MINUTES FROM THE WORK SESSION
HELD MAY 4, 1998,
TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED FY99 BUDGET FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

 Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:01p.m.

 ROLL CALL was answered by Edward V.J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, Thomas X. White and by Judith Davis, Mayor. Alan Turnbull was not present.

 ALSO PRESENT were Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Jeff Williams, City Treasurer; James Craze, Chief of Police, Lieutenant Doug Sappington, Lieutenant Michael Craddock, Sergeant James Parker, and W. Bowman Ferguson, Acting City Clerk. Several Greenbelt Police Officers were also present in the audience.

 Chief Craze opened with an overview of the budget. He described accomplishments of the department as well as needs which are being addressed in the budget. He also mentioned unmet material and staff needs.

 Council began to review the budget. They discussed the function of the Cadet program and the use of part-time employees to handle the administrative functions of the department. The Mayor inquired as to the explanation for the drop in the satisfaction rankings as indicated by the Election Survey results for 1997. Council reviewed crime statistics from the past year and previous years and MBOs for next year and asked for clarification from staff. Unmet needs were then reviewed, and the Chief described the new Federal grant for the hiring of new officers which was announced after the Proposed Budget was compiled. At Council's request, Chief Craze described the juvenile detective position in detail. Council discussed other options for implementing the new Federal grant.

 Council returned to the list of unmet needs and requested explanations of certain items. Council discussed various options and combinations of unmet needs, and how certain needs might match up with newly-announced grants. Council members Roberts and Putens expressed a desire to add new officers in this years' budget. Council discussed the possible addition of another K-9 officer and inquired as to whether or not reclassifications are being considered for command staff personnel. Council inquired as to the status of the new computer system.

 Council discussed the animal control budget briefly, including the purchase of a new animal control vehicle. Council also asked about the reduced calls for service and the possible sighting of any wild animals in the City. Council asked about animal attacks that may have occurred in the City.

 The mayor closed with some general questions about Public Safety. Council and staff discussed the viability of the Windsor Green Police Substation. The Mayor inquired as to the strategy of patrols and how patrol time is divided amongst Greenbelt's three main sectors. Other inquiries were made about private security and typical responses of patrols to citizens. The possibility of municipal employees being used to issue municipal infractions was discussed by officers and Council.

 The work session was adjourned at 10:00 PM.

 Respectfully Submitted,

 W. Bowman Ferguson

Acting City Clerk

City of Greenbelt, Maryland
City Offices, 25 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 301-474-8000 FAX: 301-441-8248