Cleveland Moves Ahead On Upgrading Police Department; Council Making Assessment Of City Manager Casteel

  • Tuesday, July 14, 2015
  • Gail Perry

Cleveland City Council members have decided to request an extension of the contract of consultant Larry Wallace for advice concerning the police department,

At the Monday afternoon meeting of the council, Mr. Wallace presented an update to supplement the original report he produced with additional recommendations.

Vice Mayor George Poe and Councilmen Richard Banks and Dale Hughes all suggested that Mr. Wallace stay long enough to help implement the changes he has proposed and to “mend some fences” in the police department to make it a functioning team. Council approval was given to form a committee to discuss the contract extension.

In his report Monday, Mr. Wallace advised the council that a deadline be put on the acceptance of applications for hiring a new police chief. He suggested July 31 as the date that applications must be in the hands of the human resources department. With the time required to do background checks and considering the time it would take someone to clear affairs and move a family, he believes Oct. 1 will be a realistic date to expect someone to actually be in that position. Councilman Banks said this is the most important decision that will be made and suggested having no deadline. Commissioner Bill Estes suggested a target of two months with more time if needed.

Establishing police policies to be created by a committee headed by City Manager Janice Casteel is another recommendation. Once established, the polices would be followed by review from two police officers. After the first year this committee should meet annually with only minor policy revisions expected. The community should also be involved with the strategic plan for the police department as well as coordination with the Bradley County mayor, it was stated.

Diversity in the department has already started being addressed by holding meetings where officers and civilians have had “sensitive dialogue” and talked openly and frankly. Commissioner Avery Johnson said there was talk about things that needed to be said even though it was uncomfortable. Dates should be established for more of these meetings, recommended Mr. Wallace. Departmental decisions will dictate the chain of command that will be followed so each person will know who to report to. Leadership training will be recommended and be used in the process of promotions.

Needs and special training were listed along with the cost for each item such as more body and vehicle cameras, more police officers and additional SRO officers. The council agreed these things were needed yet cost is the problem. Mr. Wallace said some of his recommendations could be done incrementally.

Another supplemental presentation has been scheduled for Aug. 10.

Evaluation of the city manager was also discussed at the council meeting. Commissioner Dale Hughes said that an instrument has been procured for the council to use for grading how various goals have been achieved by Ms. Casteel. A procedure for processing the evaluations was suggested by a member of the school board. This process would be for each councilman to fill out the forms and then each would have a one-on-one meeting to discuss their assessments with Ms. Casteel, giving her the ability to explain why things were done the way they were, after which the councilman has the ability to make changes to his form. All scores would be compiled by the HR director and would be presented to the council. This process should be completed by Aug. 10.

The Historic Planning Commission has requested that the council provide money to hire an attorney to consult on the matter of solar panels that have been placed on a garage rooftop at 220 15th St. NW.  Homeowner Scott Wright went through the correct process before spending $35,000 to install the panels that became active in January.  This included getting approval from the Historic Commission and getting a building permit. Six months later a complaint has prompted the commission to revoke the approval. The guidelines used by the Historic Commission are consistent with state laws concerning historic districts, said Commissioner Banks. City Attorney John Kimball said the Historic Preservation Commission has the authority to make decisions, not the council.

Mr. Wright said the panels were only visible looking straight down his driveway and he has planted trees to hide them. He also was surprised at any opposition because Volker, a company that manufactures solar panels, is investing so much in the community and employing so many people.

The council agreed to hire an attorney that specializes in historic preservation to set up guidelines and put a process in place to avoid this from happening in the future.

Improvements to the city’s recreation facilities and how they are used was also a topic addressed at the Monday meeting. An update was given by Ms. Casteel on the tennis court at Deer Park. As it now exists, it is not regulation size, said Councilman Estes. To replace the court that is in bad condition is estimated to be $45,000. When the work is done, it was recommended that it be reconstructed at regulation size and possibly creating a space to put a basketball goal.

A resident of the south end of Cleveland spoke up asking for help to improve a tennis court that is behind Blythe Avenue School and to create a ball field where there is now just tall, un-mowed grass. Parks and Recreation Director Patti Petitt said there are plans to apply for a community development block grant to turn this area into a multi-purpose field in a year or so. Until then, said Commissioner Banks, the city can mow the grass to make it usable. 

Another resident who has organized a local soccer league told the commission that employees at the College Hill Recreation Center, where the league plays, make it difficult for his group to use. He asked to be able to pay for the field monthly so the league can make plans ahead of time. He was given the phone number of the director to contact about future problems.

An update was given on construction of the Cleveland High School Gym. Progress is being made and plans are to clear the parking lot by the first week in August to prepare for the start of school. It should be completely under roof by the end of August and is still on track to be completed by the end of February. 

Approval was given to annex 2.55 acres on Varnell Road SW as requested by owner Wes Robbins.

A study was also approved for reducing the speed limit for semi-tractor trucks on North Lee Highway.

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