Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, October 15, 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 6:00 pm. B. ROLL CALL Present (in person): Commissioners Amy Heron, Mark Manthei, Kimberly Cosby and Kurt Kopplin Present (via Zoom): Commissioner Danielle Romain Also Present (in person): Fire Chief Mason Pooler - Fire Department; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary Also Present (via Zoom): Police Chief Pat Mitchell, Deputy Chief Bob Fletcher, Deputy Chief Chris Marks - Police Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the September 17, 2020 Closed Session and Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Manthei to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Manthei, Romain and Kopplin Abstain due to absence: 2, Commissioners Heron and Cosby City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 11/20/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Request for approval: Completion of probationary period for police officers Chief Mitchell stated that Police Officers Candice Gaenslen and Michael Stelter have completed their probationary periods successfully and requested they be assigned to permanent status with the department. A motion was made Commissioner Heron and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve Chief Mitchell’s request. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Cosby, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 2. Police Department Financial Report Financial documentation was not provided by the city’s finance department. 3. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell spoke to a number of items included within this report: Ø Recruitment process - he stated that they had 30 applications and of those, 23 met the minimum qualifications. The group will be culled down from there and it is expected that 10-12 candidates will be invited to interview with the PFC; Ø A “red dot” rifle optic has been added to patrol rifles and all patrol members have been trained on the use of the new optic; Ø Attended a Coffee with the Mayor and fielded many questions relative to the police department and crime in the city; Ø Efforts to revitalize and further develop the Neighborhood Associations throughout the community in an effort to get people more engaged to help combat crime and disorder in their neighborhoods. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell spoke to a number of items included within this report: Ø Changes in administrative assignments for a number of the department’s Lieutenants; Ø Issues with a private lot by Kwik Trip on Hwy 100 relative to cruising. It was noted that the department is working with the city to get permanent restricted parking signs approved and in place in the near future; Ø Home Depot robbery update - after investigation work by Officer Wagner, Officer Zientek and Det. Madden, two suspects were located and arrested within days of the robbery; City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 11/20/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 Ø Discussed incorrect information circulating on social media relative to an incident that took place at a gas station in early October. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 5. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 6. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell noted that recently there has been an uptick in problems, such as vandalism and disorderly conduct, at the skate park. The department has instituted some new rules as well as banning offenders from the park. He noted that Corporal Rod Nelson continues a presence at the park as well as various other high-profile spots around the city. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 7. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that since 2015, Det. Jason Vanderwerff was assigned to the U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes taskforce, however, it was decided recently to end that relationship. He noted that the time with the U.S.S.S was well spent and the training and knowledge gained was invaluable. Chief Mitchell briefly reviewed the investigation and subsequent arrest of a young suspect relative to two sexual assaults that took place within 10 days of each other. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 8. Tavern Violation Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Training Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 11/20/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 10. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler noted the two fires included in this report. Ø The fire at South 59th Street in West Allis was determined to be a grill left unattended and smoldering on the front porch; Ø The garage fire at South 92nd Street was undetermined, but the main garage and contents were a complete loss; and there was serious damage to the garages on either side. Chief Pooler stated that the alternative care facility located at State Fair park is expected to have its first patient by the end of the week. He stated that this facility is specific for those patients who have recovered and on the verge of discharge. Chief Pooler noted that the park has an agreement with Bell Ambulance who will handle most of the patient care at that facility. The Commissioners did not have any additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 11. EMS Bureau Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 12. EMS Revenue Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 13. QPR Monthly Report - September Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 14. QPR Quarterly Report - July-September Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 15. Training Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that the recent recruit class hired in September have progressed successfully thru the joint training academy and have recently City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 11/20/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 been assigned to regular 24 hour shifts effective October 8th. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 16. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Assistant Chief Schaak stated that the department is hosting six interns for Fall 2020. He noted that three of the interns are fluent in Spanish. Chief Schaak stated that the CPR and other alerts relative to the PulsePoint app were turned off during the recent civil unrest period for general safety reasons. The Commissioners had no other questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 17. Fire Prevention Bureau Report Assistant Chief Schaak did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 18. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report Chief Schaak stated that the MIH division continues to garner good publicity and most recently, the bureau had been in the news for our partnership with the VA Medical Center as well as the recent collaboration with Community Medical Services and their substance abuse program and recovery efforts. The Commissioners did not have any other questions or comments and the report was placed of file. 19. Request for approval: MOU between WAFD MIH and ME office Chief Schaak presented an approval request to enter into a MOU with the ME office that will allow our team to meet with family members of overdose victims to determine if they might be struggling with opioid addiction as well. Chief Schaak stated that Milwaukee Fire Department is approximately six months ahead on this initiative and have experienced an approximate 10% reduction in overdose cases. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve this request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Cosby, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 11/20/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 20. Fire Department Financial Report Financial documentation was not provided by the city’s finance department. 21. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained within this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 22. Request for approval: MOU with the 128th Air Refueling Wing Chief Pooler stated that the MOU with the 128 Air Refueling Wing has been in place for many years and is up for renewal. He stated that nothing has changed and the City Attorney has reviewed accordingly. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Heron to approve the MOU as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Cosby, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 23. Request for approval: Shared Services Agreement Chief Pooler requested approval of a new and updated shared service agreement. He noted that previously, shared services consisted of seven surrounding departments, however the new agreement will now encompass twelve surrounding departments. He stated that the new agreement has been reviewed by CVMIC (the city’s insurance company) and the City Attorney’s office. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the agreement as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Cosby, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 24. Communication: Notification of retirements Chief Pooler announced the retirement of Firefighters Michael Grablewski and Michael Faust. He stated that they were long-term employees and both retired after 28 years of service. The Commissioners thanked them for their service and wished them well. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 11/20/2020 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 25. PFC Financial Report Financial documentation was not provided by the City's finance department. 26. Reminder of Police Officer interviews scheduled for November 11-12, 2020 Commissioner Kopplin stated that police officer candidate interviews are confirmed for Wednesday, November 11, 2020 and Thursday, November 12, 2020 and will be held at the Police Department. G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:17 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 11/20/2020