The Auburn City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing a law firm to investigate allegations regarding the Auburn Police Department at its regular meeting Thursday.

Carothers and Mitchell Law Firm will investigate allegations made by department personnel early in the fall of this year.

"They get to the bottom of certain issues real fast," said Auburn Mayor Harold Money.

Carothers and Mitchell, LLC, located in Buford, lists its services in the areas of labor and employment, wrongful termination, discrimination and hostile work environment.

Carothers and Mitchell provided the initial time estimate of 100 hours for the investigation to be completed at $130 per hour, which Auburn City Attorney Jack Wilson called a "deeply discounted rate." A provision was also included in the original resolution that Carothers and Mitchell would notify the City Council if they foresaw exceeding the estimated 100 hours.

"Where is the money coming from?" asked Council Member Charles Sewell, who noted the total cost for 100 hours of services would be $13,000. Money said the council would have to find the money in the budget.

"That's an awful lot of money we are looking at," said Council Member Dorissa Shackelford. "I'd like to have a lower cap," she added.

"I want it done. I want it done fairly. I'm not going to wrangle over a few thousand dollars," Money responded. "The hours are not a concern of mine. I want the number of hours it takes to do the job. I want it done right."

Shackelford said she would like to see an "accounting stop" at 50 hours for the council to see where the investigation stands. Council Member Linda Blechinger agreed. Money suggested Wilson meet with Carothers and Mitchell at 50 hours and report back to the City Council.

"I'll add a sentence to that effect," noted Wilson. The revised resolution reads, "After 50 hours of the investigation, Carothers and Mitchell shall report the status of the investigation to the Mayor and City Council."

Shackelford provided the motion to approve the resolution and Donna Scouten provided the second.

Money said the firm will be investigating the department's procedures policy as well as allegations of unfair treatment.

"I think we all realize we did have somewhat of a problem down there," said Money.

During discussion on the pending investigation, Sewell said he would like to see polygraph testing used if required. Wilson said the city could legally require a polygraph test of city employees, but the firm did not initially see that as necessary in the upcoming investigation.

"The reason I bring that up is some of the issues are he said, she said," added Sewell.

The City Council also voted unanimously to install a temporary three-way stop on Sixth Street at Auburn Elementary to address traffic and safety issues.

Money told those in attendance he and Sewell had met with representatives from Barrow County and the Board of Education earlier in the month to discuss the problems at Auburn Elementary.

The three-way stop will include warning lights and rumble strips to alert drivers to the changes in traffic control. The total estimated cost for the three-way stop is $1,488.63.

Sewell made the motion to approve the traffic control changes and Scouten provided the second.

Blechinger noted the City met with the county and school board in August of September to work on a solution to the problems with Sixth Street.

"It has always been a concern of our," she said.

Public Works Director David Hawthorne said the three-way stop will be completed, except for the rumble strips, before school resumes in January. He also noted the city is still considering widening Sixth Street to three lanes, which Sewell said depends on whether the city or the Board of Education is responsible for the costs.

"If you have to work New Year's Day, bring the crew in and work New Year's Day," said Money.

"We'll probably put a red light there for the final solution. It will probably be a timed red light," said the Mayor, noting the light would likely be a caution light during certain hours when traffic going in and out of the school is not a problem. "I will probably take that back to the board as a permanent, part-time solution," said Money.

The council also voted unanimously to approve a motion authorizing post-certified code enforcement officers to carry a weapon. This decision came after Code Enforcement Officer Maggie Maddox was threatened in November by a man who drew a knife while she explained requirements of the city's ordinance regarding fences.

"He stood there holding the knife in front of him wanting to know why he couldn't keep the fence the way he had it," Maddox wrote in a briefing to the council. "The situation could have turned very ugly in an instant. I felt very threatened, but kept my cool."

"I have checked out [Maddox's] weapon and certified her weapon," said Sergeant Lee Lapsky with the Auburn Police Department, who noted the authorization for code enforcement to carry a weapon should address the caliber the code enforcement officer can carry as well as require the officer to maintain 20 hours of training each year.

The Auburn City Council meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. for its regular work session and the third Tuesday each month at 7 p.m. for its regular council meeting.

Originally published Sunday, December 24, 2006