Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, September 17, 2020 5:30 PM West Allis Fire Department 7332 W. National Ave. CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Kopplin called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Mark Manthei, Danielle Romain and Kurt Kopplin Excused: Commissioners Amy Heron and Kimberly Cosby Also Present: Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Lieutenant Jesse Schwark - Fire Department; Police Chief Pat Mitchell, Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher, Deputy Chief Chris Marks, Sergeant James Cato - Police Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 1. Closed Session: Lieutenant of Police candidate interview City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 10/23/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 17, 2020 D. CLOSED SESSION PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners of the City of West Allis will meet on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 5:30 pm at 7332 W. National Avenue, West Allis Wisconsin, 53214 in open session to consider and vote on a motion to convene into closed session at said time and place to interview the candidate for the position of Lieutenant of Police for the West Allis Police Department and to take such further action as may be necessary and appropriate in this matter. A closed session for the above purpose is authorized pursuant to the provisions of Section 19.85(1)(c) of the Wis. Stats. which permits 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 Commissioners will reconvene in open session at said time and place to consider any other matters on the agenda. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting convened into closed session at 5:31 pm. Interview of one (1) Police Lieutenant Candidate On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 5:54 pm E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Manthei and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the August 20, 2020 Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Manthei, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 10/23/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 17, 2020 F. FIRE DEPARTMENT 2. Operations Division Report In noting the decline in EMS run volume, Chief Pooler stated that the cancellation of State Fair had a huge impact on that number. Chief Pooler stated that careless use and discarding of smoking material was the cause of the balcony fire included in Chief Scharfenberg’s report. Chief Pooler than reviewed some of the benchmarks included in the report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 3. EMS Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that a highlighted incident in Ct. Novak’s report showed aggressive use of the Zoll monitor apparatus and was instrumental in saving the life of a cardiac arrest patient. Chief Pooler noted that the city’s dispatch center continues to get closer to accreditation level, and it is anticipated that in 2021, it will be achievable. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. EMS Revenue Report Chief Pooler noted that EMS revenue has had a slight decline in collection but revenue is still tracking to collect over the 2020 projection number. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 5. National Q Dispatch Performance Report - August The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 6. Training Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that the probationary recruits: Becker, Flick, Hernandez and Sanchez - completed their six-month test and continue to progress satisfactorily thru their probationary year. He noted that the department’s most recent recruits - Calvert, Holzer and Prom - will begin on September 8th. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 10/23/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 17, 2020 7. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Assistant Chief Jason Schaak spoke to this report. He stated that the CPR alert function has been reactivated and the membership numbers have continued to increase since the reactivation. AC Schaak stated that the bureau’s benchmark numbers had been revamped slightly to include a benchmark relative to the overdose crisis. He noted that benchmark of 18 or less per month was not met and in fact, increased slightly. AC Schaak indicated that COVID isolation and shut-downs played a factor in the OD increase. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 8. Fire Prevention Bureau Report Assistant Chief Schaak reviewed a fire inspection violation regarding an improperly installed boiler. AC Schaak stated that the fire inspection bureau and BINs worked together with the property owner to resolve this issue cost effectively and safely. AC Schaak stated that even though the neighborhood smoke/CO detector campaigns have been put on hold this year, to date, the bureau has visited 90 homes individually and put up smoke and/or CO detectors. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 9. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report Ct. Suarez del Real stated that the partnership between the MIH bureau and the Milwaukee VA hospital has finally come to fruition. He stated that the MIH team have started to meet with veterans and that the program includes not only those in need in West Allis but throughout Milwaukee County. Ct. Suarez del Real briefly reviewed the continuing collaboration efforts between the MIH team and CMS (Community Medical Services) peer counselors. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 10. Fire Department Financial Report Chief Pooler stated that the increase OT number can be attributed to COVID-19 influence and issues, but he is hopeful that some of the dollars will be reimbursed thru a government reimbursement program. Chief Pooler stated that he is working with finance to submit the appropriate information to achieve a solid reimbursement payment. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 10/23/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 17, 2020 11. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not review any information contained in this report and it was placed on file accordingly. 12. Communication: Retirement of Firefighter Chief Pooler stated that firefighter Bruce Potochich will retire from the department on September 18, 2020. He stated that FF Potochich is a 20-year veteran of the department and wished his well in his retirement. 13. Request for approval: Begin a Battalion Chief and Deputy Chief promotion process Chief Pooler requested approval to begin a BC and DC promotional process. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this request as presented by Chief Pooler. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Romain and Manthei Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 10/23/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 17, 2020 G. POLICE DEPARTMENT 14. Request for approval: Promotion to Lieutenant of Police A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the promotion of Sergeant James Cato to the rank of Lieutenant. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Romain and Manthei Nay: 0 15. Communication: Update on new officer hiring process/select November dates Chief Mitchell stated that Police Officer interviews will be scheduled in the early part of November and he would work with the recording secretary to poll the Commissioners on agreeable and best dates. 16. Request for approval: Use of PFC funds for officer advertising Chief Mitchell discussed with the Commissioners the possibility of utilizing PFC funds to increase the level of police officer recruitment notifications. He stated that a number of sources are currently in use, but the department is also looking at alternative recruitment methods that may require additional funding. Chief Mitchell indicated that at this point, he was not seeking approval relative to using PFC funds but wanted to make the Commissioner’s aware that a request may be forthcoming. In the process of this discussion, the Commissioner’s indicated that they were amendable to the request. 17. Police Department Financial Report Chief Mitchell stated that civil unrest in 2020 has increased the overtime budget number significantly and will continue to do so through the reminder of the year. Additionally, as the year comes to a close, overtime payouts will be requested in November and December. He noted that compensation payout request guidelines have been restructured to avoid large payouts into the new year. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 18. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell stated that there are four (4) sworn staffing vacancies in the department with additional retirements expected by the end of the year. Chief Mitchell highlighted the following items contained in this report: Ø All sworn members have completed a 2-day course entitled Implicit Bias Training, which also included a de-escalation training element; Ø Town Hall meeting conducted with the Liberty Heights Park City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 10/23/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 17, 2020 Neighborhood Association relative to a shooting that recently occurred in the area; Ø Additional cameras around the skate park area and continuing officer park and walks to show a presence in this area and neighborhoods. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 19. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell shared with the Commissioners a letter the department received relative to assistance from Officer Scott Poklasny. Chief Mitchell stated that Officer Poklasny was off-duty but assisted the Manitowoc PD with retrieving occupants from a sailboat emergency after the boat became stuck on water break rocks. Chief Mitchell noted that traffic issues on Highway 100 continue to be challenging and to date the department has issued approximately 400 plus traffic tickets. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 20. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell did not review any information contained in this report and it was placed on file accordingly. 21. Community Service Bureau Report Chief Mitchell did not review any information contained in this report and it was placed on file accordingly. 22. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell told the Commissioner’s that the department had a number of people in custody relative to the Liberty Heights Park shooting incident. He stated that the investigation continues and it is anticipated that additional arrests will be forthcoming. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 23. Tavern Violation Report Chief Mitchell did not review any information contained in this report and it was placed on file accordingly. 24. Training Report Chief Mitchell did not review any information contained in this report and it was placed on file accordingly. City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 10/23/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 17, 2020 H. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 25. PFC Financial Report The report was presented and placed on file accordingly I. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 6:51 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 8 Printed on 10/23/2020