[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] For the UPD Board implementation of this new formula, potentially today, this emergency
[0:04] meeting was scheduled for this morning. UPD's attorney contacted me after 5 p.m. yesterday
[0:10] and in our discussion did confirm my view that the contemplated formula would indeed
[0:16] be detrimental and he circulated the draft resolution about 6.30 p.m. last night. Although
[0:23] the prospect of self-providing law enforcement in Riverton is not something I have been
[0:27] interested in addressing. Not interested at all, especially at this point. And I recognize
[0:33] we would have a lot more work to do before being in a position to stand up our own law
[0:38] enforcement agency. I find that given the circumstances, Riverton would be best suited
[0:45] to provide its notice of intent to withdraw before this change to the formula for withdrawal
[0:49] would take place. There are a host of issues that I have been concerned with
[0:54] as the UPD board member now representing Riverton for the past several years.
[0:59] I have voiced those concerns to the UPD organization, board, and our own city council,
[1:05] and have patiently tried to work through them.
[1:08] If these situations could improve, it could very well change my opinion and desire on leaving the organization.
[1:15] In summary, my concerns are as follows.
[1:17] One, this net position, this change, this contemplated today on the withdrawal, the net position versus fund balance calculation.
[1:25] To ensure that Riverton will not be penalized on the distribution of fund balance and other assets upon any withdrawal.
[1:31] Two, governance. I've said this before, but the current composition of the board now has our city with less of a voice in representation.
[1:43] The way it's currently comprised, cities that have about three quarters of the population of the service area represent only about a quarter of the vote.
[1:54] This is not representative democracy.
[1:57] Number three, emphasis on county.
[1:59] The board has not enforced the interlocal and instances where the county should be funding certain services.
[2:05] and has seen contracts or other monetary benefit too often go directly to the county
[2:10] when other vendors could provide a service less expensively.
[2:13] Number four, pooled services.
[2:16] The formula to calculate our share of pooled services is not in line with one's actual use of the services.
[2:22] All cases are used in determining a member's cost
[2:25] instead of just those actual cases that use pooled services,
[2:29] resulting in a very high premium for the use of those services in some circumstances.
[2:35] Five, assignment of allocations.
[2:38] There's not a formula that anyone has been able to articulate on how new police officers are assigned.
[2:44] There's little to any say on how new officers are allocated.
[2:47] Number six, mutual aid.
[2:50] A large benefit to being affiliated with UPD was the crossover effect and ability to draw on regionalized services.
[2:56] With hairmen now exiting, Riverton becomes a veritable island in the UPD service area map,
[3:04] with our nearest member city being some 20 minutes away to assist us.
[3:10] Number seven, financial accounting.
[3:12] We're billed at the top end for each officer allocation, yet each officer in our precinct is not receiving top-end pay.
[3:21] The differential should go back to our own fund balance or reduce our build amount to the organization.
[3:26] But that doesn't happen.
[3:28] The same occurs with any unused direct precinct budgeted amounts.
[3:33] And finally, transparency.
[3:36] This last minute reveal of critical board agenda supporting documentation is just one example.
[3:42] During my time on the board, I have and have seen also others ask for information,
[3:46] but either get no answer or partial answers.
[3:52] Because of these concerns, I feel it very important to take this action right now
[3:55] before the UPD Board makes a change.
[3:58] That would, in a sense, box us in and have no recourse to remedy these concerns.
[4:04] Rest assured, this is not something we take lightly,
[4:08] and we will dive more deeply into this issue and have full public discourse
[4:11] to ensure that ultimately the best final outcome is made for the residents of
[4:15] Riverton. This I want to say emphatically this is no reflection on the
[4:20] officers and those that serve so valiantly in the UPD organization we
[4:26] support them. Public safety is our utmost concern and city and the city
[4:32] leadership you see here is dedicated to that cause.
[4:40] With that I'll turn it now
[4:41] to the city council for any discussion or questions about about the either the
[4:49] statement or the proposed resolution. So I'll just kind of know kind of where I
[4:56] got to the point where I am with this is on Tuesday evening I don't know if
[5:00] everybody remembers in the release a meeting I asked a few questions related
[5:03] to the change in the discussion and I asked Ryan a specific point of
[5:07] question about if this came before as because it is a change to the interlocal agreement,
[5:13] would this not need to come back before each of the cities?
