Public Safety Committee

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM 4243 REMEMBRANCE RD. NW. MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2026 5:00 PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 1. Committee Members: Elaina Huizenga-Chase (Chair), Jessica Babcock, Roxanne Deschaine, and Gary Carey (Alternate) Discussion Items 1. Approval of Minutes from 2. Fire Department Updates 3. Police Department Updates 4. Public Safety Facility Discussion Continued Adjournment Page 1 of 3  PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2025 5:00 PM Call Meeting to Order at 5:04 p.m.- Record Attendance Committee Members: Mayor Carey (Chair), Thom Burke, Jessica Babcock, and Elaina Huizenga-Chase City Staff: Darrel Schmalzel, Dan DeVries, Scott Conners, Brandyn Heugel, and Rusty Shoultz Discussion Items Approval of Minutes from December 8, 2025 Motion by Jessica Babcock, seconded by Thom Burke to approve the Minutes from December 8, 2025. Motion Carried. Police Department Update Deputy Chief Heugel said that two new hires will begin with the department on January 5, 2026 and one employee will be leaving Walker to take a position with the County Sherriff's department. She said that interviews will be offered in January to individuals that are currently enrolled in the academy. A review of a recent car jacking was discussed with the committee. Fire Department Update Chief Shoultz said that the professional development leadership series began December 22, 2025. He reviewed recent calls with the Committee where crews continue to work together and said that the department received complements from Grand Rapids Chief Brown regarding recent assistance Walker FD provided. Chief Shoultz also stated that the attenuator is officially in service as of today (December 22, 2025). Public Safety Facility Discussion Continued Public Safety Committee Minutes 12-22-25 Page 1 of 2 Page 2 of 3  Discussion centered around the possibility of a millage proposal for Public Safety to be placed on the August 4, 2026 ballot. Topics included:  Speaking with area Mayors, City Managers, and other staff that recently had a similar ballot measure  Possibility of hiring a consultant  Future needs and plans and why a millage may be needed  Millage rates Discussion continued regarding renovating current facilities or building new to accommodate the growing needs of both the police and fire departments Tasks to take place before the next meeting were discussed. Adjourned at 6:22 p.m. Public Safety Committee Minutes 12-22-25 Page 2 of 2 Page 3 of 3