Columbus, Georgia

AN ORDINANCE



NO.



An ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code by creating a Public

Safety Advisory Commission; and for other purposes.

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THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY ORDAINS:



SECTION 1.



Chapter 2 of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by adding the following

Article:



(a) Introduction.



WHEREAS, a close relationship between public safety personnel and the community

is an essential part of a responsive and responsible consolidated government;



WHEREAS, the benefits of such a relationship are immeasurable for the public

safety departments, citizens, the business community, visitors and government

officials;



WHEREAS, as a means of enhancing public safety-community relations,

communications and community confidence, the Mayor of Columbus, Georgia has

proposed that a Public Safety Advisory Commission be created; and



WHEREAS, the Columbus Council believes that the creation of a Public Safety

Advisory Commission is a desirable step in ensuring valuable input from

citizens and information exchange concerning the provision of public safety

services in Columbus, Georgia.



(b) Establishment of Commission.



There is hereby established for Columbus, Georgia a citizens advisory

commission to be known as the "Public Safety Advisory Commission."



(c) Mission.



The mission of the Public Safety Advisory Commission is to recommend resources,

public safety practices and policies, and citizens'

responsibilities needed to achieve a safe community to the Mayor,

Columbus Council, and our public safety departments.



(d) Duties.



(1) The Commission shall strive to create a climate of mutual respect and

partnership between the community and public safety departments which helps

achieve safety, order and justice for all citizens of Columbus.



(2) The Commission shall attempt to increase communication between public

safety departments and the community, leading to a greater understanding of

law enforcement operations in Columbus.



(3) The Commission shall identify public safety policy and resource issues

related to law enforcement operations and methods of alternative policing.





(4) The Commission shall strive to decrease misunderstandings regarding the

application of adopted public safety policies and procedures.



(5) The Commission shall provide recommendations and input related to public

safety policies and procedures in an effort to reflect community values.



(6) The Commission shall assist the Mayor and the Columbus Council in

balancing community priorities and resources by advising it on public safety

resource issues.



(7) The Commission shall strive to ensure that the policies and procedures of

public safety departments protect the civil rights and liberties of everyone in

Columbus.



(8) The Commission shall promote public safety operations which respect and

reflect Columbus' rich culture and diversity.



(9) The Commission shall work to increase communications, understanding and

trust between public safety personnel and citizens of Columbus.



(10) The Commission shall encourage problem solving and partnerships between

citizens, neighborhoods and public safety departments.



(11) The Commission shall work to provide fair opportunities for citizens and

criminal justice professionals to comment and participate with respect to the

Commission's operations and recommendations to Columbus Council.



(12) The Commission shall make and present an annual report to the Mayor and

Columbus Council regarding its activities.



(13) Notwithstanding the duties outlined above, the Commission shall have no

power or authority to investigate, review, or otherwise participate in matters

involving specific public safety personnel or specific public safety-related

incidents.



(e) Composition.



The Commission shall be composed of eleven (11) members, ten (10) to be

appointed by the Columbus Council and one (1) to be appointed by the Mayor.

Each member of the Commission shall be a resident of Columbus, Georgia. Five

(5) of the initial members shall serve an initial term of one year and shall

then be eligible to serve for two additional consecutive three-year terms. Six

(6) of the initial members shall be eligible to serve for two consecutive

three-year terms. Other than those members serving an initial one-year term,

members shall not serve more than two consecutive three-year terms. Once

appointed, the Commission shall elect a chairperson to preside at its meetings

which shall be held on a monthly basis. The Chief of Police shall provide the

Commission with clerical or administrative assistance.



(f) Ex-officio Members.



The Mayor, City Manager, Chief of Police or his designee, Muscogee County

Sheriff or his designee, Chief of Columbus Fire and EMS or his designee and

Municipal Court Marshal or his designee, shall be advisors to and ex-officio

members of the Commission, but shall not be entitled to a vote at Commission

meetings.



SECTION 2.



All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are

hereby repealed.



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Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia held on the

______ day of ________, 2004 introduced a second time at a regular meeting of

said Council held on the ______ day of ________, 2004 and adopted at said

meeting by the affirmative vote of ________ members of said Council.









Councilor Allen voting ___________________.

Councilor Anthony voting__________________.

Councilor Davis voting____________________.

Councilor Henderson voting________________.

Councilor Hunter voting___________________.

Councilor McDaniel voting_________________.

Councilor Rodgers voting__________________.

Councilor Suber voting____________________.

Councilor Pugh voting_____________________.

Councilor Woodson voting__________________.









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TINY B. WASHINGTON ROBERT S. POYDASHEFF

CLERK MAYOR