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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022-03-31 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The March 31, 2022, 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, Councilman Scott Spencer and Councilwoman Laura Ward. Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin (virtual), Councilman Mike Lester, Councilman Ron Fitzwater, City Administrator Steve Crowell, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Roger Schroeder, Police Captain Deric Heislen, and Police Captain Eric Wilde. Chief Schroeder introduced Administrative Assistant Lannah Rallo who is replacing Administrative Assistant Kay Stuefer upon her retirement on April 1st. Approval of Minutes Councilwoman Ward made a motion to approve the December 30, 2021 minutes. Councilman Spicer seconded the motion. Minutes were approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS Captain Wilde gave an update on the Missouri Department of Homeland Security grant to install license plate readers (LPRs) in the downtown areas and the ingress/egress areas of the Capitol. The grant is in the amount of $46,750, and is intended to enhance safety surrounding the capital. Flock Safety will be the vendor for the LPRs. The requested acceptance of the grant will be on the April 4th City Council agenda. NEW BUSINESS Authorizing a Supplemental Appropriation to the Jefferson City Police Department Amending the 2021-2022 Annual Budget, and Authorizing a Sole Source Expenditure of $48,556.39 of Drug Forfeiture Justice Funds for Lexipol Policy and Procedural Management Software Chief Schroeder stated the police department has been working toward accreditation for several years, but there has been no time to achieve it with present staffing. The department would like to pursue national accreditation with Lexipol, which writes and revised policies as it relates to laws in each state. The initial cost is $33,313 for the software and first year of service. The annual fee after the initial cost is $13,065. The money for Lexipol would be paid from the Department of Justice Forfeiture Fund. The sole source provider has been approved by the 2 Finance Department. Midwest Public Risk, which partners with Lexipol, offers a 25% discount. Captains Heislen and Wilde have previously been assigned to work toward accreditation. Chief Schofield advised the fire department uses Lexipol. There is some groundwork by the department involved, but Lexipol is an industry leader, and the fire department has been satisfied with its product. Councilwoman Ward made a motion to forward the item onto the City Council for approval. Councilman Spencer seconded the motion. Motion approved. Authorizing a Supplemental Appropriation to the Jefferson City Police Department Animal Control Division Amending the 2021-2022 Annual Budget, and Authorizing an Expenditure of $33,031.25 of Animal Shelter Donations for MDTs and E-ticketing Printers. Chief Schroeder stated the police department is requesting a supplemental appropriation to purchase five mobile data terminals (MDTs) and e-ticketing for Animal Shelter vehicles. The equipment will mirror the equipment in patrol vehicles. The equipment will increase the efficiency of the job with the ability to integrate with the 911 system and the Animal Shelter’s Shelter Pro software. This would enable work to be done in the field instead of returning to the Shelter. The $33,031 for the equipment would be paid from the Animal Control donation fund. Councilman Spicer made a motion to forward the item onto the City Council for consideration. Councilwoman Ward seconded the motion. Motion approved. Authorizing the Renewal (year 2) of Bid 3156 for the Upfitting of Police Vehicles to Turn- Key Mobile of Jefferson City, MO. Chief Schroeder asked to extend the initial contract for upfitting the patrol vehicles another year. Thirteen cars will need to be upfitted with equipment in the next 12 months. Chief Schroeder stated the amount requested is $75,000. It costs approximately $2,800 to upfit each vehicle, for a total of $36,400. The remaining $38,600 is a cushion and not expected to be expended. Turn Key Mobile is efficient and good to work with. The item is on the City Council’s April 4th agenda. Auto-Aid Follow Up Discussion Chief Schofield issued a reminder of the difference between auto-aid and mutual aid, and gave a presentation to update the committee on the auto-aid agreement with neighboring fire district jurisdictions. This agreement does not preclude the Jefferson City Fire Department from assisting in mutual-aid. The auto-aid agreement response is for first alarm structure fires, providing assistance with one apparatus, and stipulates that the fire department with jurisdiction maintains jurisdiction. Those participating in the agreement with the Jefferson City Fire Department are Cole County, Region West, Osage, and Holts Summit. Chief Schofield discussed the benefits of the auto-aid agreement and defined areas of assistance. This is a starting point, and Chief Schofield expects enhancements and modifications in the future. Chief Schofield stated the agreement will be ready for presentation to the City Council on April 18th. Councilman Spencer made a motion to move the item onto the City Council for consideration. Councilman Spicer seconded the motion. Motion approved. 