Who Will Be The Next Police Chief?
By Sherri Blevins
At the November 17, 2020, Fort Payne City Council meeting, Mayor Baine and Council President Watson explained the process the Council will use to choose the next Fort Payne City Police Chief. Chief Randy Bynum retired earlier this year after serving the City for ten years as its chief.
Not all council members appeared to be on board with the hiring process. The plan is to accept applications for the position until December 1, 2020. So far, ten individuals have applied. On December 7, 2020, a panel of police chiefs from across the state will review the applications and interview the applicants. A Council committee made up of Mayor Baine, Council President Watson, and Councilmember Phillip Smith will be present when the interviews are conducted. The panel will select its choice for the top three candidates. These candidates’ names will be submitted to the Council, and on December 10, 2020, they will be interviewed in a public forum.
Councilmember John Smith had several questions about this process. He wanted to know what would happen if the Council did not like the panel’s recommendation. President Watson explained that the Council could choose to select one of the recommendations or none of them. He also said they could choose another candidate who had applied. Smith also wanted to know if the Council could see all the applications before making a decision. He was assured that it could. Smith inquired what would happen if the Council didn’t like any of the three candidates. President Watson said the Council would have the option to discuss it and take as much time as it needed to choose the best applicant.
Councilmember Smith said, “My point is I don’t want anyone coming in here telling us what to do. We can decide ourselves.”
Mayor Baine replied, “It needs to be the Council deciding.”
Councilmember Brewer added, “The top three would be a recommendation only, not a decision.” She also responded to a rumor she heard. She said, “I would just like to say that we have not interviewed anyone. I haven’t personally, and I don’t think anyone here has. I heard that rumor yesterday, and no decision has been made.”
Earlier in the meeting, the Council went into executive session to discuss possible litigation. After coming out of the session, they conducted the following business:
Suspended the rules for immediate consideration to discuss Ordinance 2020-07 regarding the re-zoning of approximately .25 acres at the corner of Scenic Road and Fort Payne Gap from R-1 (Low-density residential) to C-3 (Highway Business District) to be used to construct a real estate office building. The Planning Commission has approved the re-zoning.
Approved Ordinance 2020-07
Approved Resolution 2020-45, accepting the highest bid for a City-owned bucket truck for $4,100.00 from Steve Brewer
Approved Resolution 2020-46, declaring a 2005 Massey Ferguson tractor surplus
Approved Resolution 2020-47, naming signatories to the City’s bank accounts
Appointed Bobby Davis to the Fort Payne Improvement Authority due to the resignation of Brad Scott
Appointed Ron Saferite as Fort Payne Fire Chief
Agreed to proceed with the closure of the Jacoway property as decided in executive session
Discussed possible development of city-owned property beside Jefferson’s that has been used to store dirt
Approved an activity permit for the annual Christmas Parade, Friday, December 11 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm from Jennifer McCurdy and the Chamber of Commerce (Christmas in the Park will be at 4:00 pm.)
Discussed the City paving of the new Fort Payne School Campus
Approved a $13,000.00 appropriation to FPHS for the Audio/Visual Class to film Council meetings
Set 12:30 pm as the meeting time for the next meeting
The next Fort Payne City Council meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2020, at 12:30 pm.
Who Will Be The Next Police Chief?