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RES 2003-0900 - Safety and Health Council - STOP Class 4 i tom• r' R _ c L. La h q� Z e CY ALL CM'S 03 JUN 26 9: 32COUNG•%* DIST.#1 TM DIST.#2 Greater Omaha Chapter DIST.#3 CITY CI_E?K DIST.#4 DIS .#5 1lf!t,I1A.. I'+ ,AS '' DIST.#6 DIST.#7 CH.OF STAFF STAFF CITY CLERK LOBBYIST June 25, 2003 Eu City Council President Jim Vokal 2 6 '03 Omaha City Council 1819 Farnam Street, Suite LC-1 Omaha, NE 68183 Dear Councilman Vokal: Thank you very much for the opportunity to meet with you recently regarding the contract renewal of the STOP,program for the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter. I understand that the hearing for this contract will be held July 1 . The enclosed Fact Sheet will help you in your understanding of this multifaceted program. Please don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions regarding this. We look forward to meeting with you on July 1 and hope that you will support the renewal of this contract for the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter and the City of Omaha. Thank you. Sincerely, K rrell Pre ent/CEO 11620 M Circle • Omaha, NE 68137-2231 • (402)896-0454 • Fax (402)896-6331 • www.SafeNebraska.org A private, nonprofit, nongovernmental community-based service organization CHAIRMAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CAROL CASEY JOHNFONDA WILLIAMT.OAKES DENNISROURKE • Management Solutions John Day Company Stinson Morrison HeckerLLP First Data Corporation PRESIDENT/CEO JUDGE DOUGLAS F.JOHNSON JOE RE G.RICHARD RUSSELL KAY FARRELL Separate Juvenile Court of Douglas County Carlson Systems Millard Lumber National Sat ety Council,Greater Omaha Chapter KEITH LUTZ,Ed.D. JANET RICHARDSON MARK WRAY Millard Public Schools Johnson Controls.Inc. Mutual of Omaha WILLIAM"BILL"ZERSEN AON Risk Services • • • ___._..__.__..,.__.__.__._.___..___...___Board of Directors -- National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter —_. _... _.....______..___ _.. • . DAVID M. AMBROSE, Ph.D. •OWEN G. NEARY - Profess or of Markelrng.Utovetsity ofNeb/asks at Chairman,Regal Awards Inc. . . . Omaha • -•JOHN P. NELSON- • LYNNE ANDERSON, M.S.N. Presidentrrtarman.Sih'erStoneO2wp • University ciNe,braskaMed,calCentel • STEVEN G. OLTMANS WILLIAM H. ASHLEY GererarMartaeer,Pspio Missouri FirrerNatural President.Crest Petroleum,Corp.,dba Ca rverient ' Resources Disinct Food Mart . LT. COL. RON PANTING LYNN C.BEEBE Chien!Safety.55t n'm . Manager Saf aty Program Dec'elopmeni.Unrort P aciFrcRaiu ad GARY PERKINS • PresidenUCDO Cttrtu en`slostlal EDWARD L. BURCHFIELD Director orCorpo)ata Rotation,Assistant to - TROY W. PERRY ClieNt r r=acrMies Monger.Valley Site.Vatntcnt Pie sident.Ct_O.Vrana Construction • nduafries,ln • FRED M. PETERSON • CAROL CASEY President-CEO,Omaha Pirbke Power Orstrict . Pres:dent.MnnagercentSoluti.ts • JCiSE?H P. RE • TRACY COATS DESECK Ore 5oro1 RI Mnaqem trl,Cm/son Systems . • Environmental,Health k SafetyDeoay:nc-vtt • . MaaagerAvaya,loc. JANET RICHARDSON REGINA EBONG, C.P.A. Arccun 7artsn r,✓o nscnC rtr^,.s,(nc Reg;naEbonaDENNIS ROURKE - NANGY EDiCK, Ph.D. G`rnr�atcu Risk iVarbge;;rrnt First Uat, uoiversjtt'or Nebraska at Omaha D.eperlmenl of Education G. RICHARD RUSSELL JOHN FONDAPr'esr,innt.Mrllaldi,untber,Inc, • Presrdeni/CEO_Join Day Company BRIAN SILVEY . . . • - Vice Pr rsident.Cargill Inc Nett�.rnehran THEODOR W. FREYE - Sweeteners • Gonerafaia,wier,Gsic,r,a?IaC.taasAmerica.1.1..0 ALAN SIMON WILLIAM F. GUST, M.D. Ctraimtan.Omaha Steak's International _ Asaooiate Citeruf Slat/f a&Educatron,Vernon • . AdnunrsiratiorrivtecricelC%enter- . ROBERT J. SORENSEN President,FrreGaard - - • DOUGLAS F. JOHNSON • • Judge SeparatejurenieCowlofDougla�County VIRGIL THOMAS Plant Manager.Kellogg's ' KEITH LUTZ. Ed.4. TERRY L. WHITE Superintendent.Millard PublicSchoofs - ARCHIE• L. MEAIRS Se.