LONE PEAK PUBLIC SAFETY DISTRICT

BOARD MEETING

MAY 11, 2017

7:00 a.m.

Board Members in Attendance – Rod Mann, Sheldon Wimmer Chairman, Mark Thompson, Gary Gygi, Ramon Beck, Tim Irwin

Others in Attendance – Laurie Adams, Shane Sorensen, Chandler Goodwin, Nathan Crane, Brian Gwilliam, Brad Freeman, Jared Godwin, Mike Godwin, Ann Freeman, Robert Valentine, Carlan Reese, Jacki Hunter, Ben Bailey, John Pollock, Jordan Schoutan, Jim Hewlett, Spencer Lawrence, Trevor Lawrence, Jennie Godwin, Devin Rhoton, Shaunna Godwin, LaDawn Godwin, Randy Hamilton, Kelly Hamilton, Jillyne Mugleston, Jerry Griffis, Jamie Knudsen, Scott Sherratt, Will S. Jones, Taylor Clegg, Tami Godwin, Brandt Godwin, Jameson Bangerter, Landon Flack, Paul Hill, Nancy Jones, Shonnie Smith, Brett Daniel, Danny Campbell, Shauna Valentine, Kathy Loveland, Darci Brunson, Dave Boerner, Ryan Albers

Invocation – Ramon Beck

Public Appearances – Sheldon Wimmer: At the beginning of each meeting we set aside some time for public comment. During that public comment, if you have something that you would like to bring forth and speak to the Board, you may do that. We’d like you to give us your name and your address, we’d appreciate that—for the record. And then also, it’s limited to three minutes. That’s something that hasn’t just shown up, it’s been on the Board’s direction for quite some time, and also my City, so… If there’s someone in the public that would like to come forth and give us comment, you’re certainly welcome to do so at this time.

Dr. Robert Valentine 4742 West 10370 North in Highland. I worked directly with industrial development for the State of Nebraska. I’ve lived in Highland now for 13 years. I am very, very concerned about your budget, and I hope you’ll be able to answer questions this morning about the expenditure of money, how we’re taxed, and how the funds are spent. There’s quite a bit of chat going on around the city of Lincoln about possible fraud and corruption in this organization.

1.  Preliminary Administration Budget – Laurie stated that the numbers she gave them last time had slightly changed because she has been given the new dispatch numbers. Discussion ensued. Tim Irwin reminded the Board that he brought up in the last meeting and still feels that the Administration portion of the budget should be shared equally and not based on a formula or population. Sheldon Wimmer stated that he has asked staff to look at administrative costs within their own budgets and they will present their findings at a later date. Ramon Beck made the motion to adopt the preliminary administrative budget. Seconded by Rod Mann. The Voting was 4-2 with Tim Irwin and Mark Thompson voting no. The motion passed.

2.  Presentation on Police Metric Study – Chief Gwilliam put a staffing model (Metric) to measure the performance of the Police Department. This was done so he could justify asking for a new officer…Attached to minutes…during the day extra units are available. He explained the "Rule of 60" which is at least 60% of department personnel should be dedicated to uniformed patrol and no more than 60% of their time should be taken up by workload. This leaves 40% of their time to be available to respond to resident’s needs (calls). Rod Mann asked if his request is the same as it would be for a larger city like west valley or south salt lake. Brian explained that this way of measuring workload can be used no matter the size of agency. Brian presented a monthly workload table showing how his officers are spread. All shift is exceed the recommended 60% which reduces level of service in the communities and the officers are being overworked. Another graph was shown that shows that department workload goes down about 2:00 a.m. the graph showed the volume at different times of the day. The board brought up complaints that too many officers are available to show up for a call. Brian explained that he could not quantify every call but in general there are times of the day when shifts overlap.

3.  Police Budget: Chief Gwilliam stated that he has budgeted for a 3% merit increase not a cost of living. Tim asked how much Highland city’s budget was going up. Nathan referred to the chart. Public Hearing – none. Tim gave direction to police bring down the budget before final approval. Brian made a recommendation to meet with him personally to see where he would suggest cutting. Brian told the Board that they did cut $600/year/employee from their H.S.A. contribution. Police - Sheldon Wimmer asked for a motion. No motion was made. Nathan Crane reminded the board they have to approve a preliminary budget perhaps with direction. Tim Irwin made the motion to approve the preliminary budget. The motion was seconded by Ramon Beck. The vote was 2-2. Mark Thompson made an alternate motion. He stated that because Highland could only handle a 2 percent increase to their portion of the proposed budget, he would ask staff to look at ways to accomplish that. Tim Irwin accepted the amendment and the voting was unanimous.

