Roll Call Commissioners Boylan, Fandre, Judy and Taylor

Commissioner Meyer - excused

Also Present Police Chief Carpenter, Fire Chief Barnes, Mayor Gary Wescott, Alderperson Jack Barr, City Attorney Louis Molepske, Todd Becken - SPFD, Dan Menzel - SPFD

Index of these Minutes:

2. Introduction of police chaplains
3. Adjourn into closed session (approximately 4:35 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. sections 19.85 (1)(b), (c), (e) and (f) for the following (with possible action to follow in open session):
(a) Motor pump operator interview - Fire Department
(b) Discussion of Fire Department union grievance regarding City of Stevens Point Administrative Policy 2.12, Employment Terminations
(c) Update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations
(d) Discussion of Fire Department union grievance regarding captain's promotional process
(e) Annual performance evaluations of the Police Chief and Fire Chief
4. Reconvene into open session (approximately 5:05 p.m.) for possible action on items 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d) and 3(e).
5. People to be heard and announcements
6. Approval of Minutes - November 12, 2002
7. Confirmation of Bills
8. Fire Department retirement announcements
9. Fire Chief's Report
10. Police Chief's Report
11. Adjournment

2. Introduction of Police Chaplains

Crime Prevention Officer Martin Skibba introduced the eight volunteer police chaplains to the Commission. The Commission welcomed and expressed appreciation to the volunteers. Officer Skibba was commended for his efforts and success to date. The eight volunteer clergy are:

• Bob Barnes St. Paul Lutheran Church
• Glenn Bremer First Baptist Church
• Alan Burkhardt St. Joseph's Catholic Church
• Edward Hunt, Jr. Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church
• Matthew Mallek Good News Fellowship Church
• Nancy Zorn Micke Peace United Church of Christ
• Earl Swigart Berea Baptist Church
• Graham West St. Paul's United Methodist Church

3. Adjourn into Closed Session (4:40 p.m.)

Commissioner Fandre moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to adjourn into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. secs. 19.85(1)(b), (c), (e) and (f) for the following:

(a) Motor pump operator interview - Fire Department
(b) Discussion of Fire Department union grievance regarding City of Stevens Point Administrative Policy 2.12, Employment Terminations
(c) Update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations
(d) Discussion of Fire Department union grievance regarding captain's promotional process
(e) Annual performance evaluations of the Police Chief and Fire Chief

Commissioner Boylan, yes
Commissioner Fandre, yes
Commissioner Judy, yes
Commissioner Taylor, yes

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

4. Reconvene into Open Session (5:30 p.m.)

Commissioner Boylan moved, seconded by Commissioner Fandre, to reconvene into open session for possible action on all items.

Commissioner Boylan, yes
Commissioner Fandre, yes
Commissioner Judy, yes
Commissioner Taylor, yes

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

Item No. 3(a): Motor pump operator interview - Fire Department

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Boylan, to approve the promotion of Todd Becken to Motor Pump Operator.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

Item No. 3(b): Discussion of Fire Department Union Grievance regarding City of Stevens Point Administrative Policy 2.12, Employment Terminations

Commissioner Boylan moved, seconded by Commissioner Fandre, that the grievance is denied based on past practice (Article 21).

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

Item No. 3(c): Update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations

No action was taken.

Item No. 3(d): Discussion of Fire Department union grievance regarding captain's promotional process

No action was taken.

Item No. 3(e): Annual performance evaluations of the Police Chief and Fire Chief

The police and fire liaisons will gather input, meet with the assigned chief and take necessary action to complete the process. Evaluations will be submitted to the Mayor's office by the end of December 2002.

5. People to be heard and announcements

Commissioner Judy announced that exploratory discussions have been initiated by the Village of Plover Task Force on a Plover Police Department merger with the Stevens Point Police Department. A meeting was held on December 10, 2002. In attendance were Stevens Point Police and Fire Commissioners Dick Judy and Mary Taylor, Plover Trustee Schmidt and Plover Police and Fire commission member Desorcy. The Village will have a public hearing on December 12, 2002. If there is a continued interest the Stevens Point Police Department will be contacted by Plover.

6. Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Fandre moved, seconded by Commissioner Boylan, to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2002 meeting.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.


7. Confirmation of Bills

Commissioner Fandre moved, seconded by Commissioner Boylan, to approve the confirmation of the November 2002 bills.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

8. Fire Department retirement announcements

The Commission placed retirement notices from Deputy Chief Eugene Szymkowiak and Captain James Wojcik on file.

9. Fire Chief's Report

Chief Barnes reported:

• Monthly statistical reports were reviewed.
• Operational and capital budgets were reviewed.
• Five firefighter/paramedic recruit candidates are scheduled to interview with the Chief on January 3, 2003. Commission level interviews are scheduled for January 14, 2003.
• Department promotional interviews are scheduled for Monday, December 16, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room D of the Courthouse.
• The Chief briefed the Commission concerning mechanical design problems of the Quint fire engine.
• The Chief is working with City Engineering to gain DNR approval to construct an emergency rescue boat launch to access the Wisconsin River at the end of Bliss Street.
• Refresher training for paramedics is scheduled for January - March, 2003.
• The Chief will request that the Council's personnel committee place the next person promoted to captain just above mid-point on the management pay scale.
• The Chief briefed the Commission concerning The Federal Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act.

A retirement reception for all recent and upcoming retirees is tentatively scheduled for January 13th at 3:00 p.m.

Commissioner Fandre moved, seconded by Commissioner Boylan, to approve the Fire Chief's report for November, 2002.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion Carried.


10. Police Chief's Report

Chief Carpenter reported:

• November's statistical reports were reviewed.
• Operational and capital budget recaps were reviewed.
• Three viable candidates remain on the police officer recruitment eligibility list that remains in effect until August 13, 2003.
• The Chief presented newly designed and computer generated department letterhead paper that displays the Department's shoulder patch and the WILEAG accreditation emblem.
• A brief discussion was held regarding overtime. The Department will request that the City transfer any 2002 budget overtime funds and credits remaining at year end be credited to the Reserve Overtime and Holiday Time Account to keep time on the books from being an unfounded liability.
• The Department continues to work with the Multi Cultural Advocacy Partnership coalition. The group serves to identify and address cultural issues.
• The Chief is working with Administrator Pat Orr from UWSP Security regarding the hiring process and background checks for selected applicants of the UWSP Police Chief's position recruitment process.

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Boylan, to approve the Police Chief's report for November, 2002.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

11. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting minutes reproduced on this website are derived from the computer files used to produce the official minutes for the City of Stevens Point, but are unofficial. The minutes on this web site cannot be certified under s. 889.08, Wis. Stats., and cannot be considered prima facie evidence under s. 889.04, Wis. Stats. Certain tables, maps, and other documents that are a part of the official minutes are not included in the files reproduced on this website. Please consult the printed minutes, available in the City Clerk's Office, for the official text. The decisions made by City of Stevens Point boards, committees, and commissions (other than the Police & Fire Commission) are advisory only and are not binding on the city until affirmed at a meeting of the Common Council. Some of the minutes on this web site might not be approved by the Common Council as of today.