2002-07-08 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES - PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS, HELD ON JULY 8, 2002, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY
HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Richard Tetens
Charles Viktorin
Larry Marcott
Klaus Seeger
Bill Eisen
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Absent: Mayor Pro -Tem Woody Owens
Others in attendance: Deputy City Manager Alan Mueller; City Engineer John Hargrove;
Assistant Police Chief Johnny Spires; Administrative Analyst Chris Kidwell.
PURPOSE OF HEARING - TO CONSIDER THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE LOCAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE. Mr. J.C. Doyle, Police Chief.
STAFF REVIEW OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
City Manager, Bill Eisen, stated that for a number of years the City has received funding
from this particular funding source. One of the requirements of obtaining that funding for
use by the Police Department is that a Public Hearing be held.
Assistant Police Chief, Johnny Spires, stated this is something the City participates in every
year. The grant amount is usually approximately $15,000 with the City's match being
approximately $1,300 each year. For the past two years, the Police Department has been
using this money to start a bike patrol program, canine program, security access system to
the Police department, and the bar code evidence submission. This year the funds would
be allocated to the Jail Division for a new video camera system. Part of those
improvements would be a more reliable video system. The current video system has been
in place sixteen years and the cameras are no longer operational and not worth getting
fixed. The proposal is to spend the grant money on a new digital video camera system for
the City of Pearland's jail. Although there have been a couple of quotes from companies
that offer this type of system, this would need to be bid out.
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CITIZEN COMMENTS
Michael Klaus, 5016 Groveton, addressed Council and stated he has worked for different
governmental agencies in the past and would like to offer his assistance in evaluating the
bids for this video system. He further stated, from his experience, there are a lot of people
out there that will tell you that something is going to happen a certain way, they will sell you
a whole bunch of stuff and then you will find that there is some little quirk that they have
forgotten to do.
COUNCIL/STAFF DISCUSSION
Councilmember Seeger stated he is concerned about the legalities of using digital cameras
in court since they are so easily doctored. He further stated he would like to check this
point out before this goes any further to make sure it will stand up in court.
Councilmember Tetens stated it is an important and much needed program.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this 2_ day of Jill y A.D.,
2002.
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Tom Reid
Mayor
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