Police & Fire Commission
March 11, 2008, 4:32 p.m.

Roll Call: Commissioners Meyer, Nuck, and Rice

Commissioners Schleihs and Taylor, excused

Also Present: Police Chief Morris, Fire Chief Barnes, Mayor Andrew Halverson, Captain Kevin Ruder, Attorney Dean Dietrich, City Attorney Louis Molepske, Lisa Jakusz, Alderperson Randy Stroik, J.B. Moody

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. Section 19.85 (1) (b), (c), (e) and (f) for the following: a. Updates on Police and Fire labor negotiations, mediation, arbitration and personnel issues.
4. Reconvene into Open Session (approximately 4:50 p.m.)
5. Donations to safety cadet program from Madison School and St. Paul Lutheran School
6. Police Chief's Report
7. Discussion, with possible action, Fire Chief Barnes' request to attend out of state training from April 1 - 4, 2008
8. Fire Chief's Report
9. Adjournment

2. People to be heard and announcements

Comptroller Treasurer John Schlice presented a recap of the 2007 Stevens Point Ambulance budget.

3. Adjourn into Executive Session (approximately 4:30 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. Sections 19.85 (1) (e) and (g) for updates on Police and Fire labor negotiations, mediation, arbitration, personnel issues and meeting with legal council with regard to potential litigation.

Commissioner Nuck moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to adjourn into Executive session.

Ayes: Commissioners Meyer, Nuck and Rice
Nays, none. Motion carried.

4. Reconvene into Open Session (approximately 4:50 p.m.)

Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Nuck, to reconvene into open session.

Ayes: Commissioners Meyer, Nuck and Rice
Nays, none. Motion carried.

5. Approval of Minutes - February 12, 2008

Commissioner Nuck moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2008 meeting.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion Carried.

6. Confirmation of Bills

Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Nuck, to accept the confirmation of the February 2008 Police and Fire Department bills.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

7. Donations to Safety Cadet Program from Madison School and St. Paul Lutheran School

Commissioner Nuck moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to approve the donations from Madison School and St. Paul Lutheran School to the Safety Cadet Program.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

8. Police Chief's report:

Chief Morris reported:

• The crime statistics for January and February were included in packets this month. The format will remain the same until we fully transition to the new system.
• The Department received a grievance. The Chief will keep the commission updated.
• The Chief gave a brief summary of the strategic direction plan progress.
• The Department is completing work on a study of the infrastructure of the voice radio system. The outcome of the study will be a report that will suggest a site to locate a tower that will provide base radio coverage for the primary/portable as well as the Fire Department's repeater system. In addition, the study will suggest locations for repeaters for the police system that will ensure voice coverage in locations where at best the Department currently enjoys only spotty portable coverage.
• The chief discussed the ability to continue a long standing practice of using police officers to cover dispatcher staffing shortages. After an extensive review the management team concluded this practice can continue only under limited circumstances. On March 3rd the Chief issued a Department Notice which strictly limits the times and conditions under which trained officers will continue to be utilized in dispatch. The implications for the future will be providing additional civilian dispatcher personnel, discussing closer cooperation with the county and also discussing development of an hours share plan with the county.
• The Chief updated the Commission on the beat patrol officer grant awarded to the Department in 2007.

Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Nuck, to approve the Police Chief's report for February 2008.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

9. Discussion, with possible action, Fire Chief Barnes' request to attend out of state training from April 1 - 4, 2008.

Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Nuck, to approve Chief Barnes' request to attend the 20th annual National Fire and Emergency Services Seminar of the Congressional Fire Institute in Washington, D.C. from April 1 - 4, 2008.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

10. Fire Chief's Report

Chief Barnes reported:

• The Chief reported on the status of Station #2.
• Jonathan Holton started his orientation training on Monday, February 11.
• The Chief received a thank you note from Colonel Keith W. Gallagher in reference to Armando Ramon.
• February 28, 2008 was the first response of Central Wisconsin's Special Rescue team to AmeriCold Logistics Corporation on Highway 54. A 40 by 60 foot piece of roof in the center of the building collapsed. No injuries occurred. In addition, the team is in the process of changing its name to better reflect the cadre of rescue services the team is trained to provide: collapse, confined space, trench and high angle.
• The Village of Park Ridge has sent a second letter requesting a formal proposal from the city requesting cost estimations for the Fire Department to provide fire protection services for the Village. City staff is working on a reply.
• There will be a public educational presentation by Emergency Services Consulting, Inc. (ESCi) discussing the various methods of consolidations, mergers, and contracting for fire protection services. This will be held on March 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Sentry Theater. The Fire Department has three copies of their book "Making the Pieces Fit" which is available for loan to any Police and Fire Commission member.
• The Department will apply for two federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). One will be for a replacement aerial truck in the amount of $850,000.00. The second has yet to be identified. The due date for both grants is March 30, 2008.
• The city is continuing to work with the Village of Plover to establish an initial aid agreement for aerial service. City Attorney Molepske will soon provide draft language for this agreement.
• The Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance has requested that Portage County take possession of a stockpile of EMS supplies to be used in the event of a mass causality event. The Fire Department is working with Portage County Emergency Management to assist in this effort. There are no out-of-pocket expenses to the city.
• A small working group of fire and law enforcement officials from the metro area are working to evaluate introduction of the safety system entitled Emergency Vehicle Traffic Control Preemption. Plans are to apply for a regional AFG to cover infrastructure and emitters for fire and EMS vehicles.
• Staff at the Department is in the process of recommending a change to the existing ban on all outdoor furnaces.

Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Nuck, to approve the Fire Chief's report for February, 2008.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

11. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:57 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.