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Police & Fire Commission
July 15, 2008, 4:33 p.m.
Roll Call: Commissioners Meyer, Nuck, Rice, Schleihs and Taylor
Also Present: Police Chief Morris; Interim Fire Chief Zinda, Mayor Halverson; Deputy Police Chief Dowling, Captain Ruder, Deputy Chief Kujawa, J.B. Moody, Tate Roselius, Meredith Thorn - Stevens Point Journal
Index of these minutes:
2. People to be heard and announcements
3. Adjourn into Closed Session (approximately 4:30 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. Sec. 19.85
(1) (c) for the following:
(a) Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic interview
4. Reconvene into open session (approximately 4:45 p.m.) for possible action on item 3
(a).
5. Approval of Minutes - June 10, 2008, July 1, 2008, July 8, 2008
6. Confirmation of Bills
7. Discussion, with possible action, IAFF Local 484 participation
in the 2008 Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser
8. Fire Chief's Report
9. Police Chief's Report
10. RESOLUTION: The Commission directs Chief Morris to conduct an investigation
to determine efficacy of restructuring the Police and Fire Departments into a Public Safety Department
11. Adjournment
2. People to be heard and announcements
None.
3. Adjourn into closed session
(approximately 4:30 p.m.) pursuant to Wis. Stats. Sec. 19.85 (1) (c) for the following:
a. Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic interview
Commissioner Rice moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to adjourn into closed session.
Ayes: Meyer, Nuck, Rice, Schleihs, Taylor
Nays: None. Motion carried.
4. Reconvene into open session
(approximately 4:45 p.m.) for possible action on item 3 (a).
Commissioner Rice moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to reconvene into open session.
Ayes: Meyer, Nuck, Rice, Schleihs, Taylor
Nays: None. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rice moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to approve Firefighter/Paramedic Tate Roselius to regular
status upon the successful completion of his probationary period.
Ayes: Meyer, Nuck, Rice, Schleihs, Taylor
Nays: None. Motion carried.
5. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner
Nuck, to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2008 meeting as amended. Amended June 10, 2008 agenda item #10, action
to review public safety operations, motion is as follows:
Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to appoint Jeff Morris to perform duties as assigned
by the Police and Fire Commission from Saturday, June 14, 2008 until June 1, 2009 or until the study is completed
in regard to a public safety department before June 1, 2009. Jeff Morris will maintain a sworn status throughout
the duration of the special assignment.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
Commissioner Nuck moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to approve the minutes of the special meeting of July
1, 2008.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion Carried.
Commissioner Rice moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to approve the minutes of the special meeting of July
8, 2008.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
Commissioner Rice moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to acknowledge the following discussion at the July 8,
2008 meeting:
At the July 8, 2008 meeting City Attorney Louis Molepske presented information and discussed with the Commission
issues related to the study of a Public Safety Department. The discussion included optional powers of the Commission,
the creation of a Deputy Chief of Police position, the Police and Fire Commission's adoption of a resolution for
the study of a public safety department and the City Council revising Chapter 5 of the City of Stevens Point ordinance
to allow for the creation of a Deputy Chief of Police position. Attorney Molepske advised that Chapter 5 and State
Statutes dictate the City of Stevens Point can only have one Police Chief. The July 8, 2008 minutes should reflect
that City Attorney Molepske was present for discussion regarding agenda items 3 and 4.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
6. Confirmation of Bills
Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner
Nuck, to accept the
confirmation of the June 2008 Police Department bills.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
Commissioner Taylor moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to accept the confirmation of the June 2008 Fire Department
bills.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
7. Discussion, with possible
action, I.A.F.F. Local 484 participation in the 2008 Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser
The Union would like to participate in the fundraiser "fill the boot" drive to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy
Association. IAFF President J.B. Moody reported this is a national fundraiser. Firefighters stand at the busiest
stop light in the city. While the light is red firefighters walk from car to car carrying a fire boot and ask for
donations to the MDA. Moody requested on-duty firefighters be allowed to participate in the fundraiser. No overtime
would be incurred.
The commission had a few concerns, one being the safety of the firefighters.
Commissioner Meyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Taylor, to support the intent of the concept of the fundraiser.
