Columbus, Georgia

Minutes for the Meeting of the

Public Safety Advisory Commission

March 3, 2005



Present members of Advisory Commission: Robert Turner, Charles Kurtz, C.A.

Hardmon, James Wilson, Harold Bryant (Vice Chairman), Cheryl Gallatin, Archie

Rainey (Chairman), Greg Camp



Absent members: Robert Loving, Allen McMullen, Keyla Cabret



Visitors: Fire Chief Roy Waters and the following personnel from his

department; David Arrington, David Starling, Police Chief Ricky Boren, Chief

King from Marshal?s office, Kelli Esters of the Ledger-Enquirer



Recording Secretary: Mrs. Ann Bell, Administrative Specialist, III



Location: Community Room of the Public Safety Building



Meeting began at 4:02 p.m.



CHAIRMAN ARCHIE RAINEY CALLS THE MEETING TO ORDER:



Archie Rainey calls the meeting to order. Roll is taken.



REVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING?S MINUTES:



The commission members took a few moments to review the minutes of the previous

meeting. There was a motion to approve minutes and they were then approved.



DISCUSSION OF OLD BUSINESS:



C.A. Hardmon?s Letter



Chairman Rainey read the letter C.A. Hardmon sent him and asked Mr. Hardmon to

comment.



Mr. Hardmon started by stating for the record, that he is for public safety pay

increases. However, he feels more than just one issue should be addressed by

the commission. He feels if the commission focuses too much on that one issue

the commission could loose creditability with the citizens. For public

perception reasons, more than just the public safety pay increases needs to be

addressed. He felt more should have been done regarding the complaint issue

that was taken before council.



A very lengthy group discussion ensued regarding this concern. Mention is made

that the commission was put together to help public safety and the public, not

just to represent public safety and their budget needs. Several members

suggest the possibility and logistics of holding some sort of forum meetings in

different locations throughout the community. This would be a way of hearing

the public?s public safety concerns and giving them an opportunity to be heard.

Mr. Turner asks the commission members how much public input they have received

so far. Chairman Rainey states that the eleven members of the commission

should be speaking to citizens from their respective areas. The group briefly

mentions comments they have received regarding the money spent on the library

and green space, and why the one-cent sales tax was not voted in, etc.

Complaints and the complaint process are briefly mentioned again. It is

mentioned that the complaint process has been addressed and seems to be

appropriate and the fact that the commission cannot get involved in

investigating complaints is also mentioned.



There is then more group discussion regarding the type of public meetings that

the commission could attend, i.e. a Town Hall meeting or forum of some type and

what groups could possibly sponsor and solicit people to attend meetings held

with the commission. It is mentioned that these meetings should be held in

different locations, not to simply focus on south Columbus.



Chief Boren interjects by discussing his speaking at the Fluellen Center and

the public?s main concerns addressed there were crime. He also mentioned that

the commission?s council members know the different citizens groups throughout

the city and where and when they meet. The commission may want to contact

their respective council member regarding that information.



There is discussion of possibly counting the forum type meetings as the

commission?s regularly scheduled meetings. Chairman Rainey asks if there is a

need for two meetings a month. The commission?s consensus is yes for the time

being.



PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY LIST OF NEEDS



Chairman Rainey hands out the data he received from each public safety

department. The handouts include a priority list of each department?s needs.



Chairman Rainey asks if any commission members have any closing remarks. Mr.

Turner mentioned the photo in the Ledger of Fire and EMS personnel signing

their hearts out at a funeral. No other closing remarks are made.



A motion is made to adjourn the meeting at 4:57 p.m. a second motion is made

and the meeting adjourned.







Ann Bell

Administrative Specialist, III

Recording Secretary