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,
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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
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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.