HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110929 public safety minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The September 29, 2011, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 8:05 a.m. by Chairman
Councilman Harvey.
Attendance
Present: Committee Members: Councilman Mike Harvey, Councilman Bill Luebbert,
Councilman Rich Koon, Fire Chief Bob Rennick, and Chief of Police Roger
Schroeder.
Guests: Councilwoman Carrie Carroll, Councilman Bryan Pope, Councilman
Ralph Bray, Councilman Bob Scrivner, Interim City Administrator Nathan
Nickolaus, Interim City Counselor Drew Hilpert, Police Captain Bob Cynova,
Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr, Public Works Director Matt
Morasch, and Firefighter Phil McKee.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the July 28, 2011, committee meeting were approved. All voted in favor.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
Update on the Fire Department Improvements
Chief Rennick provided the committee with clarification of the status of the Fire Department’s
improvements. Interim City Administrator Nickolaus has assigned the Public Works Department
to follow-up on Peckham & Wright’s recommendations. Chief Rennick is concentrating on long-
range funding and expects to present a plan to the committee in the next month or two. Public
Works Director Morasch has reviewed the architectural study and believes Peckham & Wright
are not needed for some of the recommended repairs. It is more cost effective for the City to
perform the repairs on safety projects. He is currently working on putting exhaust systems in the
bays (Phase 3), and will renegotiate the fee for Phase 4, which includes the new station. This will
require new contracts with Peckham & Wright. A discussion was held on the availability of local
v. out of town architects.
RFP Update – Emergency Mass Notification System
Chief Schroeder advised the two RFPs for upgrading/replacement of outdoor warning sirens, and
the emergency mass notification system have been sent to the Finance Department for their
review. In regard to the mass notification system, Councilman Bray and Dr. Rooney with
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Lincoln University are exploring other funding possibilities. Chief Schroeder deferred to
Councilman Bray and Captain Cynova for their explanation. Councilman Bray advised Dr.
Rooney is attempting to find a grant to further explore mass communications systems for
Jefferson City. Captain Cynova advised a meeting has been scheduled with all interested parties
for October 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cole County Emergency Services Bldg. to discuss the phone
notification system. Councilman Harvey recommended the City proceed with the
repairs/replacement of the outdoor warning sirens and work on the mass notification technology
as a larger group. Chief Schroeder stated one is not impacted by the other. In response to
Councilman Pope’s request, a report on the mass notification technology will be presented at the
next Public Safety Committee meeting. Emergency Management Coordinator Farr stated several
systems have been reviewed and he believes the City is taking the right time to process the
information to bring this system to the entire Cole County community. Interim City
Administrator Nickolaus advised Joplin had the same outdoor warning sirens as Jefferson City
and they were ineffective. The City needs to move forward to have new sirens by next Spring.
After discussion, Councilman Harvey made a motion to direct Staff to proceed with the siren
RFP, and to move expeditiously on the phone notification system. Councilman Koon seconded
the motion. Motion approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Proposed Ordinance for Street Closures
Interim City Administrator Hilpert advised this ordinance addresses street closures for a single
person or business. The current ordinance gives only the Chief of Police the authority to close a
street. This proposed ordinance would transfer the authority for construction and maintenance
closures to be granted by Public Works, and all other closures to the Chief of Police. It also
requires additional criteria for consideration in addressing a potential street closing.
Impact of Highway 179 Closing
In response to an inquiry by Councilman Luebbert, Chief Schroeder advised there has been an
increase in traffic and occasional backups on other routes created by the Highway 179 detour,
which was expected. This closing has created no particular hazard, and there has been no
noticeable increase in accidents. Public Works Director Morasch stated area signal timing had
been changed to accommodate the increased traffic on detour routes.
Special Event(s) Update
In response to an inquiry by Councilman Luebb ert, Chief Schroeder reported the special events
in the newly-formed festival district were well attended with few problems. Councilman Scrivner
suggested the City could develop a telephone app for special events. Captain Cynova advised the
new emergency mass notification system proposed could be used by the City for notifications,
such as special events.
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Cole County Jail Opening
In response to an inquiry by Councilman Luebbert, Chief Schroeder advised there were a few
transitional kinks, but no serious operational problems associated with the opening of the new
jail.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Representing the Local Fire Union 671, Firefighter Phil McKee stated it was the understanding
of the firefighters that Peckham & Wright had the contract for Station 3 and that money was
available for those renovations. Councilman Harvey stated that money had been earmarked for
that project.
Chief Schroeder commented that in regard to locating grant money to purchase an emergency
mass notification system, federal grant money is diminishing. The police department recently
had a grant rejected by SEMA, and for the second year, a COPS Hiring grant request from the
Department of Justice for additional officers was rejected.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 a.m.