`c}manage!,loen/IConcta .K rlCr npaid- Vice President insurance and Loss Control. DAVID WILLIAMS ConAgra Fonds,inc, - President.Ora/re-4hiilrams Steel.Inc.Moe:: _ . DEB MINARDI MARK WRAY ChrelPldbationoe::SlateF':oL'atior,,Dralnct4 Senior Vine Dev eic>p:aunt.Mutual of Onta`ro ln.5C1ra s-e ‘JOHN F. MOCK Con'ry)an}: Vice.Presrdent,Homan Resturces Travel-and Transtvit- - •� THOMAS A. WURTZ DR. ROBERT MUELLEMAN Donors!Manager,Morionolirar U:nrerLtistrict • • mad/op/Director.EmerraencyServices.Nebraska WILLIAM 'BILL' ZERSEN Health Systems - Vice Ptrsieoni,Technical sere net.AUN Risk Services of ldebraskm lnc. • • • ' Ex Officio • • PAMELA. BROWN ROBERT DAHLOUIST . Senator.Nebraska State Legislature Chre{.Omaha Fret and Rcscur ALAN PEPIN E. BENJAMIN NELSON Interim Chre,Omaha Police Department United States Senator TIMOTHY F. DUNNING COLONEL THOMAS NESBITT ' . • Sfront.!Douglas Corinty Superintelr„ent,IVPbr 15.k.?Stale Patrol CAPTAIN HERB EVERS WILLIAM T. OAKES • Bellevue Police Department.President,Greater . Mornay.Stinson Morrison Hecker LLB . • K0mAYt lBS.AFiAESRURSEGLLt/lion-. IC. �oDun.t y ealth Department -ADiPO.UR P -Presiciant EONVaGrnta/SafetyCounclr.Greater . Omaha STEPHEN M.SWARTZ • Covrtyhrae,DcuolasCcmt,Court L. HIRSH . ExecunveDirector.Safety and Labor Slandarris. ROWEN ZETTERMAN, M.D. • Nebraska De.partnrentofLabor Past FiesrciantntCtropolitmOma,hatr4edreat • . • DARREL JENSEN, Ph.D. Society • Directo:.Nebraska Safety Center • FRED E. ZWONECHEK • FERNANDO "BUTCH" LECUONA Auminrslialor.rvabraakaOlhrretHrghwat'Safety ConmvasioncrOf Labor.Nebraska Department of ' • Labor • Board Memb• ers - Emeritus • FRANK ERVIN • LORRAINE M. GILES • • - JOSEPH P. LAFERLA STOP PROGRAM FACT SHEET 06-24-03 What is the STOP program? STOP is the Safety Training Option Plan,operated by the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter since 1984 in the City of Omaha and Douglas County.This program gives drivers with minor traffic offenses the opportunity to take a defensive driving program in lieu of a ticket. The driving offense is dismissed;it does not appear on their record. A motorist can only attend STOP once every three years. What is the National Safety Council,Greater Omaha Chapter? The National Safety Council,Greater Omaha Chapter,founded in 1924, is a non-profit private community based service organization accredited by the National Safety Council which promotes safety and health by providing programs,resource services,and education to prevent and reduce both the personal and economic loss associated with injuries,accidents and health hazards. When did the STOP program begin? The Council was asked to join in the development of a program for the city because of a long previous history providing defensive driving programs for the courts. Prior to implementation of the Plan, a team made up of representatives from the Safety Council and the City Prosecutor's Office traveled to Phoenix,Arizona to meet with officials who had a similar plan in place. Why is this program important to the community? Education and rehabilitation,provided by the STOP program are an important altemative to discipline. Also, the program is an investment in safety ... • The police who hand out the cards are investing in safety • The prosecutor who dismisses the ticket is investing in safety • The City Council approving the plan is investing in safety • The NSC Board of Directors is spending volunteer time investing in safety • The citizen who utilizes the program is investing in safety Who benefits from STOP? As the program has currently been operated with its standardized approach for the past twenty years there are innumerable benefits: The community as a whole benefits from the Safety Training Option Plan. The motorist who comes to class receives the necessary education to correct poor driving habits. In turn,other motorists who must share the roads are also safer due to the training. The community relations achieved by the law enforcement agency in offering this diversion can be a significant help to them. The impact on the courts is also important as the program serves to direct many from already overcrowded court dockets leaving more time for judges to deal with the serious and repeat offenders,the DWI and DUI cases. It also creates a significant decrease in the amount of paperwork processed by the city. Time-consuming clerical jobs have been cut appreciably for the legal staff whose skill and time needs to be directed to court- room work. What is the financial impact on Omaha? The City of Omaha pays nothing, but through their agreement with the National Safety Council,Greater Omaha Chapter, is able to provide the NSC Defensive Driving Courses to traffic offenders, ultimately a benefit to all citizens who must share the roads with offenders. In addition,the City of Omaha receives @$11 per person to defray administrative expenses:$5 from each participant is used to fund 2 clerks who work in the City Prosecutors office and $6 per person in a direct cash payment. What is the impact on the taxpayer? All