HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_05/09/1990
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive
Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (407) 575-6200
FAX: (407) 575-6203
V I L L A G E O F T E Q U E S
S F E C I A L
V I L L A G E C O U N C I L M E E T I N G
P U B L I C S A F E T Y D I R E C T O R I
M A Y 9, 1 9 9 0
T A
M I N U T E S
N T E R V I E W S
I. The Tequesta Village Council held a regularly special meeting at
the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on
Wednesday, May 9, 1990. The meeting was called to order at 9:00
A.M, by Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford. A roll call was taken
by the Recording Secretary. Councilmembers present were: Mayor
Joseph N. Gapretta, Vice-Mayor Ron T. Mackail, William E. Burckart,
Earl L. Collings, and Edward Howell. Village Officials present
were: Thomas G. Bradford, Village Manager.
. II. QUESTIONS OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL AND VILLAGE MANAGER BRADFORD TO
PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR CANDIDATE, LEONARD KELLER:
GREGORY C. SPENCER
6874 Osborne Drive
Lantana, Florida 33462-3874
HOWELL: Tell us about yourself and why you're interested in the job?
SPENCER: I've been in Public Safety in Green Acres City since its
inception in 1985. I came to them in 1979 as a Firefighter at.
which time their population was about 6000-6500. They were about.
to experience a vast amount of growth. For the past 11 years
they've been a very active sommunityy growing and have accomplished
a tremendous amount. T_n 1983 I helped organize a Paramedic Program
there. I have been a Paramedic since and I still am. In 1985 I
was signed as Commander of the five divisions of the newly formed
Public Safety Department. I have responsibilities including
helping design the buildings, p~zrchasing; I ordered everything
including uniforms, vests, firearms policies, new ambulance, fire
engines. 1 worked closely with the development of all the policies
and procedures. For the past 11 years, the growth has been.
tremendous, and it's been very satisfying. At this time Green
. Acres is a relatively stable community. It has grown and we have
met al.l_ the goals we set out, to reach. Our Public Safety is not
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Special Meeting Minutes
• May 9, 1990
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only fully consolidated at this time, btzt all the bugs are worked
out. Personally I enjoy the challenge of a growing community, and
for me to sit back for the next 15 years and wait on retiring, I
would not find that rewarding nor exciting. The job is still.
there, I am very happy with the job, I love the peop]_e of Green
Acres, but the opportunity to come here t.o Tequesta and help you
all grow and develop a Public Safety Department is what I would
find more rewarding than sitting back and resting on my
accomplishments.
COLL,INGS: If you were t.o be reincarnated, would you rather come back as a
policeman or a fireman?
SPENCER: After I've been in Public Safety, I'd rather come back as a
Public Safety Officer.
COLLINS: How come you know a fair amount about. Tequesta?
SPENCER: I was up here about. a year ago, and I've been through the
• community at least a dozen times in the last couple of months.
COLL,INGS: Do you think we should have a Public Safety Program?
SPENCER: I think Public Safety can work in your community. It won't. be
without some hardships and difficulties. It won't be challenged by
many fact.i.ons, so it, won't come easy. But by the time you are at.
the stage Green Acres is five years from the time you decided t.o go
Publ.i.c Safety, I think that you']_1 be very happy that you went,
Public Safety. Aside from the benefits of the faster response time,
you will have a more highly trained individual. out there in the
field. I'm not so sure that's going to reduce cost, at least.
initially, but. in the long term, it should. You'll have better
control. over your future, and I believe it will be an excellent.
tool for you to accomp]_ish the annexation plans that you have. Once
you have control. over the Pub]_ic Safety Services, you can use that.
as a good sounding device for getting these pockets into Tequesta.
COLLINS: From what you perceive of Tequesta, on a balance on weight., which
functions of Public Safety would offer the biggest benefit., police
or fire?
SPENCER.: The community does not, have a lot of call for service for either
police, fire or medical. Once you get. the transition accomplished,
T believe everything will fall in place. Approximately 80~ of t.hF:
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time will. be spent. in a police funcit.ion. Another 15% of the total
calls will be in medical. Maybe five percent will be fire related.
