Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, April 16, 2020 6:00 PM West Allis Fire Department 7332 W. National Ave. REGULAR MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Kopplin called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Amy Heron (via Zoom), Mark Manthei (via Zoom), Kimberly Cosby (via Zoom), Danielle Romain (via Zoom) and Kurt Kopplin Also Present: Police Chief Pat Mitchell, Deputy Chief Chris Botsch, Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher - Police Department (all via Zoom); Fire Chief Mason Pooler - Fire Department; CAO Rebecca Grill (via Zoom) - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the March 19, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the March 19, 2020 regular meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Cosby, Romain and Kopplin No: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 5/22/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 16, 2020 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Request for approval: Begin Deputy Chief promotional process Chief Mitchell stated that Deputy Chief Chris Botsch had accepted the position of Police Chief for Caledonia and requested approval to move forward with a Deputy Chief promotional process effort. Commissioners inquired if the process would include outside candidates and Chief Mitchell noted that it would not. He stated that the position is open to Captains and all are career employees capable to handle the position. Chief Mitchell stated that two outside Police Chiefs have been invited to participate on the interview panel for an outside perspective on all interviewed candidates. A motion was made by Commissioner Manthei and seconded by Commissioner Kopplin to approve this request as presented by Chief Mitchell. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Kopplin No: 0 2. Request for approval: Begin Captain promotional process Chief Mitchell stated that in anticipation of a Captain promotion to Deputy Chief, he is requesting approval to also begin a Captain promotional process effort. Commissioner Heron asked if it was necessary to move forward with filling the Captain position. Chief Mitchell stated that in 2016 the department reviewed all of the Command staff positions and eliminated two Captain positions at that time. Chief Mitchell stated that the current model of two Deputy Chiefs and four Captains works well within the department structure and does not see a reason to change the dynamics at this time. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve the request as presented by Chief Mitchell. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Kopplin No: 0 3. Communication: COVID 19 update Chief Mitchell gave a brief COVID-19 overview. He stated that the department PPE is sufficient, however, depending on how long the pandemic lingers, PPE supply could become a concern. Chief Mitchell stated that an MOU is in place between surrounding area police departments regarding police assistance should a department be greatly impacted by the pandemic. Chief Mitchell responded to questions regarding increase in crimes, and indicated that theft crimes are up as well as an increase in domestic violence. City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 5/22/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 16, 2020 4. Police Department Financial Report Current documentation was not provided by the City’s finance department. 5. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell stated that Officer Andrew Lamb’s attendance at the MATC recruit academy was suspended due to COVID. He stated that he will continue with virtual learning and hands on learning will take place as expected later in the year. Lt. Beldin and Sgt. Manthy were recognized for their preparations and securing PPE, hand sanitizers and other safety supplies relative to COVID safety guidelines. 6. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that this report gives an overview of the steps implemented by the patrol division relative to COVID safety measures within the department as well as call response, transporting and booking protocols. 7. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to any information contained within this report. 8. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell noted that with schools closed, school resource officers have been helping the school districts distribute meals and conducting welfare checks on children within the district as necessary. 9. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell shared an update with the Commissioners regarding a homicide that took place within the City in July of 2019. He stated that at that time, two suspects had been arrested and charged accordingly. Chief Mitchell stated that in March of 2020, a third suspect was apprehended in Milwaukee County and charged accordingly. 10. Tavern Violation Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained with this report. 11. Training Report Chief Mitchell stated that due to the COVID pandemic, off-site and in-service training instruction has been cancelled. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 5/22/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 16, 2020 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 12. Communication: COVID 19 Update Chief Pooler provided a brief COVID-19 overview. Chief Pooler stated that four vacant firehouses that have been repurposed and dedicated specifically to COVID-19 response calls. He noted that there are two in Milwaukee and one each in Franklin and Wauwatosa and are staffed with one response vehicle, a paramedic and an EMT. Chief Pooler stated that the department had seven employees in quarantine due to travel or home exposure, but all are back to work. He stated the department currently has no one off work due to COVID related issues. 13. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler briefly reviewed the two fires contained within this report. Chief Pooler stated that the balcony fire at Morgan Grove apartments was fully engulfed with the rigs arrived on scene. He noted that two apartments were severely damaged and cause was attributed to either a grill or smoking materials. Both were found on the balcony, but exact cause was not able to be determined. Chief Pooler stated that basement fires are always challenging and very dangerous. He noted that they tend to run very hot due and in most cases there is only one set of stairs to enter/exit the basement. He stated that this basement fire was determined to be arson and a suspect had been arrested and charged accordingly. 