costs of the program are underwritten by the program. This includes any costs the city would incur. In addition,the traffic offender currently pays$50 which is less than the amount of their ticket plus the court costs (@$67). This amount is set as an incentive for individuals to take the program,thus improving the safety on our streets and highways. What does the City of Omaha receive from the program? The City of Omaha receives a monetary value of @$11 per person as described above,but most importantly,area streets are safer due to this program. Thousands of drivers are educated annually in defensive driving techniques and rules of the road. Many of these drivers have never had a driver education course. It is not unusual to hear students rave about the program and exclaim about the value once they have completed the course. The City of Omaha receives an administration fee from each offender. In addition,the Safety Council provides two full-time staff persons to work in the City Prosecutor's Office. While prosecutors handle the actual filing and prosecution,staff members provide an administrative backbone that allows this city department to operate more efficiently. What curriculum is taught? The National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter provides the National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course(DDC). The first driver improvement program in the nation developed in 1964,it is still the First Name in Driver Improvement training. Since its inception,the Defensive Driving Course has been taught to nearly 50 million drivers in the U.S.,Canada and abroad. The goal of the Defensive Driving Course is to train drivers in collision prevention techniques. In teaching these techniques,the Defensive Driving Course also seeks to promote an attitude of mutual understanding,courtesy and cooperation on the road. No other driver improvement course has a higher rate of success in reducing the severity and frequency of collisions for its graduates. No other course is so widely used by courts, municipalities, schools, business and industry, government and general public driver improvement,as are the Defensive Driving Courses. The curriculum has been developed over the years and adjusted and updated regularly to fit the ever-changing needs of today's drivers. This curriculum has stood the test all over the country—and has the power of the research department of the National Safety Council behind it. The Defensive Driving Program, DDC, is taught with several different formats to meet the needs of various populations. Coaching the Mature Driver is taught for those 55 and older and Alive at 25 is taught for those 18—25. Spanish language traffic classes are held so that Spanish language violators can receive the same education and quality as their English-speaking counterparts. Scheduled regularly,advertised in Spanish language publications, never cancelled,there are often only 2 or 3 individuals in these classes. Where are the programs taught? Programs are taught at the National Safety Council,Greater Omaha Chapter in classrooms designed to provide the most fulfilling learning experience possible to drivers. Equipped to modern standards,well lit and ventilated,and centrally located,they are an example many schools strive to emulate for their learners. What are the critical elements necessary to administer the STOP program? • Standardized one provider approach insuring consistency and quality assurance • Administrative and Management Functions • Service Team Depth • Support Systems • Technology and Resources • Recognized Stability • Community Leadership Providing Perpetuation Why the National Safety Council,Greater Omaha Chapter as the provider? The Safety Council has efficiently administered the program for almost 20 years and has the technological and administrative capabilities to do so. Our city must provide the best services available. It is their obligation to meet customer needs;citizens are customers. In order to go forward the City Council must have reassurance and the confidence that the program they offer is the very best,that the Safety Council is the best. The program must be efficient for many aspects of the city. It must work efficiently for the prosecutor's office. To ensure this, the provider must have a huge investment in the systems including depth of staff that manage the program. The City must know that tickets will be handled properly and be assured