  1. Public Hearing for Police – No comments were made
  2. Adopt Preliminary Police Budget - Sheldon Wimmer asked for a motion. No motion was made. Nathan Crane reminded the board they have to approve a preliminary budget perhaps with direction. Tim Irwin made the motion to approve the preliminary budget. The motion was seconded by Ramon Beck. The vote was 2-2. Mark Thompson made an alternate motion. He stated that because Highland could only handle a 2 percent increase to their portion of the proposed budget, he would ask staff to look at ways to accomplish that. Tim Irwin accepted the amendment and the voting was unanimous.

4.  Brad presented his budget – 3% merit, 2% market study for full time and part time, constant manning, keep staffing levels adequate, unfunded liability that he would like to build up for future retirements, etc. Cut back on the public education in the schools, hopefully he can get some private donations to help keep this program running. Hoping this program can help with the drug overdoses and suicides that are prevalent in the area. Brad handed out a report that showed the average increase of his budget

a.  Public hearing –Fire/EMS – Verbatim

Sheldon Wimmer: Ok, we’ll now open this public hearing up for the fire departments budget—preliminary budget. Any comments from the public, we’d like to have you come forward now.

Craig Godwin: I’m Craig Godwin. I live at 5785 West Maddie Lane in Highland. I have concerns not so much about the budget, police or fire, because I believe that public safety is an important part of our community and I think, for the most part, those people that are on the job doing those things to protect us are good. However, I am concerned about budget here as it pertains to the fire department, and more about maybe mismanagement and misuse of those public funds. I could go into specifics for you, which I think is beneficial.

Sheldon Wimmer: You’ve got three minutes. That’s alright. Go ahead.

Craig Godwin: So, how far am I into that three minutes.

Sheldon Wimmer: It’s just started because I forgot to tell you before.

Craig Godwin: So, specifics—here would be my concern. These people here today, most of them are here for the same reason. And we’ve asked and submitted GRAMA requests. That time for those GRAMA requests—those GRAMA requests were to this Board—has come and gone. That was a ten day regulation that said they need to be given to us. So the very details that you need in order make budget decisions are contained within those GRAMA requests. We don’t have them. We can make suppositions, but I don’t think that’s a good way to make decisions. So having those GRAMA requests would be pertinent to the discussions around potential mismanagement or misuse of fire department funds. In order to go forward with this budget, I think you need to consider the very details of that and those things that would be presented as results of those GRAMA requests. What my petition to you today would be, that you make a motion to not act on this budget. Or if you feel like you’re under the gun, to propose maybe a $500,000 budget to let the fire department proceed forward in our public interest. And then revisit this once those GRAMA requests are fulfilled and we can have this open public meeting in which you and they can make input based on statistics and facts. That would be my proposal to you—is you make that motion.

Sheldon Wimmer: Thank you. Nate, on the GRAMA?

Lori Adams: I’ll make a statement on that. I will apologize. I was under the impression that I had ten working days, which was yesterday. Those GRAMA requests will be here. I’ll have them by the weekend.

Sheldon Wimmer: Thank you.

Rod Mann: Is state law business day or working day, or lapsed time?

Nathan Crane: We’ve gotten—since ten o’clock last night, we’ve gotten two different pieces of information and we’re working with the state archives to clarify that. So we—as Lori mentioned—our recorder worked with the state archives, we understood it was business days. There may be a need to clarify that with the state archives.

Rod Mann: And for us, business days are four days a week, right?

Nathan Crane: Yes.

Rod Mann: And how many requests did you receive?

Nathan Crane: Lori, we have five requests? Or six?

Lori Adams: There’s about… six on one, then three more. But those came in a little later, so he’ll get those today.

Rod Mann: They were staggered in the receipt. And if we take the business day approach, are we out of compliance?

Nathan Crane: If we take the business day approach, the way we were told, what the interpretation was—we are in compliance.

