Roll Call: Commissioners Judy, Meyer, Pazdernik, Schleihs and Taylor

Also Present: Fire Chief Barnes, Police Chief Morris, Mayor Wescott and Elmer Fournier - Village of Park Ridge

Index of these Minutes:

2. People to be heard and announcements
3. Review and approve contract with Village of Park Ridge for Stevens Point Fire Department assistance on ambulance runs
4. Approval of Minutes - August 10, 2004
5. Confirmation of Bills
6. Discussion on 12 hour patrol work schedule (overtime costs and other issues)
7. Police Chief's Report
8. Fire Chief's Report
9. Adjourn into executive session (approximately 5:30 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. ss. 19.85 (1)(b), (c), (e) and (f) for an update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations
10. Adjournment

2. People to be heard and announcements

None.

3. Review and approve contract with Village of Park Ridge for Stevens Point Fire Department assistant on ambulance runs

The existing five year emergency medical services support contract between the Village of Park Ridge and the Stevens Point Fire Department will expire on June 1, 2005. Village of Park Ridge Trustee Elmer Fournier noted how pleased they have been with this agreement and requested that another Contract be signed. The Contract allows for the assistance of the Stevens Point Fire Department for life threatening EMS calls that occur in the Village of Park Ridge.

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded By Commissioner Schleihs, to allow Chief Barnes and the Village of Park Ridge to enter another Mutual Aid Contract.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

4. Approval of Minutes - August 10, 2004

Commissioner Pazdernik moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2004 meeting.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

5. Confirmation of Bills

Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to accept the confirmation of the August 2004 bills.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

6. Discussion on 12 hour patrol work schedule (overtime costs and other issues)

Chief Morris briefed the commission on the effects the 12 hour patrol shift schedule has had on the Department to date.

7. Police Chief's Report

Chief Morris reported:

• August's statistical reports were reviewed.
• Operational and capital budget recaps were reviewed.
• A revised Stevens Point Police Department recruitment brochure was distributed to the Commission. Commissioners reviewed the recruitment brochure and they suggested revisions. A discussion on likely recruiting targets was held and several suggestions were made. Since the eligibility list is exhausted the Department will begin a new recruitment effort by October 15, 2004.
• The Chief updated the Commission on the FTO process for recruit Officers Drossel and Yenter.
• A short discussion was held regarding the strategic planning process. The Chief will contact Gary Itzkowitz at UWSP for his help with this process.
• The Department is applying for a grant to assist in the purchase of software relating to Incident Based Reporting.
• The Department will close two existing checking and one savings account. The accounts were in the Department name. The accounts had been open for a number of years and the 2004 audit suggested the funds be turned over to the City Finance Department where the funds will be placed in special revenue accounts separate from the general fund. The original purpose of the accounts was for handling MEG funds, school safety patrol donations and other miscellaneous donations.
• A discussion on the weekly (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) situation involving UWSP students, the Downtown Square and Core areas and liquor consumption was held. The adoption of a problem solving approach involving the City, Police Department, UW students and the community was agreed on as a means to better deal with this ongoing issue.
• The Deer Culling Committee for 2005 has been selected. The Chief will keep the Commission updated on the progress of the process.

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to approve the Police Chief's report for August, 2004.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

8. Fire Chief's Report

Chief Barnes reported:

• Monthly statistical reports were reviewed. The operations, EMS and training reports have a new format.
• Operational and capital budgets were reviewed.
• The Chief briefed the Commission on the active duty military status of two Fire Department Personnel.
• The only remaining capital budget item is $13,000 as 10% of a federal grant for physical fitness and total capture vehicle exhaust system upgrades.
• Effective Monday, September 20th 2004 Captain Michael Spencer will retire from the Fire Department after 27 years of service.
• Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic J. B. Moody started employment on Monday, August 16, 2004 and has completed his introductory training effective September 9, 2004. He is now serving his annual two week training deployment to the National Guard.
• Currently two members of the Fire Department remain off duty due to injuries.
• A full scale simulated smoke emergency evacuation drill was held at UWSP Knuszen Hall training 150+ resident hall staff members. This is a first time event that is planned for repeating every two to three years.
• Six members of the Fire Department participated in a mock hostage exercise at SPASH.
• The Stevens Point Fire Department has partnered with the Portage County Commission on Aging to provide a Safe Steps Program. When someone has fallen, paramedics provide written information to the victim and/or family followed by the referral to the Commission on Aging.
• In 1998 falls were the leading cause of hospitalization for people aged 75 and older.
• Forty-five percent (45%) of nursing home admissions in 2000 were people that had fallen in the last six months.
• 502 Emergency Department or Urgent Care visits at St. Michael's Hospital between October 2002 and September 2003 were due to a fall.
• UWSP's team of computer system evaluators has nearly completed the installation of the new file server. This has saved the City approximately $2,000+.
• Office of Justice Assistance is courting the Stevens Point Fire Department to host a regional light response collapse rescue team for Central Wisconsin. Teams now exist in Appleton, Sturgeon Bay, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Madison, LaCrosse, Eau Claire, Marathon County, Rhinelander, Superior and Marinette. Key points are:
• 12 member teams from various departments with SPFD being the manager.
• Response: 30 minute deployment for Recon and 90 minutes for a full collapse team.

Commissioner Schleihs moved, seconded by Commissioner Pazdernik, to approve the Fire Chief's report for August, 2004.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion Carried.

9. Adjourn into EXECUTIVE SESSION (approximately 5:30 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. ss. 19.85 (1) (b), (c), (e) and (f) for an update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations.

Commissioner Schliehs moved, seconded by Commissioner Pazdernik, to adjourn into executive session.

Roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Judy, Meyer, Pazdernik, Schleihs and Taylor
Nays: None. Motion carried.

10. 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.