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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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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.