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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2015-12-31 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The December 31, 2015, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:30 a.m. by Councilman Mihalevich. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Rick Mihalevich, Councilman Jim Branch, and Councilman Mark Schreiber. Guests: City Administrator Steve Crowell, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Cole County Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr, and Police Captain Eric Wilde. Approval of Minutes Councilman Schreiber made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 24th meeting. Councilman Branch seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS The invitation to tour the HVAC progress at the police department after the commencement of the meeting was again extended for the Councilmen and quests. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance Proposal to Define Minimum Standards for Care of Animals Housed Outside A bill for an ordinance change was proposed to the committee for the existing city code, Chapter 5 (Animals), Section15 (Minimum Standards of Sanitation, Care, and Adequate Housing of Animals. The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, consisting of three local veterinarians, recommended the revisions. This amendment will protect animals left out in the environment, by making owners more responsible for meeting certain care requirements. A motion was made by Councilman Schreiber to forward the Bill before City Council in January. Councilman Branch seconded the motion; all agreed. Due to the timing of the potential inclement weather, the bill will be placed on the agenda for January. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield disseminated a Resolution to the committee asking for the authorization to apply for the Assistance to Firefighters grant. The deadline is January 15th. The grant would provide up to $171,000 for the city, requiring the City to match the award amount with 10% ($19,037.00), 2 bringing the total amount to $190,370.00. The purpose is to replace fire hoses, nozzles, and appliances currently in service for fire suppression, along with training. Motion was made to pass on to the full council. Two firefighters specially trained in swiftwater rescue were deployed with Missouri Task Force 1 to participate in mutual aid for St. Louis and St. Louis County due to the recent flooding. Chief Schofield advised that the firefighters are paid their normal hours of work, but volunteer their own off duty time to support the event. The amount of knowledge that is gained from participating in mutual aid is a bonus for the City of Jefferson, plus demonstrates the leadership role that Jefferson City plays throughout the state. The recent flooding has only caused a minimal amount of damage to the City. Green Meadows had minor damage to the roadway. Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments all worked well together and kept affected residents up to date with information. Open enrollment for firefighter applications will be January 4, 2016. Chief Schofield plans to have a new hire roster by early spring. As of right now there are 73 sworn personnel. Police Department Update Chief Schroeder concurred with Chief Schofield about how important it is for Jefferson City to be a part of Mutual Aid, and what a great leadership opportunity it provides for the city as the State Capital. He also extended his appreciation to Cole County Emergency Management Coordinator, Bill Farr, of the great partnership that has been created and maintained. Due to recent neighborhood burglaries/thefts, the Community Action Team (CAT) has been given special assignments to cut down on the crime. Councilman Rick Mihalevich commented that citizens have been concerned, and CAT stepped up to the challenge. It was noted that the people of Jefferson City welcome help from public safety. This makes it easier for safety measures to be implemented and makes a great team of public safety officials and the community. Chief Schroeder asked Captain Wilde to provide the committee with information on the Police Department possibly being given a great opportunity for a second K-9, with little expense. Captain Wilde stated that a local business plans to donate a significant amount of monies to the Jefferson City Friends of the Animal Shelter, to allow the subsequent purchase of a K-9 and amenities, along with training funds. Captain Wilde announced to the committee that in the coming years they will be seeing an apparent increase of crime. Due to legislative action, a revised charge code has to be attached to all crimes. The police department has been reporting crimes under a simpler coding, a hierarchy system, which only reports the most serious crime according to the FBI. There has been a statute re-write of misdemeanor and felony classifications. Captain Wilde advised that data will have to be changed in our software system which will take time, but is intending to have the implementation done in 2016. As we apply for grants in the future, “incident based reporting” is expected. Incident based reporting is the reporting of all crimes occurring during one incident rather than the reporting of only the most serious crime. This kind of reporting will spike crime data, and Captain Wilde believes it is important to start public awareness of this change in crime reporting. 3 Captain Wilde advised the police department received the monies from Phillips 66, through their Corporate Citizenship Grant. He is searching to receive as much efficient technological equipment as he possibly can obtain for the monies provided for the EOC. As for the update on radio upgrades, Captain Wilde is still looking at venders. Chief Schroeder advised one police officer position has currently opened due to an officer who has left employment with the city. He advised there is a qualified individual on the eligibility list who lives in another state. The potential employee will have to take the Missouri police officer licensing test to transfer all the qualifications. Recently, three officers graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Institute at the University of Missouri in Columbia and began working with field training officers. The department has one communications operator vacancy at the current time. Cole County Emergency Management Update Coordinator Farr credited Public Safety for their cooperation with mutual aid and the friendships that have been built. He advised that 24 roads were closed in the county due to the weekend flooding issue. Truman opened the gates and Bagnall Dam backed up. There were Moreau River issues but there was minimal damage, and no sand-bagging had to be done. Farr announced that if anyone hears of individual assistance needed through FEMA of any residential problems or damage done by flooding to refer the person(s) to him. Minimal damage has to be paid by City/County. A threshold minimum has to be met and damage must be major before the federal government steps in to help. Adjourn Councilman Mihalevich adjourned the meeting at 8:10 a.m.