Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-04-27 minutes 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting Call to Order The April 27, 2023, Public Safety Committee meeting was convened at 7:30 a.m. by Councilman Spicer. Attendance Present: Committee Members: Councilman Derrick Spicer, Councilman Scott Spencer, Councilman Jack Deeken, Councilman Mark Schwartz, Councilman Aaron Mealy (Virtual) Guests: Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Emergency Management Director Nicholas Tietsort, Councilman Mike Lester, Councilman Jeff Ahlers, Ryan Lock Approval of Minutes Councilman Spicer motioned to approve of the minutes from the February 23rd and April 17th meetings. Councilman Spencer seconded the motion. Minutes approved. Discussion of Agenda Items Councilman Spicer began by introducing Councilman Schwartz and welcoming him to the committee. OLD BUSINESS Fire Department Grant Update Chief Schofield wanted to update the council on their recent grants and grant funding activities and gave a quick presentation of recent and past grants the fire department has received over the last decade. He listed the following; A FEMA Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant (AFG) has awarded approximately $800,000 to the department over the last 10 years. A Hyde Park SCBA fill station grant has been awarded through a Missouri DPS grant. MODOT Highway Traffic Safety grants of approximately $81,000 have been awarded to purchases highway safety tools such as vests and cones, early warning detection tools, rescue training, etc. ARPA funding of $1.54M has been awarded to purchase the burn towers and an air compressor. A MODOT Pass Through grant of $2500 annually is used for child passenger safety seats and training for the use of the car seats. A Missouri Department of conservation grant has been awarded for the purchase of a Light Medium Transportation Vehicle valued at approximately $35,000. Midwest Public Risk grants of approximately $5000 have been awarded to fund AEDs citywide. Other smaller, joint agency grants like RSOC and LEPC were discussed in addition to private funding that has been awarded in various amounts by Mo American Water, Country Financial, the Phillips 66 Community grant, and Firehouse Subs. Chief Schofield thanked all who participated in acquiring these grants and acknowledged the hard work it took to acquire the grants including the following; Division Chief Jason Turner, 2 Grant Administrator; Fire Driver Ryan Lock, Grant Specialist; Denise Bateman, Administration support. He also thanked the finance, human resource, and law departments for their support as well. When asked why the FEMA grant was not awarded to the department this year, Chief Schofield and Ryan Lock advised the grant is very competitive and awarded to many departments and is spread throughout the state. Jefferson City Fire Department is very fortunate to receive the grant ever 3-4 years. Councilman Spencer thanked all who is involved in the application grant processes. NEW BUSINESS Nothing to report. OTHER BUSINESS Fire Department Update Chief Schofield stated the department recently received 40 applications, 8 of which participated in the practical tests, 6 who successfully completed the tests. The 6 applicants will be moved on to the interview process. When addressing concerns for the number of applications, Chief Schofield advised the number of applications has dropped significantly. This is a trend all over the country and the department is doing its best to increase the number of applicants by increasing the starting wage and adding benefits packages. Chief Schofield stated the department will lose an employee to retirement in May and will discuss this retirement in the May meeting. Chief Schofield advised of a new Missouri Firefighters Critical Illness pool. The trust will work in conjunction to worker’s compensation and streamline to benefit’s process making it more effective to the employee and the city. The benefit will carry into the employee’s retirement for 15 years. Chief Schofield asked Councilman Spicer to sponsor this trust and asked that it be put on the next city council agenda. Chief Schofield stated the department participated in Fire Service Day at the Capital, and supported the state in the FirstNet program at an event on April 12th. Chief Schofield advised May 4 – 7 is the Light Up the Night event for fallen firefighters. During this event, each fire station will be lit up in red lights to honor fall firefighters within the past year. Police Department Updates Nothing to report. Emergency Management Update Director Tietsort gave a quick update about the department’s awarded grants. He explained grants are not 100% awarded from the beneficiary. The city/county pays 50% of the grant 3 money. He explained when the department is awarded a $208,000 grant, $104,000 is paid by the City and County. With that in mind, he again asked the council to be put on the agenda for the approval of the Deputy Director position. The position’s salary is paid through a grant of $50,000 for the first year. $25,000 will be paid through the city and county. Councilman Spencer advised of concerns how the salary will be paid the following years. Director Tietsort gave quick updates on the Emergency Management Software, Rapid Worn sirens, and Community Emergency Response Team projects. He advised he will provide other ongoing projects in the future meetings. Director Tietsort stated in the past year, 19 Hazmat incidences were called in, 2 in the past month. He explained the Hazmat training is very important and is being used greatly the community. Director Tietsort advised were recently $1,600 worth of repairs on their rescue vehicle, and other vehicles will need to be serviced in the future to ensure their longevity. Other Updates Nothing to report. Adjourn Councilman Spicer motioned to adjourn the meeting, Councilman Spencer seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.