HomeMy Public PortalAbout2018-06-28 minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The June 28, 2018, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:32 a.m. by Councilman
Graham.
Attendance
Present: Committee Members: Councilman Graham, Councilman Schreiber, Councilman
Mihalevich, and Councilman Hussey
Guests: Fire Chief Matt Schofield and Police Chief Roger Schroeder
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Hussey made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2018, and
April 16, 2018 meetings. Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
Rosenbauer Fleet and Station No. 2 Update
Chief Schofield advised that the replacement fleet apparatus, which was expected to be delivered
in July, has been delayed from the manufacturer. He is in negotiations with the company for
concessions related to the delay. The manufacturer has agreed, as a goodwill offering, to furnish
some concessions and upgrades to the apparatus at no cost. Most of the upgrades were items that
were initially cut because of cost and amount to approximately $100,000. The most important
upgrade is the extension of the 1-year bumper-to-bumper warranty to a 2-year warranty, an
estimated $40,000 upgrade. Chief Schofield anticipates a September or October delivery date.
The buyers of the surplus trucks have been notified, and they are acceptable with the delay. An
October or November date is anticipated for the sale of the trucks. Chief Schofield passed
around drawings of the color scheme and layout of the new trucks. Fire Department personnel
will conduct a final inspection of the apparatus at the manufacturers in a month or two. The
manufacturer will provide three days of in-service training when the trucks are delivered.
The construction of Fire Station 2 is progressing. Dirt is currently being moved. Chief Schofield
is discussing an electrical relocation with Ameren. If possible, he wants to eliminate power lines
that cross the driveway of the new station for safety reasons. Ameren is opposed to burying the
lines. Negotiations with Ameren are ongoing.
In response to Councilman Schreiber's inquiry concerning the next critical needs for the fire
department, Chief Schofield advised the burn building at Hyde Park has been decertified and
needs repair or replacement. Additionally, Fire Station 4 needs an overhaul, particularly
installing an additional bathroom for male and female firefighters.
Chief Schofield advised they are down one firefighter. They have interviewed several who are
certified. There are currently two recruits in class in Columbia. They will graduate in August.
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Chief Schofield will bring the additional firefighter on board when the two graduate so they can
complete their on-the-job training together.
NEW BUSINESS
Consent Agenda Item for Equipment: Battery Operated PPV Fans
Chief Schofield advised the fans will be on the consent agenda at the next Council meeting.
Money has been allocated for the purchase of 7 fans at an approximate cost of $33,000. These
fund were allocated as part of the fleet purchase.
OTHER BUSINESS
Fire Department Update
Chief Schofield advised the Local’s Golf Tournament will be played Friday, June 29th.
The Fire Department and Police Department issued a joint press release related to fireworks
safety and enforcement of the City Code.
Police Department Updates
Chief Schroeder advised with the resignation of Captain Doug Shoemaker on June 6th to become
the Chief of Police in Grand Junction, Colorado, a promotional process was begun to promote
personnel to the positions of captain, lieutenant and sergeant. The Missouri Police Chiefs
Association and the City's Human Resources Department run the selection process which
includes a test, in-basket exercise and interview board. Education and experience are taken into
consideration. Chief Schroeder has an administrative role at the conclusion of the process. Three
lieutenants applied for the captain position, 5 sergeants applied for lieutenant and 20 officers
applied for sergeant. The process will be completed within the next couple of weeks. Along with
the promotions will come some reorganization, as Chief Schroeder matches the abilities of those
promoted with job duties. Chief Schroeder noted that with Captain Shoemaker's resignation and
Communications Supervisor Kathy Abernathy's retirement, the department lost 52 years of
experience. The department does have a nice blend of experience and youth.
Kandie Mooneyham was hired as a 32-hour part-time property room technician. She is a retired
supervisor with Probation and Parole. She has been a welcome addition and is making progress
in organizing the property room.
The "Poor People's March" was held five consecutive Mondays in the downtown area. Chief
Schroeder coordinated with NAACP President Rod Chapel on the logistics of the marches which
were orchestrated from beginning to end. All went very smoothly. Approximately 200 citations
were issued. Councilman Hussey complimented the police department on the organization of the
events. Chief Schroeder advised members of the National NAACP have complimented the
department, stating Jefferson City was the best of all capital cities in managing the marches.
Sgt. Chad Stiefermann graduated from the Missouri Police Chiefs Association Command
College on May 25th. He attended class one week out of the month for seven months.
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Police Information Manager Samantha Suthoff attended the 2018 Leadership Jefferson City class
which concluded on June 7th. She attended class every Thursday for six months.
Officer Jeff Collins received the Red Cross Heart of Heroes Award this year for lifesaving
efforts. Officer Collins and his son, while on vacation in Illinois, assisted victims of a motor
vehicle crash.
Captain Eric Wilde has returned from his one-year military deployment in Jordan. Lt. Pat
McCutchen served as interim commander of the Support Services Division in Captain Wilde's
absence and did an excellent job.
Chief Schroeder advised the police department building is 40 years old. Recently a facilities
study, which was included in the department's budget, was conducted by Architects Alliance.
Their initial report maximizing the use of space, which included the possibility of building up,
has been received and is being reviewed. Reconstruction/remodeling of the locker rooms is
critical as mold is growing in those areas.
Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson purchased a drone for the police department. Five
department personnel have taken the test to comply with FAA regulations to operate the drone. It
has been used at crime scenes and for SWAT training. Chief Schofield advised the drone was
used to view cracks at the site of the building wall collapse on Madison. Councilman
Mihalevich commented that drone operation by the City is not immune to FAA regulations and
waivers are required to fly the drone above crowds, during night time and over the airport.
Chief Schroeder warned that crime statistics will reflect higher numbers than previously. This is
due to the federal government mandating the use of Incident Based Reporting (IBR). Previously
if more than one crime was committed during an incident, the most serious crime was reported.
IBR requires that each crime committed during an incident be reported. Therefore, the number of
crimes reported will dramatically increase.
Chief Schroeder advised the department over the previous several years has enjoyed an
approximate 3.8% turnover rate, which is extremely low in law enforcement. With two
resignations, a retirement and an unexpected opening in the Records Section, the turnover rate at
the current time is higher than usual. The department is currently in the selection process for
Police Information Clerk, Communications Operator and Police Officer.
Councilman Graham questioned if the City was paying for overtime for police officers who were
guarding the site of the collapsed wall on Madison. Chief Schroeder stated the owner of the
building was paying the overtime directly to the officers.
Chief Schroeder briefed the committee on the two shootings which occurred in Jefferson City
yesterday. He stated that shootings occur more frequently than the media reports as they tend to
report only those that injure or kill a victim. Shootings do not just occur during the late
night/early morning hours, but at any time of the day, as evidenced by several recent incidents.
Other Updates
Councilman Mihalevich noted that a mass notification system has been a pink sheet budget item
for quite some time, and he would support bringing it to the budget. The college in Osage
County and Linn are using the RAVE system. Councilman Graham advised Lincoln University
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is considering the same system. It was suggested that the City, Cole County and Lincoln
University join together to obtain the system. Chief Schroeder advised the City was getting close
to purchasing and that the expense has halted approval in the past.
Safety Net ads on t.v. feature University of Missouri Football Coach Barry Odom and law
enforcement representatives, including Chief Schroeder. Safety Net supports families of fallen
law enforcement officers, EMS, fire, and corrections officers located within Boone and Cole
Counties. This is the first time that Coach Odom has attached his name to a fundraising effort.
Adjourn
Councilman Hussey made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Mihalevich seconded
the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 a.m.