JOINT LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING

A Joint Meeting of the Legislative, Finance, and Administration and Safety Advisory and Transportation Committees was held on February 17, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Leary presiding. Members present were Mr. Bonar, Mr. McGiffin, Mrs. Russell, Mr. Salters, Mr. Davis, Mr. Harmon, Dr. Jones, and Mr. Shevock. Mrs. Williams was absent. Councilman Ruane and Mayor Carey were also present.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mrs. Russell moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. McGiffin and unanimously carried.

Proposals to Address Community Concerns

Members were recently made aware of gang activities occurring in and around the City of Dover. Meetings were held on November 15, 2010 and December 6, 2010 to discuss these issues. As a result of these meetings, Police Chief James Hosfelt reviewed a letter from the Dover Police Department, dated February 4, 2011, which offered possible solutions.

Chief Hosfelt reminded members that the Dover Police Department is currently staffed at 89 officers and that two (2) additional officers will be hired in March, based on Council’s prior approval, one (1) of which will be paid over the next 30 months by a Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) grant. Chief Hosfelt stated that these two (2) officers will bring the Department’s staffing to 91 officers. Chief Hosfelt requested consideration of hiring two (2) additional officers, which would bring the total police force to 93 officers, and that the hiring process be completed in time for all new officers to attend the next Delaware State Police Academy class, which he stated may be scheduled as early as mid-March 2011. He reminded members that the current police operating budget can absorb the costs of the additional officers through the remainder of the fiscal year; however, he noted that it will take a strong commitment by the Committee and all of Council to fund these positions in FY 2012 and beyond.

Chief Hosfelt assured members that the Police Department understands its responsibility to serve the citizens of Dover, while working within the confines of the budget established by City Council, and that the request would not cause detriment to other needed services within the City. He indicated that the authorized strength of 93 officers would allow for the number of officers assigned to community policing, quality of life, and the drug unit to be restored to previous levels.

Mrs. Russell moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Bonar.

Responding to Mr. McGiffin, Mrs. Russell indicated that her motion was to support the recommendation to increase the police force to 93 officers.

In response to Mr. Bonar, Chief Hosfelt explained his suggestion regarding the concept of “civilianizing” some positions within the Department that are currently filled by police officers, such as the Red Light Enforcement Officer, noting that the cost of a civilian employee would be less than that of an officer. He stated that there are some positions that could be filled with retired law enforcement officers, and that the State Police have adopted this approach with some units. Chief Hosfelt explained that hiring retired officers for these positions is a necessity because police certification is required, and retired officers can maintain certification with very little impact to the organization. He advised members that a civilian Sex Offender Agent costs the State approximately $40,000 per year and a civilian Red Light Enforcement Officer costs approximately $46,000 per year, much less than the cost of a new officer at $85,000. Therefore, he stated that filling these positions with retired officers would be another way to increase available police staffing at a cost much less than hiring an additional officer.

Responding to Mr. Bonar regarding the request to establish a one-time “Police Chief” discretionary fund by including an additional $40,000 in the budget, Chief Hosfelt stated that the additional funds are being requested to financially sustain the Department through the end of the fiscal year when the Department will be “short” officers due to Academy attendance.

Mr. DePrima assured members that staff has completed the latest estimate for the current budget and that funds are available to accommodate the two (2) monetary recommendations (two (2) additional officers and an additional $40,000 in discretionary funds).

Mr. Bonar moved to amend the motion by accepting the Police Chief’s Report in its entirety by recommending approval of the recommendation for the additional $40,000 in discretionary funds and civilianizing positions within the Department that are currently filled by police officers. The motion was seconded by Mr. Davis.

Mr. McGiffin relayed reluctance to support the amendment to the motion since the financial implications of the additional $40,000 discretionary funds and the creation of three (3) civilian positions are not known. Responding, Chief Hosfelt stated that the recommendation is to explore the option of civilianizing positions so that, in the future, if it is determined that additional police officers are necessary, this approach could be used to increase the number of police officers with less impact on the budget. However, he assured members that, at this time, staff is not recommending authorization to civilianize the positions, but is only recommending that this concept be explored for possible implementation in the future.

In regards to the additional $40,000 discretionary funds, Mr. DePrima stated that the financial implication would be limited to $40,000, explaining that if the $40,000 being considered is not provided to the Police Department, it would be applied to the fund balance.

Responding to Mr. Ruane regarding consideration of civilianizing School Resource Officers, Chief Hosfelt informed members that the State Police attempted to make all School Resource Officers agents rather than officers (retired police officers) last year, and State legislators did not approve this request. As a result, he stated that this change would require an amendment in legislation and noted that staff would be willing to further investigate this matter. Mr. Ruane requested that staff determine the possibility of including the civilianization of the School  Resource Officers and provide members an update.

The amendment to include accepting the Police Chief’s Report in its entirety by recommending approval of an additional $40,000 in discretionary funds and consideration of civilianizing positions within the Department that are currently filled by police officers was unanimously carried.

The motion, as amended, recommending that the Police Chief be authorized to hire two (2) additional officers for the upcoming Police Academy class, which would bring the total police force to 93 officers; establish a one-time "Police Chief" discretionary fund by including an additional $40,000 in the budget; and review the feasibility of civilianizing positions within the department that are currently filled by police officers, was unanimously carried.

Public Comment Period (15 Minutes)

There was no one present wishing to speak during the public comment period.

Mr. Salters moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Bonar and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:29 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Thomas J. Leary

                                                                                    Chairman

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