SAVANNAH CITY GOVERNMENT

SUMMARY/FINAL MINUTES

COUNCIL WORK SESSION & CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING

JULY 8, 2021 – 11:00 a.m.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the City Council Work Session and City Manager’s Briefing was held via Zoom video communications at 11:30 a.m. Alderwoman Lanier offered the invocation.

 

PRESENT:  Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, Presiding

Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, At-Large, Post 1, Chairman

Alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakely, At-Large, Post 2

Alderwoman Bernetta B. Lanier, District 1

Alderman Detric Leggett, District  2

Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan, District 3

Alderman Nick Palumbo, District 4, Vice-Chairman

Alderwoman Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz, District 5, Mayor Pro-Tem

Alderman Kurtis Purtee, District 6

ALSO, PRESENT:

Acting City Manager Michael B. Brown

Deputy City Attorney Jennifer Herman

Clerk of Council Mark Massey
Workshop Agenda Items
1. Savannah Police Department 2021 Mid-Year Public Safety Update
Exhibit 1: Presentation - 2021 Mid-Year Public Safety Update.pptx

Mayor Johnson asked Acting City Manager Brown to give an update of Hurricane Elsa.  There are still over 350 residents without electric power.  Any resident can call Georgia Power at 888-660-5890 or go to http://www.georgiapower.com or the app for assistance.

Acting City Manager Brown introduced Police Chief Roy Minter for the PowerPoint presentation.

Following the presentation, there was a question and answer session with Chief Minter and Council.  There were discussions which included, but were not limited to the following topics:

  • high crime areas as it relates to high poverty areas;
  • Gun Initiative Director, End Gun Violence Director as full-time staff member;
  • retention, active officers versus number of positions and lost/separation of officers;
  • programs to retain officers & more officers visible in neighborhoods;
  • cold case unit needs updating;
  • SEDA program jobs for youth;
  • probation and parole services and agency relationships (Savannah Impact program);
  • PAL's program budget, staff and services;
  • gang program/initiative prevention;
  • ex-offenders used in community programs to end crime - (Advocates of Restorative Communities in Savannah, ARCS taskforce);
  • establish precincts in housing/neighborhood areas;
  • partnering with local colleges, the housing authority & engaging retirees in programs;
  • all community organizations & resources should be used as partners in addressing crime;
  • employee survey recommended as a tool in improvement for morale (police);
  • current employees in police department have great ideas, listen to employees; and
  • start enforcing the current policies on record;

 

A copy of the presentation is available in the Clerk of Council's office.

Mayor Johnson adjourned the work session at 1:15 p.m.

A video recording of the work session can be found by copying and inserting the link below in your url:

 

https://savannahgovtv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=sOt3TVUXIYG0

 

Mark Massey, Clerk of Council

Date Minutes Approved: July 22, 2021    

Initials:  mm
Agenda Plus