HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-09-30 minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The September 30, 2021, Public Safety Committee meeting was convened at 7:30 a.m. by
Councilman Schreiber.
Councilman Schreiber requested roll call:
Councilman Schreiber: present
Councilman Spencer: present
Councilman Spicer: present
Councilman Vogt: absent
Councilwoman Ward: absent
Attendance
Guests: Mayor Tergin, Councilman Mike Lester, City Administrator Steve Crowell, Fire
Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Police Captain Deric
Heislen, Cary Gampher and Lisa Taylor with Architects Alliance, and Jan
Schumacker.
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Spencer made a motion to approved the minutes of the June 29, 2021 meeting.
Councilman Spicer seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Councilman Schreiber welcomed Councilman Lester and attending guests.
Architects Alliance – Police Department Building Expansion
Councilman Schreiber stated he invited Mr. Gampher and Ms. Taylor to give their presentation
on the expansion and renovation of the police building for the new members of the board,
Councilman Spencer and Councilman Spicer.
Mr. Gampher presented slides and provided a summary overview of the comprehensive plan. He
advised the facility study was prepared in 2019 as a preliminary in -house draft document meant
for internal discussion. The proposed vertical addition would add 14,000 square feet to the police
department building. The estimated cost of the project in 2019 was $6.5 to $7.0 million. An
estimate of current costs would add at least $1 million to the project. Mr. Gampher estimated it
would take 30 months to procure the materials for the project. He stated the facility study is the
first step with the information meant for deliberation and discussion.
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City Administrator Crowell stated this was an opportunity to look at a City campus-wide solution
for all facilities. He asked the council members to keep this option in mind. Councilman Spicer
asked Mr. Gampher how long it would take to produce a plan that included all facilities, to which
Mr. Gampher responded approximately six months.
Councilman Schreiber thanked Mr. Gampher and Ms. Thomas for their presentation.
Meeting with Jefferson City Racial Equity Group
Chief Schroeder stated he, along with Captain Clark, Captain Wilde and Lt. Williams, met with
the Jefferson City Racial Equity Group for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes on August 31st.
Members of the group attending the meeting were Jan Schumacher, Susan Randolph, Cheryl
Hibbett and Sue Gibson. The main interest of the group was to discuss their perceived racial
inequity concerning vehicle stop data that is generated annually. Chief Schroeder stated it was a
free and forthright discussion and a good first step in voicing their respective opinions. The
meeting was productive, and Chief Schroeder appreciated the group coming forward with their
concerns. Police personnel will meet again with the group after Captain Wilde returns from
extended military leave. Chief Schroeder stated Captain Wilde, as the Operations Division
commander, has an integral part in the discussions.
Jan Schumacher, present as a guest, stated she appreciated the opportunity to meet with Chief
Schroeder and staff.
Police Department Update
At the direction of Councilman Schreiber, Chief Schroeder proceeded with updates.
Chief Schroeder gave an overview of police department staffing and vacancies. By the end of
next month, the department will have filled all but four of the ten police officer vacancies.
Currently there are three police officer trainees attending the Law Enforcement Training Institute
(LETI) at the University of Missouri in Columbia; three police officer trainees will soon be
released from their field officer training; three police officer candidates have been given
conditional offers of employment and are awaiting their medical assessment; and a former
officer has expressed interest in returning to the police department. The department is beginning
a new police officer selection process which will conclude in December. Candidates that are
employed will attend LETI in January.
The Animal Shelter has three vacancies from the eight full-time positions. Chief Schroeder
offered an Animal Control Officer position to a candidate last week and is awaiting the results of
that candidate’s medical assessment. One candidate is in the National Guard and may have an
obligation to duty until January. He may be released earlier, so his candidacy is pending. Animal
Shelter Manager Lori Blatter has resigned. That position is in the application process.
There are three vacancies in Communications. Only one candidate is continuing through the
hiring process. Chief Schroeder advised there is little interest in all positions, but especial ly
Communications, compared to several years ago.
