Roll Call: Commissioners Judy, Meyer, Pazdernik and Schleihs

Commissioner Taylor, excused

Also Present: Police Chief Jeff Morris, Fire Chief Mark Barnes, Mayor Gary Wescott, Alderman Jack Barr, Deputy Chief Gary Engebretson, Deputy Chief Tracey Kujawa, Deputy Chief Jay Gordon, Comptroller/Treasurer John Schlice, Lorna Whalen, Mark Schoeberle, Dennis Zvara, Tracy Aldrich, Charlie Skibba, Dale Okray, Autumn Okray

Index of these Minutes:

2. People to be heard and announcements
3. Adjourn into executive session (approximately 4:30 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. ss. 19.85(1) (c) and (e) for the following:

a. Captain interview - Fire Department
b. Motor Pump Operator interview - Fire Department
c. Update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations
d. Discussion on personnel issues within the Police and Fire Departments

4. Reconvene into open session (approximately 5:15 p.m.) for possible action on Item Numbers 3(a) and 3(b).
5. Update on ambulance contract negotiations
6. Approval of minutes - December 14, 2004
7. Confirmation of Bills
8. Police Chief's Report
9. Fire Chief's Report
10. Adjournment

2. People to be heard and announcements

None.

3. Adjourn into executive session (approximately 4:30 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. ss. 19.85(1) (c) and (e) for the following:

a. Captain interview - Fire Department
b. Motor Pump Operator interview - Fire Department

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

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

4. Reconvene into open session (approximately 4:45 p.m.) for possible action on Item Numbers 3(a) and 3(b).

Commissioner Schleihs moved, seconded by Commissioner Pazdernik, to reconvene into open session.

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

The Commission reviewed and approved the recommendations of Chief Barnes to the positions of Captain and Motor Pump Operator at the Fire Department. Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to approve the promotion of Eric Macht to Captain at the Fire Department.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

5. Update on ambulance contract negotiations

Mayor Wescott assured the Commission and the City Council President that the headline in the Stevens Point Journal entitled "City to end EMS pact" is not accurate nor does it accurately reflect the action that has been taken by the city working with the county. He stated it is important that our paramedics and EMS providers understand we are not ending the EMS pact with the county.

In a letter to Portage County Board of Supervisors Chairman Philip Idsvoog dated December 22, 2004 Mayor Wescott notified the County the City desires to renegotiate the ambulance service agreement and therefore gives notification of its termination of the agreement effective December 31, 2005. He also states it is the City's intention to fully operate the EMS system for years to come without a change in service or commitment to the residents of Portage County.

Portage County Public Safety/Emergency Management Chair Harvey Olson responded in writing by saying the County intends to work cooperatively with the city to resolve any differences to reach an amicable resolution to the ambulance service agreement. The county recognizes this is nothing more than a formality the city needs to do because the city believes more paramedics are needed to continue to provide exemplary service to Portage County residents.

PFC Commission President Richard Judy reiterated the Mayor's statement that the city is not ending the EMS pact with the county and that the city intends to fully operate the EMS system for years to come without a change in service or commitment to the residents of Portage County.

6. Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Pazdernik moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2004 meeting.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

7. Confirmation of Bills

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

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

8. Police Chief's Report

Chief Morris reported:

• December's statistical reports were reviewed.
• Operational and capital budget recaps were reviewed.
• The Department received written confirmation approving a grant from Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance to assist in the development of software designed to perform Incident Based Reporting and Crime analysis on the Department's web based wireless computer network.
• In the near future Gary Itzkowicz of the UWSP Community Research Center will begin phase two of the strategic planning process which consists of surveying the Stevens Point community, both business and citizens in general.

The Chief discussed Police Department goals for 2005.

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

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

9. Fire Chief's Report

Chief Barnes reported:

• December's statistical reports were reviewed.
• Operational and capital budget recaps were reviewed.
• One firefighter/paramedic remains off work with a duty related knee and shoulder injury. Late February return at the earliest.
• The Chief received official notification from the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance (a.k.a Homeland Security) that the $120,000 grant for the Collapse Rescue Response Team for Central Wisconsin has been approved.
• The Village of Whiting may be forming a partnership with the Village of Plover to provide medical first responders in Whiting.
• The Chief will be attending an organizational meeting of the proposed CPAT consortium at Chippewa Valley Technical College on Friday, January 14th 2005. All Police and Fire Commission members are welcome to come along.
• The Chief is expecting to see a military activation of J.B. Moody from mid-May to October 1, 2005. He is a medic with the Air Force Guard, 15th Fighter Wing from Madison.

EMS:

• Replacement ambulance delivery scheduled for later this month.
• Continued evaluation of EMS data management systems.
• 2004's call volume is up 7.02% from last year.
• On Monday, January 3rd at 10:49 a.m. fifty-five gallons of Methyl Amyl Keytone spilled into a semi truck at Stora Enso. There were no injuries or damage to the environment. The spill was contained to Stora Enso property. The Plover Haz-Mat team responded.

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

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

10. Adjourn into executive session (5:15 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. ss. 19.85(1) (c) and (e) for the following:

c. Update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations
d. Discussion on personnel issues within the Police and Fire Departments

Commissioner Schleihs moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to adjourn into executive session.

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

11. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:40 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.