3 Update on the Status of Body Cameras Chief Schroeder advised the cost assessment for body cameras has been completed. The amount has increased from earlier assessments due to staffing needs. Captain Wilde advised two pilot cameras are being used by officers. He has been in contact by phone and email with the Kansas City Police Department regarding their use of the Panasonic body cameras. They are satisfied with the quality of the product. The Panasonic cameras would be purchased on a State of Missouri contract from Turn Key Mobile. Captain Wilde has been meeting weekly with the vendor regarding needed adjustments to the equipment. City Administrator Crowell advised the use of Rescue Plan money for this project and others would be discussed at the City Council meeting on April 4th. In answer to Councilman Spencer’s inquiry into the additional personnel needed, Captain Wilde responded it would require extra staffing for the uploading, downloading, and storage of information, as well as fulfilling Sunshine Law requests. Update on Animal Shelter Cremation Contract In City Attorney Moehlman’s absence, this item has been tabled until the next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield stated they currently have two firefighter vacancies they are in the process of staffing. Captain Dirk Protzman will retire on April 11th. The fire department has been busy with training and the 1582 physicals. These physicals are a key requirement prior to the department’s annual physical fitness testing to be held in early April. Aircraft training will also be held in early April. Chief Schofield stated Fire Service Day will be recognized at the Capitol on April 5th. The 50th anniversary of the Fire Marshal’s Office will also be commemorated. Chief Schofield advised Cole County Emergency Management Director Nick Tietsort was attending training and could not attend the meeting today. In response to Councilman Schreiber’s inquiry about the State Fire School, Chief Schofield advised it would be held in Columbia this year. Chief Schofield advised problems with the burn building have rendered it unsafe for live fire training. The replacement of the burn building has been a budget request for several years. In regard to replacement of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting truck, Chief Schofield advised he is searching for federal funding. The transition to bio-diesel equipment is also a consideration. Councilman Spencer stated the 1582 physicals are critical. He asked Chief Schofield if a unified approach with Cole County toward a training facility has been considered. Chief Schofield advised Cole County Fire has indicated in the past they are not interested in partnering in a burn building. 4 Police Department Updates Chief Schroeder gave an update on personnel. Senior Animal Control Officer Matt Barry was promoted to Animal Shelter Manager. John Cline, a former animal control officer, has returned to that position. Angela Crabtree has been employed as an animal control officer. There remains one vacancy at the Shelter. Other vacancies include 5 communications operators and 10 police officers. Chief Schroeder advised the department is working diligently to recruit, but not having success in generating interest. There are currently three communication operator applicants, two police officer applicants, and three animal control officer applicants in the hiring process. The two police officer applicants are POST licensed. One applicant is from the State of California and one is a returning officer. The department initiated the incentive program with the hiring of Officer Sanning. Officer Sanning is from Grandview, Missouri and has three year’s experience. Chief Schroeder advised he has submitted nominations to the Department of Public Safety for the Governor’s Medal of Valor Award. Retired Police Officer Jeff Collins and Officer John Lehman were nominated for an officer-involved shooting fatal in January 2021. Officers Dawson Payne and John Lehman were nominated for an officer-involved, fatal shooting in June 2021. Sgt. Mike Ottolini and Officer Alex Clawson received the Governor’s Metal of Valor Award last year for an April 2020 fatal shooting of a suspect who shot Officer Clawson. Other Updates In response to Councilman Spencer’s inquiry into the hiring of a police chief, City Administrator Crowell advised the hiring is in process. The hiring committee will make a recommendation to C.A. Crowell who will forward the recommendation to the City Council. City Administrator Crowell stated, regarding the issue of the Public Safety Tax, the City, and the FOP is close to completing the contract. Councilwoman Ward stated this would be Councilman Vogt’s last Public Safety Committee meeting. Councilman Schreiber thanked him for his service to the committee. Councilman Schreiber stated the next meeting would be held on April 28th. Adjourn Councilwoman Ward made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Spicer seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:35 a.m.