I believe the biggest problem i_n accomplishing Public Safety i.s not.
police, fire or medical., but accomplishing the transition - taking
the peop]_e you have now and incorporating them into a Public Safety
Program, and deciding which Public Safety Program would be best.
suited for the community-.
COLLINGS: Which Public Safety Program?
SPENCER: Public Safety is unique because it's usual_l,y adaptable to the
needs of the community. There are many- different types of Public
Safety Programs. In Green Acres, tae have chosen to go fully
consolidated. Meaning, both police and fire services are delivered.
by one officer, a.nd there is unity of command.. One supervisor
supervises the entire team. They a.re al.l responsible for police
and fire, and they assist on the medica]_ ca.l_ls. We have a stand-
alone emergency medical services division. They are not fire-
cert.ified, nor police-certified, but they are highly trained as
paramedics and they deliver fire apparatus. Also, they are highly
trained on water, opera.t.ing the pumps, sprinkling systems, alarms,
• etc. So they augment the Fublic Safety Officer. You have a
functional department where you can ha~~e t;he police department not.
neccessaril5- mandated to be a fully consolidated, fully trained.
police officer-firefighter, but has basic firefighting s}~ills and
he can work closely with a fire :rescue division where those are
highly trained medica] firefighters. They would augment on the
police end by assisting on traffic, by assisting DUI roadblocks.
a.ssit.ing in the public awareness programs, and. you have not only
functional, but. partial.. ~'ou can break those down by- tasks.
COLLINS: How big do you think the whole Department should be in this
little Village?
SPENCER: I have read Mr. Matarese's report. I have also gone over the
calls for service with I,t. Allyson, anal I met with Chief Roderick
the other night. You cannot generate calls for service. That's
based on crime, on accidents, on fires. You cannot create those.
You can create an omni-presence of the police, but you pretty much
already have that i.f you a.re fully staffed. The city is
geographically small. and. with fully staffed three officers out
there, you have the adequate number of officers. Productivity is
relatively ]ow. You can increase their effiency perhaps bt-
directed patrol., park, walk and talk programs. You can hve them in
high profile situations, enhance your crime prevention activities,
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May 9, 1990
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getting to the other programs for fire prevention, medical, CPR
classes, heart-saver programs, etc. There's a lot that can be done
to increase the presence and. visibility of the Department, but you
will. not, really be able to increase the productivity. In order to
accomplish Public Safety, more personnel will be needed. There
will not, be an equal trade-off between the number of personnel. and
an increase in productivity. Tequesta's average officer has been
here ten. years, with 20 days off for vacation, 11 hol.i.days, 3
personal days, plus comp. time - broken down over the entire shift.
leaves you with only two people on instead of three, fifty percent.
of the time. That will. have t;o be beefed-up. The minimum team for
putting orrt, fires is three per shift. In order to accomplish that,
i perceive five per shift, since half the time, some will be off.
Remember, that is not. counting sick leave, court time, or
education.
COLLINGS: Do you estimate a, need of 15 more people?
SPENCER: No. I believe you could accomplish not. only police a.nd fire,
but medical, with 25 people, but that would be a functional.
department. I talked ~~•ith North County .Ambulance and they are in
• need of a Director right now. T would like to give North County a.
chance but you might. have t.o look to hire paramedics in June for
the next two years.
BUR.CIiART: How old are you, and do you have children?
SPENCER: I am 36 years old. I have a nine year old daughter and. a t.hrPe
year old daughter.
BURCKART: How would you describe your management style?
SPENCER: I believe i.n participatory management.. However, being the Chief
Executive Officer, I must set the goals for the organization i{~
conjunction with policy. I do rel.;- closelt upon my key staff to
implement. I firmly believe in chain of command. I believe the
Director of Public Safety should be highly visible. Therefore, I
have to rely heavily on the next in command.
BURCKART: How would you perceive a Public Safety Program operating here
in Tequesta?
SPENCER: T looked at Tequesta personnel. I got profiles from Lt.
Allison. In order to be a certified firefighter in the State of
Florida, the requirements a.re very rigid. You cannot have= any
tobacco within one year of date of application, blood pressure
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cannot. be in excess of 140/80, vision cannot be any worse than
20/=10 in one eye and no worse the 20/100 in the worst eye. booking
at the profiles of Tequesta's personnel, some may be older, might.
be out of condition, have high blood pressure, some wear glasses,
and some in the Department smoke. We would not be able to certify
all. the personnel here. Optimal]_y, in order to succeed, you need a
fully-consolidated department. F3ut., these people are valuable.
