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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019-08-29 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The August 29, 2019, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:30 a.m. by Councilman Graham. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Graham, Councilman Schreiber, Councilman Mihalevich and Councilman Hussey. Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin, City Administrator Steve Crowell, City Counselor Ryan Moehlman, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Police Lieutenant Chad Stieferman, and FOP representative Detective Jason Ambler. Approval of Minutes Councilman Hussey made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 25, 2019 meeting. Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Proposed Amendment to Chapter 19 of the City Ordinance – Motor Vehicles and Traffic City Counselor Moehlman advised this change to the ordinance would amend the definition of "motorized bicycle" to include newer devices made for one-person operation on the streets such as spin scooters and Segways. This will result in a consistent, all-encompassing definition. Councilman Mihalevich voiced a concern about operation of such vehicles at dusk or after dark and the need for proper lighting. He would like input from police officers as to the safety of such motorized vehicles. Counselor Moehlman advised the scooters could not be rented after dark. Councilman Hussey stated the issue of lighting may require a public information campaign rather than any type of regulation. Councilman Hussey made a motion to move the proposed amendment to the full council for consideration. Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Motion passed. Councilman Hussey advised input from police officers regarding the operation of the Segways could be submitted to the committee by email. 2 Property East of Fire Station 1 Chief Schofield stated after consideration the Housing Authority has accepted the City's offer to purchase the strip of land east of Fire Station 1. The property has been maintained by the Fire Department for approximately 30 years and offers a buffer between the fire station and railroad tracks. The land is occasionally used for outdoor training. Chief Schofield's intent is to bring the purchase before the City Council on the consent agenda. Councilman Schreiber made a motion to move the purchase onto the full Council for approval. Councilman Hussey seconded the motion. Motion approved. Discuss of Sales Tax G and Associated Needs Chief Schroeder distributed a list of police department Sales Tax G needs to the committee. 1/2¢ sales tax money is the only resource, other than grants, available to the department to purchase needed items, which go beyond the need for cars. Chief Schroeder explained the items are grouped in designated 1/2¢ sales tax subsections, and not prioritized within those subsections. Councilman Hussey stated he would like to spend time at a future committee meeting reviewing the plans for the proposed building renovation. That discussion will be placed on the agenda for the September 26th meeting. In response to Councilman Mihalevich's inquiry, Chief Schroeder clarified K-9 Buzz will need to retire within a year and be replaced with another K-9. Councilman Mihalevich inquired if body cameras were still in consideration for purchase. Chief Schroeder advised the latest cost estimate to purchase body cameras is approximately $400,000. The use of the cameras is still controversial as to whether they are effective and worth the cost. They are still on the table, but not on the department's list of needs presented to the Public Safety Committee. Councilman Graham stated there needs to be a conversation with Cole County about the percentage of cost they pay for 911 service, especially in light of upgrades on the needs list. Patrol Fleet and Related Mileage Chief Schroeder distributed a list of mileage on vehicles marked for replacement to committee members for discussion. Councilman Hussey advised he would like mileage for the department's full fleet and the specific use of each vehicle. He asked what other metrics are factored in besides mileage and how do we quantify those factors. Chief Schroeder advised Shawn Stumpe at Central Maintenance maintains maintenance records on all of the vehicles and could provide additional information. Idle running time was discussed. Chief Schroeder advised that based on a Ford Motor Company study, 1 hour of idle time equals 22 miles of engine wear on the vehicle. Councilman Hussey suggested officers track their vehicle idle time for a week to get an estimate. City Administrator Crowell advised five years ago a comprehensive list of all city vehicles was compiled including mileage and condition. From that list vehicles were identified for replacement. C.A. Crowell offered that list as a reference. 3 Chief Schroeder stated the vehicles provide safety for the public every day. The vehicles deliver not only a police officer to the scene of a call for service, but also lifesaving equipment. They are much more than a mode of transportation. MoDOT Hazardous Moving Vehicle Enforcement and DWI Saturation Enforcement Grants Chief Schroeder advised these are annual grants. The HMV grant is in its 15th year. The amount of the grant, $40,321.60, is larger this year than in the past and provides in part for the cost of training and radar units. The radar units require a 50% match of $8,772 which will be paid from Sales Tax G. The DWI Enforcement Grant is in its 12th year and provides $30,000 for overtime for DWI enforcement. Chief Schroeder advised the department will also receive a Justice Assistance Program Grant (JAG). The department shares funds received with the Cole County Sheriff's Department. The police department's 60% share of the grant is $6,940.20. The money is designated to be spent on training and the purchase of equipment to improve officer safety. Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to move these grants onto the full Council for approval. Councilman Hussey seconded the motion. Motion approved. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield advised the fire department received a MoDOT grant in the amount of $11,216.19 which will be used to purchase traffic cones, vests and flairs. Operation Bugle Boy will hold their "Patriot Sunday First Responders Chicken Dinner" on September 8th. The fire department will have safety boats in the water during the MR340 event September 10-13. The Tunnels to Towers 5K will be held on September 14th. The fire department's intent is to keep the traveling trophy in Jefferson City. On September 12th firefighter Travis Henke will graduate from training. Upon his graduation, the fire department will be fully staffed. Police Department Updates Chief Schroeder advised he has hired five police officer trainees and three communication operator trainees and an Animal Shelter manager. Two of the police officer trainees began classes at the Law Enforcement Training Institute at the University of Missouri in Columbia this past Monday. The department has one police officer and one communications operator vacancy. 4 Councilman Graham stated the new hires used to come to a City Council meeting to be introduced. He would like that to continue, and asked Chief Schroeder to present them at a Council meeting. Chief Schroeder indicated it would be several months before that is possible. Other Updates Councilman Graham asked FOP representative Detective Jason Ambler if he had any comments. Detective Ambler stated Shawn Stumpe and his staff do an amazing job at Central Maintenance, and officers trust them with their lives. Before 2013, the worst budget shortfall year in memory, the City Council was authorizing the replacement of nine police vehicles per year. As a result of the budget shortfall, the number of replacements fell. This year only 6 of the 13 vehicles needed are being replaced. Detective Ambler posed the question of why the 17% budget cushion the City Council has adopted can't be used for the replacement of police vehicles. Councilman Graham asked Mayor Tergin if she had comments. She stated she appreciated being at the meeting to listen to the conversation. Councilman Graham stated he was concerned that purchasing police vehicles with Sales Tax G money would leave no way to support the other needs of the police department. He intends to present his concerns to the Finance Committee. Adjourn Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Hussey seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m.