HomeMy Public PortalAbout20130502 public safety minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The May 2, 2013, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 8:35 a.m. by Councilman
Prather.
Attendance
Present: Committee Members: Councilman Rick Prather, Councilman Larry Henry,
Councilman Carlos Graham, Councilman Rick Mihalevich
Absent: Councilman Ken Hussey
Guests: City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus, Interim Finance Director Bill Betts, City
Counselor Drew Hilpert, Assistant City Counselor Jeremy Cover, Police Chief
Roger Schroeder, Interim Fire Chief Jason Turner, Emergency Management
Coordinator Bill Farr, City Prosecutor Brian Stumpe, Police Lieutenant Steve
Weaver, Police Lieutenant Dave Williams, and Police Sergeant Joseph Matherne
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2013,
committee meeting. Councilman Graham seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
SWAT Vehicle
Chief Schroeder stated that approximately two years ago after Sales Tax F was passed, the City
committed $1.35 million to the police department for the purchase of equipment. The SWAT
vehicle is a priority and will be the first requested purchase. Chief Schroeder introduced Lt.
Steve Weaver who gave an explanation of the need for the vehicle. The “Bearcat” is a fully
armored SWAT vehicle. The department currently has a 1985 “Peacekeeper” that is not large
enough to transport the entire SWAT team, not bulletproof, and is virtually inoperable. The
department’s Emergency Response Vehicle could transport the SWAT team in an emergency
situation, but is designed as a mobile command post. The Bearcat is the same vehicle used in
Boston after the marathon bombing. The vehicle is bulletproof and could be used to rescue an
injured citizen or downed officer.
Chief Schroeder noted the department’s SWAT team is highly trained and it is comforting to the
public to have the SWAT team available. Lt. Weaver noted in 2012 the SWAT team served 44
narcotics search warrants and responded to 4 instances of barricaded subjects, in addition to
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other uses and needs. The JCPD SWAT team is also the emergency response team for the
Callaway County nuclear power plant and Cole County Hazmat Team. The total cost of the
vehicle is $246,000, and $250,000 from Sales Tax F funds has been set aside this year for the
police department. At the request of Councilman Graham, City Administrator Nickolaus will
forward the sales tax spending plan to him for his review.
After the SWAT vehicle purchase has been approved by the full City Council, it will take
approximately six months to build, followed by an on-site inspection.
Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to move the purchase of the SWAT vehicle on to the
City Council. Councilman Graham seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Drug Enforcement
Chief Schroeder introduced Sergeant Joseph Matherne who commands the Community Action
Team (C.A.T.). Chief Schroeder stated Sgt. Matherne has done an extraordinary job with the
team in building bridges to the community. Sgt. Matherne stated the Heroin Overdose Prevention
Education (H.O.P.E.) campaign and the department’s narcotics officers have been instrumental
in heroin enforcement. The C.A.T. Team has investigated 29 heroin cases in 2013. Their
investigative efforts in 2012 are leading to the current enforcement cases. Reduction of heroin
has declined in the Jefferson City area. Overdoses and deaths have dropped dramatically since
the program’s inception. The C.A.T. Team’s primary goal is to keep heroin off the street and to
stem its sale.
Last year the H.O.P.E. campaign was launched in six public forums to introduce the program.
Sgt. Matherne stated after that initial push, it became more productive to talk with civic
organizations and at conferences about the program. Education is at the core of their efforts.
Chief Schroeder stated that Coach Marshall, whose son died of a heroin overdose, has been at the
core of the heroin education efforts as have other volunteers. There is a heroin hotline, 635-
HOPE, available to the public.
The councilmen each commended Sgt. Matherne and the C.A.T. Team for their enforcement
efforts, and on behalf of the committee, Councilman Prather asked for periodic updates.
Proposed Changes to Police Personnel Board Rules and Regulations
Assistant City Counselor Cover advised the proposed changes to the Police Personnel Board
rules and regulations would make those rules consistent with the changes to the City Code
approved by the City Council. The proposed changes were approved by the Police Personnel
Board in February, and the next step is for City Council approval. Councilman Mihalevich made
a motion to move the proposed changes onto the City Council. Councilman Henry seconded the
motion. Motion approved.
Minimum Fines
City Counselor Hilpert advised City Prosecutor Stumpe had recently suggested an increase in
fines. The proposed increases represent an approximate 3 percent increase to the minimum fines,
excluding parking. The judge has the discretion to set the level of fines, and can impose a fine
above the minimum. Prosecutor Stumpe advised the proposed minimum fines are more in line
with the cost of enforcement and with fines imposed by other communities. Councilman
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Mihalevich advised the City needs to be cognizant that it does not expend more to enforce the
fines than what the City collects. Chief Schroeder added that the primary objective in imposing
fines is a safety issue. The police do not give tickets to generate revenue, but to promote
adherence to laws and increase safety. Raising minimum fines is a deterrent factor. City
Administrator Nickolaus stated that although he is supportive of the proposed ordinance change,
Jefferson City has more minimum fines than other cities in Missouri. In the future he would like
to eliminate some of the minimum fines and let the judge impose fines he/she deems appropriate.
Councilman Henry made a motion to move the proposed changes to the minimum fines onto the
City Council. Councilman Mihalevich seconded the motion. Motion approved.
New World Systems Support Agreement
Interim Finance Director Betts advised Jefferson City and the Cole County Sheriff’s Department
utilize the same New World software. The Sheriff’s Department has no information technology
services support of their own. This Agreement states the City can provide IT support to the
Sheriff’s Department when they need assistance with New World. As far as data sharing, it is a
benefit to foster this working relationship. The Agreement provides for Cole County to pay
$28,678 to the City for services rendered, with a yearly increase of 3 percent. The County has
approved the Agreement.
Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to move the Agreement on to the City Council for
approval. Councilman Henry seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Fire Department Promotional Ordinance
Interim Fire Chief Turner stated the current ordinance addressing the promotional process was
passed in 1994 and is being rewritten due to changes and growth within the department. He and
representatives of the fire union have drafted a revised ordinance which will be sent to the law
department next week for review. He intends to present the changes to the Public Safety
Committee at their next meeting.
Snow Routes
Britt Smith was not present and the item was tabled.
OTHER BUSINESS
Fellowship
Councilman Graham recognized Lt. Dave Williams and welcomed him back from his six -month
ATF Police Executive Fellowship Program training in Washington, D.C. Lt. Williams was the
only law enforcement officer in the United States selected for this fellowship. Lt. Williams gave
a brief overview of the program. His goal, at the Jefferson City Police Department, is to utilize
the knowledge he gained. There is an ATF office in Jefferson City comprised of three agents.
The closest field office is in Kansas City.
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Outdoor Sirens
Emergency Management Coordinator Farr advised he is waiting on dry weather to complete the
installation of the remaining four outdoor warning sirens in Cole County.
Adjourn
Councilman Graham made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Henry seconded the motion. The
meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m.