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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-10-28 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The October 28, 2021, Public Safety Committee meeting was convened at 7:30 a.m. by Councilman Schreiber. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Mark Schreiber, Councilman Scott Spencer, Councilman Hank Vogt, and Councilwoman Laura Ward. Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin, Councilman Mike Lester, City Attorney Ryan Moehlman, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Planning and Protective Services Director Sonny Sanders, Neighborhood Services Supervisor Rachel Senzee, former Cole County Emergency Management Director Bill Farr, Cole County Emergency Management Director Nick Tietsort, Cole County EMS Chief of Emergency Medical Services Eric Hoy. Approval of Minutes Councilwoman Spencer made a correction to page 2, line 2 of the September 30, 2021 minutes, substituting his name for Councilman Spicer. With that change, Councilman Spicer made a motion to approve the September 30, 2021 minutes. Councilwoman Ward seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Introduction of Cole County EMS Chief of Emergency Medical Services Eric Hoy, and Station Project Update Chief Schofield introduced Mr. Hoy to the committee. Mr. Hoy is originally from the State of California, and has spent the past decade in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Councilman Schreiber, on behalf of the Committee, welcomed Mr. Hoy. Mr. Hoy stated there is a need for an ambulance station in the downtown corridor. The proposed new location at 319 Adams, would benefit the City, Cole County and the overall EMS system. Chief Schofield asked Planning and Protective Services Director Sanders to address a possible funding source for the EMS Station Project. Director Sanders stated a CDBG (COVID response grant) is available to entitlement communities such as Jefferson City. The grant can provide up to $2 million in funding. The City will apply for the grant on behalf of Cole County to fund the ambulance facility. Mr. Hoy advised the grant is on a first-come first-served basis. There are no grant restrictions for supplementing with other COVID relief funds. 2 Introduction of Nick Tietsort, Cole County Emergency Management Director Bill Farr, former Cole County Emergency Management Director, introduced Mr. Tietsort. Mr. Tietsort comes to Jefferson City from Audrain County. He stated he originally came from the law enforcement discipline before moving into emergency management. Councilman Schreiber, on behalf of the Committee, welcomed Mr. Tietsort. MoDOT FY22 Hazardous Moving Violations Grant Chief Schroeder stated he is providing information on the following four grants which will be on the consent agenda of the November 1st City Council meeting. Chief Schroeder advised this is the 17th year for this grant. The MoDOT grant, in the amount of $32,072 provides $18,000 for overtime expenses, $5,300 for law enforcement training, and $8,772 which will be used to purchase six radar units. The grant period is October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. MoDOT FY22 Driving While Intoxicated Grant Chief Schroeder advised this is the 14th year for this grant. The MoDOT grant, in the amount of $25,000, provides funds at an overtime rate for personnel to participate in DWI enforcement efforts. The grant period is October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. FY21-FY23 BJA Bulletproof Vest Grant Chief Schroeder advised this is a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant in the amount of $3,865.50. The grant is a 50% match, and $7,730 will be used to purchase nine bulletproof vests. Chief Schroeder advised the vest are replaced incrementally with matching grant funds. FY21 JAG Grant Chief Schroeder advised this is a Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) grant in the amount of $10,738. The funds are split between the City and County, with the police department receiving 60% or $6,442.80. This is a no-match grant that will be used to provide funding for Law Enforcement Training Institute training. LETI is expected to cost $5,000 per person in the coming year. CDBG Grant Application: Community Risk Assessment & Foundational Planning Documents Chief Schofield stated the Fire Department is considering the development of foundational documents that could be used for accreditation. Although he is not seeking accreditation at this time, he would like to proceed with gathering the baseline components of the accreditation documents. The Center for Public Safety provides technical assistance in establishing the best practice foundational documents. The CDBG grant would provide funding with the Center’s assistance. The preliminary step is to pursue continuous improvement with international recognized best practices. This would be a collaborative effort with the community. If the city received the grant 3 and it was accepted the process would likely span multiple years at a cost of approximately $80,000-$90,000 for the Center’s technical assistance program (TAP). Neighborhood Services Supervisor Senzee stated the cost would be included in the $2 million grant application. Other projects would be included such as the widening of Monroe Street by Capital Region Medical Center and a housing assessment. Director Sanders advised this is a no- match grant, and he is confident of receiving the $2 million. The grant is well funded and will only be distributed to entitlement communities. Counselor Moehlman advised because this is a no-match grant, there would be no City Council action until the acceptance of the grant. Chief Schofield stated there are three parts to the process and initial foundational documents: Self-Assessment Manual, Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover, and the Community Driven Strategic Plan. Chief Schofield asked for the support of the committee to proceed with the project. Councilwoman Ward made a motion to move forward. Councilman Vogt seconded the motion. Motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield advised a media release was issued regarding open burning of yard waste which is allowed November 1, 2021 through March 1, 2022. The public was reminded to attend the fire, have a means of extinguishing the fire, stay away from property lines, and have the fire extinguished by dark. Yard waste can be disposed of at 2417 Southridge Drive. Fire Station 4 remodeling has experienced some delays. They are waiting on exterior glass, countertops and the replacement electrical panel. An Eagle Scout project will install a flag pole at Station 4. An open house will be held when the remodel is complete. Fire Safety Month activities are winding down, although fire safety is a year long focus. Chief Schofield stated it had been a good month for fire safety activities. Councilman Spencer asked about the Fire Department’s partnership with Lowes in providing smoke detectors. Chief Schofield has not been given a final count. Chief Schofield advised the Red Cross provides a fire safety education program which includes fire escape plans and free smoke detectors. Anyone interested in the Red Cross program should contact Fire Administration. Applications for the upcoming firefighter eligibility roster will close on Monday, November 7th. Police Department Updates Chief Schroeder stated a DEA drug take back was held on Saturday, October 23rd. A total of 181 pounds of discarded drugs was collected. A Haunted Alley will be held at the police department on Halloween. This is a drive -through event. and children will be given candy and books. Chief Schroeder stated the department is having difficulty recruiting and hiring personnel. There are currently three communications operator vacancies. One application is in the final stage of 4 the hiring process. There are four police officer vacancies. One former officer will be returning in January. The Animal Shelter has one animal control officer vacancy. One ACO is currently in training. The Animal Control Manager position is currently vacant. Quite a few applications have been received for that position. Chief Schroeder stated the difficulties in hiring are not unique to this department. The Boone County 911 Center has 61 authorized positions with 32 currently vacant. Other Updates Mayor Tergin reminded everyone of the election Tuesday on the Public Safety Tax. Councilman Schreiber advised the next meeting, which would fall on Thanksgiving, will be moved to a date to be determined. Adjourn Councilwoman Ward made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Vogt seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.