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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022-12-29 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The December 29, 2022, Public Safety Committee meeting was convened at 7:45 a.m. by Councilwoman Ward. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilwoman Laura Ward (chair in Councilman Schreiber’s absence), Councilman Derrick Spicer, Councilman Jack Deeken. Guests: Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief Eric Wilde, City Attorney Ryan Moehlman, City Administrator Steve Crowell, City Councilman Mike Lester, Mayor Carrie Tergin (virtual), City Councilman Ron Fitzwater (virtual) Approval of Minutes Councilwoman Ward motioned the approval of the minutes from the July 28th and the November 25th meeting. Councilman Deeken seconded the motion. Minutes approved. Discussion of Agenda Items OLD BUSINESS Nothing to Report NEW BUSINESS Regulation of Marijuana under Amendment 3 City Attorney Moehlman advised with the passage of Amendment 3 regarding the use of marijuana, the city will need to change its codes. It states there shall be no consumption or distribution of marijuana under the age of 21, and marijuana may not be consumed in a vehicle or in public spaces, much like the codes set in place for tobacco. The amendment also allows for the licensing for distribution of marijuana within businesses. City Attorney Moehlman stated the amendment has been brought to the council to allow for changes within the current code. He advised the council to start with basics of not allowing marijuana in public spaces, inside or out. City Attorney Moehlman stated the council will be presented with a formal bill regarding the legal use of marijuana in February 2023. Chief Wilde explained if someone were found smoking marijuana in public, the charges would be an infraction, not a misdemeanor. The fine for the infraction would be set by the judge. In response to Councilwoman Ward’s question, City Attorney Moehlman stated the constitutional number of plants grown shall be incorporated into the bill so local law enforcement can regulate it. 2 City Attorney Moehlman asked to move the amendment to the council, and stated if there are any changes to be made to the memo provided in the agenda, contact him so it can be added to the city code. Councilman Deeken motioned, Councilman Spicer seconded the motion. Motion Approved. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield advised retired firefighter Sonny Jacobs passed away recently. His condolences go out to Sonny’s family. Chief Schofield stated with the cold weather, freezing pipes, and use of unconventional heating sources, there were multiple structural fires this past weekend. During these harsh times, the department was able to test the automatic aid system. The testing is going well and the department is successfully learning to work more productively with surrounding fire districts. Chief Schofield stated the conditions were tough, but the equipment and team made it thought the harsh weather. He also thanked the chaplains for providing services to families effected by the weather. Chief Schofield gave a quick training update. Recent training includes ice rescue, quick response training, CPR training, and a LAPC drill will be conducted in January. Mayor Tergin stated she wants a group of city employees to take CPR training with the fire departme nt, and will work with Chief Schofield to make that happen. Chief Schofield stated one of the ARPA projects include the ballistics protection for the firefighters. He also stated there is an AFG federal grant which the department will match 10% of the funds. There will be more details regarding these projects in future meetings. The council should be expecting a contract for the burn building and drill tower project in the future as well. Chief Schofield gave a quick update on the CAD-to-CAD system integration. He expects to go live in early February. Chief Schofield gave a quick personnel update. One firefighter resigned to another department in the area. A new firefighter will be hired within a few weeks. Recruitment is currently down and is a significant concern for retention and recruiting. Police Department Updates Chief Wilde stated the council approved a Sergeant position for the body worn cameras program. Sergeant Miles has been selected for that position. He has been working diligently with the assigned trainer to complete online tests and training for the program. Sgt. Miles and Lt. Stieferman traveled to Kansas City to oversee their body worn camera system that is s imilar to ours. Chief Wilde advised the program is very detailed, and before the department is awarded the funding, the department must go through a list of items that need to be accomplished such as internal surveys, training protocols, etc. The department is working diligently to make sure everything is complete and in good standings before the body cameras are deployed. He hopes the body cameras are live in early spring. 3 Councilwoman Ward thanked Chief Wilde for his thoroughness in the body worn camera project. This will make the processes and the program in general run much smoother. Chief Wilde distributed a packet of his annual departmental goals. These goals have been disseminated to the division commanders so they can discuss how to accomplish these goals; What equipment is needed, what is the specific dollar amount, etc. Chief Wilde has brought these goals to the council’s attention because they are a community driven council and wants the council’s opinion on said goals. Chief Wilde stated the Senior Management Analyst position has been approved and the application closes today. A candidate should be selected within a few weeks. The Senior Management Analyst will also be heavily involved in the body worn camera project and other community projects. Chief Wilde gave a quick personnel update. There are two police academi es each year. The department plans to hire a potential police officer within a 30-day period and prepare them for the academy before the academy begins. This will prevent another agency from hiring the candidate while they wait for the academy to begin. Chief Wilde stated he met with High5 Communications to form a marketing and recruiting strategy for advertising such as radio, television, and other adds to get the word out. He also advised of potentially partnering with Lincoln University for an internship with their Criminal Justice program. Other Updates Councilwoman Ward asked if there were any additional agenda items from the public. There were none. Adjourn Councilwoman Ward motioned to adjourn the meeting, Councilman Deeken seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:02 a.m.