Transition Team Minutes
September 29, 2005
TWELVE WEEKS UNTIL UNIFICATION
Members Present: Chuck Anderson, Rayne Gordon , Henry Richmond
Absent: Rev. Leroy Carter Jim Frazier, Lula Hicks, Dorothy Martin
Observers: Charles Hathaway, Consultant to Transition Team
Marla Clark, filling in for Administrative Assistant Donna Rice
Joe Madonia, area resident
Not having a quorum, the members present discussed several issues.
Report on Exchange of Firemen
Not able to attend, Will Everette (Legal Aid of Arkansas) had reported to C.E. Hathaway that a Memorandum of Understanding had been drafted for exchange between the Fire Departments of Helena and West Helena. Jim Frazier has sent letters to the Mayors concerning the MOU, so that the fire departments can begin working toward unification.
Police Function for the New City
Members of the Transition Team discussed the possibility of a county-wide police function and noted the problem of the current uneven pay scale for policemen in Helena and West Helena. The need was also discussed for cross training in the Helena and West Helena police units.
Report on Visit to Fire Departments
C.E. Hathaway reported on his recent visit with the Searcy Fire Chief and discussed the need for good and continued training for firemen in Helena – West Helena.
Brochure for Festival Booth
C.E. Hathaway introduced the brochure developed and then edited by Marla Clark for distribution at the Transition Team booth at next week’s Blues Festival. A total of 2,000 are being printed for use in the festival. The t-shirts are being printed. Rayne Gordon will handle banner placement.
Educational Retreat for Elected Officials
Team members discussed planning a comprehensive educational session for the newly elected city council. C.E. Hathaway said the retreat would probably be held around the first of December, and he expressed his concern about a possible lack of participation by those elected. Representatives of the Municipal League will provide information for the session on basic law, codes, etc. C. E. Hathaway said several persons from the university may participate and he may invite the Fire Chief from Searcy to indicate what should expect from a Fire Department and indicate what must be done to nurture a good Fire Department.
Review of the charge to the Unification Process
The team reviewed its charge to the unification process which is to determine what tasks need to be accomplished prior to unification and how best to accommodate those tasks. It was discussed that in its quest for creating a new city of the 21st Century, the team might want to recommend that instead of merging ordinances, etc. of both cities together, the new city government should take a look at those things that have worked well and those that have not in order for the city government to make positive changes. Discussion also included concerns about services that may need to be outsourced in order for the new city to operate more effectively. The team may recommend that the new government consider what services are cost-effective and provide more customer-oriented services. The Municipal League provides an annual salary survey which may prove useful to the Transition Team and new city government.
Consideration of Other Action Items
C.E. Hathaway will begin forming possible recommendations at the request of and for the consideration of the Transition Team on the following subjects:
-A reorganization of city government
-A customer-oriented form of government
-A city vs. county-wide police unit
-The potential need for a sales tax increase