The University of Tennessee agency asked to review the Oak Ridge Police Department has questions about the expanded scope of the inquiry—it could now include all current employees and some former employees—and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service at UT could charge the city $50 per hour for its work on the project.
MTAS had initially proposed a free limited review of turnover, morale, and administrative policies in the Oak Ridge Police Department. That review, which would have interviewed a random sample or cross-section of ORPD employees, was approved by the Oak Ridge City Council during a March 27 special meeting.
But the City Council asked to start over after the initial list of employees to be interviewed was sent to the police chief, city manager, and all Police Department employees, raising concerns about the confidentiality and impartiality of the review.
During an April 21 special meeting, City Council agreed 5-2 to start over by asking MTAS to interview all employees and try to interview former employees who have left since Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi started on July 1, 2011. But that meant the city’s contract with MTAS, which had already started the initial review, had to be renegotiated.
On Thursday, MTAS sent Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch a letter asking for more information about the expanded scope of the inquiry. Those questions will be discussed during a City Council work session on Tuesday, May 5.
In the letter to Gooch, MTAS Executive Director Jim Thomas said the expanded inquiry “presents a very significant change to the original scope of work.” The additional information will help MTAS determine the project workload, Thomas said.
But, “It already appears that the MTAS resources needed to meet the new scope of work are significantly greater than under the original scope,” he said. “Assuming this to be the case, and should MTAS and the city move forward together, it is very likely that MTAS will charge the city $50 per hour for future MTAS work on this project.”
Thomas said he couldn’t estimate a total cost yet, but the additional information will help MTAS develop an estimate.
Among the questions from MTAS:
- How many total employees are to be interviewed, and how many former employees are affected? (Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Smith has estimated that the total number of potential interviews could exceed 100. The Oak Ridge Police Department has 78 total budgeted positions, including clerical, dispatch, patrol, the animal shelter, and supervisors. As of March 14, there were 36 former employees that could potentially be interviewed during the review.)
- Will each employee be allowed to voluntarily participate in the interview process or will they be required to participate?
- Is the focus of the project still a limited review of Oak Ridge Police Department turnover, morale, and departmental policies and procedures?
During the April 21 special meeting, City Council also agreed in a 6-1 vote to designate the Oak Ridge Human Resources Director Penny Sissom as the point of contact for MTAS, allowing her to provide officer information to MTAS. That amendment would have MTAS contact the officers on duty, presumably to schedule interviews.
But Thomas said MTAS thinks the city should schedule interviews with current and former employees after it learns what dates and times MTAS consultants are available to conduct the interviews.
Also during the April 21 special meeting, Council agreed to establish a temporary email account that could allow other interested residents to provide input. Some citizens and former officers have said they would like to weigh in. Under the Council proposal, emails would only be considered from those who provide their name and full address, including city. They would be monitored, reviewed, and assembled by an MTAS affiliate and submitted to MTAS Police Management Consultant Rex Barton, who will lead the review, for possible inclusion in an MTAS report.
But Thomas said MTAS thinks the “most appropriate depository of ‘interested citizen’ comment is the City Council, not MTAS consultants.”
Also, there appears to be a conflict between “emails will only be considered from those who provide their name and full address, including city” and “for possible inclusion.”
“One indicates that any comment provided with the identifying information will be considered,” Thomas said. “The other indicates that the MTAS consultant will have full discretion in considering any comment, which MTAS prefers. Please clarify the intent of the Council.”
Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson has said the decision to allow input from other interested citizens moves the review out of the technical realm and into the political.
Regarding confidentiality, Thomas said comments that appear in any MTAS reports will not include identifying information of those providing the comments.
The Tuesday work session starts at 5 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Training Room.
See the MTAS letter here: MTAS Letter to Mayor Gooch April 30, 2015.
Joseph Lee says
“BECAUSE EVERY PENNY COUNTS” – – – NOT !
