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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. 2 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. 3 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 4 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.