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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-02-27 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The February 27, 2020, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:30 a.m. by Councilman Schreiber. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Graham, Councilman Schreiber, Councilman Mihalevich, Councilman Kemna 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, Retiring Cole County Emergency Management Director Bill Farr, and Incoming Cole County Emergency Management Director Sierra Thomas. Approval of Minutes Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 31, 2019 meeting. Councilman Hussey seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS Remodeling of Fire Station #4 Councilman Schreiber asked Chief Schofield for an update on this project. Chief Schofield advised he gave a presentation to the Finance Committee similar to the one given the Public Safety Committee on October 31st. He has received no clear direction from the Finance Committee at this time. Councilman Mihalevich stated the design for the remodel was well thought out and should be funded when money becomes available. At this time the City's reserve fund is still below 17 percent. City Administrator Crowell advised one FEMA payment has been received and anticipates more FEMA payments will be received and placed into the general fund. Chief Schofield advised the project estimate provided by architects and engineers is $300,000-$400,000. The Fire Department has $30,000 remaining from funds earmarked for design/engineering for Station 4 and Station 6. Councilman Schreiber advised the committee will look at the project again when funds become available. City Ordinance re: Segway City Counselor Moehlman stated there were examples throughout the country of various regulations with which to determine what is appropriate for Jefferson City. He needs an idea of what the City Council wants to consider to narrow the focus. City Administrator Crowell stated the bikes and scooters provided by SPIN will not be returning to Jefferson City. Councilman Mihalevich advised Councilwoman Ward had communicated with the pa rties who support the use of Segways on city streets. He will speak with her about the issue. 2 NEW BUSINESS Introduction of Sierra Thomas, Cole County Emergency Management Director Retiring Cole County Emergency Management Director Bill Farr introduced Sierra Thomas who began transitioning into the position on January 2, 2020. Director Farr advised they had applied for their annual grant. A grant for an additional outdoor warning siren was received, and the siren was erected behind the Chamber of Commerce building. That siren will be sounded for the first time at 10:00 a.m. on March 3rd during the statewide tornado drill. Director Thomas advised she will be concentrating on social media outreach. She will attend the Mid-Mo Expo at the Capital Mall on March 14th. She has also been involved in organizing the Weather Spotter Class on March 16th. Director Farr advised they had attended several meetings with the Health Department concerning the coronavirus. A Cole County response plan is being developed. Director Farr noted it has been a challenge to find masks. Councilman Schreiber thanked Bill Farr for his service to the City of Jefferson and Cole County. Request Approval to Use Drug Forfeiture Justice Funds to Purchase SWAT Vest Carriers Chief Schroeder stated he is requesting a supplemental appropriation of Drug Forfeiture Justice Funds to purchase 18 plate carriers for the SWAT Team. This is money collected from seizures of proceeds from the sale of illegal narcotics and subsequent court award/forfeits to the seizing agency. The plates have already been purchased. These requested carriers provide additional safety for the SWAT officers and room to carry specialized equipment. Chief Schroeder advised there is approximately $115,000, prior to carrier purchase, in the forfeiture account. The department is restricted by Federal guidelines on the use of the forfeiture money. Councilman Mihalevich made a motion to approve the supplemental appropriation for the plate carriers. Councilman Hussey seconded the motion. Motion approved. Request Approval to Use Animal Shelter Donation Funds to Purchase Kennel Door Flaps Chief Schroeder deferred to Lt. Chad Stieferman, second in command of Support Services, to explain the request for the supplemental appropriation. Lt. Stieferman advised the outside doors to the dog kennels are not insulated. The requested flaps are weather insulated and will improve living conditions for the dogs. The flaps will also help control humidity in the building which will assist in the mold remediation project at the Shelter. Chief Schroeder is requesting to move monies from the Friends of the Jefferson City Animal Shelter donation account to the police department's general operating budget for the purchase of the door flaps. There is approximately $90,000 in the donation fund. Councilman Hussey made a motion to approve the supplemental appropriation for the purchase of the kennel door flaps. Councilman Kemna seconded the motion. Motion approved. 