This entire unnecessary episode of waisted time and effort by negatively motivated citizens, city staff and city council has now gone on for months while other city business is not being focused on and there is no end in sight. City Manager Mark Watson is absolutely correct in his statement that this latest twist moves the review out of the technical realm and into the political. I am of the opinion that this was a political move by Councilwoman Baughn from day one. She loves to see her name in newsprint and mentioned on radio and TV. This assault on Police Chief Akagi is nothing more that her latest attempt to sooth her cravings for attention. Think about it. What has she ever done to promote the City of Oak Ridge? The answer is nothing! All Oak Ridge has to show for her “service” is one black eye after another. Earth to Council: it’s time for this to stop.
Sam Hopwood says
The MAJORITY on council seem to disagree with you Joe. Just as the MAJORITY on council voted against your beloved speed cameras, the MAJORITY on council voted to investigate your beloved chief. Perhaps it is time for another e-mail from you to council, calling them clowns because they did not vote the way you wanted.
BTW, my offer to help you move to Farragut still stands. Just let me know when.
Joseph Lee says
Sam, thank you so much for your generous offer. I believe it is important that we help each other when we can and I am grateful for your willingness to help me move. However, I think I’ll stay. Thanks again.
Matt Bailey says
Sam, I just cannot believe you brought up “voting” and who disagrees with whom. But then, since your girl loses over and over again, I’ll let you have this one. Personally, as I stated before, let the review go forward. It will likely find a few areas that the Chief needs to work on…maybe he could take ice cream in on Fridays to soothe some hurt feelings. Who knows.
But here’s what I do know:
The phrase: “Baughn votes no” must be burned into Ms. Baughn’s computer screen permanently. Heck, it get used over and over and over and over ….
And it’s usually side by side with “Motion passed”. She loses more than a Coach Dooley football team!! No, really. Dooley won 5 games.
Sam Hopwood says
Then you have nothing to worry about. Relax and help me move Joe to Farragut. 🙂
Matt Bailey says
You are correct. I have nothing to worry about. You see, I’m willing to let the review play out. But your girl doesn’t like it that way. I’ll bet you a coke that between now and then, she’ll contact the tv stations, easy Bob at KNS, and others to try and influence how the community views the results of the review. In fact, I’ll add an order of fries if she doesn’t start predicting the results before the review is over — and how bad the recommendations are going to be.
Ms. Baughn just can’t stay out the spotlight. It’s a sickness. The pathetic need for attention is heartbreaking. I kinda like Joe. He is standing up to Ms. Baughn. I like Mr. Beehan, but I wish he had stood up to Baughn a long time ago. He was too much of a gentleman.
Mike Mahathy says
554 days until Oak Ridge is liberated Knight Rider.
Sam Hopwood says
Good to hear from you Mike. Are they still piping sunshine into you guys at the Outpost? Has somebody pulled the switch on it? Who knew one little lady is holding Oak Ridge hostage. You guys are hilarious. Saturday Night Live is jealous…. 🙂
Matt Bailey says
Simple question, Sam: Have you had enough of her lies? I used to use the word misrepresentations. However, here’s a direct “cut and paste” of her comments to KNS last week:
“The whole pitch by Callison was it’s going to be free,” Councilwoman Trina Baughn said. “Free, free, free.”
You of course remember that Mr. Callison went thru a whole list of reasons that he thought MTAS was a good choice. (It’s all on tape). Whether you agreed with that list, or whether you agreed with the decision to use them is irrelevant.
Are you prepared to defend this statement above. Or are you ready to admit that finally, Ms. Baughn has crossed the line and that this is definitive evidence that Ms. Baughn has lied to the public? Simple question, Sam.
Sam Hopwood says
Matt….. Any debate ends when you use the “lies” argument.
Matt Bailey says
Sam, do you need a partner when you tap dance like that? I gave you actual printed evidence.
You’re an old ballplayer so let me quote Branch Rickey:
He that will not reason is a bigot
He that cannot reason is a fool
He that dares not reason is a slave.
Joseph Lee says
Sam, you may want to check with Ms Baughn about her moving plans. By the end of the week she may be ready to go. By the end of the month she may wish she had moved already. Hold on, here we go. Thank you for being there for all of us.
Sam Hopwood says
Wishful thinking Joe.
Mike Mahathy says
I think you have been watching a different council in a different city. As far as the chief being beloved, that’s not it. As I think you would also want many citizens just want fairness and not trials by newspaper and social media.
T-554 days.
David Allred says
Take the free assessment and run.