HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240815 - PSAC Minutes August 15, 2024
Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes
Present: Commissioners: Andy Caflisch, Mary Nehring, Gary Stevens,
and Theresa Auge`.
City Staff: Assistant Police Chief Brian Schowalter, Fire Chief John Townsend
Guests: No guests in attendance
Chair Augé called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Welcome/Introductions:
A motion made by Commissioner Nehring and seconded by Commissioner Stevens to approve the
agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
A motion made by Commissioner Stevens and seconded by Commissioner Nehring to approve the
July 18, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Police Update:
• National Night Out: Went very well – thanked commissioners. Huge crowd, fantastic weather.
• New Squad Car: Currently being outfitted with squad car equipment. Anticipated completion in
four weeks.
• Staffing Update: Brandon Kucharski is the newest Police Officer. He is an officer with 6 years of
experience in Northern Minnesota (St. Louis County). Start date is September 23rd.
• October: Pink Patch Project – Coordinated by Officer Rinowski. Fundraiser pink glasses, patches,
and plastic cups available at City Hall and Police Department front desk. Officer Rinowski worked
the county fair and will also be at the Mall of America.
• Comments from members:
o Recognition of NNO in current Hastings Journal.
o Discussion regarding requirements for new police officer hiring: 4 year (bachelor’s
degree) / 2 year (associate degree) + experience)
Fire Update:
• Annual fire engine inspections. The department has 3 engines. Maintenance issues occurred
with all three engines. HFD borrowed an engine from Red Wing Fire Department for a short
period of time. Currently back to running two HFD engines.
• Newly hired Paid on Call done with hazmat classes.
• Booya: September 14th
Old Business:
• National Night Out:
o Chair Auge` asked for feedback on NNO. There was a discussion about using a regular
table for serving rather than bending over the bench on the picnic tables.
o 450 hot dogs were served. First year to run out of food.
• July Coffee with a Cop (Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel): Good turnout of police officers,
sheriff department, state patrol and EMS Fire and community members.
• August Coffee with a Cop: Hosted at Dunkin Donuts – fundraiser for Special Olympics.
New Business:
• Review of annual goals: Good progress on goals 1 and 3.
• Assistant Chief Schowalter will share with Chief Wilske the need to schedule a presentation from
the HPD social worker.
Next Meeting:
September 19th at City Hall
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Commissioner Nehring and seconded by Commissioner Stevens. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:14 pm.