They've come here, they work here, they know the community and
apparently are doing a good joh. You coz,~ld probabl~° now verity
sip of your present staff. Some indicated they may leave if
Tequesta switches to Public Safety. tiew hires would ha~•e t~~ hc~•
dually certified.
Bj.?R.CiiART: R~ouldy-ota hire people off the strc~F-t?
SPENCRR: They c.-ould first of a11_ ha~-e to 17 F• ~3i,;~1-r,c~rtified, then 1~ w~nuld
lc~o}; for th~s~- who are si ng'l e-c~ert i f i ed , then non-c,ert.i f i ed . Bz:t ,
ahn~-e al ] t.h~.t, th<~y must be pro Pttbl i c Safety. Cert.i fi_cat.i ons
ma}•,e no difference if an individual is non-st.tpportive.
• BI'RC't~:-1R.T: What. hind of equipment. wozzld TPgztesta need?
SPF.tiCF,R.: ~tatarPSe recommends a Quint,. 'Chat.'s nice and rel.at.i_vely
expensive. Since Tequesta is considering annehat.i.on, you may need
ladders. The most versatile piece of equipment, would be a smaller
engine with more equipment.. You will. need a rated pumper with
sufficient water supply. Mist of our calls can be handled with a
smaller squad vehicle. It.'s actuall~° a dual-axeled vehicle, with
sufficient amount of equipment and has maneuverability. It, is not,
a Quic}z Response Vehicle (QR.V) which has a sma] ] tank of water jai th
a high pressure hose line on the rear. Tt t.~ould actually be a
small. Mini-pumper.
MAYOR CAPR.F,TTA: Di.dn't, you have that, .hen I was there?
SPE'~CER: Yes. We have QRVs. We purchased. them as part of our ini.ti.al
Public Safety Program. We have zones that. are a. little further
removed and we were concerned. about. response times since 40% of ~,ur
ca]_ls came from that one area.
MACkAIb: Hoer do you see Public Safety costs, long term? Ha.s Green Acres
been cost, effective?
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SPENCER.: Green Acres did not go into Public Safety just t.o reduce costs,
but we were looking in 198:x. We ha.d some preliminary numbers. We
were building a new fire station requiring a minimum of 13
firefighters. The Police Department also was looking for an extra.
patrol zone and looking for 4-5 people. They also needed support.
personnel in the Fire Department. Statistics showed that over the
next 20 years, ,with the growth in Green Acres going from the
current going from approximate 20,000 to 98,000. They antici.pa.ted
they would need 20 firefighters instead of 20, with an equal number
of police officers. They didn't want to keep incurring increasing
costs for personnel.; therefore, they went to combined services.
Cross-training was necessary. We looked at the cost long-term,
plus the efficiency of highly trained officers. The cost. of Public
Safety will be higher initially.
MACKAIL: How would you look t.o fund a Public Safety Program?
SPENCER: I believe it. takes a year between bid. speicifications, etc. to
obtain fire equipment.. That would probably run close to a million
dollars. I would suggest funding through Bonding. You may also
. need new headquarters as soon as possible, allowing for fut.ur•e
needs. Probably should allow $3.~ million for headquarters. You
could float a Bond.
MACKAIL: What do you think of the Tequesta. Police Department?
SPENCER: I believe you have a good force, hard working. The morale is
poor. I believe they're doing a l.ot more things than they- are
getting credit for. They need good direction. Matarese's report
was very negative. Uncertainty breed discontent. You need to have
a plan. The Public Safety Director needs to work with the Citj-
Manager t.o be sure Pveryone is informed about what is going to
happen.
MACKAIL,: What goals shoi.ild there be and how would you implement those?
SPENCER: There will be a turnover when you go to Public Safety. Some of
the officers are adamant. I see six possibilities for conversion
to Public Safety. Between October. '90 and '91, I would have all my
supervisory personnel. fully trained for police and fire. I am an
EMT i.nstruct.or with contacts at South Tech. I believe we could. get
qui.ckl,y involved in the EMT Program. I noticed the clearance .rate
of your detectives i.s exceptional at. 41%.
