Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, July 16, 2020 6:00 PM West Allis Fire Department 7332 W. National Ave. REGULAR MEETING AND CLOSED SESSION A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Kopplin called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Kimberly Cosby, Danielle Romain and Kurt Kopplin Excused: Commissioners Amy Heron and Mark Manthei Also Present: Fire Chief Mason Pooler - Fire Department; Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher, Deputy Chief Chris Marks - Police Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the June 18, 2020 Closed Session and Regular Meeting Minutes as well as the June 24, 2020 Special Meeting and Closed Session Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Cosby, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 8/21/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes July 16, 2020 D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler stated that people continue to shy away from calling 911 for medical emergencies in the wake of the COVID crisis, and the result has been an increase in delay of care relative to heart attacks and overdoses and that is serious cause of concern for all departments. Chief Pooler reviewed the fire included in AC Scharfenberg’s report. He stated that the fire was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette butt and caused significant damage to not only the owner’s house but to the houses on either side of theirs as well. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 2. EMS Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that crews were called to assist with the birth of a baby in the back of a car. He stated that the Mother and her parents were in-route to the hospital when the baby was born. He noted that after crews assessed both baby and Mom, they were transported to the hospital without further incident. Chief Pooler was pleased to share the single digit non-compliance achievement for EMD dispatching. He stated that achieving the less than 15% non-compliancy goal is moving the dispatch center toward accreditation level potential and steps toward pre-accreditation have already begun. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 3. EMS Revenue Report Chief Pooler did not speak to any of the information contained within this report. 4. National Q Dispatch Performance Report - June Chief Pooler did not speak to any of the information contained within this report. 5. National Q Dispatch 2nd Quarter Report - April-June Chief Pooler did not speak to any of the information contained within this report. 6. Training Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that the training exercise for June focused on a joint training in-service exercise that included members of the West Allis, Wauwatosa and North Shore Fire Departments. He said that crews worked City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 8/21/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes July 16, 2020 on fire attack, search and rescue and vertical ventilation skills. Chief Pooler stated that probationary firefighters, Becker, Flick, Hernandez and Sanchez continue to perform at a satisfactory level and are progressing as expected. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 7. Communication: Firefighter recruit/hiring update Chief Pooler stated that after completion of the Police and Fire Commission recruit interviews, all five candidates on the eligibility list were offered a firefighter job with West Allis. Chief Pooler stated that all but one candidate accepted. He stated that the remaining four, pending medical and psych evaluations and background check, will begin their training on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 8. Community Risk Reduction Report Chief Pooler stated that the CPR alert feature on the PulsePoint app has recently been reactivated and subscription numbers are expected to return to normal quickly. Chief Pooler stated that there will not be a large scale door-to-door initiative to install smoke detectors thru the end of the year. He stated that individual smoke and CO detector installs will take place on an as requested basis only. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 9. Fire Prevention Bureau Report Chief Pooler did not speak to any of the information contained within this report except to say that annual inspections for 2020 continue to be completed on a timely basis and with the cancellation of the State Fair and Harvest Fest, all inspections will be completed by the end of the year. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 10. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report Chief Pooler was pleased to announce that the MIH team has entered in memorandum of understanding with Community Medical Services (CMS). He stated that opiate related overdoses and fatalities continue to rise in Milwaukee County and this collaboration will provide opportunities to reach out to those individuals struggling with substance use issues and offer treatment and support quickly and efficiently. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 8/21/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes July 16, 2020 The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 11. Fire Department Financial Report Current financial information was not provided by the City’s finance department 12. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to any of the information contained within this report. 13. Communication: CFO recertification notice Chief Pooler stated that he has been re-designated as Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Commission on Professional Credentialing. He noted that this Commission is part of the agency that works with the department reaccreditation process. The Commissioners congratulated Chief Pooler on this accomplishment. 14. Communication: Notification of Retirement Chief Pooler stated that Battalion Chief Dan Ledvorowski will retire from the department effective August 16, 2020 after 25 years of service with the city. The Commissioners asked Chief Pooler to thank BC Ledvorowski for his service and collectively wish him and his family a happy and health retirement. 15. Request for approval: Promotion to Lieutenant Chief Pooler requested the approval of Christopher Thode to the rank of Lieutenant. