Public Safety Committee

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA COMMISSION CHAMBERS 4243 REMEMBRANCE RD. NW. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 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 25, 2025 2. Police Department Updates 3. Fire Department Updates Adjournment Page 1 of 3  PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 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: Darrell Schmalzel, Frank Wash, Shannon Bales, Keith Mankel, and Rusty Shoultz Discussion Items Approval of Minutes from August 11, 2025 Motion by Jessica Babcock, seconded by Thom Burke to approve the August 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes. Motion Carried. Police Department Updates Chief Keith Mankel shared departmental updates with the committee, beginning with a proposal to create a Deputy Chief position to support department succession planning. In line with these efforts, he noted that four staff members are scheduled to take the Corporal test on November 5th. Additionally, Chief Mankel informed the committee that the police department will be purchasing two new vehicles designated for administrative staff. Discussion was held about an individual that was seen walking around City Hall taking video in various departments. Information was provided about the City's oxygen trailer, which is currently out of service and discussion followed regarding future plans for the oxygen trailer and tank exchanges. HR Director Shannon Bales shared results from a recent compensation studies of area Deputy Chief positions. S. Bales said that the data supports aligning the proposed Deputy Chief role with Grade 15 of the City of Walker’s pay scale. Motion by Jessica Babcock, seconded by Thom Burke to approve adding a Public Safety Committee Minutes 8-25-25 Page 1 of 2 Page 2 of 3  Deputy Chief position at grade 15 of the City's pay table with the plan that the position will not be filled immediately and is reserved for future placement. Motion Carried. Fire Department Updates Chief Rusty Shoultz shared current response time data with the committee highlighting that response times have decreased since the implementation of evening staffing hours. He provided updates in training initiatives announcing that three members have been accepted into the National Fire Academy. Additional trainings in EMT, pump apparatus, and ariel operations are scheduled to take place this fall. He went on to speak about Paid on Call recruitment efforts. Discussion focused on challenges of fire academy trainings through other municipalities, associated costs, and strategies for employee retention. The idea of a potential cadet program was discussed. Chief Shoultz informed the committee that an automatic aid contract with Plainfield Township is currently in progress. An apparatus update was provided: the department's tender is back in service while ladder one is officially out of service. Support one is also out of service and is being converted into a blocking vehicle equipped with an attenuator. Once completed, city-wide training will take place to ensure relevant personnel are prepared to use the new safety apparatus. Adjourned at 5:56 p.m. Public Safety Committee Minutes 8-25-25 Page 2 of 2 Page 3 of 3