of quality assurance. The complications of managing a program with over a thousand participants per month are intense. Every ticket and every participant must be properly tracked,filed or dismissed. One ticket missed causes a chain reaction that includes license suspension and the possibility of an innocent driver being arrested and jailed. The National Safety Council,Greater Omaha Chapter brings forward a rich history of recognition as a provider of programs for the judicial system. In Omaha and across the country through our network of independent chapters, there is a stable financial history and long standing commitment to community programs. The National Safety Council is here for the long term. As a contractor of services,the city has an additional assurance of oversight of management and financial affairs by the community based board of directors comprised of recognized community leaders who are aware of community needs. The city can have confidence in the perpetuation of the program. •The National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter is accountable. Accountability is maintained through the yearly budgeting process and regular review and forecasts. The Council has a certified public accountant on staff. The accounting system includes standard and accepted policies and procedures, accrual system,and internal purchasing control system.The Council has a yearly audit conducted by an independent Certified Public Accounting firm. Who provides oversight of the program? •Community Based Board of Directors The National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter,community-based and active volunteer board of directors comprised of more than 50 professional business leaders,provides oversight to the Safety Council and its programs.This highly respected group of community leaders is proud to be a part of an organization,which has such a long history of providing a positive impact on our entire community. The Council's Board has been developed to represent all facets of the community... government, law enforcement, public safety, education,business, and services. Each member has special skills. All serve because of the common mission and for the advantage of all programs and especially this program. This brings many different points of view responsive to many segments of our population to the decision making process that oversees this program. It provides even more stability for the program. The Board meets on a frequent basis to readily review, approve and provide oversight on all aspects of business conducted by the Safety and Health Council. Board members provide the oversight and strategic planning necessary for the organization to succeed in its mission. •A True "Working"Board through Committees The Board is divided into subcommittees,each with a specific focus that provide direct oversight, input and monitoring of all programs that pertain to a particular division of the Safety Council. The volunteer hours spent by board members who are outstanding members of the business and government community are a contribution to the effort—they represent a benefit to the citizens and the community which is almost incalculable in value. This is a mammoth contribution to the city. 3 •Involvement of our Board is an Investment in our City Does the Safety Council make a profit from these programs? The bottom line is called a contribution in a non-profit organization. The contribution to overall safety activities from the STOP program varies from month to month,from year to year. Management responsibility for the program requires that all infrastructures remain in place regardless of enrollments. The Safety Council provides the program in good times and bad,slow enrollments and heavier enrollments, bringing forward consistency in education and quality. We have served under contract dutifully since 1984. In some years there has been a positive bottom line contribution from the STOP program. It is not the STOP program that provides earnings to support community safety programs but the combination of all traffic and court diversion programs that are built upon the base of the STOP program,that provide earnings for the Safety Council's investment in community programs. Any dollars earned by the Safety Council after expenses go directly into safety programs to benefit our entire community. A recent example,the New Resident Driver Program is available to anyone from any country. Primarily