Public Safety Committee

PROCEEDINGS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE The Public Safety Committee of the Village of Oxford, Marquette County, Wisconsin met on Monday, March 20, 2023 in the Council Room of the Oxford Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 5:34 PM by Chairman Gary Sorensen with Committee Members Erwin Meyer, Richard Bohringer, and Carrie Rozek present. Also in attendance was Chief Mike Kowalski. Motion made by Meyer/Rozek to approve the steps of the agenda as printed. Motion carried. The possible adoption of a tobacco ordinance was discussed. Chief Kowalski advised that although the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is following the federal guidelines of the 21 years old age requirement for tobacco possession, the Wisconsin state statute is still 18. Currently, Marquette County can issue citations for underage possession of tobacco in the Village of Oxford, but the Police Chief recommends the Village adopt the Wisconsin statute related to tobacco possession. Motion made by Bohringer/Meyer to recommend to the Village Board that the Village adopt Wisconsin §254.92, Purchase or Possession of Cigarettes or Tobacco Products by Persons Under Eighteen Prohibited. Motion carried. A discussion was held on the planning of a possible purchase of a new squad vehicle for the Police Department. Chief Kowalski presented options available to the Village, which included a Chevrolet Tahoe, a Ford Explorer, and a Dodge Durango. Costs for accessories, equipment, and decals were also presented. The Dodge Durango would cost $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 less than the next least expensive, which was the Ford Explorer. The total estimate is approximately $53,000.00 for the 2024 model. Ordering through the State has a one-week window with very little notice of when that opportunity will be. Orders are also currently taking at least nine months to fill. Because of those factors, the current squad is expected to have a premium used-vehicle resale price, as the demand is high. Motion made by Rozek/Bohringer to send the recommendation to the Village Board that the Police Chief be authorized to order the Dodge Durango on the Village’s behalf when the window to order opens in the spring or summer of 2023. Motion carried. Motion made by Bohringer/Rozek to adjourn at 6:14 PM. Motion carried. ______________________________ Shannon McMullin, Clerk/Treasurer Village of Oxford, Marquette County, Wisconsin Page 1 of 1