Special Meeting July 1, 2010

MINUTES

TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN OF SHENANDOAH

SPECIAL MEETING

JULY 1, 2010

CALL TO ORDER: The Shenandoah Town Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, July 1, 2010, at 7:00 p.m., with Mayor Clinton O. Lucas, Jr., presiding.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Lucas then welcomed new Councilman I. Michael Lowe to his first meeting of 2010.

ATTENDANCE: Council Members present were: Mayor Clinton O. Lucas, Jr.; Russell Comer, Jr.; Charles Jenkins; I. Michael Lowe; Richard Pierce; and Keith Sampson.

Council Members absent were: Vice Mayor William L. Kite.

Other Town Officials present were: Peter J. Monteleone, Chief of Police; and Juanita F. Roudabush, Assistant Town Manager/MMC.

Citizens present were: None.

Media Representatives: None.

SPECIAL MEETING

Mayor Lucas stated this special meeting was called for the purpose of discussing and voting on hiring a new police officer to fill a vacant position. He noted the special meeting was needed due to the next regular meeting being several weeks away.

Personnel Committee Chairman Pierce stated interviews were held with several candidates for the police officer position. He noted following the interviews, the Committee would like to recommend William A. Wheeler, Jr. be hired to fill the vacancy in the police department at a salary of $34,000 a year, which is lower than the existing officer salaries.

Chief Monteleone stated Mr. Wheeler has advised his current employer of his intentions to apply for this position and the employer is fine with just a seven (7) day notice. He noted Mr. Wheeler holds current police certification, which he has kept up through part-time work with other departments. He also noted he believes Mr. Wheeler would only require a brief training period for Shenandoah’s operating procedures and knowledge of the Town boundaries, and then would be ready to take over shifts on his own.

Councilman Pierce stated Mr. Wheeler lives nearby in McGaheysville and seems well qualified for the position, which would allow him to drive a police vehicle home. He noted Mr. Wheeler exudes a quiet confidence, which will bode well for the community and in situations encountered by law enforcement officers.

Following questions, Chief Monteleone stated Mr. Wheeler’s background check was all okay. He noted references from other departments he worked in the past were all very positive too. He further explained he was able to gain a sense of Mr. Wheeler’s demeanor when he rode along with him and they encountered a domestic situation. He noted Mr. Wheeler’s personality, along with his prior police training, should allow him to fit well within the Shenandoah community and the police department as a whole. He explained another unintentional bonus is many of the previous officer’s uniforms would not have to be altered or re-ordered as they are both similar sized individuals, which will save the department’s budget as well.

Councilman Comer stated he felt the previous officer was over qualified and he never felt he would stay with the Town Police Department very long.

Chief Monteleone stated the previous officer really was no more qualified than existing officers. He explained he did not have any negative comments upon leaving, but merely left to take a straight daylight position elsewhere. He noted this is something the Shenandoah department cannot offer due to fairness to all police employees. He stated his department has been blessed with the ability to retain officers longer than most, as it is the nature of the job to tend to move on after a period of time. Whereas, the Shenandoah police department has been able to retain employees for long time periods.

Councilman Sampson noted Mr. Wheeler would be a good fit for Shenandoah, and explained many of the applicants stated they applied for the vacancy due to the great reputation of the Shenandoah Police Department.

Councilman Pierce noted the good reputation of the Shenandoah Police Department not only reflects well on Chief Monteleone’s management style, but also reflects well on the Mayor and Town Council’s ability to not interfere with the day to day running of the department.

Mayor Lucas agreed and noted he believes the police department is being run very well with few, if any complaints now. He noted more complaints were received years ago prior to the current employees working for the Town.

There being no further comments or questions, a Motion was made by Councilman Pierce, seconded by Councilman Sampson, to hire William A. Wheeler, Jr., as a police officer with full benefits and a salary of $34,000 a year, effective July 2, 2010, with a start date of on or before July 12, 2010.

Members Roll Call Vote was as follows:

YEA: Councilman Comer NAY: None.

Councilman Jenkins

Councilman Lowe

Councilman Pierce

Councilman Sampson

ABSTAIN: Mayor Lucas.

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Kite.

VOTE: Unanimous in favor of motion.

ADJOURN

There being no further discussions, a Motion was made by Councilman Pierce, seconded by Councilman Jenkins, to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

Members Vote was as follows: