HITEV  1833  MINUTES  City Council Special Meeting 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472  The City Council Special Meeting of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC,  28472. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen BI Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson, and Emory Worley  None.  Council Member Collier arrived to the meeting 4:36 pm. Police Major; and. Joseph' Williams (The News Reporter) Mayor Mann called the meeting to Order at 4:32 pm. and explained the agenda for the meeting.  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Bonnie Williams, City Clerk; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Doug Ipock, Police Chief; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Billy Hinz,  2) CALLTOORDER  Mayor Mann deferred the meeting to Mr. Currie for opening comments. Mr. Currie explained the purposes for asking Council to conduct budget workshops  3) PURPOSE OF MEETING  3.1) Police Department Presentation by Police Chief Ipock  Chief Ipock presented the Council with a small booklet outlining his requests for the FY 2023-24 budget. He reviewed with the Council the 1) He requested six additional police officers sO to meet the needs of the community and the department. He provided a workload analysis stating that the current volume of work of the police department needed the six additional employees to answer calls while allowing for officers to take time off for training, sick, vacation and court. He advised that there isa need to balance leave and non-work time for reducing mental and physical fatigue. He estimated a total cost for these new postions at $820,000. He explained that he is requesting a new position in the Technical Services Division. He explained that this position would perform tasks such as records managment, collision reports, greeting citizens, and assisting with CALEA responsibilities. He estimated ai total cost for this new position at $35,000. He explained that he is requesting another new position for a Civilian Crash Investigator. He advised that this position would reduce the need for a sworn officer to respond to a low priority call such as parking lot accidents, accidents no longer in the roadway, assist with traffic control associated with accidents, fire lane violations, parking violations, and other duties as assigned. The person serving in this position would not need to be sworn. He estimated ai total cost for this new position at $35,000. Discussion ensued between  following requests:  Council and Chief Ipock.    2) Chief Ipock addressed his requests for additional vehicles. He advised that he is asking for three new Ford F-150's, including all uplifting requirements sO the vehicles will be ready for deployment. He explained that it is less expensive using the City's Fleet Vehicle Replacement Program, which began in 2018. This program continues to replace vehicles on a schedule so that there is a healthy fleet of vehicles at all times while most repairs to the vehicles are largely covered with a warranty. He estimated the cost of these vehicles at 3) Chief Ipock explained that hei is requesting $36,000 to purchase Dell Mobile Data Computers (MDC's) sO to remain current with technology and continue to be efficient. He explained that technology helps to solve crimes (through Cloud computing), video sharing, and data intensive programs which are being written on updated code that requires computers that can process, store and retrieve data efficiently. He explained that the City purchased new computers in the FY2019-20 budget year to replace old and outdated computers and technology. Chief Ipock explained that this is a capital expense and if the department continues to purchase six new MDCs each budget year, it will put the department on a 4 year plan to replace old and aging 4) Chief Ipock discussed with Council his request for a Gunshot Detection System (Raven Audio Detection proposal). He described how the system works and explained the advantages of the system. He advised that the system provides 24/7 monitoring for shots fired throughout the City, it notifies the officers working when a gunshot has been detected providing location and weapons data. He advised that the total cost for proposal for a one mile squared area is $35,000 annually and includes equipment, set-up, and warranty. Discussion 5) Chief Ipock discussed with Council his request for additional patrol rifles. He explained that they are needed to fully outfit patrol teams. He advised that the approximate cost for the rifles is $10,000. Brief 6) Chief Ipock explained to Council that he is requesting $35,000 for five Kustom Golden Eagle radars. He advised that the State of North Carolina periodically assesses the radar units in operation and regularly phases out radar units that are no longer meeting specifications. He advised that the department's current fleet of Python radar units will soon be phased out of the State's approved list. He advised that it will be less expensive to phase in the new radars rather than to purchase all of them at one time. Brief discussion ensued. 7) Chief Ipock stated that he is requesting $40,000 to continue building ac city-wide network of cameras, which includes upgrading the existing camera system installed in City buildings. He stated that the cameras will provide 24/7 surveillance without the need to hire additional personnel to patrol designated areas. He advised that the cameras can provide traffic monitoring, crime preventions, and help in solving crimes. He advised that the current cameras installed in City buildings have been banned by the US and other governments due to security vuinerabilities. He explained thatt the City deployed the first phase of the camera network in 2022 and that the additional phase is to install an additional antenna on the north end water tower and deploy three 8) Chief Ipock advised that he is requesting $75,000 to begin the initial design phase of building a Public Safety Complex. He advised that the police department building has several issues with the roof and it needs tob ber replaced. He reported that it would cost approximately $100,000 to repair the roof. He reported that the interior of the building does not allow for proper office space and adequate storage and processing of evidence and property. He added that during emergency events, the current building is challenged with the operational ability to house  $900,000. Discussion ensued.  