Hispanic participants are enrolled. We are prepared to serve any other emerging group. This program held at the Latina Resource Center and the Chicano Awareness Center is designed to provide the basic rules of the road,a cultural immersion,and a how-to guide for owning and operating a motor vehicle in Nebraska. A few other examples of our on-going commitment to all of Omaha include: • Cyclefest,providing bike helmets for those who have none, bicycle safety training and bike repairs, 3 years; • Firesafe Family Day, education for youngsters in fire safety, 11 years; • Smoke Detector Program(teamed up with Omaha and surrounding fire department in a door to door campaign installing smoke detectors(and or batteries) in private residences where there were none); • Child Passenger Safety,education for the trainers and the public,free safety seat checks including free car seats to individuals of limited means, 14 years; • Safety Belt Programs, encouraging safety belt use though programs in business and industry,government and the private sector,20 years; • Safe Walk to School, ensuring our young ones learn their safest routes and the rules of pedestrian safety as they begin school, 30 plus years • Emergency Preparedness,after 9-11, programs oriented to the needs of both businesses and individuals. The challenges and opportunities for assuring a safe community, workplace safety and safety within the home and family are greater now than ever. Society is changing drastically and safety is not just a nice word but also a critical issue in every community. Responding to these challenges is demanding and requires a significantly increased level of resources. The National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter recognizes this and commits itself to continuing to grow and increase its support to efforts making our community safer. 4 •k i0 ' CV/ _ 402-493-9319 • roberts@robertspr.com • www.robertspr. c:o3nii.i'� r— e ,f E � 4515 EASTRIDGE DRIVE • OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68134•FAX:402-445-07°S'9•#1 — V I...ST. 2 DiST.#3 DiST. :} Jul 26 " 9� ' R O S A L E E DIST.#5 June 25, 2003ST.ROBERTS i IST.#7 f u i ,. I C CH.OF STAFF C I v I' ^- F Mr- Chuck Sigerson, Councilman ' ' ' '` ' ' " `` s ';�` 1 A H A.. 1 F=� City of Omaha LOU OCi 1 C�T 's3Y1ST Suite LC-1 Douglas Civic Center (;bpi 26 `03 1819 Farnam Omaha, NE 68102 Dear Mr. Sigerson: I°Lk . By now you are aware that the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter's contract for the Safety Training Option Plan (STOP) is coming up for renewal with the City Council. I understand that the contract indicates that"At the conclusion of this contract to the satisfaction of the City Prosecutor and final approval by the Omaha City Council, the contract shall be extended an additional five (5) years." As you begin your contract deliberations, I'd ask that you look at the Safety Council's record and some of the facts relating to this contract. • The Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course was the first created in the nation.This program has an extremely high rate of success in reducing the severity and frequency of collisions for its graduates. It is widely used by the courts. • The City of Omaha pays nothing, but through this agreement is able to provide the Safety Council with traffic offenders. In addition, the City of Omaha receives a per person stipend to defray administrative expenses. • The Safety Council provides two full-time staff persons to work in the City Prosecutor's office. • This program is offered in good times and bad whether there are slow enrollments or heavier enrollments. • There is a community-based active volunteer board of directors comprised of professional business leaders. • The Safety Council's facilities are designed to provide the best learning experience possible. • Any dollars earned after expenses go to safety programs. All of us recognize the importance of improved driver safety and applaud the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter for its continue efforts and its excellent performance. I hope you will consider the Safety Council's record of previous good service, its history in our community, mission, outreach and its overall passion for traffic safety. After reviewing these matters, I urge you to vote to continue the STOP program through the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter. Thank you. Sincerely, .16;41111111.