3 Application for FEMA AFG Grant for Replacement of Fire Hose Chief Schofield is seeking permission to apply for this annual grant to be used to replace 5-inch and 2.5" fire hose. The current hose has exceeded service life. The cost to replace the hose is approximately $66,152. The grant is a 10% matching grant. Chief Schofield stated this is a highly competitive grant, and he is not assuming the department will receive the grant. The time line for the application process is very tight, about 3-4 weeks from announcement to due date for application. He will be introducing a resolution at the March 2nd City Council Meeting. If approved and Chief Schofield is successful in procuring the grant, he will come back to the Council with the request receive the grant and replace the hose. The old hose would be sold at the City surplus auction, although it has little salvage value. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield advised Firefighters Day will be observed at the Capitol on March 18th. The funeral for Galen Hammann will be held tomorrow. Mr. Hammann was a Senior Assistant Chief with Cole County Fire for over 40 years. Councilman Schreiber expressed the committee's condolences to the Hammann family. Chief Schofield stated due to two recent retirements. Michael Vaught, a 15-year employee, has been promoted to Captain. Jon Moe and Michael Bainbridge have been promoted to Driver. Two firefighters have been hired. Councilman Schreiber congratulated Chief Schofield on his Chief Fire Officer professional designation and thanked him for his effort in obtaining that designation. Chief Schofield stated the credentialing is an important part of professional development for the Fire Department. He is also considering accreditation for the department in the future. Police Department Updates Chief Schroeder advised recruitment and retention has been a national issue for the past four years. The department has one police officer vacancy, and a hiring process is underway. He will interview four or five candidates for the position. Chief Schroeder has rehired one police officer who had worked for the department for three years and is licensed and trained. There are currently two officers attending the Law Enforcement Training Institute at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Chief Schroeder recently hired one communications operator and one position remains open. This position has been open for approximately 2½ years. Chief Schroeder advised this is the most difficult position to fill. Due to a resignation, there is one Animal Control Officer vacancy. Chief Schroeder will interview three finalists next week for the vacant Administrative Technician position. Councilman Schreiber commended Chief Schroeder for the rehiring of individuals. Chief Schroeder advised it has been an uneventful winter with small snows and minimal vehicle crashes. 4 Chief Schroeder met with Zim Schwartze, newly-appointed Chief of Capitol Police. Chief Schwartze is originally from Jefferson City. She rose to the command level within the Columbia Police Department, and most recently commanded the Springfield Communications Center. Patrol cars have been ordered and expected delivery is April or May. Officer vest carriers will be purchased. The cost of the vests is $45,000, $15,000 of which will be paid, contingent on a supplemental appropriation, from Federal funds and the remaining from ½ cent sales tax money. The March issue of the Jefferson City Magazine will include an interview with Professional Standards Officers Lt. Jeff Stiefermann and Lt. Dave Williams. It will also incl ude a recruitment picture and advertisement for the department. Chief Schroeder advised a national study reported five things that police officers want. They are: (1) replace the duty belt (to relieve lower back stress); (2) mental health support (national issue); (3) change public perception (post Ferguson); (4) equipment that works; and 5) end recruitment crisis. Chief Schroeder asked Lt. Stieferman to report on the progress of the RAVE system. Lt. Stieferman advised sign up increases when the issue is before the public. There will be a multi-county sign up push in April. Lt. Stieferman will meet with Housing Authority residents to talk about the system and encourage sign up. There will be a RAVE alert during the statewide tornado drill on March 3rd. Chief Schroeder invited Director Thomas to attend the March 2nd City Council meeting to discuss the statewide tornado drill and to emphasize the sirens are outdoor warning sirens. Other Updates Retiring Emergency Management Director Bill Farr advised a free Storm Spotter class will be held on March 16th beginning at 6:30 p.m. The class, previously held at the police department, has been moved to the Eagles Club to accommodate the growing attendance. This is the 13 year for the class. Chief Schroeder advised police officer trainees would attend the class. Mayor Tergin and City Administrator Crowell attended a community recovery meeting. They met with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) from Washington D.C. and provided a tour of the tornado impact area. Mayor Tergin advised she is taking the guidance of the EDA. They could have potential resources to assist with the long-term recovery. Mayor Tergin stated law enforcement may be involved during the upcoming Census due to concerns of residents when census workers knock on their door. Mayor Tergin will participate in a press conference at City Hall on February 28th to promote the hiring of census takers. Mayor Tergin thanked Chief Schofield for hosting the Eastside Associations meeting at Fire Station 2. Chief Schofield provided the meeting space and a tour of the facility. 5 Adjourn Councilman Hussey made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Mihalevich seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 a.m.