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May 9, 1990
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COLLINGS: Would you hire a woman?
SPENCER: Yes. Half of my paramedics are female.
MACIiAIL: How do you screen?
SPENCER: Some things are mandated. by the State. I would do a background
check, polygraph, Oral Review Board.
MACKAIL: Tequesta has a small tax base. How do we avoid becoming a
training ground for larger municipalities?
SPENCER: Your pay plan would have to be revised with increased ability.
Right now the pa3- scale is acceptable. North Countyi.s a quiet
area, not a high crime area. Everything about North County appears
to be desirable. It's a good place to work. That's a drawing
card. I would say for. a Public Safety Officer with increased skills
the pay scale would have to go up 159'0.
MAYOR CAPRETTA: A
annexat. i on .
community.
how would
can be srapp
Public Safety Program will. help Tequesta in their
Public Safety can be tailor-ma.de to fit the
What kind of system would be right, for Tequesta, and
you tailor it to fit? Communicate that plan to us so we
ort.i ve .
SPENCER.: I've look at, this community many times in many different, ways.
You are a small commuity now, but you will soon become a larger
area. I believe the services you want to buy are consistent with
the needs of the people around you. The uncertainty centers around
North County Ambulance. I believe, initially, i.f we could have
just. the si.x or so that I mentioned dually certified in police and
fire, you will. have everyone in the Department trained at least at
the auxiliary level. On top of that, constant re-training. Just
because someone would say to me I am not certifiable because I
smoke or whatever - if you're a part of the Public Safety
Department you wilt be a Public Safety Officer. Maybe you won't be
certified, but i_f a fire or emergency comes down, you're going to
have to parti.cipat,e. It's not just rapid response of personnel., or
knowing how to put on oxygen, or CPR. We're also talking about
advanced. life support. You need to develop a paramedic program.
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May 9, 1990
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MAYOR CAPR,ETTA: How many paramedics does North County have?
SPENCER: Two paramedics right now, with four in school. The two who work
are primarily day personnel and they do hospital transport. They
are not first. response paramedics.
MAYOR CAPRETTA: I have trouble visualizing costs for Tequesta, unless we
could integrate North County. If we could int.egrat.e them, maybe
t.hei. r costs wotal d be 1 owered to us .
SPENCER: A two-t.ier system is more expensive, but they do provided
excellent. service in the sense that i.f you had a serious accident,
they would respond with two EMT's, a paramedic who could work on
the most serious injury - there would be 3-4 people involved. ~'ou
would have to be involved in their day-to-da~T operations, or sinless
they come under yolar umbrella. of Public Safety. It would be
interesting t.o have your Director of Public Safety also be the
Director of North County Ambulance.
BI'R,CIiAR.T : How i s North County' s equipment?
• SPENCER.: Adequate. It meets State requirements. I have not had a tour
of their facility.
BRADFORD: Explain to us your understanding of "collective bargaining",
and what you see as the current major issues pertaining to Public
Safety services, what, your position is on the same, and. what your
perception of management's rights in a L.,abor Agreement are.
SPF..NTCF.R: Collective bargaining has to do with wages a.nd benefits. It.
does not. have to do with policy. Men ma.y organize themselves into
a bargaining unit and bargain with management for wages and
benefits. They don't set policy - the tail doesn't wag the dog. I
believe it creates an adversarial. relationship. With good sound
management, that shouldn't happen. There should be a. good
relationship between the Village Manager and the Public Safety
Director.
BRADFORD: Tell. us what, you believe the components of discipline to be and
howy-ou would develop a sound disciplinary program, and what hind
of a relationship should exist between the Department and citizens
who complain about a Public Safety Officer's conduct?
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May 9, 1990
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SPENCER: Discipline should be uniform and progressive. Discipline for
repeated violations should be more severe. The Personnel Manual.
should spell. out discipline. Investigation should be part of
discipline. All citizens complaints should be investigated.
BRADFORD: How would you protect against a. person protecting a fellow
officer?
SPENCER.: In law enforcement, one has to sepaxate their personal feelings
from those which are by law. An officer's integrity would have to
be beyond reproach.
