MINUTES FROM THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE DEERFIELD VILLAGE BOARD
AND PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON POLICING OPTIONS
NOVEMBER 29, 2006
CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE DEERFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER, 3 W. DEERFIELD STREET AND ROLL CALL
President Evensen called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Present was Evensen, Haag, Wilkinson, Searle and Kiefer. Frutiger joined the meeting at 7:10 pm.
Also present was Donn Trieloff – Village of Cambridge President, Jeanne Poast – Past Village of Black Earth President, Capt. Ron Boylan - Dane County Sheriff Department, Sheriff Gary Hamblin, Sheriff-Elect Dave Mahoney, Attorneys Connie Anderson and Greg Murray of Anderson & Kent and Village residents.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Evensen, second by Kiefer to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
1. PRESENTATION OF POLICING OPTIONS INFORMATION
Evensen introduced everyone and explained that this is a budget issue. He also explained the items in the packets that were available to all residents in attendance.
Attorney Anderson, Attorney Murray, President Trieloff and Past President Poast explained experiences of contracting with the county that they had.
Sheriff Hamblin, Sheriff-Elect Mahoney and Capt. Boylan explained how contract services work.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following comments were made:
Are investigation costs an additional cost?
Response by sheriff was that this will be included in the contract.
Citations should not be the only thing considered. Number of hours under the proposed contact is not 6338. Evensen explained because response time service is 6338 should be used.
Response time will be ok under police contract.
Contact with officers will be decreased.
Was Cambridge and Black Earth’s change caused because of financial issues?
Trieloff & Poast responded that was not the only issue.
County cost per hour is more?
Poast explained Black Earth was over staffed and the Chief did only administrative.
One on one contact is important.
Evensen stated that administrative duties are most of chief’s time.
Trieloff explained officers are in office.
When Black Earth disbanded was there a severance package?
Poast stated that Black Earth had a severance package.
Evensen stated there were funds in the budget for this.
Will community programs like Bike Rodeo, Shop with Cops ect be continued?
Evensen stated that community programs will be maintained.
Chief did not investigate complaints and very little patrolling.
Had good experience with the county in other communities.
EMS will cover Village better.
Why wasn’t this placed on a referendum?
Moved here because of safety and this action will decrease safety.
Discussion on various policing issues.
Why not raise taxes
Evensen explained levy limits.
Response time was good in the Village and by contracting out this will decrease.
Which proposal is the one being considered by the Board?
Evensen stated contacting jointly with Cambridge, in his opinion, was the most advantageous to the Village.
When will comments from other communities that decided not to contract with the County be heard?
Medical emergency response time will decrease if contracted.
Modified police department would be better then contracting.
Cut in EMS, Fire or Public Works should be considered.
When county was here, vandalism was more.
Will county occupy office here
Evensen stated yes.
County will be part of community and supply good service.
This matter should go to referendum.
Called 911 and it took 45 minutes to respond to a call.
Sheriff will investigate why there was a slow response.
Why police budget is the only one being considered for decreased funding?
Evensen stated all departments decreased expenditures other then EMS.
A petition was received with 28 names on it supporting maintaining the present police force.
3. REVIEW/ACTION - POLICING OPTION THAT WILL BE UTILIZED BY THE VILLAGE
The board then discussed on the comments received. Evensen asked the board for their opinions.
• Haag asked Chief Cipriano if he would accept a half time position. The Chief stated he needed a full time position. Haag then stated he felt the Cambridge option was the only feasible option.
• Searle stated the Board should listen to residents, therefore he was in favor of the modified Deerfield proposal.
• Frutiger stated he is in favor of coverage with Cambridge/County.
• Wilkinson stated that in the best interest of the community she is in favor shared Cambridge coverage.
• Kiefer stated she is in favor of modified department.
• Evensen stated the Village would be better served with Cambridge/County option.
Motion by Evensen, second by Haag to authorize the Village to negotiate a contract with the county and the Village of Cambridge to provide police services as described in the policy options worksheet column marked Deerfield Cambridge and to set up a transition team of Clerk Otte, Attorney Anderson, Cambridge President Trieloff and himself to create a transition plan to be approved by the Village Board. Roll call vote: Yea – Evensen, Haag, Frutiger and Wilkinson. Nay – Searle and Kiefer. Motion carried.
ANY OTHER SUCH MATTERS AS ALLOWED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Evensen, second by Kiefer to adjourn at 9:50 pm. Motion carried.
/S/ Dean A. Otte
Village Administrator, Clerk-Treasurer