HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution-1994-1423
RESOLUTION NO.
1423
series of 1994
TITLE:
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE NEED AND A METHOD TO FINANCE
VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Wheat Ridge Police Department has been
housed in the Municipal Building with little or no change to their
facilities since 1978; and
WHEREAS, significant increases in demand for police
services has occurred since 1978; and
WHEREAS, the nature of police work due to societal
changes, new government regulations and programs, and various State
and Federal laws, has changed significantly since 1978; and
WHEREAS, since 1978 the Police Department has grown in
size to accommodate or respond to citizen desires for services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Wheat Ridge City
Council that the following findings of fact are made relative to
the Police Department:
1. The current Police Department office space is grossly
inadequate for the present and future mission of the Police
Department and specifically:
a. Does not provide safe or legal means for the holding and
processing of individuals arrested by the Police Department;
b. Does not provide adequate work space for the Police
Officers and for the proper provision of police services.
c. Does not provide adequate space for records storage and
handling.
d. Does not provide adequate space for the Police
communications system.
2. Absent an expansion to the current Police facilities,
it will be difficult to expand the City'S Police Department in
order to address citizen needs for services at the present time and
in the immediate future.
3. The Police Department communications system, which
consists of the Police Dispatch center that is used to dispatch
police vehicles and fire and ambulance vehicles, radios within the
police cars, and portable radios used by patrol officers in the
field, is outdated, badly in need of replacement, and if not
replaced may represent a threat to Police Officer safety and the
ability of the Police Department to effectively respond to citizen
needs for services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Wheat Ridge city council
that in light of the findings of fact for the Police Department and
its capital needs, that the city council of the city of Wheat Ridge
does support the following actions to be taken relative to the
police Department:
1. That the current Police Department facilities be
expanded to provide for greater work space, improved communications
and records handling facilities, and expanded prisoner holding and
handling facilities, and that the current offices be renovated to
be compatible with an expansion to the police facility; and
2. That the Police Department communication system be
replaced so as to provide for a new dispatch center for police,
fire and ambulance calls, new radios in the police vehicles, and
new portable radios for Police Officer use.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Wheat
Ridge City Council find that given the magnitude of the Police
Department's capital needs, and the city's inability to finance
those improvements through existing resources, that the most
effective and efficient way to address the very important capital
needs presented by the Police Department is to request that the
voters of the City of Wheat Ridge authorize an additional sales tax
for a limited period of time by submitting the following question
to the voters of the City of Wheat Ridge in the 1994 election:
"SHALL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE TAXES BE INCREASED $2,250,000
ANNUALLY by the imposition of a 1/2 cent increase in sales and
use tax for the purposes of constructing an addition to the
Police Department building, renovating existing Police
Department offices and replacing the police Department radio
communications system. This tax shall expire when $2,500,000
in revenue is generated by the increase in sales and use tax
or a two year period of time, whichever is earlier. This
increase in sales and use tax shall constitute a voter
approved revenue and spending change over and above revenue
and spending limitations contained in Article X, Section 20,
of the Colorado constitution."
DONE AND RESOLVED this 8th day of August, 1994.
~
Dan Wilde, Mayor