Board of Director's -- FEBRUARY -- Regular Meeting

CALL TO ORDER: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - President R. Reinhart convened the meeting to order at 15:45 hours.

ROLL CALL: R. Reinhart, President; J.K. Muller, Vice-President; J. Huss, Secretary; D. Hashin, Treasurer; A. Preece, Sergeant-at-Arms/ Director; C. Bales, Director; E.N. Evenson, Director; S. Ekstedt, Director; J. Nelson, Director.

OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: None.

GUESTS: M. Reid.

MINUTES: Minutes for Regular Meeting December 11, 2002 and January 8, 2003 accepted on motion by C. Bales and J.K. Muller, with all concurring.

TREASURER REPORT: D. Hashin provided the monthly financial report with a review of the 2002 Christmas Party expenses and prelude to the 2003 Christmas Party expense concerns. He also stated that tax forms for the POA should be filed timely for the taxable year 2002 without a need for any extension. Motion by J.K. Muller and S. Ekstedt to accept, with all concurring.

Review and explanation credit card expenditures provided by R. Reinhart. Motion by E.N. Evenson and J. Nelson to cover the additional costs related to the basketball game on January 10, 2003, with all concurring.


EXECUTIVE SESSION: R. Reinhart said that the POA counsel is trying to work out settlements with the City on several lawsuits still pending with the City. Letters have been sent with full explanation of the POA's position on the related issues and incurred costs.


OLD BUSINESS

MISSED QUALIFICATION: D. Hashin and J.K. Muller recently had a meeting with Chuck Thomas to discuss the memo written by Jon Arnold "Monthly Training Qualification Procedures" dated February 6, 2003. They reviewed the step-by-step process as suggested, and presented it for review by the Board of Directors. Discussion held and D. Hashin and J. K. Muller were told to respond by with the POA's questions and additional concerns.

WRITTEN REPRIMANDS: R. Reinhart said that he had further information on the proposed Review Panel for an appeal process of written reprimands. The suggested Review panel would consist of three individuals: Administrative personnel, POA personnel, and a mutually agreed upon third person. The guidelines and process still need to be agreed upon, but the Review Panel's decision would be binding. The adoption of this Review Panel would be incorporated in the MOU as a side letter.

MEET AND CONFER ISSUES: Discussion held on the Department's moving toward a Corporal position, which creates a new classification and requires the City to "meet and confer" with the POA. Many issues need to be considered, one, which is that any new classification requires approval by the City Council. City has not made a proposal and POA will not be discussing this until regular negotiations later this year.

DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE AWARDS: R. Reinhart announced the recipients of the Department Employee awards, who were:

Uniform Officer of the Year - Senior Police Officer Russell Reinhart
Non-Uniformed Officer of the Year - Police Officer Lisa Gallatin
New Officer of the Year - No Honoree
Supervisor of the Year - Sergeant Brian Tidrick
Civilian Employee of the Year - Edie Zadel
Medal of Courage - Police Officer Frank Gallant & Police Officer Steve Wickser

NEW BUSINESS

USE OF FORCE ISSUES: Lengthy discussion held on recent statements made by the Chief in various meetings were he addressed the Department's "use of force and impact weapons," which many felt that the Chief had a misrepresentation of these topics and grossly overstated the facts.

Specifically for 2002:

Total Uses of Force = 126
Of those Impact Weapons = 15
Of those Saps = 2

Some agencies that carry saps include, but are not limited to be Newport Beach PD, Long Beach PD, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Alhambra PD, El Monte PD, and San Diego Sheriffs Department. R. Reinhart will schedule a meeting for the Board of Directors to meet with the Chief on these issues.

GPS IN VEHICLES: The Department is considering spending money to put a GPS system in the patrol vehicles. Discussion on the vendor's lack of insight into what police really need. GPS is a management tool, not a police officer tool. Mark Reid was directed to write a letter to the Chief regarding these topics and the POA's stance and objection to having GPS.

PORAC ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER: D. Hashin said that the POA will be hosting the March Meeting at a site to still be determined.

PORAC TRAINING SYMPOSIUM: R. Reinhart also asked who wanted to attend the Symposium addressing "Labor Issues and Officer Rights" courses in Lake Tahoe on April 8/ 9/ 10, 2003. It was recommended that the POA pay for the usual expenditures: tuition, airfare, rental car, lodging (double occupancy), per diem. Estimated costs would be approximately $400.00 per attendee. Attendees: R. Reinhart, J.K. Muller, C. Bales, E.N. Evenson. Motion by J. Huss and D. Hashin to send the four Directors to attend the course, with all concurring.
 
TRAINING PROGRAM: D. Hashin said that he wanted to have the POA host a Training Day on "Police Officer Representation" in conjunction with the PORAC's Orange County Chapter, and to be presented by an attorney from the Law Firm of Silver, Hadden & Silver on June 12, 2003. Site to be announced later.


COMMITTEES

LABOR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE: (Held Wednesday, February 12, 2003)
With the beginning of the new year it was stated that there were no pending issues for resolve. These following topics were presented by the POA:

· Small Pox Screening Class: R. Reinhart asked the City if they had any position on the pending Small Pox vaccinations for first responders and if this would be considered a workers compensation issue for the side effects of those vaccinated.

D. Hashin provided an over-view of the class which he recently attended, which the contents surprised the City and they said they would need further information on the class and their involvement regarding this issue.

R. Reinhart said that because a medical survey questionnaire is given with the class he recommended anyone attending the class respond with "decline to state" on the questionnaire questions.

· Resolution 2003-6: R. Reinhart asked about the Resolution, which addresses disciplinary and impasse process with the Personnel Commission and was approved by the City Council on January 24, 2003. The City said the POA was given noticed according to Scott Field, City Attorney, however no one from the POA had received notice not even Mark Reid. The City stated that this must have been an oversight. The POA will be responding in writing to the City.

BYLAWS COMMITTEE: D. Hashin requested that the Committee complete the draft of By-Laws for membership approval soon. No date proposed for completion.

CHARITY COMMITTEE

HONORARY MEMBERS: J. Huss expressed his thanks and appreciation to the POA Members who attended the 2nd Annual get-TOGETHER, for the Honorary Members Group. He said the program was well received by those who attended. R. Reinhart expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Jeff Huss for his effort in putting together such a successful event.

CHARITY MAILER CAMPAIGN: R. Reinhart provided a draft letter for the 2003 Charity Mailer Campaign. He also sated that the company, New Equity Production, Inc. (NEP) wanted to enclose miniature POA badge lapel pins in the letters. A new agreement will also need to be signed and it was recommended to continue with the same arrangement.

R. Reinhart will have Drew Hewitt attend the next Board of Director's Regular Meeting to answer any questions.


ACTIVITIES:

May 3 - Street Cops Awards, HB Elks Lodge #1959

ADJOURNMENT:

 This meeting was adjourned at 20:30 hours to reconvene at 15:30 hours on Wednesday, March 12, 2003


ATTEST:


____________________________________
Jeff Huss
Secretary


POSTED PRIOR TO APPROVAL