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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2015-07-30 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The July 30, 2015, 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 Ken Hussey and Councilman Mark Schreiber. Guests: City Administrator Steve Crowell, City Counselor Drew Hilpert, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Finance/IT Director Bill Betts, Fire Division Chief Jason Turner, Assistant Fire Chief Bill Barbour, and Operations Division Director Britt Smith. Councilman Mihalevich commended the Fire Department and their successful efforts to rescue a boater from the Missouri River during the MR 340 Boat Race. Fire Chief Schofield stated it was a challenge to locate the boater who had become overheated. He was given medical attention and transported from the Mokane access to Callaway County. Chief Schofield acknowledged the assistance of the Police Department’s Communications Center as integral to the rescue procedure. Councilman Mihalevich stated he appreciated City Administrator Crowell going to the site of the race, and was proud that the City donated a flag to commemorate the race. Approval of Minutes Councilman Graham made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2015, meeting. Councilman Branch seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Councilman Mihalevich advised that the minutes of the May 28 meeting reflected the suggestion to request Cole County to share in the cost of a 911 telephone upgrade. He thanked Mayor Tergin, City Administrator Crowell and Chief Schroeder for following through with this worthwhile endeavor, and as a result, Cole County agreed to share in the cost of the upgrade. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS Ride for Hire Ordinance Revisions City Counselor Hilpert advised the proposed ordinance was meant as a discussion piece. He stated there are two options the Council could utilize if they wanted to allow the transportation network model. One is to create a model where there is no certificate of need required and treat all types of vehicles for hire the same. The second would be to regulate vehicles for hire based on the type of model they used (such as the Uber style vs. traditional cab vs. car service, etc.). Mr. Hilpert advised he drafted the ordinance to treat all the types of vehicles for hire the same to afford a level playing field. A discussion was held on the value of the certificate of need. Mr. Hilpert stated the proposed ordinance eliminates the certificate of need and provides for an 2 open market with an application and fee. The requirement to provide 24 -hour service remains. Although vehicles would no longer be required to be uniform, the vehicles used would be required to bear an identifying insignia. The ordinance would not regulate the fees that could be charged to riders. The ordinance provides an appeal process. Councilman Graham questioned whether someone could start a cab company that would provide service only on the weekends. Mr. Hilpert stated the ordinance will still require 24-7 service. Councilman Mihalevich asked Chief Schroeder if his concerns regarding safety had been addressed. Chief Schroeder stated that all aspects of safety were a concern. He would defer to legal counsel and the city council and would support a reasonable approach. Councilman Mihalevich advised this committee would let the proposed ordinance ruminate. It will be discussed in other appropriate committees. Any further suggest ions should be directed to Mr. Hilpert. Fire Facilities Review Chief Schofield distributed the Jefferson City Fire Department 2015 Facility Review and asked Assistant Fire Chief Barbour, who oversees facilities management, to discuss its contents. The first facilities review report, known internally as the FIP or Fire Department Improvement Plan, was presented in 2006 and revisited in 2011. The firm Peckham & Wright was hired to identify needs associated with fire department facilities. That report is available upon request. Those needs are identified in this current Facility Review and are identified as immediate, mid-range and long-range needs. The long-range needs include the construction of Station 6 on St. Mary’s Hospital property. Assistant Chief Barbour noted the committee made every attempt to be fiscally responsible with the assembled lists of needs. Chief Schofield stated with the hiring of female firefighters, there are gender issues within the older fire stations. Some adaptation is possible, but is not feasible in some of the stations. The new Station 3 has enabled the Fire Department to present public safety and prevention programs to the community within the building. He would like to see that capability expanded. An additional goal is to provide a combination fitness area/multi-purpose room in each station that could be used as a storm shelter. Presently the stations, with the exception of the “hardened” area at new Station 3 and the basement at Station 1, provide no severe weather protection for fire personnel or the public. Chief Schofield added that response time to the annexed Algoa area is a concern from present station locations. City Administrator Crowell advised capital improvements would be discussed at the budget meeting that evening. In response to an inquiry concerning the St. Mary’s Mission Drive fire station site, Chief Schofield advised the City has 12 years to act on the land from the time the new St. Mary’s Hospital opened (November 2014). ISO Update Chief Schofield asked Fire Division Chief Turner to present the update on the fire department’s ISO rating. Division Chief Turner advised the department is actively working to maintain their 3/9 rating. Insurance companies use the ISO rating to determine rates, and a change in the rating 3 can financially impact citizens and businesses. According to the last rating, which was conducted in April of 2012, the department was lacking two engine companies, two fire stations, related personnel, and deficient in training records. Division Chief Turner stated the department is attempting to improve their current rating by increasing certifications, providing public education programs and more thorough documentation of personnel training. When asked what impact residential sprinkler