Special Board Meeting ~ July 1, 2015

Board members Present:
President Mary Pracht                       Suzie Combs
Vice President Joe Claflin                  Larry Hibbs
Secretary Diane Jones                       Chris Wasson
Treasurer John Porter                        John Coleman
                                                           Sharon Carr
GM James Turner

DH Police Department:  Special Board meeting - July 2, 2015 @ 6:30pm

President Mary Pracht welcomed the DH membership in attendance with a request to respect the Board by observing the actions of the Board, only.  No comments from the membership would be entertained.

General Manager James Turner presented three (3) options for operation of the Front Gate to the DH Board of Directors.

1. Harps Security System –
1. $16.00 per hour
2. 24 hour security at a cost of $197,000 per year
2. “Hybrid” Hot Spring County & Garland County taking responsibility / ownership of DH Police Department with Diamondhead providing compensation to the police officers.
1. Hours of Police coverage: 6:am à 11:pm
2. Police officers will wear the County uniforms
3. $23-25.00 per hour
3. DH Police Department à IF Liability Insurance is obtained, and at the additional cost due to existing and possible law suit (s).

GM Turner answered Board member questions.

Answers:

• $210,000 current security budget, with $157,980 payroll

         Savings on depreciation - $4.000 per year

         Vehicle costs / potential repairs

         Liability Insurance          $10,000 current expense.

                                                    =  $14,000 savings ---$196,000

• Chief Joel Tyner works 6:am – 3:pm for Diamondhead.  Joel also works for a hospital as an EMT
• Lake Hamilton Fire Department has 4 First Responders living in Diamondhead.
• Lift Gate limits vehicle entrance to one at a time.
• GM -“No body will notice a change” in the Police Department.  We will no longer be hiring police officers.  This responsibility belongs to the Sheriff’s offices of Hot Spring County & Garland County.  The police officers will be wearing the uniforms belonging to the County.

John Porter - I move that the board  adopt the Hybrid method using the Hot Spring County Sheriff’s office, retaining Joel at a cost of approximately $196,000 per year, retaining the current dispatchers.

• Note:  Garland County made a 'verbal' agreement to this plan.  A written agreement is to be obtained Thursday, July 2nd.

Chris Wasson seconded the motion.

Discussion:

John Coleman – there is no guarantee that we will not have a replay of this (Insurance liability / cancelation) somewhere down the line.  Obviously we are at risk (with the PD).  I agree with John (Porter)

Suzie Combs – “gate watchers” would be employees of DH

Motion passed with seven (7) voting in favor of this motion and one (1) Sharon Carr abstaining.  President Mary Pracht only votes in case of a tie.  “Motion passed”. 

The audience responded with applause.

GM James Turner:  Time-line concerning the Lift Gate:

• Complete installation by Friday, July 3^rd.
• Middle of August for “closed gates” to take effect.  This gives us plenty of time to communicate with the DH Membership regarding the need and application of the Radio Frequency sticker to each vehicle.  This sticker will last 5-6 years at a cost to DPOA of $13.26 per sticker.

Chris Wasson – I have already purchased this year’s ‘sticker’.  However, I would be happy to pay this new price of $13.26 – actual cost to DHPOA.  The POA should not have to incur that expense.

GM James Turner – Legally, we can not stop someone from gaining access to their home. The Lift Gate will prohibit ‘piggy backers’ from entering the gate while using the Lift Gate / during day time hours.  The lift gate looks just like the one at the airport, made of fiberglass.

President Mary Pracht – I suggest, “even if you are not paying your dues, you are allowed to purchase a sticker.

Diane Jones - Members in ‘good standing’ should be allowed to purchase as many stickers as they want (total number of vehicles per member).  But those not current in their POA dues should only be allowed to purchase one sticker.  This allows them to gain access to their home.

Suzie Combs – The Board will be meeting on July 23^rd. This will give us plenty of time before the closed gates become effective in August.  Let’s decide this issue in July.

Meeting adjourned.

Notes provided by,

Diane Porterfield

adianerdh@att.net

620-3167

Note sent to me by DH Property Owner, Barbara Sloan:
I have never been so proud to live in Diamondhead as I was last night at the board meeting!  I was impressed beyond words with the leadership of our board president, Mary Pracht.  She led with kindness and a strong voice.  The amount of in-depth work that she and our general manager put in to find what seemed an impossible solution to keeping our beloved Joel was indeed going beyond the call of duty.  Thank you DPOA BOARD MEMBERS!