HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221117 - PSAC Minutes November 17, 2022
Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes
Present: Commissioners Dolores Pemble, Gary Stevens, Vicky Baukol and Theresa Auge`. Melissa
Blackstad participated by phone.
City Staff: Chiefs Dave Wilske and John Townsend
Guests: Kelly Murtaugh: Assistant City Administrator
Chair Pemble called the meeting to order at 6: 33 pm.
1. A motion made by Commissioner Auge` and seconded by Commissioner Blackstad to approve
the agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
2. A motion made by Commissioner Baukol and seconded by Commissioner Stevens to approve
the October 20, 2022 minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Police Update:
• Commission Membership: The commission has received two applications for membership.
Interviews will be set up after Thanksgiving. We have received a resignation from member
Starkson. The commission has one immediate opening and one pending beginning in January.
• December 22th the mobile command will be following the city lights tour. There will be four
stops on the route allowing citizens an opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa.
Following the mobile command is NOT encouraged. Santa will be played by retired police chief
Schafer.
• A community Town Hall meeting on Homelessness happened on November 16. State
Representative Tony Jurgens moderated the event. It was well attended and available for
viewing on our local city cable station.
• Annual Gobble Gait run/walk will occur on Thanksgiving.
• “1 pill can kill” presentation will be held on December 1 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Chief
Wilske is presenting.
• Police officer interviews continue with one application moving to background check.
• Police hybrid vehicle has arrived. Two additional “regular” police cars were ordered for 2023.
Fire Update:
• New fire truck has arrived. Staff training for the new truck is pending. The truck has an idle
reduction system, much like an auto shut off in cars.
• Delay on receiving the new ambulance due to recent hurricane. Expected delivery is next week.
Plan is to have it in service in December.
• The newly hired paid on call staff are close to completing their EMT training. One already had
their EMT training. They will all be moving into Fire Safety Training soon.
• Department is updating their hiring process. Still no word on the Saver grant. Without the
grant, the department has budgeted for four additional fire fighters.
• The consultant for the Fire department study is pending a review session with the public safety
committee of the city council.
• The department has completed a recruitment video for paid on call staff. The department is
very pleased with the results.
• Fire hydrants along the 61 corridor are covered in plastic by the city public works department.
This protects the hydrants from salt and other chemicals that applied to the roadways in the
winter months.
Chief Townsend left the meeting at 7:00 pm.
Old Business:
Discussion: Chief Wilske opened the THC discussion informing the commission that an inventory of
retailers selling THC products in Hastings has been completed. We currently have five business selling
THC products in Hastings. This does not include internet sales. Ms. Murtaugh gave a presentation on city
licensing and permits. The commission agreed that a license over a permit would be appropriate for
retailers selling products containing THC in Hastings. The commission continued their discussion on
potential ideas for inclusion in a city ordinance. A document comprised by the commission secretary of
all responses was reviewed. After discussion, the secretary is to edit the document including reducing
duplications and send with the meeting minutes. City Attorney Kori Land will be invited to our next
commission meeting to review our ideas and suggestions for a city ordinance.
New Business:
• There was no new business.
Next Meeting: December 15, 2022.
Adjournment:
Commissioner Baukol moved and Commissioner Stevens seconded to adjourn the meeting.
The motion was passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.