HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-07-30 minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The July 30, 2020, Public Safety Committee meeting convened at 7:30 a.m. by Councilman
Graham.
Attendance
Present: Committee Members: Councilman Graham, Councilman Schreiber, Councilman
Vogt and Councilman Hussey.
Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin, City Administrator Steve Crowell, Fire Chief Matt
Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Brent Haas with Missouri American
Water, and resident Jan Schumacher
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Hussey made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2020 meeting.
Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Brent Haas, Missouri American Water, Airport Water Supply Improvements
Chief Schofield introduced Brent Haas, Operations Manager for Missouri American Water.
Chief Schofield advised over the years the Fire Department has worked closely with Missouri
American Water to target known deficiencies to ensure adequate water supplies. Mr. Haas was
present to update the committee on improvements made at the Jefferson City airport.
Mr. Haas stated a valve that was non-functioning had been replaced and installed in a new
location for improved water flow. A second connection to the water supply was installed west of
Highway 54. Undersized main pipes have been replaced, as well as key valves, and water can
now be shut off at specific points to isolate main breaks. The next steps in the process include
working with the Fire Department and Public works to increase the water pressure from 60 to
100 pounds. Mr. Haas outlined the areas where main pipes will be upsized to 8 inches. The
increase will affect eight residents who live in North Jefferson City, and Missouri American
Water will incur the cost of pressure reducing valves needed to those residences.
Mr. Haas stated Missouri American Water's new service center has been completed and the
building is occupied. The construction of the Clear Well is in process, with anticipated service by
the end of December.
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Automatic Aid Agreement with Region West Fire District Response on Missouri River
Chief Schofield advised the annual MR340 Race will take place on the Missouri River
August 4-7. The race begins in Kansas City and concludes in St. Louis with Jefferson City being
the mid-way point. Missouri American Water is a major sponsor of the event, and the Fire
Department actively supports the race with response personnel.
Chief Schofield stated the Fire Department responds to river rescues when requested by
neighboring agencies. The Automatic Aid Agreement will streamline the process of Region West
Fire District requesting assistance from the Jefferson City Fire Department, and would allow the
Fire Department to be dispatched simultaneously with Region West Fire District to a river rescue
upstream in the Fire District's jurisdiction. Chief Schofield will bring the Resolution for the
Automatic Aid Agreement before the City Council for approval in August.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
Fire Department Update
Chief Schofield advised Administrative Assistant Kathi Luebbert retired on July 24th after 17+
years of service. Chief Schofield is in the process of filling the vacancy.
Captain Rueter, who recently retired from the Fire Department, will attend the August 3rd City
Council meeting to be recognized for his years of service.
Chief Schofield advised department personnel have continued training. The call volume has been
steady, and they have been responding to COVID-19 calls. Personnel participated in COVID
antibody testing provided by the Cole County Health Department.
Chief Schofield anticipates providing information on two new hires at next month's meeting.
Mayor Tergin expressed her appreciation to the Fire Department for their rescues during the
recent flooding. Chief Schofield noted fire personnel train hard for those situations.
Police Department Updates
Chief Schroeder stated the department's annual JAG Grant will be presented to the City Council
for approval. This year the grant to be shared by the Police Department and Cole County is
$10,415. The Police Department will receive 60% ($6,249) and Cole County will receive 40%
($4,166). Chief Schroeder advised in the past, the money has been used to send an officer to the
Law Enforcement Training Institute at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.
The Police Department is participating in the Food 4 Kids program until school begins. Lunches
will be provided Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The police department is
happy to support this important program.
The Police Department continues to receive expressions of community support. Many
individuals and organizations have provided food and drink to department members. It is
motivating and greatly appreciated.
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Chief Schroeder met with JCPS Superintendent Linthacum regarding the School Resource
Officer Program. Dr. Linthacum expressed continued support for the program and minor
adjustments were agreed upon for the coming school year. Chief Schroeder reminded the
committee the officers are not in the school to enforce laws, although they sometimes do, but are
there to mentor and establish relationships with the students. Those relationships pay off in many
ways. Councilman Graham advised he thought the adjustments were positive and commended
Chief Schroeder for the agreement and fostering a good partnership with the schools.
Detectives continue to investigate the murder in the 900 block of Jackson that occurred on
July 15, despite the lack of cooperation from witnesses.
Communications Operator Suzie Aston retired after 17+ years of service. A retirement reception
was held for her on June 12th. Police Officer Shawn Dumsday retired after 24 years of service.
His retirement reception was held on July 17th. Officer Dumsday was a dedicated DWI
enforcement officer with the Traffic Unit for many years. Councilman Graham asked Chief
Schroeder to ensure both Operator Aston and Officer Dumsday were invited to the August 3rd
City Council meeting to be recognized for their years of service.
MOAPCO, the Missouri Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials,
recognized members of JCPD as "Missouri Teammates in Action!". Communications
Supervisors Angie Stiefermann, Erin Gabathuler and Rachel Irey, and Operators Anna Thomas,
Jennifer Cain, Don McGovern, Heather Reven, and Jessica Bohannan were recognized for their
efforts during the May 22, 2019 tornado.
Chief Schroeder stated Coach Wyrick and the Helias baseball team had presented St. Michael
medals to the officers in 2017. During an incident in April of 2020 in which an officer was shot
twice in the chest, one of the bullets was deflected by his St. Michael medal. On July 28th, Coach
Wyrick and senior members of the Helias baseball team presented additional St. Michael medals
to the department's officers.
Two Animal Control Officer vacancies have been filled and those employees will begin
the first part of August. Two conditional offers of employment have been given to police
candidates. Chief Schroeder advised an officer who left the department less than a year ago is
returning. There is one police officer vacancy. Two communications operator candidates have
been given conditional offers of employment. Chief Schroeder is waiting on their acceptance.
Councilman Graham commended Chief Schroeder and the officers for their work on a
day-to-day basis, especially during this trying time. Chief Schroeder noted there is at least one
dangerous firearm discharge law violation in the City each day.
Councilman Graham thanked Jan Schumacher for attending today to observe the meeting.
Mayor Tergin thanked everyone for their service.
Councilman Graham issued an invitation to the Community Park ribbon cutting today at
4:00 p.m.
Mayor Tergin advised the Guns & Hoses Hockey Game to benefit Safety Net will be held
on August 22nd. Donations are accepted and appreciated from those who cannot attend the event.
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Mr. Haas advised Missouri American Water has awarded a construction contract to
Emery Sapp & Sons for work on Missouri Blvd. to proceed south past Bassman. The work will
begin in the next two weeks.
Adjourn
Councilman Hussey made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Vogt seconded the
motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.