04/20/1994 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 20, 1994 on this matter. The petitions express dissatisfaction with the manner in which the original rezone of the area was handled Ms. Wyland noted that the Planning and oning Board is in the process of reviewing the preliminary plat for Trappers Crossing. Alarm Policy - Chief Pecchia explained that the City Attorney is in the process of preparing a false alarm policy. In 1993 there were 235 false alarms and this year the number of false alarms has increased. Every time a false alarm comes in to the officers, they respond with sirens and red lights. After a certain period of time, officers become so familiar with particular false alarms that they do not respond as required and could be placed in a dangerous situation. Chief Pecchia explained that he has worked with similar false alarm ordinances in the past and they do work well. One provision of the ordinance would require that the Police Department would keep a record of the number of false alarms and then start charging after receiving three (3) false alarms from the same alarm in a year. The fine for the fourth false alarm would be $50.00, after ten false alarms $100.00 and fifteen false alarms $150.00. Mayor Reinert suggested that a home owner be notified after the second false alarm to let them know that they may be facing a fine after three (3) false alarms. Chief Pecchia explained that violations of the proposed ordinance would be a petty misdemeanor and if the fine is not paid, it would be assessed to the property taxes. He also noted that the ordinance does have provisions for false alarms that are "acts of God" or weather related disturbances. Council Member Kuether asked if Chief Pecchia could tell which alarms caused the most problems. Chief Pecchia explained the problem is not with the alarm but with the operator. Occasionally false alarms are weather related. Chief Pecchia will proceed with completing the draft of the ordinance and present it to the City Council for their approval. Chief Pecchia explained that the Police Department Mission Statement has been completed and posted throughout the department. The Value Statement which is the foundation by which the Department is operating and contains rules and regulations has been prepared. The officers have copies of the Value Statement and have two (2) weeks to digest the material. A staff meeting will be held at the end of the two (2) weeks and the concerns of the officers will be discussed. Mr. Schumacher explained that this is a policy that the City Council should also PAGE 3 1