HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-06-29 minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The June 29, 2017 Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:31 a.m. by Councilman
Graham.
Attendance
Present: Committee Members: Councilman Graham, Councilman Schreiber,
Councilwoman Erin Wiseman, Councilman Kemna, and Councilwoman Ward.
Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin, City Administrator Steve Crowell, City Counselor Ryan
Moehlman, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Division
Fire Chief Jerry Blomberg, Police Officer Jeremy Bowman, and Cary Gamphert
(Architects Alliance).
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Schreiber made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2017 meeting.
Councilwoman Ward seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Buckle Up/Phone Down Update
City Administrator Crowell stated Buckle Up/Phone Down is a MoDOT sponsored program. The
City of Jefferson has signed and accepted the pledge, which is in line with city policies. City
Administrator Crowell will send this information out to City employees.
Acceptance of the FY2016 AFG Grant (MDTs and Communications Equipment)
Chief Schofield asked that the acceptance of the FY2016 Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the
amount of $274,461 be placed on the consent agenda for the July 3rd City Council meeting. This
is a federal grant that is very difficult to receive, and the fire department has applied for this
grant numerous times over the past 5 years. The grant will be used to make improvements to the
fire department's 2-way radio system and to purchase Mobile Data Terminals (MDT). The fire
department has money in their sales tax equipment budget to pay the grants 10% match. The
timing is very fortunate as the new equipment can be installed directly into the new fire
department vehicles as they are being manufactured. Councilman Graham congratulated the fire
department staff for their continued efforts to receive this grant.
Councilwoman Ward made a motion to move the acceptance of the FY2016 AFG Grant onto the
full council for approval. Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Motion approved.
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Mayor Tergin, before leaving to attend another meeting, thanked all public safety personnel for
their efforts and participation in the planning of 4th of July events.
Fire Station #2 Design and Engineering
Chief Schofield advised the City had closed on property on the east side of town as the site for
new fire station #2. The fire department is now looking at plans as a whole project. Although
there are still many unknown, Chief Schofield is asking for an endorsement from the Public
Safety Committee to move the project forward.
Chief Schofield stated the committee for this project included seven fire personnel from all shifts
and ranks who gave their input over many hours and many meetings. He is conscious of cost, but
wants a durable building. He asked Cary Gamphert with Architects Alliance to outline
projections for the new fire station. Mr. Gamphert stated his firm always attempts to renovate
before building, but in this case it was not feasible. He gave an overview of how the site was
selected. He advised the current fire station #2 is 4,700 square feet. The new fire station #2
would be approximately 10,000 square feet. Chief Schofield supplied committee members with a
draft budget for the building which estimates the cost at approximately $2.9 million. He noted
there was a adjustment to the architectural expenses. Chief Schofield is not asking for additional
funds to pay for the change order, but is asking for approval of the Public Safety Committee to
take the change order to the full council for approval.
Councilman Graham asked Chief Schofield if he has looked at the cost of adding fire station 6 on
the land donated by St. Mary's Hospital. Chief Schofield advised the timeline to develop that
land is 2022. Design elements and lessons learned from the new fire station #2 will be included
in planning for station 6.
Chief Schofield had an impressive model of the proposed new fire station #2 constructed by his
9-year-old son with Legos for the committee members to view.
Councilman Schreiber made a motion to revise expenses in the form of a change order by
$43,680 and present to the full City Council for approval. Councilwoman Ward seconded the
motion. Motion approved.
Neighborhood Watch Program
Councilman Schreiber asked Chief Schroeder for an update on the Neighborhood Watch
program. Officer Kevin Kempker, who recently retired after 26 years of service, was a member
of the Community Action Team (C.A.T.) and was the department's crime prevention officer and
coordinator of the Neighborhood Watch program. Chief Schroder introduced Officer Jeremy
Bowman, who is a member of the C.A.T. Team, a K-9 officer, and who is assisting with the
Neighborhood Watch program.
Officer Bowman advised Neighborhood Watch is a national program with specific guidelines.
The south and west sides of Jefferson City are very active in the program. The Eastside Business
Association has expressed interest in participating, and the police department is in the
preliminary stages of planning activities for the east side. Officer Josh Hagemeyer, who has
assumed coordination of the Neighborhood Watch program, is in the process of establishing a
pilot program for a Business Watch on the east side of town. Officer Bowman stated the
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requirements for a Neighborhood Watch program are that 50 percent of the neighbors must
participate and attend meetings two to three times a year in order to have a sign posted in their
neighborhood.
Councilman Schreiber inquired if there are designated team captains, and Officer Bowman
advised the C.A.T. Team is in the process of establishing team captains and re-igniting interest in
the program. Officer Bowman advised Councilman Graham that neighborhoods that are active in
the program can be identified by city ward.
Officer Bowman provided copies of the police department's Crime Prevention Manual and
Neighborhood Watch Captain's Guide to the committee members.
OTHER BUSINESS
Fire Department Update
Chief Schofield advised that Captain Curt Williams retired last month after 27 years of service.
The Fire School went well this year. Chief Schofield is trying to keep the Fire School in
Jefferson City in 2018.
Police Department Updates
Chief Schroeder apologized for not having the time to present the School Resource Officer
contract to the committee before it went on the agenda at the last Council meeting. A renewal of
a contract for 911 telephone maintenance will be on the July 3rd Consent Agenda.
During the recent Juneteenth celebration, Officer Les Martin was presented a "Father of
the Year" award. Officer Martin has been a fixture in the public schools for years and is very
well known by all of the students. Lieutenant Dave Williams and retired officer Chuck Walker
were also presented with Emancipation Awards for their law enforcement work in the
community.
Reserve JCPD Officer Eddie Brown, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the Army
National Guard who worked for the National Guard General, spoke on the progress of racial
equality in the nation during the Juneteenth celebration at the Lincoln University Soldiers
Memorial Plaza.
On June 9th, the Animal Shelter had their first $10 adoption day of the year. It was a
success, and 22 kittens/cats found new homes.
The police department participates in the planning of Operation Bugle Boy which honors
those within the Mid-Missouri area who have served in the military, as well as first responders.
There are three major events this year, beginning with the Patriot Sunday Dinner on September
10th, followed by a seminar entitled "Protecting the Homeland" on October 19th, and
culminating with Veterans Appreciation Night on November 2nd. Captain Doug Shoemaker and
Officer Chris Joyner are members on the Operation Bugle Boy Advisory Board.
JCPD will once again be hosting Coffee with a Cop at Brew House Coffee on Friday,
July 7th from 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. This is a continuation of our community outreach efforts.
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JCPD is working to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital City to enhance
the trust-building effort between youth and the police. Captain Doug Shoemaker and Officer
Hervin Robinson are members of the Executive Board for the Boys and Girls Club. Recently,
Captain Shoemaker and members of the Community Services Unit served lunch at the Club, and
there are plans in place to host future lunches/activities.
The Police Department was responsible for developing what is now recognized by the
state as the Capitol Area CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) Council. CIT develops strategies to
work with those with mental health issues. Sgt. Joe Matherne serves as Council Chairman for our
region which consists of south central counties, and JCPD is providing training. Sgt. Matherne is
also in the process of developing a CIT course that will certify area officers in assisting youth in
a mental health crisis. Currently there is no such program in the Mid-Missouri area.
Other Updates
Councilman Schreiber announced that Chief Schofield has been named Community Relations
Chairperson for the Host Lions Club.
Adjourn
Councilwoman Ward made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilwoman Schreiber seconded
the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 a.m.