Inter Governmental Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Inter-Governmental Committee met on January 12, 2010, at 1:00 p.m., presided over by Madam Chair. The committee addressed two agenda items during the session: a presentation on E911 Call Center Management, which was informational in nature, and an update on committee items, which was deferred to a future meeting. The committee took two motions to a vote and heard five public comments during the meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on January 12, 2010:

• James
• Crosbie
• Myers
• Gray
• Blues
• Beard
• Henson
• Feigel
• Lawless
• Martin

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

Motion to Remove Compensation System from Agenda

Councilman Baird moved to remove the proposed new compensation system from the agenda, contingent upon consultation with Council Member Gordon. 1:18:16 The motion was decided by voice vote and was postponed.

Motion to Adjourn

A motion to adjourn the meeting was passed by voice vote. 1:19:17

Public Comment

Several council members raised concerns and offered suggestions regarding the 911 call center's operations and management structure.

Support for Staff Wellness

Council Member Lawless offered to volunteer her expertise in managing high-stress crisis line workers to help address burnout and improve employee support systems at the 911 center. 1:01:23

Public Perception and Department Reputation

Council Member Henson expressed concern that the public may hold the police department responsible for 911 call handling due to confusion about the role of non-sworn dispatchers. 1:33:44

Staffing Sustainability and Turnover

Council Member Stennett raised questions about the long-term sustainability of the current staffing model and the need for systemic management improvements given the high turnover rate. 1:39:36

Organizational Structure and Management

Council Member Beard requested a graphic representation of the 911 department's organizational structure to improve clarity and understanding. 1:13:52

Vice Mayor Gray asked for clarification on the organizational structure and span of control, suggesting that the high turnover rate may reflect deeper management issues. 1:50:21

Contested Items

High Turnover and Management Challenges at 911 Center

A heated discussion took place regarding significant operational challenges at the 911 center, specifically centered on personnel retention and management effectiveness. The primary concern was the 32% turnover rate at the facility, which participants noted is double the national average for similar operations.

The discussion revealed deep concerns about the sustainability of operations given this elevated turnover rate. Questions were raised about the effectiveness of current management practices, including the span of control exercised by supervisory staff and the adequacy of employee retention strategies in place. The high rate of staff departures raised broader questions about workplace conditions, management oversight, and organizational stability at the center.

No specific outcome or resolution was documented in the available meeting materials.

E911 Call Center Management

David Lucas presented on operational challenges facing the E911 call center 5:32. The presentation focused on staffing difficulties and their impact on service delivery.

Key Issues Presented:

• High staff turnover rate of 32%
• Difficulty recruiting and hiring qualified personnel
• Significant reliance on temporary staff to maintain operations
• Operational constraints affecting call center performance

Topics Discussed:

Lucas addressed national standards for E911 operations and reviewed current call response times. He outlined proposed solutions aimed at improving the situation, including:

• Enhanced retention strategies to reduce turnover
• Improved recruitment approaches to attract qualified candidates

Outcome:

This agenda item was presented as informational, providing the meeting participants with an overview of the E911 call center's staffing challenges and management's proposed approach to addressing them.

Update on Committee items

1:15:03

The committee discussed several outstanding items during this portion of the meeting.

Grievance Subcommittee

The committee addressed the grievance subcommittee, with members volunteering to serve on this body.

UK Smoke-Free Ban

The status of the UK smoke-free ban was reviewed. The committee established a plan to follow up with Anthony Beatty regarding this matter.

Proposed Compensation System

Discussion of a proposed new compensation system took place. However, action on this item was postponed pending consultation with Council Member Gordon.

Speakers and Outcome

Council Member Baird, Council Member Blues, and Vice Mayor Gray participated in these discussions. The overall outcome of this agenda item was deferred, with follow-up actions to be taken on the matters discussed.