Powers and duties include the following:
(A) Entertain issues and subjects requested by the City Council, City Manager, Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services Departments, citizens of Harker Heights, and members of the Commission that pertain to the provision of public safety within the city.
(B) Establish priorities and projected dates of completion for addressing issues and subjects of interest tendered to the Commission.
(C) Have access to statistical data, plans, policies, reports, records, ordinances, budgets and such other information pertinent to public safety services and functions, except those reports subject to the open records restrictions or considered confidential, as may be necessary to support studies and reviews and to develop recommendations.
(D) Complete objective reviews and studies concerning public safety in the city and forward written recommendations to the City Council, City Manager, Police Chief and Director of Emergency Services, for their action, if applicable. Recommendations so developed will be presented by the Chairperson of the Commission to the City Council at a scheduled meeting in order to respond to any inquiries by Councilmembers.
(E) Assure that subjects and projects contemplated or in progress that contain overlapping areas of interest are made known to the senior official of the city departments, commissions, committees, or other entities concerned.
(F) Establish and elect members to fill the offices of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Second Vice Chairperson so that business may be conducted in an orderly and responsible manner whenever a quorum is present.
(G) Develop bylaws to govern the internal functioning of the Commission consistent with ordinance establishing the Public Safety Commission and submit them for approval by the City Council.
(H) Conduct meetings in accordance with applicable Texas state statutes and the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
(I) Provide minutes of the Commission meeting to the City Council and upon the Council’s request, the Chairperson shall appear to provide a briefing of the activities completed and projects planned by the Commission.
(J) Participate in selection boards, promotion boards, and other forums as appropriate, at the request of the senior departmental officer of the Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Service Departments, or City Manager.
(K) Under conditions which cause the Mayor to implement the City’s Emergency Management Plan, and as an organized group, and at the request of the Emergency Management Director or Emergency Management Coordinator, assist the operations of the Emergency Operations Center under supervision of the Emergency Management Coordinator.
(Ord. 95-32, passed 9-12-95; Am. Ord. 97-33, passed 12-9-97; Am. Ord. 2020-51, passed 9-22-20)