computers. Discussion ensued.  ensued.  discussion ensued.  additional cameras. Discussion ensued.  officers. Discussion ensued.    9) Chief Ipock advised that he is requesting $12,000 to provide employees with a means to support their health and well being. He reported that physically active employees will have less down time from illness and injury. Additionally, that this proposal would aim at providing defense tactics training to ensure that officers are better able to protect 10) Chief Ipock advised that he is requesting $10,000 for a speed trailer. He reported that the current equipment was secured through the Governor's Highway Safety Program, though the display was partially provided through points the City earned. The requested funds would complete the project. He stated that without thet funds the department is not able to use the existing equipment. Brief discussion ensued. 3.2) Fire Department Presentation by Fire Chief Yergeau Chief Yergeau reviewed with Council the operations of the Fire department. Those operations consist of fire and EMS (First Responders); training for maintaining certifications, such as NC Firefighter, Swiftwater and Water Rescue, EMS, Chief 101, Fire Officer, Bloodborne, HazMat Ops, Emergency Vehicle Driver, Driver Operator, and Car Safety Seat; and Annual Flow Testing of Fire Hydrants involving updating hydrants with Storz Adapters, annual pump testing, annual ground and aerial testing, and annual SCBA flow and fit testing. He reviewed with Council the call volume for incidents and explained that those incidents have increased 16.5% since 2020.He explained that he is asking for an increase in staffing - three additional full-time firefighters. He reminded Council that the only personnel that is guaranteed to respond to an incident are the full time personnel on duty. Discussion ensued with Council. He reviewed with Council the capital equipment replacement schedule. He explained that in addition to the three full-time firefighters he is requesting, he is also requesting the following: 1) a ladder company vehicle, 2) SCBA - breathing apparatus, 3) land for Station 2, 3) ai five bay building for auxiallary equipment, 4) 1000 feet of 5i inch supply hose, 5)4 400 feet of 1.75 inch fire hose, 6) a study for a Public Safety Building with the Police department, 7) a drill tower, and 8) an Axon camera Discussion ensued. He discussed the age and replacement status of the fire department's apparatus such as Ladder 1 (23 years old), Engine 2(17 years old), Engine 1 (9 years old), and Engine 3 (3 years old). In closing he advised that the department has received grant funding from the NC League of Municipalities ($5,000) and FEMA AFG ($34,564). 3.3) Emergency Services Department Presentation by Hal Lowder, Mr. Lowder presented his requests to Council for FY2023-24. He reported that he is asking for four additional software programs. 1. Image Trend - to assist with fire inspections, investigations, and fire permits. It costs $715 toi implement and the subscription is $2,620 on an 2. D4H Incident Managment to assist with FEMA forms. The cost is 3. SAR TOPO to assist with mapping search and rescue missions. 4. Skye Browse to assist with arerial mapping and can be used for crime scenes, fire scenes, swamp issues. The cost is $3000 on an He reported that he also is requesting $3000 to stock the EOC with supplies. He reported that he is asking for additional funds for a laptop, iPad, and associated supplies for the part-time Fire Inspector position. Inc closing, he advised that he is requesting $13,500 for three VIPER radios for the F-150 vehicle, trailer, and part-time Fire Inspector. The radios cost $4,500 each. He advised that there are going to be increased costs associated with fuel and vehicle maintenance and that additional funds need to be allocated in the budget for those costs. He asked for additional funds to be included in the training line item in the budget to cover costs associated with the certifications for the part-time Fire Inspector, the Permit Techincian, and Drone Pilots. He asked for $6,500 to replace a drone. Brief discussion ensued.  themselves. Brief discussion ensued.  system to protect assets.  Brief discussion followed. Emergency: Services Director  annual basis. Brief discussion ensued. $5,000 on an annual basis. The cost is $500. annual basis.    Mr. Currie offered closing comments stating that the information shared in the meeting will assist him and Mr. Brown in developing the FY2023- 24 budget. He stated that it willl be their goal to recommend al budget for Council's consideration that will be just and progressive but still be Council Member Williamson asked if the Council should reconsider the time allotted for the budget workshops. He stated that he felt too much time has been allocated to these meetings based on the length of time spent on this workshop and it being one of the larger workshops. Brief discussion ensued. There was no action taken by Council. Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting  balanced.  4) ADJOURNMENT  on March 14, 2023 at 5:58 pm. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE:7-0 (Unanimous) Nays: 0 Absent: 0  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson, Emory' Worley)  Tb Snaillsp  Terry L.I Mann, MAYOR Bonnie T.