requirements would have on an ISO rating, Division Chief Turner responded it would have very little positive impact on maintaining the rating. He stated there were some “other things we could do” to maintain the current rating. Division Chief Turner stated hydrants and the supply of water have a significant impact, and the department works with American Water as well as four other water districts. Chief Schofield stated he sees maintaining and improving the ISO rating as a challenge. Over 44,000 departments are evaluated by ISO and it is a good litmus test for his department, which continues to seek ways to better serve the City’s needs. NEW BUSINESS Purchase of Body Armor Chief Schroeder advised the purchase of bulletproof vests, if approved by the committee, would be on the consent agenda at the next City Council meeting. The police department is requesting the purchase of 31 vests at a cost of $23,219. The purchase will be paid from sales tax money. The vests are Level 3A which are best for field activities and have a life span of five years. His plan is to purchase 31 vest in this year’s budget, and 18 vests in 2016. Chief Schroeder advised that Galls, although the low bidder, provided a non-compliant product. Ed Roehr Safety Products provided the lowest and best bid, which was $759 per vest. Councilman Hussey made a motion to move the purchase of the bulletproof vests onto the full City Council for approval. Councilman Graham seconded the motion. Motion approved. Traffic and Highway Safety Grant Chief Schroeder advised a few months ago a Missouri Division of Transportation grant for special work zone enforcement at the Lafayette Street interchange construction area was approved. This $2,500 non-match grant is the next step of that original grant and provides for continued special enforcement in the Lafayette Street work zone. Councilman Hussey made a motion to approve the grant. Councilman Graham seconded the motion. Motion approved. Identification Cards for City Council Members Chief Schroeder advised that Councilman Schreiber had inquired about the possibility of City Council members having City ID cards. Chief Schroeder asked Finance/IT Director Betts to address that request. Councilman Schreiber stated having the same City ID cards that are issued to City employees would make council persons more readily recognizable to City staff and citizens. Chief Schroeder stated that ID cards are needed in the case of critical incidents to be 4 admitted to a command center. Director Betts advised he would schedule a time to have council person’s pictures taken. Potential Employment of Police Officer Chief Schroeder stated in the summer of 2014 during budget meetings, discussions of funding personnel were held. The police department had one police officer position that was left unfunded. At that time Chief Schroeder was told when he had the ability to fill that position, discussions would continue. Earlier last year, due to injuries and military deployments, the department had 16 employees unavailable. Currently, the department is fully staffed with a police officer eligibility list. Chief Schroeder advised he had discussed the funding of this police officer position with City Administrator Crowell and now was bringing it back before the committee as directed. City Administrator Crowell stated on April 27th, the City Council discussed personnel funding, but took no action. Councilman Mihalevich advised the positions were funded, but authority to hire was not given. City Administrator Crowell advised that all unfilled positions are needed to continue to provide the current quality of life. No new services are being requested. Councilman Hussey stated the committee has all the information needed, and the issue would be discussed during council budget meetings. Chief Schroeder stated there are no pending retirements, and the department is currently very stable in staffing. He will introduce newly hired employees at the August 17th council meeting. Councilman Mihalevich requested Chief Schroeder provide a comparison of current staffing levels and those before the SIP plan was implemented using organizational charts and/or lists of personnel. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield advised the fire department is still waiting for a definitive response on the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER). The grant application process is ongoing, but as yet no award has been given to the department. This grant would fund two line positions for two years. Police Department Update Chief Schroeder advised the department recently received a $1,200 grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation for directed DWI enforcement from August 22 to September 7. Due to the small amount of the grant, it will be administered through the city administrator. Chief Schroeder asked Operations Division Director Britt Smith to given an update on the police department’s HVAC replacement. Division Director Smith advised bids are due to the City on August 4th. The current estimate, or probable cost, of the HVAC project is $800,000 to install in the upper level of the building, to $1.2 million to install in the entire building. A pre-bid conference and tour of the police department building was held with significant vendor interest. Division Director Smith stated installation on the main floor is estimated to take 120 calendar 5 days, and an additional 30 days for installation in the basement. A suspension of rules may be requested at the August 17th council meeting to provide the awarded contractor additional time. Chief Schroeder stated he appreciated the assistance of Public Works Director Morasch and Division Director Smith with the HVAC project. He also expressed his appreciation to the City Council for their support in moving this project forward. The current system is literally falling apart, and the department has spent approximately $20,000 on repairs to the HVAC system this year. Director Betts advised money has been set aside in capital improvements to cover the total cost of the HVAC installation; $800,000 from the fund balance, and $400,000 from an alternate source. Adjourn Councilman Mihalevich adjourned the meeting at 8:50 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 27th in the Police Department training room.