Roll Call: Commissioners Judy, Schleihs and Taylor

Commissioners Meyer & Pazdernik, excused

Also Present: Police Chief Jeff Morris, Fire Chief Mark Barnes, Mayor Gary Wescott, Alderman Jack Barr, Alderman Dave Sowieja, Firefighter Paramedic Tracy Aldrich

Index of these Minutes:

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

a. Motor Pump Operator Interview - Fire Department
b. Update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations
c. Fire Department grievance

3. Reconvene into open session (approximately 5:30 p.m.) for possible action on Item Numbers 2(a) and 2(c).
4. People to be heard and announcements
5. Approval of minutes - February 15, 2005
6. Confirmation of Bills
7. Discussion of employee survey results presented by Gary Itzkowitz to police department personnel on March 9, 2005
8. Discussion, with possible action, approval of city comprehensive plan as it relates to the Police Department
9. Discussion, with possible action, proposal to increase the rate of all parking fines within the City of Stevens Point
10. Police Chief's Report
11. Fire Chief's Report
12. Adjournment

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

a. Motor Pump Operator interview
b. Update on police and fire union bargaining negotiations
c. Fire Department grievance

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

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

3. Reconvene into open session (approximately 5:30 p.m.) for possible action on Item Numbers 2(a) and 2(c).

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

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

Commissioner Schleihs moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to direct Mayor Wescott to request a legal opinion from the City Attorney regarding the issue of promotions within the fire department. Once the Commission has an opportunity to review and discuss the legal opinion from the City Attorney, President Judy will send a letter to IAFF Local 484 President Aldrich regarding the status of the grievance.

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

4. People to be heard and announcements

None.

5. Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2005 meeting.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

6. Confirmation of Bills

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to accept the confirmation of the February 2005 bills.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

7. Discussion of employee survey results presented by Gary Itzkowitz to police department personnel on March 9, 2005

The results of the staff survey report were discussed.

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.

8. Discussion, with possible action, approval of city comprehensive plan as it relates to the Police Department

Commissioner Schleihs moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to approve the Police Department portion of the City Comprehensive Plan as presented. A copy will be forwarded to Community Development Director John Gardner.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

9. Discussion, with possible action, proposal to increase the rate of all parking fines within the City of Stevens Point.

The Stevens Point Police Department wants to be more efficient in the handling of parking tickets. The current way of writing tickets is time consuming and cumbersome. Lt. Kudronowicz researched several different parking system options and selected Clancy Systems International as the one that would best suit the needs of the Department. The initial cost of implementing this system would be approximately $14,000. Any start up costs would be paid for with the increase in parking fines.

Parking tickets have been at their current rate since 1995. The Department is proposing to increase the rate of all parking fines within the City of Stevens Point to $15.00. Comparisons with other cities in Wisconsin show an increase to $15.00 for general parking violations is not unreasonable.

The Department is requesting a change to ordinance 9.05(1) which would eliminate the 30 minute limit currently in existence. The ordinance would not allow parking on any city street between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless prior approval is requested and granted.

The Commission commended Lt. Kudronowicz for the excellent work he did in preparing this data.

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to direct the Police Department to work with other city departments to enact the parking system changes and ordinance changes as presented.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

10. Police Chief's Report

Chief Morris reported:

• February's statistical reports were reviewed.
• Operational and capital budget recaps were reviewed.
• The Chief presented the Commission with a written report completed by Captain Dowling which summarizes enforcement options available to the city if the BreatheFREE smoking ordinance passes in April 2005. The Commission commended Captain Dowling for the time expended and the excellent work he performed in preparing this report.
• The Chief distributed a copy of the taser presentation Dr. Curtis presented at recent in-service training sessions at the Police Department. A short discussion followed.
• The Police Department is working in cooperation with the Landlord's Association to combat problems associated with rental properties, e.g. loud parties, underage drinking, etc.
• With the approval of Mayor Wescott, Chief Morris will serve on the Portage County, Wisconsin Justice System Needs Assessment committee.
• The Department received 56 completed police officer applications. The written examination is tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2005.

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to approve the Police Chief's report for February 2005.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

11. Fire Chief's Report

Chief Barnes reported:

• January and February'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. Hopeful for his return is early April.
• Firefighter/Paramedic J.B. Moody received notice he will be activated for military duty from April 26th through October of 2005.
• The Chief updated the Commission on the partnership with Chippewa Valley Technical College and eight (8) other Wisconsin Fire Departments to provide CPAT testing.
• 1,100 hits on application website.
• 250 completed applications. Initial screening is seeing a higher degree of entry requirements being met than in 2004.
• 2004 had 163 completed applications. Significant number without minimal requirements.
• The Department is providing Wisconsin's certified fire officer 60-hours program. The first class is April 21st. There will be one module per month.
• The Department has contracted with Wisconsin to provide inspection of underground and above ground storage tanks for a number of years. The existing annual contract expires on June 30, 2005. The Department no longer has the necessary certified personnel to continue this service. The contract will be allowed to expire on June 30th 2005.
• The Fire Department's chain of command directive was discussed and approved.
• After 24 years of service Captain Doug Christensen will retire effective no later than April 18th. Mr. Justin Thompson remains on the PFC approved list and will be given a conditional offer of employment as a Firefighter/Paramedic.

Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Schleihs, to approve the Fire Chief's report for February 2005.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

12. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:55 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.