Public Safety Committee

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM 4243 REMEMBRANCE RD. NW. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 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 September 22, 2025 2. Police Department Updates 3. Fire Department Updates Adjournment Page 1 of 3  PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES COMMISSION CHAMBERS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 5:00 PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance Committee Members: Mayor Carey (Chair), Jessica Babcock, and Elaina Huizenga-Chase City Staff: Darrel Schmalzel, Frank Wash, Shannon Bales, Keith Mankel, and Rusty Shoultz Discussion Items Approval of Minutes from August 25, 2025 Motion by Elaina A. Huizenga-Chase, seconded by Jessica Babcock to approve the Minutes from August 25, 2025. Motion Carried. Police Department Updates Chief Keith Mankel reported that one of the department's drones was totaled and that a replacement has been ordered. He provided the committee with an overview of the Kent County Real Crime Center which will be presented at the State of the County event on September 23, 2025. Details about the center's purpose and capabilities were shared and discussion was held. Chief Mankel also updated the Committee on training updates with the Committee. Fire Department Updates Chief Rusty Shoultz praised the police department on their response of a recent mental health call. He also informed the Committee that Kevin DeGroot was awarded Public Educator of the Year, recognizing his contributions to public safety education. Chief Shoultz provided several key updates from the department. These include the ongoing transition to 24-hour service; paid on call firefighter recruitment; and progress on the department's 100 day assessment. He went on to detail a strategic staffing plan and department needs which include increased staff to Public Safety Committee Minutes 9-22-25 Page 1 of 2 Page 2 of 3  include supervisors, expanding training initiatives, finalizing the Ariel truck purchase contract, and implementing a new station alerting system with updated technology. Discussion was held. In addition, Chief Shoultz reviewed a long-term staffing plan extending through 2030 aimed at increasing the department's full-time staff to 40. He explained how this would impact the department's ISO rating and improve overall public safety services. Further discussion regarding training priorities and the space needs study of public safety buildings was held. Adjourned at 5:52 p.m. Public Safety Committee Minutes 9-22-25 Page 2 of 2 Page 3 of 3