14. EMS Bureau Report Chief Pooler did not speak to any information contained within this report 15. EMS Revenue Report Chief Pooler stated that the three revenue charts show different attempts at money collection: · Phase 1 revenue table indicates immediate collection; · Phase 2 revenue table shows continued efforts to collect outstanding money progressively; · MVA revenue table shows crash billing collection relative to motor vehicle accidents. 16. National Q Dispatch Performance Report Chief Pooler did not speak to any information contained within this report 17. Training Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that the recent recruit class will finish the academy ahead of schedule and will be assigned to 24-hour duty effective Saturday, April 25th. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 5/22/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 16, 2020 18. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Chief Pooler stated that AC Schaak has taken the lead to create a county-wide logistics effort to acquire and distribute PPE and other safety and health items. He stated that the department received approval to utilize the vacant Aurora facility next to Station 61 as the distribution holding center. He stated that product can then be accounted for and delivered quickly and efficiently. Chief Pooler also stated that effective immediately, the internship program, ride-alongs, station tours, PR event requests, etc., have been cancelled due to COVID-19. 19. Fire Prevention Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that fire inspections have been put on hold until further notice. He stated that inspections at schools continue due to school closures as well as outside inspections for condos units. 20. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that the MIH program has temporally been suspended due to COVID concerns. He noted that patients in the program have been contacted and high risk patients will still be visited by a team member if needed. 21. Fire Department Financial Report Current documentation was not provided by the City’s finance department. 22. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to any information contained in the report. 23. Communication: Notification of retirement (Chris Ziolecki) Chief Pooler stated that Deputy Chief Chris Ziolecki will retire from the department on Friday, April 24th. He stated that DC Ziolecki was a 31-year veteran with the department and was essential to the development of the current Joint Fire Training Academy program. 24. Request for approval: Change to department organizational chart Chief Pooler stated that with the retirement of DC Ziolecki, he is requesting the Board’s approval to change the rank and title of the Training Deputy Chief position to Training Battalion Chief. Chief Pooler reviewed with the Commissioner’s the win-win situation for both the department staff as well as the salary saving benefits for the city. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Manthei to approve the request as presented by Chief Pooler. City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 5/22/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 16, 2020 The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Kopplin No: 0 25. Request for approval: Promotion to Captain and Interim Battalion Chief Chief Pooler requested approval for the promotion of Lieutenant Mallory Sura to Captain and the subsequent appointment to Interim Training Battalion Chief. Chief Pooler stated that Lt. Sura had been working with DC Ziolecki in the training department and was also the next on the eligibility list for promotion to Captain. Her appointment to Interim Battalion Chief will be effective thru the end of year. A motion was made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve the promotion and interim BC appointment as presented by Chief Pooler. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Kopplin No: 0 26. Request for approval: Promotion to Lieutenant Chief Pooler requested the approval of Firefighter Andrew Brownson to the rank of Lieutenant. Chief Pooler stated that by contract, every other promotion for Lieutenant is by seniority and FF Brownson is the next firefighter on the seniority list for Lieutenant. A motion was made by Commissioner Manthei and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the promotion as presented by Chief Pooler. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Kopplin No: 0 F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 27. PFC Financial Report Current documentation was not provided by the City’s finance department. 28. Discussion: Creation of sub-committee to review interview questions for Police and Fire department recruit candidates Commissioner Heron and Commissioner Cosby agreed to review Fire and Police department interview questions and when ready, submit an overview to the Board of recommendations for review and discussion. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 5/22/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 16, 2020 G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm All meetings of the {bdName} are public meetings. In order for the general public to make comments at the committee meetings, the individual(s) must be scheduled (as an appearance) with the chair of the committee or the appropriate staff contact; otherwise, the meeting of the committee is a working session for the committee itself, and discussion by those in attendance is limited to committee members, the mayor, other alderpersons, staff and others that may be a party to the matter being discussed. NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The City of West Allis does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, age, marital or veterans' status, sex, national origin, disability or any other legally protected status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs or activities. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT NOTICE Upon reasonable notice the City will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services when necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and to enjoy the benefits of a service, program or activity provided by the City. LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY STATEMENT It is the policy of the City of West Allis to provide language access services to populations of persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) who are eligible to be served or likely to be directly affected by our programs. Such services will be focused on providing meaningful access to our programs, services and/or benefits. City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 5/22/2020