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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019-10-31 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The October 31, 2019, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:35 a.m. by Councilman Graham. Councilman Graham asked to make an amendment to the agenda by adding Mr. Chris Griggs who would like to speak on the Segway. Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to add Mr. Griggs to the agenda as item 4.b. Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Motion approved. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Graham, Councilman Schreiber, Councilman Mihalevich. Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin, City Administrator Steve Crowell, City Counselor Ryan Moehlman, Assistant City Counselor Bryan Wolford, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Cole County Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr, and Architects Alliance Representative Cary Gampher. Approval of Minutes Councilman Schreiber made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 26, 2019 meeting. Councilman Mihalevich seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Medical Marijuana – Criminal Provisions, Chapter 18 City Counselor Moehlman stated an amendment to Chapter 18 was necessary to allow for the use and possession of medical marijuana to comply with the State's constitution. The possession of 35 grams or less of marijuana is currently heard in municipal court while larger amounts are heard in circuit court. A change in the ordinance allows any possession to be heard in either court at the discretion of the county prosecutor. The amendment addresses the possession of a medical marijuana card, provisions for disposal of medical marijuana, residential cultivation, the odor of medical marijuana in public places, limits use in public places, and the transportation of medical marijuana. In response to how this will affect the police department, Chief Schroeder advised officers have received training from Attorney Nathan Nickolaus regarding the state law. Chief Schroeder stated the State of Missouri is unprepared and that makes it complicated for police. The department will learn through experience and hope the State will provide more guidance. 2 Counselor Moehlman stated the amendments to the ordinance are the City's best attempt to close gaps in state regulations. Medical Marijuana – Business Provisions, Chapter 17 Counselor Moehlman advised a City business license, costing $350 annually, will be required for medical marijuana facilities. The proposed amendments will make the City's ordinance consistent with the regulations of the Department of Health and Senior Services. Provisions added to the code address prohibited hours of sale, unauthorized extractions, a security plan provided to police, permanent location, odor control plan and age restrictions. After discussion, Councilman Schreiber made a motion to move the amendments to the full council for consideration. Councilman Mihalevich seconded the motion. Counselor Moehlman asked the amendments be taken to the full council at the November 4th meeting as the State laws become effective January 1. Councilman Graham agreed with the amendment to the motion. Councilman Schreiber amended his motion, to move the amendment to the full council for consideration at the November 4th City Council Meeting. Councilman Mihalevich seconded the motion. Motion approved. Fire Station #4 Design & Engineering: Hardened Storm Shelter and Modification of Existing Space Fire Chief Schofield distributed architectural plans for modifications to Fire Station #4. He advised proposed modifications to Fire Station #4 is part of a plan which included a new Fire Station #2 (which has been completed) and a potential new Fire Station #6 which would be built on property currently owned by St. Mary's Hospital on Mission Drive. Fire Station #4 was bu ilt in 1969. Chief Schofield stated the station is in a good location with a site that connects to the city's Oak Hills Golf Course. Modifications to the structure would provide another 15-25 years of service for the building. Remodel plans include an option for a room on the back of the building which would provide a hardened storm shelter and also serve as a fitness room. In light of the May tornado, the hardened storm shelter is a high priority for Station #4. The building currently has only one restroom for all of the employees and public, both male and female. Chief Schofield introduced Cary Gampher from Architects Alliance to talk about the proposed project. Mr. Gampher advised other renovations to the building would include HVAC/lighting, roof repair, window modifications, a secure vestibule and a fire suppression system. The committee discussed moving the renovation plan on to the Finance Committee. It was agreed there was currently no funding in the next year's budget for proposed renovations. Councilman Graham stated at the last committee meeting Chief Schroeder had advised of the safety issue for officers and arrestees in walking upstairs to the secure area , and that issue could be addressed with renovations to the police department building. Councilman Graham recommended taking both renovations to Fire Station #4 and the police department to the Finance Committee at the same time. Chief Schroeder offered a tour of the secure area during the next committee meeting. Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to move the proposed renovations to Fire Station #4 and the Police Department to the Finance Committee. Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Motion approved. 3 Chris Griggs – City Ordinance re: Segway Mr. Griggs stated he is legally blind and cannot operator a motor vehicle. He uses a Segway as his mode of personal transportation and is asking the City to allow the operation of Segways on City sidewalks pursuant to Missouri State Statute 307.205. He advised the Segway is self- balancing at any speed. It generally can operate up to 12 miles per hour, which makes it unsafe for roadways. Counselor Moehlman advised the State statute allows local municipalities to decide if Segways will be allowed on sidewalks. When asked if exceptions for handicapped individuals could be made, Counselor Moehlman advised the ordinance would be hard to enforce and may have unintended consequences for the City. Councilman Mihalevich made a motion that the City's law department research the issue and bring its findings to the next Public Safety Committee Meeting. Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Motion approved. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield advised October is fire safety month and has been a very productive month. The department will hold a "Pit Stop" Halloween event for children tonight at the Fire Museum. Chief Schofield advised the committee the department is fully staffed to the number of fire personnel authorized. Police Department Updates Chief Schroeder stated October is homecoming month for Jefferson City High School, Helias High School and Lincoln University. No significant incidents occurred during the festivities. Dr. Stan Hutson, who has been the department's psychologist for many years, is retiring at the end of the year. Dr. Ann Pollock will assume Dr. Hutson's responsibilities on January 1. She will provide pre-employment screenings and post traumatic event counseling. Mexican Head Consul Alfonso Navarro-Bernachi from the Consulate in Kansas City, accompanied by two assistants, visited Chief Schroeder. He discussed the services offered by his office to Mexican residents and offered training to the department. Chief Schroeder advised in last month's Public Safety Committee meeting he discussed law enforcement's difficulty in generating interest in employment. During the recent hiring process, 32 applied for the position of police officer. Of those 32, 16 took the test, 7 passed, and 4 interviewed for the 2-3 open positions. Staff has discussed strategies to address hiring and retention. There were 24 applicants for communications operator. Of those 24, 7 took the test, 6 passed the test, and 5 interviewed. There are three applicants remaining in the process for three positions. Chief Schroeder stated another outdoor warning siren is being erected in the downtown area. He asked Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr to provide details. Mr. Farr stated the State of Missouri has approved a grant in the amount of $30,000 to be divided equally between the City and County. In addition to the $15,000 grant, the City will pay an additional $20,000 for the 4 siren which will be erected on Commercial Way adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce. The siren will cover a two-mile radius and installation is required to be completed by December 31, 2019. The request for funding will be put before the City Council for approval at the November 18th meeting. When asked if the RAVE system was complete, Chief Schroeder advised it is close to being fully operational, but still needing work completed which involved other city departments. Mr. Farr stated he has distributed 3000 brochures regarding RAVE. City GIS personnel have created a one-page color flier regarding the RAVE system, and Larry Vincent, Cole County Treasurer, is having the flier printed and placed in each tax record (over 50,000) that is mailed out. Chief Schroeder advised the committee that officers are investigating an early morning murder. Other Updates Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Farr stated a "suspicious package" exercise will be held tomorrow at the Capitol building to test state workers' response. The exercise will involve State, Federal, FBI, U.S. Marshal personnel as well as state employees. Mayor Tergin stated the Haunted Precinct at the police department was well attended and was a great volunteer effort. She will attend the Halloween event at the Fire Museum tonight. The Fire Department, for the third year, placed first in the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Tower 5K Run. The 2019 Missouri State Fire Marshal 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was held on October 19th. Firefighters from across the State of Missouri participated in the event. Chief Schofield participated in both the Run and Stair Climb. Officer Shawn Dumsday received an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for his efforts in taking impaired drivers off the street. She thanked Officer Dumsday for his work. Mayor Tergin attended a Distracted Driving Seminar hosted by the National Transportation Safety Board. Missouri has not enacted a driver texting ban. She is researching possible resolutions in support of a driver texting ban to bring to the next Public Safety Committee meeting. Mayor Tergin congratulated Chief Schofield on attaining a National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program certification. Councilman Graham advised the committee's next regularly-scheduled meeting would fall on Thanksgiving. That meeting is canceled. If the committee has a need to meet, an alternate meeting date can be scheduled. Adjourn Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 a.m.