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<br /> Mayor Hartnett asked his colleagues to consider what other issues needed to be <br /> reviewed and brought back to the Council along with the traffic citation data. He said <br /> a final decision by the Council on staffing would not be made at this meeting, and it <br /> would be useful to have a review of the data at that tirne. Mayor Hartnett said he <br /> supported Councilman Claire's recommendation, but that was not a comment on the <br /> Report itself. <br /> Councilman Ruskin said he agreed with Councilman Claire, and he believed that the <br /> new traffic data would lead to a new recommendation regarding how many Traffic <br /> officers are needed. He said the City has needed such a study for years, and it is a <br /> good starting point. He said bringing staffing levels up to adequate levels would take <br /> time and money. Councilman Ruskin said the POA pushed the need for such a study <br /> and front line officers and adrninistration all participated. He expressed concerns <br /> about "the situation in the Shores,... there are times in the evening when there is <br /> nobody out there... we need to look further at that. I'm not sure that is an acceptable <br /> situation given the Chiefs policy.... I also have serious concerns about <br /> Investigations. I understand the wisdom of the Report saying let's look at the impact <br /> of what we do with Patrol and CSOs and see what effect it has on Investigations. My <br /> sense is that Investigations needs at least one more officer." Councilman Ruskin said, <br /> "we need to hear back from staff." <br /> City Manager Everett said he would provide the cost data and absorption <br /> information the Council requested. He said there were many variables to factor into <br /> those figures, including the cost of the recently approved Paramedic program as well <br /> as wage and benefit packages. <br /> Mayor Hartnett said if the Council adopted the policies as recommended in the <br /> Report beginning with the short term goal of the basic level of 35% proactive time, <br /> the logical actions flowing from that decision would be to add four Patrol Officers, <br /> three CSOs, and three Sergeants. There is also the Dispatch issue which doesn't <br /> relate to the 35%, as well as the investigative and traffic issues. <br /> Councilman Ruskin asked for more information on the "relative weight of swom <br /> officers to CSOs." <br /> Councilwoman Buchan said she agreed with the consensus of the Council in <br /> referring this back to the Committee, but "that did not in any way devalue the effort <br /> that has been in this so far. I just need to make sure that all the issues are worked <br /> through and resolved. I am not ready to make any policy decisions tonight along what <br /> you just suggested. I need to have the data back and the issues worked through first. <br /> Should there be a motion I would vote no." <br /> SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 OCTOBER 13, 1997 <br /> MINUTES Page No. 580 PAGE 19 <br />