Public Safety Committee

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM 4243 REMEMBRANCE RD. NW. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2025 5:00 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 August 11, 2025 2. Police Department Updates 3. Fire Department Updates Adjournment Page 1 of 3  PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025 5:00 PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance Committee Members: Mayor Carey (Chair), Commissioners Jessica Babcock, and Elaina Huizenga-Chase City Staff: Darrel Schmalzel, Frank Wash, Shannon Bales, and Rusty Shoultz. Keith Mankel via zoom. Discussion Items Approval of Minutes from July 28, 2025 Motion by Jessica Babcock, seconded by Elaina A. Huizenga-Chase to approve the minutes from July 28, 2025. Motion Carried. Police Department Updates Chief Keith Mankel provided a brief department update stating that officer Bri Dara has been hired and has begun training. Chief Mankel said that vehicle maintenance is up to date and new chief and vice vehicles are on order. Fire Department Updates Chief Rusty Shoultz provided the Committee with a summary of calls for service during the month of July and reviewed several significant calls from the past few weeks. He noted that overall feedback from department staff remains positive. Chief Shoultz also discussed personnel matters, including a recent resignation and ongoing recruitment efforts for Paid on Call (POC) firefighters. The department received 34 applications, many of which were a result of recruitment videos shared on social media. Of these applicants, 5 to 6 meet the requirements for hire. He told the Committee that the department will transition to a 24-hour staffing schedule beginning October 4, 2025. The Chief spoke about current challenges and plans to reorganize the department structure. A discussion followed regarding POC recruitment, staffing levels, and training efforts. Public Safety Committee Minutes 8-11-25 Page 1 of 2 Page 2 of 3  Chief Shoultz informed the Committee that one staff member has been accepted into the National Fire Academy. He provided an overview of the department’s training initiatives, emphasizing efforts to align with industry standards, improve rescue competencies, and implement a learning management system. Upcoming trainings will be held at Fire Station 2. Chief Shoultz noted that all full- time staff are either already certified as EMTs or are currently enrolled in training, with full certification expected by April 2026. Additionally, some staff have recently completed CPR/First Aid and Car Seat Safety training. The department also plans to expand its community risk reduction programs. Discussion was held. Chief Shoultz provided updates on departmental apparatus including Ladder Truck #1, air monitors, and the attenuator. Commissioner Huizenga-Chase requested that the intended department organizational chart be provided at the next meeting. Feed back from the Committee was shared regarding weekly summaries and the format for monthly reports, and there was discussion about fire department inspection goals. Manager Schmalzel spoke briefly about the space needs study scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025. Discussion included renovations to Fire Station #2 and the lower level of Fire Station #3 in order to accommodate full-time staffing and create appropriate living quarters. Adjourned at 5:46 p.m. Public Safety Committee Minutes 8-11-25 Page 2 of 2 Page 3 of 3