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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210520 - PSAC Minutes City of Hastings Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) Meeting Minutes May 20, 2021 Virtual Meeting Present: Commissioners Dolores Pemble, Bryon Ascheman, Melissa Blackstad and Gary Stevens. City Staff: Police Chief Bryan Schafer, Fire Chief John Townsend and Assistant Fire Chief Chris Paulson 1. New Assistant Fire Chief introduction/welcome. -Chief Townsend asked the new Assistant Fire Chief, Chris Paulson, attend the Commission meeting. -Assistant Chief Chris Paulson introduced himself to those on the Commission that did not know him. He provided a summary of his 22 years of service with the department. -His responsibilities will include working on department organization,training of staff and reviewing and updating department policies and procedures. -Commission Chair Pemble welcomed Assistant Chief Paulson to his new role. 2. Fire Chief John Townsend provided a brief fire department update. - The department is in the process of hiring/promoting a new fire captain. It is expected that the new captain will be announced in next few weeks. This promotion will open a full-time fire fighter position in the department. -Chief Townsend updated the Commission on the hiring process for the full-time firefighter positions in the department. Written tests have been administered and five candidates will be interviewed. -The department finalized its purchase agreement with MacQueen Emergency for the purchase of a fire truck to be manufactured by Pierce Manufacturing out of Wisconsin. The new fire truck is expected to arrive in 12 to 15 months. It will replace Engine No.3 which has been in service since 1993. -Chief Townsend updated the Commission on several other items included in the 2021 budget including a SCBA washer, a replacement for the department's 2004 Tahoe, portable radios and thermal imaging equipment. -Chief Townsend also updated the Commission on a new procedure for automatic aid for structure fires, the status of the fire study and updating COVID protocols. 3. Chief Schafer provided a brief police department update. -Chief Schafer also updated the Commission on updated COVID protocols. -Chief Schafer also updated the Commission on the hiring of a full-time receptionist. Saadia Gentle has accepted the position. -Patrol Officers Dan Tollefson and Craig Nowlan will be retiring later this year. -Chief Schafer also updated the Commission on items included in the 2021 budget including two new squad cars,portable radios and mobile squad cameras. -The Commission also discussed the Public Safety event held downtown for Police Week. Commission members thought the event was well attended given the circumstances and appreciated all the work that went into coordinating this event. -The Commission also discussed the mobile camera until. Chief Schafer advised the Commission that there have been many requests to utilize it throughout the city and he is currently exploring additional cameras that interface with the existing unit. These individual cameras can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of the mobile unit and could provide addition coverage. 4. Chief Schafer reported to the Commission that Commission Member Dozier Hunter resigned from the Commission. 5. Joint Commission and Public Safety Committee Meeting. -The Commission provided feedback and thoughts on the recent joint meeting between the Commission and the Public Safety Committee of the Council. Chief Schafer and Chief Townsend updated the Commission the initial strategic planning meetings at the Council. 6. 2020 Year End PSAC Report -Commissioner Ascheman updated the Commission on the status of the year-end report to the Council. This will be updated with Commission goals for 2021. 7. 2021 PSAC Goals -The Commission discussed possible goals for 2021. After discussion,the following goals were adopted: (1) Coordinating with and supporting the efforts of the new community engagement officer; (2) Identify ways in which the Commission can foster community engagement initiatives considering the pandemic and related restrictions; and (3) Commission mission statement and developing a Commission Handbook. 8. PSAC Governance Framework -The Commission discussed a proposal for a PSAC governance framework provided by Dozier Hunter. 9. National Night Out -The Commission discussed planning a National Night Out community event for 2021. -The date would be August 3, 2021. -The Commission agreed to move forward with a NNO event. -The Commission discussed the possibility of moving the event from Lions Park to another location to engage a different area of the city. Chief Schafer advised that he would contact Officer Rinowski to see if she had any suggestions. -Further discussions would be had at the next commission meeting 10. Next meeting is June 17, 2021 11. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00.