Rochester Hills Legistar System

Chief Crowell distributed a memo to the Committee requesting he be given the

opportunity to use the 2006 budget year to evaluate the needs and operations of the

Fire Department in order to make sound recommendations for a new Five Year Plan.

His request was due to the fact that his appointment as Fire Chief was six (6) months

ago. The memo also outlined 2006 budget year plans for the Fire Department. The

Chief will continue to give regular updates to the Committee.

The Committee concurred with the request.

Although there was no member present from the Sheriff's substation, Chairperson

Raschke opened the floor for discussion and noted there were three (3) financial

scenarios previously provided by the City's Finance Director which were included in the

packet. The following points were noted:

* The Police millage is a very critical issue because residents may feel no need for

more officers, but the data shows the need for more officers. The substation may be a

victim of their own success because they have managed remarkably well given the

current manpower, which leads to public misconception of the need for more officers.

* There is a possible concern that the Oakland County Sheriff's Department (OCSD)

would not honor a future contract with the City unless the substation has the appropriate

number of officers in relation to the City's population.

* Incredible efforts were made to work with the "millage nay-sayers" and invite them "to

the table" for discussions, but they refuse to participate in any dialog.

* The question remains on how to proceed, namely if there should be a citizen's

committee or a committee with a mixture of staff and citizens. Because a millage

expires in 2006, there is a limited amount of time to decide on a millage package and

educate the public before the August and November 2006 election dates. At minimum,

the police millage renewal is crucial. It may be harder to sell the police renewal

because police services are not as tangible as local road conditions.

* It was suggested to recruit an outside, impartial person to sit down with people like the

Director of the Older Persons Commission (OPC) and determine how to gain senior

citizen support. Also, to have open discussions with the "millage nay-sayers".

* There is a possibility that sooner or later the option of raising the General Fund rate

will have to be investigated.

* It has been common practice that the Sheriff's Department is dispatched on fire and

medical calls to accompany the Fire Department. That practice was established many

years ago when the substation was staffed with a sufficient number of officers in

relationship to the City's population. The idea behind it was for protection if an irrate

person appeared at the scene or to direct traffic if needed, etc. as well as if an officer

happened to be nearby during a medical call and had appropriate equipment in the

squad car to administer life-saving aid before paramedics arrived. However, due to the

increased call volume, the Sheriff's Department is logging calls and asking if they are

truly needed to arrive on those calls.

None were presented.

Farewell words from Mr. Robbins

Mr. Robbins expressed his gratitude in serving on the Committee for the past five (5)

years and wished everyone well since this was his last meeting as a Council

representative.

"Amber Alert" Discussion

Chairperson Raschke recalled a past incident where there was an OCSD helicopter

flying over her yard and she received calls from neighbors inquiring as to what might be

happening. She was not aware of it at that time, but it was a search for a missing child

who was found right away. She suggested that the City's alpha paging system be used

to inform certain city personnel of missing children or missing elderly persons in order to

provide an 'extra set of eyes and ears' .

The Committee discussed the pros and cons of using the City's alpha paging system to

inform certain city personnel of missing children or elderly persons. Chief Crowell

offered to provide information relative to the nation-wide Amber Alert system at a future

meeting.