01-15-1985 - Special
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CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 15, 1985
MINUTES
Mayor Baugh called the Special Meeting to order at 2:00 P.M. in the
Community Center. He stated the purpose of the meeting was for dis-
cussion and possible action on the probation of the Police Chief.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Earl Baugh
Councilman Louis Rotundo
Councilman Russell Prater
Councilman Neil Asting
Present
Present
Present
Present
Councilman James Inman
City Attorney Jose'Alvarez
City Clerk Connie Kinsey
Police Chief Douglas Betts
Present
Present
Present
Present
Mayor Baugh asked Council members if they had any comments and no Council
member had a comment at that time. Mayor Baugh asked Chief Betts if he had
a statement. Chief Betts replied no, and then asked if he could speak to
Council.
Chief Betts asked, for the record,why they're there and what the Council as a
group expects from him. Councilman Asting stated that there is a list of 47
items of irregularities in purchasing and fiscal matters and operations that
he thinks could be addressed by the Chief.
Chief Betts stated that the 47 items he received represented 437 pages and
he received them at approximately 2:00 P.M. the day before with no reference
as to why he had it. He stated that at approximately 11:00 AM this date he
received a memo stating this is a recap sheet of what would be forthcoming.
He said the recap sheet shows the items to be discussed but doesn't supply him
with any questions for him to prepare or research these answers. He requested
Council give him at least ten days to prepare replies to the questions in ref-
erence to the material now that he knows what it is. He added that three hours
is not enough time for him to look over, comprehend, evaluate and come up with
documentation as a rebuttal to the questions. He again requested at least ten
days to prepare the answer to the 437 documents.
Councilman Asting pointed out that the package was given to him by 2 PM the
day before and Council did not see them until after that time and they had
24 hours to go through the documents and arrive at their conclusions and the
packet was in his possession for those 24 hours and that should have been
time enough to prepare answers. He added that he arrived at his conclusion
after he went through the packet.
Mayor Baugh pointed out that the items on the list were also given to him
at Friday's meeting. Chief Betts stated that the items were not in his
possession on Friday. Mayor Baugh apologized and clarified that the questions
were asked. Chief Betts stated that he tried to get the minutes but they
weren't ready. Mayor Baugh pointed out that the items were accumulating
the last 5~ months and nothing is new.
Chief Betts said he'll need time to prepare responses to those 437 documents
and three hours is not enough time. Councilman Asting pointed out that he
had 24 hours. Mayor Baugh clarified that the Chief had the documents the
prior afternoon and Chief Betts replied that on the 14th he received the memo
from City Clerk Kinsey relative to this Council meeting stating that a recap
sheet of the documentation will be forthcoming and he only received the rest
of the documents at 11:00 this date, and three hours is not enough time to
put it together. Mayor Baugh clarified that the only thing he received this
date was the one recap sheet. Chief Betts agreed and said 24 hours for 437
documents and 3 hours for a recap is not enough time to prepare a rebuttal.
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Councilman Asting asked Chief Betts if he'd looked at the documents since
the day before and Chief Betts replied yes. Councilman Asting said he should
have an answer if he looked through the documents and Chief Betts said with
437 documents to go over, they could only be scanned, and with his future, his
character, and his abilities tested or questioned he'd like fair time to put
together what he considers a qualified answer.
Councilman Asting stated that everything on the recap has been brought to the
Chief's attention at one time or another and he still persisted and he thinks
the Chief is familiar with the documents presented in the package he got the
day before.
Chief Betts stated that if Council insists without glvlng him time to look over
in more detail, he'll make a try at it but many items he hasn't had time to
look at and he'll follow through with .more time. Councilman Asting pointed
out at one time or another these passed through his hands or he was familiar
with them. Chief Betts asked if he was expected to memorize 437 documents and
Councilman Asting replied that looking at the documents should be enough to
recall the circumstances. Chief Betts again stated that if the Council insists
without time to prepare, he'll try to answer but he's asking for a slight
extension of time and 24 hours is not sufficient for this amount of documents
and he needs time to prepare an accurate statement. He added that he doesn't
feel it would be accurate without some time to go over it but will be happy to
go over it with a number of days and ten days should be fine for the documentation
he needs. ~
Councilman Asting said in his oplnlon Chief Betts does not have the desir~~~ ~~
administrative abilities to manage the Police Department as demonstrated in hiS.~ IJg~
actions the last six months concerning fiscal responsibilities, by continuous .,~
irregularities in purchasing procedures and irresponsible operation of City )pl"V
vehicles, including unwarranted excessive high speed driving that could have ,
endangered passengers in the vehicle. He then made a motion that Chief Betts
be terminated and be relieved of all and future duties as Police Chief of the
Edgewater Police Department as of 4:30 P.M. this date and that his salary be
continued for 30 days from this date. Councilman Inman seconded the motion.
Motion CARRIED 5-0.
Councilman Asting moved that the City Clerk notify Mr. Betts in writing of the
Council's decision on this date. Councilman Inman seconded the motion. Motion
CARRIED 5-0.
Councilman Asting moved to adjourn. Councilman Prater seconded the motion.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:16 P.M.
Minutes submitted by:
Lura Sue Koser
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ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK ~
Approved thi~day of
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MAYOR
MAYOR
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COUNCr MAN dONE ONE
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~CbUNCILMAN - ZONE FOUR
-2- Council Special Meeting Minutes
January 15, 1985
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