December 6, 2003 Special City Council Meeting

CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Paul Opsommer called the Special Council Meeting to order at 8:03 a.m.  He led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

Council Members Present: Sue Erickson, Ray Knick, Jim Lancaster, Dick Reust (excused at 9:45 a.m.), Ken Ross, Jim Rundborg

STAFF:

Sandra Billingsley, Jason Eppler, Chief Robert McClean, Denice Smith, Officer Al VanSteenkiste, and Officer Robert Watson

AUDIENCE:  

            Wayne Kangas

PURPOSE OF MEETING:

At the November 25, 2003 Council Meeting, the Council voted to interview applicants for the Police Chief position.  Two applicants (Mark Honeysett and Lawrence Jerue) were interviewed on December 5, 2003 and two applicants (Joel Maatman and Brian Russel) are being interviewed on December 6, 2003. 

After introductions, Mayor Opsommer turned the meeting over to Wayne Kangas (Clinton County Sheriff).  Mr. Kangas will be conducting the interviews.  He will ask a series of prepared questions which will be followed by any clarifying questions the Council might have.  At the end of the interview, the applicant will be given an opportunity to ask the Council questions.  Prior to the interviews, each candidate submitted an "Ethical Standards Questionnaire" which included a writing exercise.   

INTERVIEW WITH JOEL MAATMAN:

Mr. Kangas asked Mr. Maatman a series of questions relating to:  Primary duties and responsibilities; philosophy of police work; employees and related situations; policy and procedures; training responsibilities; budget responsibilities; community policing; and other miscellaneous questions. 

Mr. Maatman has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University (1977).  While working with Lansing Police Department, he has attended over 30 In-Service Training Seminars.  He teaches at Lansing Community College (Criminal Justice Program). He is an instructor at the Mid Michigan Police Academy (1992 to present).

Mr. Maatman is currently employed by Lansing Police Department (1978 to present).  He has held the following positions with the Lansing Police Department:  Platoon 3 Commander N. Precinct (September 2000 to present); Commander Special Operations Unit (January 1998-July 2000); Acting Captain of N. Precinct (November 1999-January 2000); Lieutenant of Central Records (December 1996-January 1998); Mobile Field Force Commander (January 1996-January 1998); S.T.A.R.T. Supervisor (April 1988-August 1995); Platoon One & Four Patrol Commander S. Precinct (May 1996-Decenber 1996); South Precinct Executive Lieutenant (April 1995-April 1996); Patrol Supervisor (November 1994-April 1994); R.E.A.C.H. Team Supervisor (April 1991-November 1994); Patrol Supervisor (April 1988-April 1991); Tri-County Metro Narcotics Officer (June 1985-April 1987); and Patrol Officer (October 1978-June 1985).

Mr. Maatman thanked the Council for the opportunity to interview for the position.

The Council took a 15 minute recess.  Councilman Reust was excused from the meeting.  At 9:55 a.m., the Council reconvened.  They reviewed the interview with Mr. Maatman. 

INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN RUSSELL:

At 10:05 a.m., the next interview began.  After introductions, Mr. Kangas asked Mr. Russell a series of questions relating to:  Primary duties and responsibilities; philosophy of police work; employees and related situations; policy and procedures; training responsibilities; budget responsibilities; community policing; and other miscellaneous questions.

Mr. Russell attended Siena Heights University (Adrian, Michigan) and has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice (May 2002).  In addition, he has attended Police Staff and Command School (June 2001) at Eastern Michigan University. 

Mr. Russell is currently employed by Buchanan Police Department (1998-present) as the Chief of Police.  Prior to 1998, he was employed by the Oxford Police Department (1979-1998) in the following positions:  Sergeant; Patrol Officer; Dispatcher; Reserve Officer; and Cadet Officer.

Mr. Russell thanked the Council for the opportunity to interview for the position.

This concluded the interview portion of the meeting.   The Council took a five minute recess.  The meeting reconvened at 11:23 a.m. 

The Council reviewed the four candidates.  After discussion, the consensus of the Council was to talk with Mr. Jerue about the position and his flexibility on moving to DeWitt.  Mayor Opsommer would like a recommendation at the December 15, 2003 Council Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Knick, seconded by Ross and carried by unanimous vote of the Council that this meeting be adjourned at 12:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Denice Smith                                                                Paul Opsommer

City Clerk                                                                    Mayor