Public Safety Officer considered for Ferris

FERRIS – The negative climate of politics in Ferris in the past few years has officials seeking new and innovative solutions.

Ferris Mayor Jim Swafford said he believed since the newly-elected council members were seated on June 13, the city should be able to move forward to reach its goals of economic development for all in the city.

“We need faith (in the council), integrity and transparency in our local governing body,” said Swafford.

“We have three options (to remedy the recent resignation of Fire Chief Patrrica) – hire a part-time or full-time chief, or establish a Public Safety Officer (to oversee both the police and fire departments),” said Swafford.

He previously said he wasn’t sure of the requirements for such a position but predicted City Manager Bill Jordan would be presenting those facts to the council.

Jordan had been looking into the possibilities of a PSO for some time.

He said Patrca had only been part time in Ferris while he worked for Red Oak full time.

A captain, previously placed on paid administrative leave by Petricca, has been reinstated as a firefighter.

Jordan said if someone such as Police Chief Eddie Salazar would likely become the new Public Safety Officer, he would be named the department head for both fire and police, but it would still require someone to oversee the “day to day” in each department.

Swafford said the council and Jordan would be further looking into those options.

Salazar said the PSO was, “Challenging,” but he did have the administrative abilities for such a position, but “just don’t ask me which buttons to push in a fire engine.”

At the city council regular joint called meeting with planning and zoning Monday night, May 20, the council approved past meeting minutes and current payables, voted to approve naming The Ellis County Press as the city’s official newspaper, introduced new employees Suzanne Negron-Paez as finance director and Loralei Melend as animal control officer, proclaimed Motorcycle Safety Awareness month (with P&Z Board Member and motorcycle enthusiast Tim Silurik accepting the presentation as most of the audience had already left the lengthy proceedings) and revoked two formerly approved, unpopular city manager directives titled “Ethical Relationship Directive” and “Elective and Appointed Official Communication Directive.”

“City employees should have access to city council members without retribution,” said newly-appointed Councilman Michael Martinez.

Councilwoman Sherie Chapman, who along with Martinez put the directives on the agenda for reconsideration, said, “The first thing Hitler did in Nazi Germany was to take away the newspaper and prohibit talking among citizens.

“‘Unity in the community’ is not just a phrase – but an action.”

Also elected and appointed on May 13, Councilman Tommy Scott said, “If you have Human Resources representatives, it takes the pressure off one person (everything currently had to run through Jordan before approaching members or city benefactors, even if the communications were after-hours).” 

The reason for the meeting lasting way beyond 10 p.m. was the need for both boards to consider approving various zoning changes and replats for new developments in the city.

Most were approved with a 4-0 vote of the council, with Councilman Clayton Hunter absent.

The main disagreement concerned parking requirements and traffic control on several planned developments mainly along 5th street, but some were passed with stipulations concerning those potential problems.

Designated signatories for City of Ferris accounts contracted with Commercial State Bank of Ferris was approved, as was granting Waste Management a franchise to use and occupy the present and future rights of way for the purposes of laying, replacing, etc. therein and theron pipelines as part of methane to be paid for this energy.

Before the meeting, Swafford said, “I think we are (now) fully staffed in public works (water dept. and streets) and the police department. 

“The city has a new public works director, new animal control officer with volunteer programs, new leadership in the finance department and senior citizens center, and he said the 983 water tap with Rocket will be taking off in June or July.

“I’m wanting to do a comprehensive plan on water, sewer, police and fire departments. We need to get better follow-up on plans to move forward.”

“Fiber optics has been installed in Shaw Creek for the past month and should be available everywhere in the next four to five months.”

Final plans for several planned housing areas should be approved in the near future and the council needed to make sure infrastructure was in place for the new developments as well as the older communities.

“It’s a little early, but since our new members are seated, we can be a better working team,” concluded Swafford.