06/18/2000 Meeting Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular Council Meeting 6-18-01 Page 8 First Reading of Resolution No. 2001-03, entitled; "An emergency resolution authorizing the Village of Mayfield to share in the expense with other Hillcrest area municipalities for the purpose of an armored transport vehicle to be used by the Suburban Police Anti-Crime Network (SPAN)." Introduced by Mayor Rinker and Council as a Whole. Council President Marquardt said we will leave 2001-03 on first reading. Mayor Rinker said Lt. Deaxden and I attended a meeting of SPAN this evening with the SPAN Mayors and safety officials to discuss the issue of this vehicle. To date, the cities of Richmond Heights and Mayfield Heights have approved resolutions for their contribution toward the purchase of this vehicle. Gates Mills has conditionally approved-but subject to two very significant conditions. Both were discussed at length at the meeting tonight. The first is that SPAN is subject to state bidding procedures. The concern was that there be appropriate competitive bidding. Specifications have been made. There may be 2 manufacturers capable of constructing a vehicle of this type. Until they have time to respond, which they have not been able to do, time will tell. Also, Gates Mills always looks to certain private contributions. The other Mayors present indicated they thought it would be a good idea. There was some reference to Landerhaven maybe sponsoring some type of event--a fundraiser-to try to get some private monies generated for this. During the discussion, a number of people commented that they felt it was appropriate for communities as public bodies to make a determination in the first place before they would turn to private sector if that were done. The city of Highland Heights is meeting next Tuesday night and it is on first read or may be going on first read. It sounded like they were leaning toward it. Lyndhurst has already gone through a second reading; the third read will be coming up soon. We are on first read tonight. I think it is fair to state that given the issues (I thought we had a pretty good memo from Chief Stevens) but this is one that I would encourage everyone to discuss further, look at it further. You heard the comments from Mrs. Peirce in the audience tonight. I wanted to let everyone know that the other communities are at various stages of reviewing it. Mr. Buckholtz said in Finance I voted in agreement that we should be a part of the other communities. I spoke at great length with Chief Stevens and I couldn't quite express my feelings but Mrs. Peirce did a great job of expressing my reservations (although Chief Stevens did explain to me the seriousness of the world we live in) but I was wondering if I could get a copy of that letter submitted to Council. Dr. Parker said I think there is a lot of reservation. I don't know if the Mayor has spoken with other Mayors in terms of that whole reservation type of feeling because it is a core issue for all of us. Obviously there is a financial obligation but also there is quite a large departure from the sense that we have this armored vehicle. It's almost like you don't want to go against apple pie and the flag-you don't want to go against the sense of they say they need it, they need it--but there is also the same expression that this constituent had that at what point how heavy do you get with your armor and how big a gun do you give to your police officers and where is the fine