HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-12-30 minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The December 30, 2021, Public Safety Committee meeting was convened at 7:30 a.m. by
Councilman Schreiber.
Attendance
Present: Committee Members: Councilman Mark Schreiber, Councilman Derrick Spicer,
Councilman Hank Vogt, and Councilwoman Laura Ward. Councilman Scott
Spencer joined the meeting virtually.
Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin (virtual), Councilman Mike Lester, Councilman Ron
Fitzwater, City Administrator Steve Crowell, City Attorney Ryan Moehlman, Fire
Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Human Resources Director
Gail Strope, Police Captain Eric Wilde, former Cole County Emergency
Management Director Bill Farr, Cole County Emergency Management Director
Nick Tietsort and Jan Schumaker.
Approval of Minutes
Councilwoman Ward made a motion to approve the September 30, 2021 minutes. Councilman
Spicer seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Cole County Emergency Management/Police Department IPAWS Project Partnership
Director Tietsort stated the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) enables non-
voluntary alerts to the public. Messages may be distributed through cell phones, t.v., etc., to
those not on the RAVE system, as well as through the RAVE system. IPAWS is acquired
through a partnership with FEMA. Director Tietsort is asking FEMA to waive the $2,000 fee for
the system.
ARFF Truck Update
Chief Schofield advised the fire department’s current Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)
truck which was acquired second hand from Columbia is more than 30 years old. Chief Schofield
has acquired approval from the Airport Advisory Committee to seek external funding, likely
federal funding through MoDOT. The specialized truck can be used in the case of spilled
hazardous materials, transport needs at the Jefferson City Airport and areas surrounding the
airport, and has off-road capabilities. The truck will cost approximately $800,000-$900,000 in
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today’s dollars. Also included in a separate request from public works are funds for a multi-
purpose building in which the truck can be housed.
Automatic Aid with Surrounding Fire Districts
Chief Schofield advised he is seeking to establish automatic aid agreements with surrounding
fire districts. He explained mutual aid enables the fire department to request assistance from
neighboring fire departments after they assess the need, but the process is time consuming.
Automatic aid is a more proactive approach in which predefined resources are dispatched
immediately. Chief Schofield is seeking to establish a more formal arrangement with Cole
County and Holt Summit fire districts for automatic aid. In addition to the availability of
additional resources, automatic aid builds relationships between entities. Chief Schofield
proposes to divide Jefferson City into four response zones. County fire would provide one truck
with three people to assist when requested. In turn, JCFD would provide one truck and three
people to assist when needed. The existence of the automatic aid could potentially improve the
fire department’s ISO rating and make the entire system stronger
City Attorney Moehlman advised it may take several months working with five fire entities to
finalize the automatic aid agreement. Chief Schofield asked the committee for direction and,
after discussion, the committee directed Chief Schofield to bring the issue back with additional
information to the committee before presenting to the full City Council.
Hiring Incentive Payments for Police Officers and Communications Operators
Chief Schroeder updated the committee on the police department’s approximately 18 vacancies.
The situation has become critical with 11 police officer, 4 communications operator, and 2
animal control officer vacancies. One police information clerk vacancy has been filled and
there’s indication a former animal control officer may be returning. The department has faced a
balancing act of avoiding an overreaction while at the same time not underreacting to this
growing and critical problem. The loss of personnel and the inability to recruit replacements is a
national issue. Chief Schroeder stated other law enforcement departments are offering incentive
plans to assist with recruitment, and he is proposing to offer incentives. Captain Wilde, with
input from Chief Schroeder, City Administrator Crowell, City Attorney Moehlman and Human
Resources Director Strope, has devised an incentive plan. Chief Schroeder asked Captain Wilde
to talk about the hiring incentive plan as well as the next two agenda items.
Captain Wilde advised it takes approximately a year for a newly-hired officer to complete
training. There are eight command officers that are or will be eligible to retire in the next year.
Officers in specialty units have been filling in on patrol squads; however, communications
operators do not have that flexibility. Captain Wilde discussed unexpended funds in personnel
services due to vacancy savings. The plan proposes to reinvest these funds to offer tiered
incentives.
