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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220421 - PSAC MinutesCity of Hastings Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) Meeting Minutes April 21, 2022 Fire Department Training Room Present: Commissioners Dolores Pemble, Bryon Ascheman, Melissa Blackstad, Gary Stevens, Theresa Auge and Victoria Baukol City Staff: Police Chief Bryan Schafer, Fire Chief John Townsend and Assistant Fire Chief Chris Paulson 1. The meeting was called to order by Dolores Pemble at 6:30 p.m. 2. A motion to approve the agenda was made and seconded. The agenda was approved. 3. A motion to approve the minutes from the March 17, 2022 was made and seconded. The minutes were approved. 4. Chief Schafer provided a police department update. -Chief Schafer reported that police officer Georgeann Freeman, who joined the Department in January, was recognized as an Employee of the Year by her former Department, the Savage Police Department. She also received an Excellence in Service Award from the Minnesota Association of Women Police. Chief Schafer advised that Officer Freeman is a great addition to the Department. - Chief Schafer also reported that Officer Vomastek and K9 Sonny recently participated in drug detection trials in Washington County. Officer Vomastek and Sonny received an almost perfect score of 199.3 out of 200. Chief Schafer noted that Sonny is a great K9 and Officer Vomastek is a great handler. -Chief Schafer discussed the ongoing collaboration between the Department and IDEA. Deputy Chief Wilske and Marta Tierney recently presented to the Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association of Minnesota conference in St. Cloud. -Three new squad cars have been ordered for 2022. One has already arrived, and the remaining two are on the way. One of the squads will be a hybrid vehicle. -Twelve solar powered flashing speed signs were ordered using Covid funds. The first one was placed on 10th street. Chief Schafer noted that he very much appreciated the help from public works department in placing the signs in their designated locations. The decision about where to place these signs was based on an analysis of department records including locations of citizen speed complaints and locations of citations. Chief Schafer said that the city works department hoped that four signs could be placed each week until all twelve signs were up. - The interview process for the new police chief is underway. Commander Schowalter and Deputy Chief Wilske are the two candidates being interviewed. 5. Fire Chief John Townsend provided a fire department update. - Chief Townsend and Assistant Chief Chris Paulson provided to the Commission the presentation that they recently provided to the City Council at its workshop. Areas covered included: *Current staff and organization of department; *Accomplishments in 2021; *A summary of the number of calls for service over the last five years and how that is increasing; *A summary of staff retention; *A summary of recommendations which included discontinuing non-emergent hospital-to-hospital transfers, increasing full-time staff; -The Commission members had a robust discussion with Chief Townsend and Assistant Chief Paulson regarding the information provided during the presentation including the accomplishments within the department, its positive trajectory and morale, the ongoing challenges that remain with the current staffing situation and the pressure that it places on staff, and the impact of the outlined recommendations. -Chief Townsend updated the Commission on the ongoing hiring process for paid on call firefighters. He reported that Fire Captain Jamie Stevens was hired as the new Fire Inspector. The department will be posting for the position of Fire Captain. - Commission members asked about the possibility of regularly updating local media about Fire Department calls for service (like the summary of police calls that are published by local media) to increase visibility and make the community better aware of the service the department provides to the community. Commissioner Auge will reach out to the Hastings Journal. 6. Old Business -The Commission discussed its efforts to finalize a Commission handbook and what will be included. The Commission discussed the responsibilities and expectations section of the handbook including guidelines to ensure that Commission members regularly attend meetings and events. -The Commission discussed the “Coffee with a Cop” initiative. Community Engagement Office Whitney Rinowski welcomes PSAC assistance in helping to coordinate this – hopefully monthly. The Commission members discussed possible locations for future events. Commissioner Auge would contact Coburns as a possible site. The Commission will discuss this further at next month’s meeting. -The traditional Police Week event will be a “Public Safety Night.” It will take place on Tuesday, May 17, 5-7:30 pm, downtown. Commission members are asked to join the Police and Fire/EMS departments for this event. -National Night Out will take place at Lions Park on 8/2/22. Further planning will take place at the upcoming meetings. -Dangerous Dog Ordinance update. Chief Schafer reported that the dangerous dog ordinance is being updated and will be handled by an administrative citation process. This will result in any appeal being handled by an administrative law judge and not by a Commission member. 6. New Business -Chief Schafer advised that the Police Department will be creating identification badges for PSAC members. Commission members will be advised when they are available for pick up. -The Commission also discussed sending cards to new employees and cards to recognize staff for achievements. 7. Next Meeting: May 19, 2022, @ 6:30 pm. 8. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.