911 Governing Board Changes
Edmonton Police Chief David Robertson promoted Colby Romines to Assistant Chief. Photo by PJ Martin
Edmonton Police Chief David Robertson promoted Dustin Clemmons to Sergeant. Photo by PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
On Monday, May 6th the Edmonton City Council met for their regular May meeting and all were in attendance.
Perhaps the most discussed item on the agenda was the updates to the 911 Interlocal Agreement between Barren County, the City of Glasgow, the City of Edmonton, and Metcalfe County.
City Attorney Brian Pack presented an update on the Barren/Metcalfe 911 Interlocal Agreement update/discussion. Pack has been negotiating an update to the agreement that will satisfy all involved and presented a small update for a vote.
Pack explained that a copy of the amended and re-stated Interlocal Agreement was given to each council member. That copy is the proposed changes presented by Barren/Glasgow and according to Pack, “There were still some things in their proposal that we’re still uncomfortable with.”
The changes he proposed were highlighted on the Interlocal Agreement copy given to the council. The only change he proposed was the options to collect fees to fund the 911. The current agreement states that only the land-based telephone lines are taxed and with those dwindling quickly, there needs to be a change allowing the fiscal courts to choose another form of taxing to fund the system as they see fit.
That one change was agreed upon and approved by the city council; however, several other issues were up for discussion.
Comments were made referring to the people allowed to vote on the 911 Governing Board greatly outnumbering Metcalfe. Several citizens who are involved with the dispatch, EMS, and fire departments were in attendance and stated that Metcalfe’s ambulance is used for runs in Hart County. It was also pointed out that Hart County pays nothing to the funding of the 911 system, and yet the Park City Mayor is on the Governing Board for BMECC as well as Cave City Mayor.
Pack suggested speaking with BMEMS Executive Director Joe Middleton and allowing him to address the concerns by inviting him to a council meeting. Council member Faye Word pointed out that, “We’ve had ambulance problems here for a long time and we’re the ones that voted in ambulance taxes years ago. And we get whatever they’ve got left. Whatever, whenever.”
The Mayor Smith stated, “We’ve been back and forth with em for a pretty good while and I’m just saying now is a good time to get any changes we think we need now, cause we probably won’t revisit this for a while.”
Mayor Smith added, “None of the Cave City Park City, they don’t any of them put any money in it, right?” To which Pack replied, “Correct.” Mayor Smith then added, “But they’ve got a vote…and I don’t think that the interlocal agreement was to be interpreted as drawn up that way.”
Pack has put in a lot of long hours in the negotiation process between the county’s and is familiar with what both sides want and will agree on, but he is continuing to negotiate.
Ordinance Approval
“The Edmonton Memorial Park has been a smoke, vape, tobacco-free park for many years. Most activities that are held in the park are school-related and all school events are smoke, vape, and tobacco-free. It has been brought to our attention that patrons of the park are not adhering to this rule,” stated Mayor Smith.
Smith added that additional smoke-free signs have been ordered for placement within the park. “Due to the nature of events at the park and the number of children at these events, it has been suggested that we adopt an ordinance to prohibit smoking, vaping, and tobacco use at the Edmonton Memorial Park,” said Smith. There is an option that the ordinance could only apply to the park, or if the council wanted, could apply to every city property.
Council member Curt Estes asked, “Are we going to have any place where they can smoke while they’re there?”
It was suggested smoking, etc. be allowed in their vehicle and another suggested only the parking lot. The ordinance will make it a citable offence and an amount will be designated in the ordinance before the second reading.
The first reading of Ordinance# 2023-24-05 prohibiting smoking, vaping, or any tobacco product use at the Edmonton Memorial Park except in the parking lot, was approved unanimously. The second reading is scheduled for the next meeting in June.
Department Reports
Public Works Superintendent Moe Hensley reported that the work on the Chamber of Commerce and 911 Dispatch building was finished except for the awning which hasn’t arrived yet. He also noted that the generators to be used at the water department were ordered and estimated to arrive in October.
Chief David Robertson presented the city police department report for April as 11 arrests, 4 non-injury accidents, 6 alarms, 1 animal complaint, 1 domestic call, served 2 EPOs, 1 fight, 1 incomplete 911 call, 2 new investigations opened, 9 motorists assisted, 14 medical calls, 51 traffic stops, 6 warrants served, 4 funeral escorts, 43 school zone stops, 1 traffic control, 58 complaints answered, and 14 citations written.
Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) Policy changes for the Mobile Data Computers (MDC) security, usage, and procedures were updated and approved.
Chief Robertson then presented two promotions within the police department. Dustin Clemmons was promoted to Sergeant and Colby Romines was promoted to Assistant Chief filling the position left open by Michael Hampton’s retirement.
“Everyone has paid their regulatory fees,” stated ABC Administrator Fred Ray.
Parks and Recreation Manager Brian Garrett reported that a part-time worker had been hired, John Compton is working 20 hours per week.
City Fire Chief Jerry Clemmons reported 11 runs in April with 8 medical runs, 1 lift assist, and 2 fire runs (1 stove fire and 1 house fire).
Other Business
No other business was brought forth and the meeting adjourned.