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. May 9, 1990
Page 10
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JOHN F. D'ARIANO
7979 South Military Trail
Lake Worth, Florida 33643
(407) 964-4807
HOWELL: Tell us about yourself and why you would like the job of
Public Safety Directar for Tequesta.
D'ARIANO: I have spent 18 year in consolidated Public Safety programs. I
am experienced in every phase of Public Safety. I am expert in my
field. I offer Tequesta my vast experience. I have hands-an
experience in all alternatives. It.'s a challenge to me fit,
existing personalities into a consolidated program. The benefi.t.s
outweight the deficits.
HOWELL: Di.d ,you read our consultant.'s repast? Ho~a did you find i t?
D'ARIANO: Yes, I read it. I found it very critical. I read in the
report a lack of management and poor coordination. I agree with
• hi.s P~zbl.ic Safety finding.
COLI.INGS: Tequesta is small. Should we go t.o Public Safety?
D'ARIANO: The alternatives will be c.ut and dried. The Village should
provide EMS services with ALS, preferably with North County - a two-
tier systm. I would. get a commitment from North County Ambulance.
Otherwise the Village should have response vans. All personnel
shou]_d be certified as EMTs. Medical emergency should be the
primary concern. Establish the best, medical. delivery service
available.
COLI_,INGS: Should cae have Rescue - Police - Fire, in that order?
D'ARIANO: Not, necessarily in that order. Rescue is the primary concern
of the citizen. You have to look at the potential. hazard,
depending on an incident basis - prepared for the worst. You have
to determine what risks you're willing to take versus what costs
you a.re twilling to meet.. It's a tradeoff. We determine and
calculate the risks.
COL,LINCtS: Are you Public Safety Officer of the School. Board?
D'AR.TANO: On the School Berard, I am a Securit.5 Specia.li.st. I have sole
responsibility for several campuses within the Palm Beach Cof.anty
• School. System. I der the actual. investigative wark, I advise the
staff and administratian of each school on security matters.
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. May 9, 1990
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COLLINGS: Why do you want to leave Ocean Ridge?
D'ARIANO: I was appointed Director of Public Safety in the City of Ocean
Ridge. Through matters beyond my control, one of my subordinates
was appointed over me. The City Manager resigned over the matter.
I remained there for five months, doing the best I could do.
However, the person who WAS appointed was, in my opinion, not a
professional., and I could not work under some of the guidelines he
set up. Therefore, I moved over to the School Board.
BURCKART: Describe your management style.
D'ARIANO: I believe strongly in a team effort. I also incor.porat,e other
management styles within the team management. Decisions ultimately
remain with the Chief Administrataive Officer of the Division for
the Department. We try to encourage input from subordinates. I
am a strong believer i.n community and media relations. We launched
"Crime Stoppers". The community is our employer. I keep their
best interests in mind. Internally, it is more regimented with day-
to-day activities. Most of the Director's time is spent with
public contact. A Public Safety Department should encourage
• volunteerism. Launching Public Safety i.s a 24-hour, ~-day per week
job.
BURCKART: Expl.ai_ny-our delegation of authority to cover emergencies in
your absence.
D'ARIANO: Regarding a shopping mall fire, a typical response would. be for
the apparatus to respond to the fire scene, the zone car responds
to the scene. As Chief Administrative Officer, I would immediately
be called and advised of the situation. My second. in command would
be required to respond. While on my way to the scene I would be in
constant radio contact. I would. make the determination as to
whether mutual aid was needed.
BURCKART: What type of equipment needs do you foresee for Tequesta?
D'ARIANO: If you go into paramedic services, you will need a minimum of
two response vans. I am speaking from a quick overview of ^7r.
Matarese's report and my view of the Village, a.nd my professional
background. I believe you could justify an aerial, quint-type
vehicle. Z'ou would need ladders and a Class A Pumper.
BURCKART: What kind of equipment would be required for cars?
D'ARIANO: Full. bunker gear would be needed; breathing apparatus; fire
• extinguishers; forceable entry tools regarding lifesaving. A
garden hose with a brass nozzle I have always found to be
convenient.
