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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140729 public safety minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The July 29, 2014, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:30 a.m. by Councilman Mihalevich. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Rick Mihalevich, Councilman Jim Branch, Councilman Carlos Graham, Councilman Larry Henry, Councilman Ken Hussey, Guests: City Administrator Steve Crowell, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Interim Fire Chief Jason Turner, Associate City Counselor Jeremy Cover, Police Captain Doug Shoemaker, Police Lieutenant Eric Wilde, and Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr. Approval of Minutes Councilman Henry made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 24, 2014, committee meetings. Councilman Branch seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Supplemental Appropriation for $3 Fund Chief Schroeder advised the police training fund, commonly called the $3 fund, is a revenue source generated by surcharges received on municipal court cases. A $2 surcharge is sent to the State of Missouri, approximately 90% of which is returned to the police department. A $1 surcharge is returned to the department from the municipal court. There is currently approximately $75,300 in the fund. There is presently no money in the department’s training budget. Last year a $40,000 appropriation was approved from the fund. Chief Schroeder has identified approximately $15,000 of important training for the remainder of this fiscal year and is requesting $17,000. He advised this will fund diverse training, much of which is listed on the bill summary. In response to Councilman Mihalevich’s question as to why more money was not requested initially in the line item, Chief Schroeder advised it is difficult to anticipate needs, but the department has not exceeded the training typically attended. City Administrator Crowell noted the $3 fund is a separate fund that replenishes itself. Chief Schroeder stated the $3 fund has no impact on the rest of the budget and can only be used for training. 2 Councilman Hussey made a motion to move the request for the supplemental appropriation onto the City Council for approval. Councilman Graham seconded the motion. Motion unanimously approved. Outdoor Warning Siren Repair Chief Schroeder introduced Lt. Wilde, interim commander of the Support Services Division, who was most directly involved in the repair of the siren pole. Lt. Wilde advised a woodpecker had caused a large hole in the siren pole. The siren head was taken down, the damage to the pole cut out, and the siren head replaced. The siren is operational. Wire mesh has been placed around the pole to discourage further damage. Representatives from Outdoor Warning Consulting advised this damage was an anomaly and had not been seen before to this extent. The estimated cost of the repair is $5,000. The remaining outdoor warning siren poles will be monitored for damage with mesh also placed around those poles. Emergency Management Coordinator Farr advised he had seen damage caused by a woodpecker to a siren pole in the Binder Lake area. That damage was caught early, and wire mesh was placed around the pole. OTHER BUSINESS Councilman Graham asked Chief Schroeder and Interim Chief Turner about the levels of staffing for their departments. Chief Schroeder advised the police department is rarely at full staff and currently has three police officer and two communications operator openings. A selection process for communications operators will begin tomorrow. Chief Schroeder will employ communications operators as soon as possible. Testing for police officer applicants will be held on Saturday, August 2nd. The next session at the Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) at the University of Missouri that the police department will use is in January 2015, and Chief Schroeder anticipates filling the three vacancies in November/December. Chief Schroeder noted the department had a good group of police officer candidates in the Spring selection process. He has hired 14 employees in the past 9 months. Interim Chief Turner advised three employees left the department in March and April, and those positions were filled immediately. They have three vacancies resulting from the separation incentive plan. They are currently in a testing process with applications for fire fighters due on August 9 and their testing on September 13. Applications for driver and captain positions will be accepted August 1-24, with their testing date on September 11-12. Chief Schroeder stated that Councilman Mihalevich has requested a short program from the police department, and Captain Shoemaker would talk about the City’s United Way Campaign. Captain Shoemaker spearheaded the City’s campaign last year, with the assistance of the department directors, and was asked by Ann Bax with the United Way to fill that role again this year. Prior to the 2013 campaign, the level of City employee participation was just 11%. Last year’s goals were to raise $15,000 and have 33% participation. Through a great City-wide effort, both goals were exceeding, raising over $15,000 and having 41% participation. 3 This year the City was asked by the United Way to join the Pacesetter program which consists of 30 local companies/organizations who set the pace for the campaign. The theme for this year is the Wizard of Oz. The Pacesetter campaign runs from now until the end of August, at which time the regular United Way campaign begins and will conclude in October. This year the City has a goal to increase giving by 10% and participation to 45%. Captain Shoemaker has solicited gift donations for incentives for participating. He is working with McAlister’s to hold a fundraising event in their restaurant. Captain Shoemaker stated he appreciates the support and the participation of the City Council. City Administrator Crowell gave an update on the hiring of a fire chief. The hiring committee has given their recommendation to him. City Administrator Crowell anticipates giving the City Council his recommendation in approximately one month. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 a.m. The next meeting, scheduled for August 26, 2014, will be held in the Fire Department’s multipurpose room.