Sheldon Wimmer: Sorry. This is the public’s time. Let me focus back on folks that have comments that would like to come forward. Anyone else that would like to come forward? Yes, sir.

Scott Sharrot: Good morning. My name is Scott, I live in Highland. This is the first meeting like this I’ve ever come to, so I appreciate the time I get to express a few things.

Rod Mann: Scott, you last name?

Scott Sharrot: Sharrot. I would just like to second what this gentleman said. And I find it interesting—you know, if we have a ten day business day, and his request is—he didn’t get his information, but would like it—that we could make the appropriate decisions after that. But we can pull them together tonight. I think that adds a little bit of warrant to his comment--that it may seem that there’s information that should be disclosed that isn’t--if it takes ten days but you don’t need ten days, that information we should be looking at. And I’ll give the rest of my time to this other gentleman.

Sheldon Wimmer: Thank you. Appreciate it. Someone else?

Jared Godwin: My names Jared Godwin. I live here in Highland. I talked to this Board last month, asked some similar questions. I would support this. I was the one that asked for the GRAMA request, one of those—there are several that are ten days, ten working days old. There are some that are older than that. Just for the record. I, again, second everything that’s been discussed here, and I think most of the people here in this room have heard this. I’ve invited—either me or some of these people have invited most of you guys to public meetings that have been hosted by a variety of people out here. For one reason or another you weren’t able to make it.

Tim Irwin: How did those invitations get extended? Because I didn’t get one.

Jared Godwin: I don’t know. You can ask these guys—

Gary Gygi: Cedar Hills didn’t get an invitation either.

Rod Mann: Nor did I.

Jared Godwin: Ok.

: And the one I got was a Sunday night, and that’s my only day—I usually try to stay out of city business.

Jared Godwin: Yeah, sometimes—if you’re interested in a topic it’s important to get to a meeting. My comment, my call to action—as I spoke with Mayor Thompson—I do think that as Highland residents we supply over half the budget for Lone Peak Public Safety. We don’t have enough votes to influence some of our best interests, and I would make a motion that if we can’t get answers to the questions on these three items that have been brought before this Board—and rejected by this board, to be heard—that Highland City makes a motion to leave Lone Peak Public Safety. I would make a motion that that happen on or before 7/1/2017. This Board is unwilling to listen—I don’t know if everyone here. I do know that it was presented—or Nathan Crane told me that the issues that I sent to this Board were denied to be heard, and our agenda time in this meeting here was denied. So we get three minutes. This Board knows the issues as many of you know these issues, and they’re unwilling to either hear them or unwilling to get us the information on a GRAMA request. I would vote to not approve this budget. I also would invite those that will hear these motion—I would like to have a few questions for Chief Freeman around staffing. Chief Freeman, is there ever a need to go into a staffing calendar and—

Sheldon Wimmer: You’re three minutes are up. Ok.

*Audience members offer to give Mr. Godwin their three minutes.

Sheldon Wimmer: Just a moment please. We have the quorum here, we’re not going to have a mop rule. Ok. And he doesn’t get your three minutes. If you want to come forward and speak you can.

Jared Godwin: Are you guys elected by us? And is this a public meeting.

Sheldon Wimmer: You did not elect me. And I am the Chair at the present time. Now—

Jared Godwin: All the more reason to have Highland City leave Lone Peak Public Safety! If you can represent everyone in this room, Sheldon, then we need to leave Lone Peak Public Safety. And there’s a two year—I understand, a two year exit plan that it takes for us to leave Lone Peak Public Safety. So, I would like that clock to start ticking as soon as we can possibly have it start ticking. Speaking to that—and thank you to those that have granted me your time—if you have an interest, I’ll be sharing this stuff with the media, as I have told this Board. From a staffing perspective, if we were staffed at 3-3-and-3—were not, but that’s what Chief Freeman has confirmed in the heart of the matter study, and again at last month’s budget meeting—if we were staffed at 3-3-and-3, the truth in taxation held in 2011 had 4-4-and-4 staffing, and the net difference of those dollars is over $3 million. If we’re staffed at something less than 3-3-and-3—2.4 for example, per fire house—it’s an incremental $1.89 million. So, in aggregate, there’s $5 million that is unaccounted for since 2011. My question to Chief Freeman—is there any reason to retroactively change a staffing calendar?