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City of Hastings <br /> Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) <br /> Meeting Minutes <br /> January 21, 2021 <br /> Virtual Meeting <br /> Present: Commissioners Bryon Ascheman, Dolores Pemble, Melissa Blackstad, Gary <br /> Stevens, Steve Holmes &Dozier Hunter <br /> Cit, Staff. Mayor Mary Fasbender, City Administrator Dan Wietecha, Police Chief <br /> Bryan Schafer, Fire Chief John Townsend, <br /> 1. Due to technical difficulties,the start time of the meeting was delayed. The <br /> meeting was called to order at 6:55 p.m.by Chair Commissioner Ascheman. <br /> 2. New Commissioner Dozier Hunter was welcomed to the Commission. Hunter <br /> briefly introduced himself to the Commission members. <br /> 3. Election of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Commission was <br /> undertaken. Dolores Pemble was elected Chairperson and Bryon Ascheman was <br /> elected Vice-Chairperson. The Commission discussed that, going forward, the <br /> Vice-Chairperson would also serve as secretary and be responsible for taking <br /> notes and preparing meeting minutes. <br /> 4. Gary Stevens and Dozier Hunter took their oaths. <br /> S. Chief Schafer provided a police department update. <br /> -Overall crime was down 14% in the City during 2020. At one point, crime <br /> was down 40%. Chief Schafer speculated that the decrease was due, in part, <br /> to the pandemic. Overall calls for service in 2020, however, remained similar <br /> to 2019. <br /> -18 of 37 staff quarantined at some point during 2020 either because of <br /> symptoms consistent with COVID or because of an exposure. Four staff <br /> tested positive for COVID during 2020. <br /> -The department did receive additional funds in 2020 through the CARES <br /> Act. These funds were used to install cubicles in the patrol room and <br /> purchase new computers to allow staff to work remotely. <br /> -Ryan Kline and Sam Beuch were recently promoted to sergeant to fill <br /> positions that resulted from recent retirements. <br />