Assuming the particulars can be worked out with the Police Department and the Mayor's office, the Fire Department
may proceed accordingly.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
Commissioner Meyer asked the Mayor to review the particulars about participating in the fundraiser while on-duty
status. The Mayor said he would discuss this with Human Resource Manager Lisa Jakusz to see what, if any, effect
this may have on other city unions.
There was a discussion about the protocol for responding to a call while firefighters are participating in the
fundraiser. There was also a concern about where to park the fire truck at a busy intersection while the firefighters
walk from car to car collecting money.
Union President J.B. Moody was directed to work directly with Sgt. Piotrowski to ensure the safety of the event.
J. B. Moody will update the commission after his July 23rd meeting with MDA representatives.
8. RESOLUTION: The Commission
directs Chief Morris to conduct an investigation to determine efficacy of restructuring the Police and Fire Departments
into a Public Safety Department
The Commission reviewed and discussed the document entitled "Charge from the Stevens Point Police and Fire
Commission to Police Chief to study the benefits/liabilities of creating a department of public safety". Several
minor changes were made to the document. Morris explained, and the Commission discussed, several draft documents
including: issues to study, study process, study teams and resources, and progress reporting forms. The Commission
also discussed the importance of communicating the process and progress of the study to the city council.
NOTE: Commissioner Taylor had to leave the meeting before the vote on the motion.
Commissioner Rice moved, seconded by Commissioner Meyer, to adopt the resolution as presented with minor changes
to the wording. The resolution includes the charge to direct Jeff Morris to investigate the benefits and liabilities
of establishing a department of public safety.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
9. Fire Chief's report:
Interim Fire Chief Zinda reported:
- The Chief reported on the Status of Station #2.
- The initial Aerial Aid Agreement with the Village of Plover is being drafted by City Attorney Louis Molepske.
- The City Planning and Code Enforcement Department will provide a draft ordinance regarding the change to outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces.
- The internal aerial truck specifications committee is continuing their review. An E-1 100 foot aerial platform was brought to the Fire Department for a demonstration and inspection on July 10th.
- An order for 33 Drager PSS 7000 SCBA will be placed on July 22nd.
- Peter Ostrowski has accepted the offer of employment and will begin work on July 28, 2008.
- Recruitment is complete and a new eligibility list is being developed with initial interviews to be scheduled for August or September.
- The Fire Department Long Term Planning Committee is working on a new mission statement and strategic direction.
- The Chief distributed a graph detailing the long term and short term personnel needs of the Department.
Commissioner Rice moved, seconded by Commissioner
Meyer, to accept the Fire Chief's report for June 2008.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
10. Police Chief's report:
Deputy Police Chief Dowling reported:
- The frequent random nuisance fires reported last month have ceased. Targeted patrol and contact with potential suspects appear to have had the desired effect.
- Fuel consumption this year is down approximately 250 gallons from last year at this time. Patrol supervisors were charged in May with developing fuel reduction strategies. The results should be apparent within the next couple of months.
- The Department's capital budget request has been prioritized and submitted. The total request for 2009 is less than $65,000.00.
- The Department has submitted a traffic study and ordinance revision to the Common Council to address parking concerns raised with the closing of East Avenue at Jefferson School. This has been a long running process which involved discussions with the school district, St. Joseph's Parish and St. Paul's.
- Joern's Healthcare is willing to make a donation to cover the cost of purchasing two additional bicycles for patrol. The street department has agreed to equip two squads with hitches for bicycle racks to accommodate this addition. Commissioner Rice moved, seconded by Commissioner Nuck, to accept the donation of the two bicycles from Joern's Healthcare. Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
- The Old Main Association held a block party on July 12, 2008. Sgt. Piotrowski was present as a representative of the Police Department. Those in attendance included the University Chancellor and a representative of the Landlord's Association. The formation of this group is very welcome. In the past there have been persons in this area who have shown an interest in neighborhood issues. They now have a structured organization with direction. It is expected the Police Department will be able to work cooperatively with the Landlord's Association to address mutual concerns in this area.
Commissioner Nuck moved, seconded by Commissioner
Meyer, to approve the Police Chief's report for June 2008.
Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.
11. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 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.