12112006 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular Meeting December 11, 2006 Page 5 1 Mr. Guerrero moved for adoption of the Resolution, and Ms. Couch seconded the motion. Mr. O'Leary stated the San Marcos Police Department is unequivocally committed to supporting a Victim Services Coordinator dedicated to address the needs of victims directly. He stated in 2004 a Crime Victim Services Coordinator was hired and began the development of the Crime Victim Services Unit. This dedication of personnel to assist victims of violent crime provided services to assist crime victims with their emotional and physical needs, assisted crime victims in stabilizing their lives after victimization, assisted victims in understanding and participating in the criminal justice system and assisted them with filing for compensation from Crime Victim's Compensation. Law enforcement is the victim's first point of contact with the criminal justice system and if a suspect cannot be prosecuted, it may be the victim's only contact with the criminal justice system. Therefore, it is imperative that victims receive services mandated by Chapter 56 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure upon contact with law enforcement. The San Marcos Police Department Victim Services Unit duties include ensuring primary and secondary victims of crime are afforded the rights granted by law as well as the emotional support needed by crime victims. He also stated the continued success of the program will be supported with the acceptance of funds available through a grant provided by the Office of the Attorney General. This one year grant would provide $39,000.00 in unmatched funds. The police department believes that this program is very beneficial to the crime victims and officers. The success of this program has been felt throughout the organization, city government and the community and that the quality of life for crime victims has been improved greatly through the Crime Victim Services program. Mr. Jones inquired to whether this service could be contracted out to other agencies. Howard Williams, Chief of Police, stated this cannot be contracted out because not all the victims follow into all the categories of the different agencies and the Crime Victims Service Unit will cover all the categories. Mr. Bose inquired to whether volunteers can help with this unit. Chief Williams stated volunteers do help with runs to the hospitals until a trained counselor can arrive. The Council then voted unanimously for adoption of the Resolution. I Mayor Narvaiz introduced for consideration Item 14, removed from the consent agenda, adoption of a Resolution, the caption which was read as follows: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, APPROVING THE SELECTION OF BROADDUS AND ASSOCIATES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN; AUTHORIZING THE NEGOTIATION OF THE TERMS OF A CONTRACT WITH BROADDUS AND ASSOCIATES FOR DEVELOPING THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 1 Mr. Guerrero moved for adoption of Resolution, and Mr. Jones seconded the motion. Mayor Narvaiz stated she pulled this Resolution because she feels