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. May 9, 1.990
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BURCKART: How does Tequesta compare to Ocean Ridge?
D'ARIANO: Ocean Ridge is smaller than Tequesta.. The population is about
1500 - in season, maybe 3000. However, their Public Safety system
does not, service solely Ocean Ridge. We provide both fire and
police services to Manalapan, Briney Breezes, Gulfstream, and South
Palm Beach. We used. aerials for rescue operations. The per capita
income is high there, comparatively.
BURCKART: How many officers are there?
D'ARIANO: There are 12 full-time officers, 2 part-time officees, plus
volunteers.
COLLINGS: What is the age balance of Ocean Ridge?
D'ARIANO: Sixty's - lots of 40's - a good mix.
MACKAIL: What did you mean when you said Tequesta's Police Department
suffers from a lack of management? How did you draw that
conclusion?
D'ARIANO: I failed to find any stated objectives for the Department.
There seems to be a sincere interest in the Department, and
eve r.yone appears to be doing their best. They are working on a
Manual of Rules and Regulations. I assume that is a result of the
consultant's study. That Manual should have been developed long
before this. Communications appear to be lacking within the
Department. One of the current things bothering the Department
now, from my understanding, is the members of the current
Department have not been apprised of what is taking place with
Public Safety and how i.t wi.ll affect them. Some of the procedures
that. are being followed are not concurrent. with State Laws
presently- in effect. Certain things could put them in a liableous
position. The intent is good but there is a lack of knowledge. ':o
administrator has been groomed to really run the agency.
MACKAIL: How would you make the men more informed and. increase morale.'
D'ARIANO: I would work primarily on determining the staffing requirements
of the proposed Department, establish the certifications required.
for each position, form a team to evaluate and review the
qualifications of existing personnel, the goal. being to formulate a
plan to integrate existing personnel into the proposed. Public
Safety Department. There may be some who don't fit. in. There is
no room for those who are not functioning to full capacity. I''o~z
• can't bury people within the bureaucracy. I would have to do what
is best for the Village. There are minimum staffing requirements
for a Public Safety Department..
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May 9, 1990
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MACKAIL: How many men would. it take to develop the Program?
D'ARIANO: Mr. Matarese was not far off with 24 officers, which includes
staff and line personnel. You may need fewer than that.
MACKAIL: How would you deal. with citizens' complaints and pressure from
Councilmembers?
D'ARIANO: A situation should never be allowed to get. to that. point. If
there are ordinances on the books, they need to be enforced..
Complaints should not get to the citizen or Councilmember level.
MACKAIL: What are your feelings on recruitment of Public Safety personnel
as far as age, height, intelligence, ethnic background, sez, etc.?
D'ARIANO: Recruiting qualified Public Safety personnel is very
difficult. Applicants with dual certification are hard to find..
The requirements of State Law a.re stringent. I usually go by
those. The normal route to take is training personnel.
Paramedics are hard to get.; you have to offer them an appetizing
. package. An effort could he made to attract dual certifieds, but
it is not usually easy.
"}ACKAIL: How do you feel. about budgets and cost containment?
D'ARIANO: Like every other administrator - the most difficult time of the
year is budget time. We do the best we can do to trim down the
budget, keeping it as lean as possible, then go t.o the meetings t.o
discuss the requirements and what is established, a.nd cae're asked
to cut more. I do the best I can do. I believe in cost-effective
management.
COLLINGS: The Villages like our Police Department - they offer quick
response, and do a pretty good. job. The reason for the fire/rescue
thoughts coming up in the first place is the cost factor. from the
County, the way we are served by North County Ambulance, and the
concern that Tequesta is going to pay a lot for that service. A
lot of study has been done on casts. What is your position on
that?
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May 9, 1.990
Page 14
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D'ARIANO: It appears t.o me the Village is trying to mai.ntai.n some control
over their costs. I am not sure the Village is ready to make the
commitment to go into Public Safety. It appears you want to
develop a plan, then be laid back and sit there and wait to
determine when and if ,you are going to launch the project. That's
not a problem with me. That's one viable solution to your current
predicament. The County costs wi_11 continue to rise. I believe
eventually municipalities will go to Public Safety or become
unincorporated. Public Safety is a good alternative. One of the
benefits of a small. Department is a relationship is built with the
community.