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the promotion as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Cosby, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 8/21/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes July 16, 2020 E. POLICE DEPARTMENT 16. Communication: Presentation on Police Reform and 8 Can’t Wait Campaign Deputy Chief Bob Fletcher stated that the eight bullet points that comprise the 8 Can’t Wait Campaign are: Ø Require de-escalation; Ø Require use of force continuum that defines and limits force; Ø Ban chokeholds; Ø Require warning before shooting; Ø Exhaust all alternatives before shooting; Ø Duty to intervene; Ø Ban shooting at moving vehicles; Ø Require comprehensive reporting. DC Fletcher stated that current West Allis Police Policies and Training procedures encompass these bullet points and then reviewed each individually as it related to department policies. A brief discussion ensued between DC Fletcher and Commissioners regarding these initiatives as well as overall police reform and department handling of protests and unrest within the community. 17. Request for approval: Begin Police Officer recruitment process DC Fletcher requested approval to begin a Police Officer recruitment process. He stated that a start date for recruits would not be until 2021. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve the recruitment process as presented by DC Fletcher. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Cosby and Romain Nay: 0 18. Request for approval: Begin Sergeant recruitment process DC Fletcher requested approval to being a Sergeant recruitment process. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the recruitment process as presented by DC Fletcher. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Cosby and Romain Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 8/21/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes July 16, 2020 19. Request for approval: Begin Detective recruitment process DC Fletcher requested approval to being a Detective recruitment process. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the recruitment process as presented by DC Fletcher. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Cosby and Romain Nay: 0 20. Request for approval: Permission to hire part-time and/or full-time dispatcher DC Fletcher presented documentation supporting a request for approval to promote a part-time dispatcher to full-time and hire additional part-time dispatchers. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this request as presented by DC Fletcher. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Cosby and Romain Nay: 0 21. Police Department Financial Report Current financial documentation was not provided by the City’s finance department 22. Monthly Performance Report DC Fletcher briefly reviewed staffing information contained in this report. He further stated that all officers at the rank of Sergeant or higher and all civilian supervisors have been required to complete Implicit Bias Training offered thru CVMIC. He noted that by the end of the year, all department members will have completed the course as well. 23. Patrol Activity Report DC Fletcher stated that a scary situation for a citizen involving direct threats of violence and stalking was quickly handled by 3rd shift Officers and led to the arrest of a male suspect. DC Fletcher stated that the suspect was currently on parole for 1st degree intentional homicide. He noted that the DA charged the offender with stalking, possession of a firearm by a felon and use of a dangerous weapon. DC Fletcher stated that the Hwy 100 cruising initiatives are still in force but due to the recent civil unrest incidents, the State Patrol was not able to assist the department in June. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 8/21/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes July 16, 2020 24. Communications Activity Report DC Fletcher did not speak to any information contained in this report. 25. Community Services Bureau Report DC Fletcher noted that since all school and community based events have been cancelled, officer liaisons for the schools and community have been reassigned to assist the patrol division. He noted that Corporal Nelson continues to monitor problem areas in the city as well as perform student wellness checks. 26. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report DC Fletcher stated that recently the department conducted a community notification and circulated a flyer regarding a registered sex offender moving into West Allis. DC Fletcher stated this was necessary due to the nature of his crimes and length of time he had been in prison. 27. Tavern Violations Report DC Fletcher stated that officers were called to a large bar fight taking place inside a local establishment. He mentioned the incident simply because large bar fights rarely happen anymore. He noted that there were no injuries and all were issued appropriate citations. 28. Training Report DC Fletcher did not highlight any information contained within this report. City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 8/21/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes July 16, 2020 F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 29. PFC Financial Report Current financial documentation was not provided by the City’s finance department. 30. Closed session: 2019 annual performance evaluation and 2020 goal setting for the Fire Chief Commissioner Kopplin stated that since two of the Commissioners are not in attendance, he would like to recommend tabling Chief Pooler’s review until the August 20, 2020 meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to table Chief Pooler’s annual review until the August meeting. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Cosby and Romain Nay: 0 G. CLOSED SESSION PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners of the City of West Allis will, upon conclusion of open session, consider and vote on a motion to convene in closed session at said time and place to administer the 2019 annual performance evaluation and 2020 goal setting for the Fire Chief and to take such further action as may be necessary and appropriate in these matters. A closed session for the above purpose is authorized pursuant to the provision of Section 19.85 (1)(c) of the Wis. Stats., which authorizes a governmental body, upon motion duly made and carried, to convene in closed session for the purpose of considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility Immediately upon completion of the closed session, the Board of Police and Fire Commission will reconvene in open session at said time and place to consider any other matters on the agenda. H. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm. City of West Allis Page 8 Printed on 8/21/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes July 16, 2020 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 9 Printed on 8/21/2020