Laserfiche WebLink
14 <br />Regular Council Meeting <br />7/1/96 <br />Page 13 <br />overtime, etc.) We must defer to Chief Stevens--to his discretion of what he needs to operate his <br />department. He encouraged Council to ask Chief Stevens questions (if they had any.) <br />Dr. Parker asked Chief Stevens to refresh them as to the breakdown as to how many 40-hour man <br />hours would be devoted to typical patrol versus how many toward the community programs. <br />Chief Stevens said the addition of another full-time officer would be directed, primarily, to expanding <br />shift coverage on critical shifts. It would be making a 3-man shift out of what might be a 2-man shift <br />now. <br />Mr. Marquardt said we have an award budget process and he wonders why we don't address this type <br />of need during the budget process. He thinks it should be taken up in the budget process during the <br />year. <br />Mr. Buckholtz said he appreciates the Mayor's and Department Head's opinion. He has had an <br />opportunity to talk to the patrolmen who drop offthe packets. When they explained how the slufts <br />and patrols work and how they touch the different corners of the Village, there is no way that they <br />can be everywhere--so he is in favor of it. <br />Mr. Busa said he does not feel he is qualified to outguess the Department Head. If he thinks he can <br />improve his Police Department by making this suggestion, then he wants to support the Police <br />Department and he urges his colleagues to support them also. <br />Council President Fixler said he appreciates where the Chief is coming from. The dollars we are <br />looking at over time are substantial; we have a lot of items on our plate. The Police Department has <br />been doing a very good job given the fact of their manpower situations, but he does not think mid- <br />year is the time to do it. He agrees with Mr. Marquardt. If we want to address the situation, he <br />suggests we address it in January. He cannot see doing this mid-season. We are creating a position <br />that would be a permanent position. It is not a one-time. expenditure like buying a concession trailer. <br />Council President Fixler said if I or anyone thought for one moment that our police department was <br />being adversely affected and service was not going to be up to par, we would not be having this <br />discussion--we would be saying we have a problem and we need to add additional manpower. <br />Council President Fixler said he does not want to get into the habit of discussing employment <br />situations halfway through the year. He thinks the time to address it is in October, November or <br />December prior to the budget. <br />