HomeMy Public PortalAbout20131003 public safety minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The October 3, 2013, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 8:10 a.m. by Councilman
Prather.
Attendance
Present: Committee Members: Councilman Rick Prather, Councilman Larry Henry,
Councilman Carlos Graham, And Councilman Rick Mihalevich
Absent: Councilman Ken Hussey
Guests: Councilman Bob Scrivner, Interim City Administrator Drew Hilpert, Police Chief
Roger Schroeder, Interim Fire Chief Jason Turner, Emergency Management
Coordinator Bill Farr, and Assistant Fire Chief Lonnie Brandt
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Graham made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 1, 2013, committee
meeting. Councilman Henry seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Storm Ready Community
Emergency Management Coordinator Farr advised he will make application to the National
Weather Service to designate Jefferson City/Cole County a “Storm Ready Community”. He is
expected to participate in a site review this month. It would be a nice recognition for the
community, and the Weather Service would provide a sign indicating the designation.
Police Department Update
At the request of Councilman Mihalevich, Chief Schroeder provided an update o f several police
department activities/projects.
The Special Services Division has cancelled plans to hold a Citizens Police Academy in 201 3.
This is a very popular program with classes filling very quickly, but lack of personnel
necessitates it being cancelled.
Detective Andy Rogers is a certified polygraphist, having recently graduated from the National
Polygraph Academy held at the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This school was chosen because
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it was offered locally and cost significantly less. The training was paid from the state training
fund.
The S.W.A.T. team, including two fire department S.W.A.T. medics, attended the National
Tactical Officers Association conference/training in Kansas City. This was very beneficial as the
team networked with other S.W.A.T. teams from across the country and attended valuable
training programs.
Personnel are contractually obligated to be sent to Pennsylvania to inspect the new BearCat
vehicle, and receive specialized training before taking custody of the vehicle. The department is
excited to obtain the BearCat as it will maximize officer and community safety in S.W.A.T.
operations.
The police department replaced its Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) the third week in August.
County officials expressed concern regarding communications service and predicted service
would be interrupted for several days. Lt. Dampf spearheaded the project and the transition went
smoothly with the system down for approximately one (1) hour. Information Systems Director
Betts and Meyer Electric were also instrumental in the success of the project and worked for
weeks on the transition plan.
Lt. Dampf is presently researching a new digital 911 phone system. The current Rescue Star
system is not digital, and CenturyLink will not support an analog system in the near future.
Dr. Corey McCann has been hired as the Animal Shelter veterinarian. Four veterinarians
expressed interest in the position. Dr. McCann showed the most commitment to municipal
animal care. The shelter is no longer providing cages to citizens to trap wild animals, although
the shelter staff has discretion depending on the circumstances. Consequently, the use of the gas
chamber has been reduced. Chief Schroeder noted that the gas chamber is lawful and has the
support of area veterinarians, but will have limited use.
Police personnel earn an average of approximately 500 hours of overtime every two-week pay
cycle. The department has tracked overtime/comp time for the past six months, determining to
whom and why overtime/comp time is granted. The department is giving comp time at a rate of
approximately 40 percent of time earned. Chief Schroeder advised the shorter staffed the
department, the more overtime earned. He is pleased that 40 percent of the overtime earned is
being given in comp time. It is a difficult situation, but is being managed. When the council
considers overtime, it is a “pay me now or pay me later” situation. Personnel are eventually
compensated at a higher rate of pay for comp time. The supervisors are doing a good job of
minimizing and managing overtime. Since the Fair Labor Standards Act allows law enforcement
to adjust schedules during pay cycles, this method is being routinely used to reduce overtime
within the pay cycle.
Including positions held open for vacancy savings and normal attrition, the department is 11
positions short, with an additional 3 on medical leave/restricted duty and two on military leave.
Chief Schroeder advised he has never been this reduced in personnel in his career. Personnel are
working harder and smarter. The department is currently in a police officer hiring process,
although positions cannot be filled until November 1, 2013. Five candidates have been advanced
to the polygraph stage. If results are favorable, they will then b e interviewed by Chief Schroeder.