Chief Schroeder advised the personnel vacancies have occurred during the last 10 months and
include one death and several retirements.
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Councilman Spencer asked if Animal Control offered different services than Cole County
Animal Control and could those services be shared. Chief Schroeder advised Cole County has
one officer assigned to their Animal Control. Cole County contracts with the City’s Animal
Control for the use of the City facility.
Chief Schroeder advised Intrado, the new 911 call answering system approved by the City
Council, will be operational the first week in November. He thanked the council members for
their support of this project. The Text to 911 system is operational. The department received its
first text to the 911 Center yesterday.
The flooring for the police department building the City Council approved is expected to be
installed the middle of November. Chief Schroeder stated this will help bring the building’s
appearance into the 21st Century. It is important to the employees to work in a contemporary
environment.
Sgt. Mike Ottolini and Officer Alex Clawson were honored to receive the Governor’s Valor
Award from Governor Parson at a formal ceremony on September 1st. It is a very prestigious
award, and the department is very proud of them.
Chief Schroeder advised calls for service have increased, along with the violence and guns
associated with the calls. The nature of the crimes is changing and are more dangerous.
Councilman Spencer asked what number of officers have military obligations. Chief Schroeder
responded that, on average, the department has two to three officers gone consistently for
military duty. He advised he would provide a total number of officers with military obli gations at
the next Public Safety Committee meeting.
Participation in the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue System
Chief Schofield advised four personnel from the Fire Department deployed with Missouri Task
Force 1 for Hurricane Ida relief. Members of the Task Force include public safety personnel as
well as civilian specialists. There are 28 Federal teams nationwide. This type of deployment
gives the firefighters a rare opportunity to work with many larger and well-seasoned departments
from around the world.
Chief Schofield gave a brief PowerPoint overview of the Urban Search and Rescue
configuration, team rotation and benefits of participation. City Administrator Crowell brought
up the issue of pay during deployment. Fire personnel on deployment are on special leave with
no pay from the City. They are compensated through the Federal program during deployment.
Councilman Schreiber stated he appreciated the Fire Department’s participation in the program.
In response to Councilman Spicer’s inquiry into staffing, Chief Schofield advised two persons
are attending the recruit academy in Columbia. When they have completed training, the Fire
Department will be fully staffed. A current firefighter application process will close on
November 7th. The department’s eligibility roster lasts approximately one year.
CCEMS MOU Resolution Extension
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Chief Schofield advised he has prepared a resolution to present to the City Council on
October 4th to extend the current MOU with Cole County Emergency Management Services. A
new chief of CCEMS was hired approximately one month ago, and Chief Schofield would like to
give him the opportunity to acclimate to his new position before discussing a new MOU for
2022. The County Commission has agreed to extending the current MOU which includes the
SWAT Medic program. Councilman Schreiber advised he would sponsor the resolution.
Chief Schroeder expressed his appreciation to the SWAT medics as they are a critical element of
the SWAT Team.
OTHER BUSINESS
Fire Department Update
Chief Schofield issued a reminder that open burning season begins on November 1 and continues
until March 1, 2022. The Fire Department encourages the public to use the City’s recycling
facility located on Southridge Drive for yard waste.
October is Fire Prevention month, with the official week being recognized as October 3-9. Fire
Safety will be promoted by the department during the entire month.
Fire hose testing was completed in September. The roof on Fire Station #3, which was damaged
by hail, has been replaced.
Other Updates
Mayor Tergin extended an invitation to Sgt. Ottolini and Officer Clawson to receive recognition
for their Medals of Valor at a City Council meeting. She also extended an invitation to
Lt. Williams to be recognized by the City Council for his prestigious Clarence M. Kelley
Meritorious Award.
Mayor Tergin invited Chief Schofield to give a Fire Safety presentation at the October 4 th City
Council meeting. She also asked Chief Schofield to extend an invitation to both the new Cole
County Emergency Management Director and the new CCEMS chief to a City Council meeting
for introductions.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at the police department.
Adjourn
Councilman Spicer made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Spencer seconded the motion.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m.