis Gross, that we look into the beneficial effects of the contract for test of Police and Fire applicants before final approval. Ayes - Messrs. Clark, Burke and Mrs. Gross Nays - Messrs. Lambert and Spencer Motion carried. ITEM 18 - INCOG REQUEST TO APPOINT AN OWASSO REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GREATER TULSA COUNCIL. Motion was made by Boyd Spencer, seconded by Al Lambert, to appoint Rick Mahar to be Owasso's representative to the INCOG Greater Tulsa Council. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - None Motion carried. ITEM 19 - REQUEST TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OKLAHOMA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE RE- TIREMENT FUND BOARD TO COVER FULLTIME CITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN. Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Boyd Spencer, to approve the agree- ment with Oklahoma PZunicipal League Retirement Fund Board to cover fulltime City employees who are volunteer firemen, and by reference made a part hereof. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke, Clark Nays - Mrs. Gross Owasso City Council Page Seven May 5, 1981 Motion carried. ITEM 20 - REVIEW STATUS OF CITY PHYSICIAN APPOINTMENT. The question arose that with Dr. Clark as a Council member and the City physician a employee might feel uncomfortable about using him and the employees should have another physician they could see if they wished. Mr. Charney advised Dr. Clark he would be very liable and recommended he release the position of City Physician. Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Phyllis Gross, to send a letter to all D.0.'s and M.D.'s in the City area asking them if they wish to be included on a list of approved physicians for City employees. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - None Motion carried. ITEM 21 - APPROVE WARRANTS FOR PAYMENT. Motion was made by Dennis Burke, seconded by Steve Clark, to approve General Fund Warrants 1145 through 2098, removing Warrants 2002A to Richard Sampson in order to include Rebecca Ball's enrollment, for a total of $35,443.31, and authorize Mayor to sign same, and by reference made a part hereof. Ayes - Messrs. Spencer, Lambert, Burke, Clark and Mrs. Gross Nays - None Motion carried. ITEM 22 - NEW BUSINESS. Item Sharon Nolte asked Mr. Thompson why he is allowing Rebecca Ball to be harassed and he said he had not been informed of it. Mr. Thompson reminded them of the Charter provision stating the procedure which is to be followed which means they are not to go to the City Council. Being no further business before the Owasso City Council, Chair adjourned at 9:45 PM. n~ ti Boyd M. Spencer, Mayor Wauhilleau Webb, City Clerk