-- Rosalee A. Roberts, APR, Fellow PRSA President •l e. MILLARD 1 5005 South 135th Street • P.O. Box 45445 • Omaha, NE 68145-0445 LUMBER Inc. 03 JW 26 rig' 9: 32 ( ) 896-280 • Phone 402 ,�Q, �mFex(10 r 2865 DIST.#1 CITY ! F }� DIST.#2 June 25, 2003 O I DIST.#3 DIST.#5 DIST.#6 DIST#% The Honorable James Vokal, Jr. CH.OF STAFF ✓ 1819 Farnam Street CITY cu ar:�c���i< ✓ Suite LC-1 LOBBYIST Omaha, NE 68183 JUN 26 Re: Driver Diversion Program—STOP 'l qr. vr11J TV.4C Dear Mr. Vokal: — I understand that next Tuesday you will be considering the extension of the Driver Diversion contract with the National Safety Council—Greater Omaha Chapter. I would urge you to vote in favor of that contract extension. The Council has been providing this quality program since 1984. In addition to the diversion program that you will be considering the Council is also the provider of many other driver programs, including programs available to the deaf and programs in languages other than English. All of these programs are high quality in content(as many of my friends have related to me after having attended these classes). I think that you must consider the fine relationship that the Council has had over these many years of providing the program, the quality of the program, the ability to administer the program well, the stability of the Council and its community board of directors and their ability to continue with this program in the future. I understand that information on the program and the Council has been provided to you and I urge you to support and extend this contract. Sincerely yours, MILLARD LUMBER INC. (Ji t h- --711 G. Richard Russell President & CEO t'` -, �• i �� s S2r'� - L 67.;-0 I AU.C LIST.fI DIST.S2 DIST.#3 DIST.#4 CAROL J. CASEY DIST.S5 2506 S. 1.05 Ave. OIS7 SS DtST/7 Omaha, NE 68124 CH.OF S !III . \, e , ,L// ( x ,t - STAFF CITY CLERK June 27, 200P8WAST j ' f t e. 71c 4..c, 01 '03 et X_ , 17ARE - I , Mr. Franklin Thompson, Councilman City of Omaha _t (mil t.� { Suite LC-1 t 7 1819 Farnam Street / (//, Omaha, NE 68183 �rtr/ " ) Dear Mr. Thompson: I am coming to you with concerns about the contract for the Safety Training Option Plan (STOP). The renewal of that contract will be on the City Council's Tuesday agenda. The National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter, developed this program in 1964 and has continued to provide STOP classes to eligible drivers ever since. I know you have been given the history of the program and testimony to the excellent performance of the Safety Council under its contract. There are, however, other issues I believe must be considered by the City Council relevant to the STOP program contract. 1. Multiple providers of the course will take away the continuity and consistency which now exist and which are so important to the administration of the program. The class taught and certification of attendance and completion must be the same for all offenders and the STOP providers. Who will oversee this very important aspect if not the City Prosecutor's office? The Safety Council's depth of staff in administration, support personnel, instructors and its strong Board of Directors provides assurance of both continuity and consistency. 2. Perpetuation of the program is a great concern. A guarantee that the program will be operating tomorrow, next month, next year is extremely important. The NSC has proven its ability to perpetuate the program in its nearly twenty years of providing the Defensive Driving Course on behalf of the City to qualifying traffic violators. 3. I am convinced that providing the Defensive Driving Course under the STOP program is a job only for a non-profit organization. Profits should not be in the mix of motivating factors for any provider wishing to assume the duties of the STOP program. A"not-for-profit organization by name only must be carefully weighed. �O Mr. Franklin Thompson, Councilman June 27, 2003 Page Two Part of NSC's mission is the continuity, consistency and perpetuation of safety as a non- profit organization which has given back to the Omaha Community a hundred fold since its existence. I askyou to recommend the renewal of the contract for the STOP program P g with the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter. Thank you. Sincerely, Carol Casey Board Chairman NSC, Greater Omaha Chapter ti b O O O 0 O � tri , 0 0. 0 o d S o ` Pli oo oq H n 0N, roc CD " ?' o A 0 0• �. �. as C� to CD CD CD CD CD p . Ong rC r• U CD C.