Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: David Barranco, Sarah Cole, Alex Jensen, Rich Merkouris, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Pat Starr Council Members Absent: Curt Soehl Council Vice Chair Alex Jensen called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. Urbanized Development Commission (UDC): Thursday, March 9, 2023 (Council Members: Barranco, Merkouris, Neitzert, Starr) Council Member Greg Neitzert stated that an appointment was made to the Citizens Advisory Committee, discussion was held about FTA Section 5310 funding, and there was an update to the Sioux Falls Airport Master Plan. Council Member Pat Starr indicated that a presentation from the Airport Authority to the Council on the master plan update would be useful. 3. Councilor Remarks Neitzert noted that he and three other Council Members met with the Mayor's Youth Council prior to the start of the Informational Meeting. Council Member Rich Merkouris stated that "Coffee with a Councilor" will take place on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m, at the Washington Pavilion beginning this Saturday. The purpose of the monthly event is for the public to meet with one or two Council Members to discuss matters of concern. 4. Presentations A. 2022 Crime Statistics by Police Chief Jon Thum, Sioux Falls Police Department Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion Chief Thum discussed the City's rising population and showed that such a rise tends to result in increases of violent crimes and property crimes. 2022 saw an increase of two homicides, to a total of seven, compared to 2021; aggravated and domestic assaults also rose as did robberies; but, rapes were down by 29 in 2022  compared to 2021. Burglaries increased from 819 in 2021 to 858 in 2022, and stolen vehicles continued to increase from 1,337 to 1,361. Larcenies and vandalism were also up in 2022 compared to 2021. Thum noted that fentanyl and methamphetamine seizures were down but cautioned that drugs remain a challenge in the City. On the whole, clearance rates for homicide, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, stolen vehicles, and arson remain well above available national averages. Thum concluded the presentation by reviewing police department demographics. Currently, there is an authorized officer strength of 288, up four from last year with 282 currently assigned. Of the 35 officers hired in 2022, 10 reported non-white or two or more races. In total, 4.6% of officers are Hispanic or Latino; 1.8% are Asian; 1.1% are African American; .4% are Pacific Islander; 89% are Caucasian or White; and 3.2% identify as two or more races. Discussion followed about: overdose deaths; use of Narcan; the status on the report-to-work station and future plans for expanding the concept; calls to community centers; department demographics; impacts of medical cannabis on the crime rate; and juvenile crime. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment Council Vice Chair Alex Jensen adjourned the meeting at 4:38 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk