Public Safety Committee

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM 4243 REMEMBRANCE RD. NW. MONDAY, JULY 28, 2025 4:30 PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 1. Committee Members: Mayor Carey (Chair), Thom Burke, Jessica Babcock, and Elaina Huizenga-Chase Discussion Items 1. Approval of Minutes from February 24, 2025 2. Police Department Updates 3. Fire Department Updates Adjournment Page 1 of 3  PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025 5:00 PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance Committee Members: Mayor Carey (Chair), Thom Burke, Jessica Babcock, and Elaina Huizenga-Chase City Staff: Darrel Schmalzel, Frank Wash, Shannon Bales, and Keith Mankel Discussion Items Approval of Minutes from February 10, 2025 Motion by Jessica Babcock, seconded by Thom Burke to approve the February 10, 2025 meeting minutes. Motion Carried. Department Updates HR Director, Shannon Bales, provided information to the committee about recruiting firms that she reached out to for the hiring of a Fire Chief. She shared information about the company MGT. S. Bales said that their process has 6 phases and would take 90-120 days or approx. 14 weeks and a cost of around $25,000. Discussion was held regarding budget and cost breakdown and what is included was explained. The Committee agreed to move forward with MGT. Chief Keith Mankel shared Fire Department staffing updates with the Committee. He said that written exams were held last week and results should be received this week. Chief Mankel said that a conditional offer was extended and accepted by a current paid on call Firefighter for one of the open full time positions. Paid on call staffing updates were provided. Discussion was held regarding part-time fire fighters positions/shifts and ways to recruit new fire fighters. Updates on apparatus were provided. A request was made to reschedule meet and greets with Firefighters and Commissioners; the third Monday of the month was suggested. Public Safety Committee Minutes 2-24-25 Page 1 of 2 Page 2 of 3  Discussion was held about recognizing and providing incentives for fire department staff that has stepped up during the transition to a new fire chief. Commission Burke requested that the Committee have further discussion of the departments 4-7 year strategy. Discussion took place regarding space needs analysis of public safety buildings. Manager Schmalzel said that he, along with the City Engineer, met with Pat Callhan of Studio GC to discuss needs and should have a proposal by the end of the week. Chief Mankel provided Police Department staffing updates including staff that is out on leave and potential new hires from Police Academy and GRCC graduates. Chief Mankel shared information about the Kent County Emergency Alert System stating that upgrades will be required for the City's sirens as new software is being implemented. He said that the cost to upgrade/replace the City's 12 sirens will be approximately $55,000. Discussion was held. Discussion around recent fire truck accidents in neighboring jurisdictions and if the City should invest in an attenuator was held. More research and planning was requested. Adjourned at 6:02 PM Public Safety Committee Minutes 2-24-25 Page 2 of 2 Page 3 of 3