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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210218 - PSAC Minutes City of Hastings Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) Meeting Minutes February 18, 2021 Virtual Meeting Present: Commissioners Dolores Pemble, Bryon Ascheman, Jesse Starkson, Melissa Blackstad, Gary Stevens, Steve Holmes &Dozier Hunter City Staff: Police Chief Bryan Schafer and Fire Chief John Townsend. 1. New police officer introduction. -Chief Schafer asked three of the five new police officers to attend the Commission meeting so that the Commission members could met them. -Officer Ryan Haedt, Officer Chad Schlichte and Officer Zak Knochenmus each introduced themselves and provided a brief background of their training and their experience with the Department to date. -Commission Chair Pemble welcomed the new officers to the Department. 2. Minutes for the January Commission Meet were approved. 3. Chief Schafer provided a brief police department update. -The department has ordered new portable radios to replace the existing radios which are ten years old. -The department is in the process of updating the squad car cameras. The new cameras will integrate with the department's body worn cameras. -The department is currently in the process of hiring a receptionist. 294 applications were received, and the applicant pool was narrowed to 20. 13 people were interviewed. -Commissioner Holmes passed on comments he heard from a department member commenting on the positive culture within the department and the leadership provided by Chief Schafer. 4. Fire Chief John Townsend provided a brief fire department update. -The department is currently undertaking a search for an assistant fire chief. Chief Townsend is pleased with the applicant pool. After interviews were conducted,the pool was narrowed to two finalists- Hastings Fire Captain Jamie Stevens and Hastings Fire Captain Chris Paulson. -Chief Townsend hopes to have the hiring process concluded and the new assistant fire chief is onboard in April. -The department is in the process of specing out a new fire truck. - Chief Townsend updated the Commission on the new medical director. -Ice rescue training is being undertaken at Lake Rebecca and will include members from several neighboring departments. S. 2020 year-end report. -The commission discussed preparing a brief for the City Council. Because COVID curtailed much of the Commissions activities in 2020. Commissioner Ascheman will prepare a short draft year-end report and include some of the Commission goals for 2021. 6. Joint Commission and Public Safety Committee Meeting. -A joint meeting between Commission and Public Safety Committee of the City Council has been scheduled for March 18, 2021. -A lengthy discussion ensued regarding potential discussion points for this meeting and hoped for outcomes. These discussion points included ways in which the Commission could support the Public Safety Committee and its work, expectation of the Committee and seeking direction from the Public Safety Committee regarding the work of the Commission. -Commissioner Ascheman discussed the issue of whether there was a role of equity, diversity and inclusion for the Commission. He noted that this was an issue discussed with Council Member Leifeld recently. -Commissioner Hunter raised the issue of training for Commission members to carry out their roles. Potential areas of training could include training on city ordinances and fire and police policies,and how the departments deal with mental health issues in the community. Other areas or training may include ride-alongs with the departments and tours of the police and fire department. -Commission members were encouraged to submit a list of possible discussion points to Chair Pemble to organize and synthesize prior to the next meeting. -Commissioner Chair Pemble will draft an email to the Public Safety Committee members asking them to spend some time considering the role and expectations of the Commission. 7. Goals for 2021 -The Commission had a preliminary discussion on goals for 2021. Ideas for goals included (1) supporting wellness initiatives within the police and fire departments; (2) looking at ways that the departments and City could provide follow-up and support to citizen following a traumatic event; (3) ways in which the Commission can foster community engagement initiatives in light of the pandemic and related restrictions; (4) coordinating with and supporting the efforts of the new community engagement officer; (S) consider policies regarding electric bikes and bike licensing; and (6) the Commission mission statement. 8. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:06.