[5:17] And at the time, Ryan had, you know, made a statement, and Ryan, I'll let you respond
[5:22] in just a minute to that statement that it would have to come back before the cities
[5:26] in doing some research yesterday morning. Ryan responded to me and said, no, it just
[5:30] requires two thirds of the board, which is part of the reason for this impotent
[5:35] the immediacy of this action and the reason for it.
[5:40] That's part of the reason for me, obviously.
[5:42] I do have some concerns that I've expressed in the past
[5:45] related to the Harriman Exit.
[5:47] What are we gonna do?
[5:48] And Lieutenant Adamson has heard me ask for updates
[5:52] on what that means to my area.
[5:55] I represent the western portion of Mars City,
[5:57] which I like to call the Riverton Peninsula,
[5:59] which is surrounded by Harriman
[6:00] because most of the responses I see to my area
[6:03] usually had a branded Herman truck responding. So that was a big concern for me. So those
[6:10] are some of the concerns. Obviously we discussed the calculation. So in light of that, that's
[6:15] the reason why I'll make the decisions that I do today is because of that impeding the
[6:21] reasons why I wouldn't have to come back to the city. So any
[6:35] other questions or
[6:35] comments by the council?
[6:43] Seeing none, we'll. Mayor, I'll make a comment. I appreciate
[6:47] the moment of silence however to kind of gather my thoughts, but it's really
[6:55] unfortunate to have to make a decision so rapidly when it's a decision that's so
[7:01] impactful on not only on our community but on the entire UPD board and the
[7:09] people that work there and I have been going to the meetings for the last 90
[7:15] days just so I could educate myself and better understand how the board functions and what
[7:21] some of the issues are based upon the feedback from our mayor.
[7:27] And I support our mayor, but I would hope that at the end of the day we could come
[7:34] to some resolution that would be positive for all of us, for the community and for
[7:44] in that rapid fashion, which is disrupted when you're trying to manage a balance sheet
[7:54] that's as large as the UPD, and when it's been as complicated as it's been.
[8:00] And there's certainly absolutely improvements that must be made.
[8:04] But I would hope at the end of the day we can figure out how to resolve those issues
[8:09] and come to a positive resolution.
[8:18] I just want to say that this decision isn't being made lightly.
[8:23] I agree that I don't like feeling brushed.
[8:26] I like to be, you know, have a lot of time to think about things, but I also feel like
[8:33] we have to trust our city attorney.
[8:35] And when he says that there are material changes to this interlocal agreement that
[8:39] will affect our city and the future police service that we have, I think that we have
[8:45] to take that council and also our mayor who's been going to these board meetings has expressed
[8:52] concern over the last few months and we just need to see some of these things change and
[8:58] like council member broker, I hope that some of these changes can take place so that possibly
[9:05] the partnership could continue because I feel like we have been extremely satisfied with
[9:13] our police officers and the service that we've been able to receive and so in no way do I
[9:20] feel like this is because we have not been happy with the service that we've received.
[9:24] It has to do with the contract and the agreement that we have with UPD.
[9:30] Thank you.
[9:39] There are no other comments.
[9:40] We'll look for action on this item if there's anyone that would like to offer
[9:44] a motion.
[9:45] I'll go ahead and make a motion.
[9:47] motion. I make a motion that tell we approve resolution number 1863 declaring Riverton's
[9:55] intent to withdraw a unified police department.
[9:57] I
[10:03] have a motion on the floor. Is there a second?
[10:08] I'll second that.
[10:10] Motion to second any discussion to the motion.
[10:14] Seeing none, Virginia, we'll call a vote
[10:16] please.
[10:17] Council Member McKay.
[10:19] Yes.
[10:19] Tingy.
[10:20] Yes.
[10:21] Stewart.
[10:22] Yes.
[10:23] And Veroker.
[10:24] Yes.
[10:25] Okay, that motion carries.
[10:26] Thank you.
[10:27] Appreciate everybody being here on such short notice for this emergency meeting.
[10:31] And we have a little bit of work to do ahead of us here before the 830 Board meeting with UPD.
[10:37] Thank you very much.
[10:38] Do you need a motion to adjourn?
[10:39] Oh, yes.
[10:40] We look for a motion to adjourn.
[10:41] Motion to adjourn.
[10:42] And I'll second.
[10:44] Any opposed?
[10:45] All in favor?
[10:46] Aye.
[10:46] Okay, we're adjourned.
[10:47] Thank you.