MAYOR CAPRETTA: I am concerned about. how many of Tequesta's officers are
willing and capable of going t.o Public Safety, and how does the
Village manage the integration of paramedic support?
D'ARIANO: I have given some consideration to a
for implementation of Public Safety.
resolved is the one of EMS services.
examine the alternatives. If an
considered, some definite assurances
capabilities and continued existence.
control, they can control their own
contract with the City of Boynton Beach.
n overall plan of action
The first issue to be
The first step would be to
outside provide would be
would be needed of the
I f the Village stays i n
destiny. Ocean Ridge ha.s a
MAI'OR CAPRETTA: Is it economically feasible for Tequesta to have a 1-tier
system, or i.s 2-tier better?
D'ARIANO: If Tequesta has a 1-tier system, they ~~ould still be required,
when they transport, to have additional personnel to handle
additional calls while the other unit is out. of service. With a 2-
ti.er system, that likelihood of requiring the additional man. tc~
respond decreases. You would need a medic who is triple
certified. In a 1-tier system, it is conceivable that that would
not be sufficient, ^ledics are the biggest, drawback to the c~hole
program: most difficult to attract. and maintain. There is a lot. in
your employee package that would help to attract people.
MAYOR CAPRETTA: Would you say it's conceivable to consider the Public
Safety- Director of Tequesta and. the Director of '~ort.h County
Ambulance to be the same person?
D'ARIANO: I believe t.hat's conceivable. You would have the best of both
worlds. But, if North County disappears, Tequesta, would. be in a bad.
situation. I'm not sure how much control the Director of North
• County Ambulance has over the deci.sionmaking policies. I don't
think Tequesta could afford. t.o maintain it.,
Village Council.
Special. Meeting Minutes
May 9, 1990
Page15
-----------------------
COLLINGS: If EMS is number 1 to be resolved., what is number 2?
D'ARIANO: Number 2 i.s
second because
develop a plan
Department int
implementation
program.
to establish total staffing requirements. That is
of the third point in the first phase, which i.s to
to integrate existing members of the Tequest.a Police
o the overall program. Phase 2 is drawing up the
plan. Phase 3 i.s the actual implementation of the
By December 1, 1990: Complete Phase I (E^1S opt.ions, staffing
requirements, and handling exist.i.ng personnel).
By June 1, 1991: Complete Phase II. (Develop the actual
implementation plan)
October 1, 1991: Initiate implementation plan.
October 1, 1992: Launch Public Safety.
BRADFORD: What do you believe the components of discipline to be; how
would you develop a sound disciplinary program? What kind. of a.
relationship do you feel is proper between the Department and
citizens who complain about officer behavior, etc.?
D'ARIANO: There are specific gr.zidelines in handling disci_pli.nary
problems. There ar.e legal requirements which must. be met. If the
Village does not. follow the Federal. guidelines, they are placing
themselves in a, very precarious position - including when citizens
complaints are received about officers or employees. We not only
have to consider the citizen, but the rights of the employee as
well. It is critical that a comprehensive Operations Manual be
available. The Manual should detail the expectations of each
officer., outlining the duties and. responsibilities, how discipline
should be handled within the Department. Discipline should be
progressive.
BRADFORD: What professional or personal weaknesses do you perceive in
yourself, if any?
D'ARIANO: I depend too much on perception. I
through alternatives. Sometimes this
find it avoids last minute changes
become overly concerned with dotting
"t.'s". My primary strength lies in
followed by interpersonal skills. I
establish goals and objectives for
priorities and schedules. I am good
sensit.i.ve to people's needs.
try to perc_.eive the outcome
slows down progress, but I
in emergency situations. I
the "i's" and crossing the
organization and planning,
have a good ability to
~~nyself and others - to f~i~;
at following through. I am
•
Village Counc i 1
Special Meeting ^linutes
May 9, 1990
• Page 16
-----------------------
II. OTHER MATTERS
There being no other matters, the meeting was adjourned at. 11:20
A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Fran Bitters
Recording Secretary
moo'' _ ~,-~- 4
Bill C. -.scavelis
Finance Director/VIl]_age Clerk
• DATE APPROVED:
a~ ~99~