Hiring incentives would include $10,000 for a P.O.S.T. licensed officer. An unlicensed officer
who will attend the Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) would receive $5,000. Tuition
for LETI is $5,000. New communications operators would also receive $5,000. One half of the
incentive would be paid upon appointment, and the remaining half at the end of the employee’s
introductory period. Employees who refer a police officer or communications operator would
receive a $500 referral bonus when that officer or operator completes their training.
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City Administrator Crowell advised a tool he is considering is a budget amendment to the City
Council for implementation of the program in March. Councilman Spicer made a motion to
move the incentive payment proposal forward. Councilwoman Ward seconded the motion.
Motion approved.
Supplemental Appropriation Amending the 2021-2022 Annual Budget – Expenditure of
Drug Forfeiture Justice Funds
Captain Wilde advised the department is proposing to use Drug Forfeiture Justice Funds for the
purchase of ballistic shields and a drone kit. The ballistic shields have a 10-year shelf life. The
department proposes to replace two expired shields for SWAT members and three for patrol
supervisors. The cost for the shields is approximately $13,400. The drone kit would be used to
support the crisis negotiations team in the de-escalation of a situation. The drone kit would
provide two-way communication without endangering the officers. The cost is approximately
$14,595.
Councilman Schreiber asked the status of body cameras. Captain Wilde advised the department’s
plan for body cameras is being refined. Staff will travel to Kansas City to review body cameras
and the issue of storage and to ascertain the effectiveness of their use. Kansas City Police
Department currently utilizes the same body camera system in which the Jefferson City Police
Department is interested. The department will also need personnel to manage the body camera
system. Councilman Spencer stated when the time comes he is committed to sponsoring the
special appropriation for body cameras to expedite their acquisition.
Department of Public Safety Grant Opportunity
Captain Wilde stated the police department was approached by the Missouri Department of
Homeland Security regarding increasing security around the Capitol by installing license plate
readers (LPR) in the downtown areas and the ingress/egress areas of the Capitol. This is a no-
match grant that would be used to purchase and install the cameras. The cameras read the back
license plate of a vehicle as it passes by and would give an immediate alert to an officer’s mobile
data terminal in their vehicle of the suspicious vehicle. The cost paid by the grant would be
$46,750 for the first year and $42,500 for the second year. If the grant is discontinued after the
second year, the LPRs would be removed. The police department currently has three mobile
LPRs in use. Chief Schroeder asked the committee for a consensus of support to obtain the grant.
The committee gave approval.
OTHER BUSINESS
Fire Department Update
Chief Schofield stated the Honor Guard and other members of his department participated in line
of duty honors for Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Bryant Gladney who
was killed in the line of duty on December 22nd. Assistant Chief Gladney served on Missouri
Task Force One with Chief Schofield.
Chief Schofield advised the renovations to Fire Station 4 are going well in spite of supply chain
issues. There is still glass to install and painting to be completed. The station was fully
operational during the project, and firefighters moved back into the station in November. An
open house is expected to be held in late spring/early summer.
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Chief Schofield and four of his personnel were part of the Missouri Task Force 1 deployment on
December 12-17th for tornado response in Kentucky.
Chief Schofield stated there are 22 people in their recruiting process. Interviews will be held
January 19-21. The number of potential recruits is drastically down from previous years. Chief
Schofield advised they currently have opening due to resignation and one impending retirement
in the first quarter of 2022.
Police Department Updates
Chief Schroeder thanked the City Council for approving the new flooring that is replacing the
43-year-old flooring in the police department. The project is in process.
Chief Schroeder acknowledged the extraordinary job police personnel are doing in the face of the
many vacancies and current environment.
Other Updates
Cole County Emergency Management Director Tietsort is working with the Fire Department to
obtain replacement multi-ray gas detectors.
Former Cole County Emergency Management Director Farr advised today is his last day with
Cole County Emergency Management. He thanked all those present for their assistance in the
transition.
Jan Schumaker voiced her frustration and disappointment regarding lack of communication to
her from Chief Schroeder and Captain Wilde regarding officer traffic stops.
Councilman Schreiber thanked everyone for their attendance.
Adjourn
Councilman Schreiber made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Spicer seconded the motion.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 a.m.