The next Law Enforcement Training Institute class begins in January 2014. If a person is not
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P.O.S.T. licensed, they would be hired in December and attend LETI in January. There are
currently nine sworn and two civilian positions vacant.
In answer to an inquiry by Councilman Graham, Chief Schroeder stated overtime for special
events is not reimbursed by citizens or organizations sponsoring the events. Councilman Graham
noted the City should not have to absorb the cost of events that make money for
businesses/individuals such as Thursday Night Live. Interim City Administrator Hilpert advised
he had in the past drafted an ordinance requiring a cost deposit for special events, but the
proposed ordinance went no further in the process. Chief Schroeder advised taxpayers expect this
service from the police department, and in some cases, officers are only on site to start the event.
Councilman Mihalevich inquired about the replacement of the police department’s HVAC
system. Chief Schroeder advised the concerned parties had met this week. Mr. Hilpert stated the
bills had been reviewed. Incremental payments are being researched by Public Works Operations
Director Britt Smith. An expert consultant may be asked to review also. Monies not expended for
the St. Mary’s Project from Sales Tax D may be used for the ventilation portion of the project.
Towing Contract
Interim City Administrator Hilpert stated the renewal for the police department’s towing contract
will be on the October 7th City Council meeting consent agenda. He advised this has been an
ongoing controversy for years and he expected representatives from all three towing companies
to contact council members. Chief Schroeder advised he will suggest next year that one company
be used for all towing services, eliminating the rotation between the three companies now used.
The companies are very competitive, with constant bickering and accusations which required
frequent mediation.
Fire Department Overtime and Fire Station Three Construction
Interim Fire Chief Turner stated new Fire Station 3 is about 33 percent complete. He meets
monthly with the architects and contractors. There has been only one change order in the amount
of $3,300. Fortunately, rock removal has not cost more than anticipated.
During the month of October, firefighters will be wearing pink shirts on Fridays in support of
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The shirts were donated.
Smoke detector footballs will be distributed at the Helias and Jefferson City High School
homecomings.
Assistant Fire Chief Brandt advised training hours have doubled. One out-state contractor is
providing free training through state funding. The fire department has three instructors in-house.
Interim Chief Turner advised he utilizes each in-house trainer to train all three shifts on the same
class. This creates consistency for all shifts. Assistant Chief Brandt stated instructors have to be
certified in their specialty, and having trainers responsible for specific topics saves money.
The new breathing apparatus packs have been in service since June. There is a problem with the
manufacturer not providing masks under the new standards. This is a product issue across the
nation, and a resolution is being sought. Payment for the masks is being withheld pending
resolution of the problem.
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Prior to March 9th, there had been no established accountability for overtime earned. Since
March (November through February excluded) $66,000 has been paid in overtime. This excludes
November through February. The fire department’s budget for overtime is $95,000. Interim
Chief Turner stated balancing overtime is a priority. April through June they had several injuries
and illnesses, with one fire captain off the job for three months.
There are some vacancy issues, but the fire department is required to have a minimum staffing,
and they are utilizing callback for fires.
The fire department is busy with building inspections and are now performing more plan
reviews. Reviewing plans catches issues at the front end of a project, instead of the end of the
project. Interim Chief Turner is working with Janice McMillan on the inspections. Emergency
Management Coordinator Farr stated, as a former Fire Marshal, he was glad to see the fire
department working with building plans.
JAG Block Grant
Chief Schroeder advised the department’s JAG block grant will be on the City Council’s consent
agenda on October 7. The police department receives 60 percent of this grant, and Cole County
receives 40 percent. S.W.A.T. helmets will be purchased with the police department’s portion.
Motorcycle Lease
Chief Schroeder stated the police department’s leases on two motorcycles will expire soon. He
has received a bid from Lake Ozark Harley Davidson, and a bid has been solicited from Mid -
America in Columbia. It will cost approximately $5,500 for both motorcycles which includes
maintenance. The cost increased considerably this year. The results of the bid process will be
brought to the council on October 21st.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
Adjourn
Councilman Graham made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Henry seconded the
motion. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m.