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
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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
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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
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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
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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.