1998-02-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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162 Council reconvened in open session and, on motion by Ms. Daugherty, seconded by Ms. Richards, certified that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the executive meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Council. The meeting was adjourned. COUNCIL CHAMBER - March 2, 1998 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano. Ms. Slaughter said that Councilors have heard from many citizens regarding the Police Chief and Council appreciate the comments. PUBLIC Ms. Priscilla Whiting, 404 10 1/2 Street, said that she feels that the recent fray over the appointment of the Police Chief means that the City Manager is insecure in his position. Otherwise, she said, why would the qualifications for the position have changed. Ms. Whiting said that the Council is ultimately responsible for the City. Ms. Antoinette Roades, 406 Oak Street, said that officers in the Charlottesville Police Department are smart~ brave and dedicated. During former ChiefWolford tenure, Ms. Roades said that drugs returned to her neighborhood, but things have improved since Mr. Rittenhouse has been Acting Police Chief and Mr. O'Connell has been City Manager. Ms. Roades asked Council not to make the appointment of the Police Chief a political one. Mr. Bobby Banks, 106 Hartmans Mill Road, supported Mr. Rittenhouse for Police Chief, because he has the educational standards and service and can hit the ground running. Mr. Banks said that Mr. Rittenhouse served the City well as interim director at the Jail and as Acting Police Chief. Mr. Michael Weber, Westview Road, expressed concern about the refusal of the Council and Board of Supervisors to correct problems at the Ivy Landfill. Hiawatha Green, Crestville Court, a police officer, said that continuity is important in the appointment of a Police Chief. Mr. Green said that Mr. Rittenhouse is acutely aware of the problems that need addressing in the Police Department now, and it would take too long for any outside candidate to become familiar enough with the Department to address the problems. Mr. Richard Hudson, 1618 Brandywine Drive, a police officer, said that morale in the Police Department was recently at an all time Iow, but when Mr. Rittenhouse was appointed Acting Police Chief, morale increased and team spirit rose. Mr. Hudson said that he had been invited to participate in the Police Chief interview process, and he supported allowing the City Manager to make the choice of the Chief. Mr. Hudson presented a letter signed by 91 of the 100 sworn officers in the Charlottesville Police Department supporting the process that has been followed and the hiring of Mr. Rittenhouse. Mr. Chip Harding, Lieutenant in the Charlottesville Police Department, noted that two thirds of the minority officers in the Department signed the letter supporting Mr. Rittenhouse. Mr. Harding said that the vast majority of officers want to go with a known quantity. Mr. Harding said there are systematic problems in the Department that need to be addressed now.