Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, January 21, 2021 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, Danielle Roman and Kurt Kopplin Present (Zoom): Commissioners Mark Manthei and Kimberly Cosby Also Present (in person): Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Assistant Chief Jason Schaak, Deputy Chief Armando Suarez Del Real, MIH Lieutenant Christopher Williams - Fire Department; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary Also Present (Zoom): Police Chief Patrick Mitchell, Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher, Deputy Chief Chris Marks - Police Department; Lieutenant Jesse Schwark - Fire Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the December 17, 2020 Closed Session and Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the December 17, 2020 meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 2/22/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler reviewed the fire incident included in the Operations report. He stated that the fire happened in a large apartment complex on Beecher and is being investigated as an arson case. Chief Pooler stated there were no injuries and all occupants in the building were safely evacuated. Chief Pooler also reviewed briefly the benchmarks included in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 2. EMS Bureau Report Chief Pooler played an audio clip for the Commissioners of a recent emergency call to the dispatch center. He noted that the patient was pulseless non-breathing at the time of the call. Chief Pooler stated that the dispatcher is certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocol and in following set questions and tasks, was able to keep the caller engaged and focused on life-saving CPR efforts. Chief Pooler noted that the station alerting system was able to dispatch the call quickly and did not require the dispatcher to disengage from the caller at any time. He noted continued investment in these programs is well-worth the cost. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 3. EMS Revenue Report Chief Pooler stated that even with the COVID-19 crisis, 2020 EMS revenue stayed on a steady track of collection. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. QPR Monthly Report - December There were no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 5. QPR 4th Quarter Report - October-December There were no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file 6. Training Bureau Report There were no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 2/22/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 7. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report AC Schaak shared with the Commissioners a new and improved Adopt-A-Hydrant program the has been rolled out to the community. He stated that residents who live within 150 feet of a hydrant will a receive a postcard asking them to adopt that hydrant and providing instructions on how to do so online. AC Schaak noted that this was a collaborative effort with the city’s Communication and GIS divisions. AC Schaak also gave a brief update on the Pulsepoint app usage as well as the CRR bureau’s continued work on the opioid crisis within the city. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 8. Fire Prevention Bureau Report AC Schaak stated that although the smoke detector installation campaigns did not take place in 2020, the fire prevention bureau did install 68 smoke detectors throughout the year due to direct requests either from a resident or crew members that may have noticed a necessity. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report DC Suarez Del Real stated that one of the highlights for the MIH bureau in December was assisting Brownie Troop 11428 achieve their Basic First Aid Badge. He stated that A/MIH Lieutenant Raechel Liska was on hand to educate the troop members on 1) learning first steps to take in an emergency; 2) how to get help from 9-1-1; 3) criteria to be a first responder; and 4) how to treat minor injuries and first aid issues. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file/ 10. Communication: MIH program presentation MIH Lieutenant Christopher Williams spoke to the Commissioners about his MIH program initiative that focuses on assisting and guidance with mental health navigation. 11. Request for approval: MOU between WAFD and Addiction Services and Pharmacotherapy (ASAP) DC Suarez Del Real requested approval relative to a MOU with Addiction Services and Pharmacotherapy (ASAP). He stated that this partnership will work much like the partnership currently in place with Community Medical Services (CMS) in that the MIH bureau will provide through in-home visits to at-risk populations as referred by ASAP. DC Suarez Del Real also noted that the MOU has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 2/22/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 A motion was made by Commissioner Manthei and seconded by Commissioner Heron to approve the MOU with ASAP as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Romain, Kopplin, Manthei and Cosby Nay: 0 12. Fire Department Financial Report Chief Pooler stated that COVID-19 was instrumental in the department’s OT budget running over budget. He indicated that the city has received reimbursements thru the Cares Act to help offset this and other budget overages due to COVID-19. The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 13. Master Plan Performance Snapshot There were no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 14. Communication: Promotion to Equipment Operator Chief Pooler stated that with the retirement of EO Dan Kirchner, FF Joshua Bobrowitz has been promoted to the rank of Equipment Operator effective January 16, 2021. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 2/22/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 E. POLICE DEPARTMENT 15. Communication/Discussion: Expedited hiring process for lateral officers Chief Mitchell spoke to the Commissioners relative to an expeditated hiring process for police recruit candidates who are already police officers. Chief Mitchell stated that currently all police officer candidates who come on board with WAPD, regardless of their experience, go thru the same hiring and training process. Chief Mitchell suggested to the Commissioners a more streamlined process relative to the hiring of those candidates who are already police officers with another department. He noted that background and psych evals would still be a requirement for employment purposes and they would participate in 4 weeks of in-house training to learn the department’s culture. Chief Mitchell stated that this type of streamlined process would also allow these candidates to get out into the community much quicker as they would not be required to attend the Police Academy. Chief Mitchell indicated that if the Commissioners were open to this streamlined hiring process, he would present a formal request at the February PFC meeting. Commissioners agreed that this streamlined process seemed worthwhile and requested a formal presentation by Chief Mitchell at the February meeting. 16. Request for approval: Increased pay upon appointment - Officer Levi Kossow Chief Mitchell requested an approval to increase the payrate for Police Officer Levi Kossow to Step F of the police department pay scale. He stated that Officer Kossow joined the department in January of this year and had been an officer with the Brookfield PD for five years and as such, his pay should be reflective of his experience and knowledge he is bringing to West Allis. Chief Mitchell indicated that these requests need to have the board’s approval per contract regulations. A motion was made by Commissioner Heron and seconded by Commissioner Manthei to approve the pay increase as requested. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 5, Commissioners Heron, Romain, Manthei, Cosby and Kopplin Nay: 0 17. Police Department Financial Report Deputy Chief Marks stated that the money in the Capital Budget line item was to be used in 2020 for the purchase of a squad car and accessories but due to COVID, the car manufacturer ceased production. The money has been earmarked for the same purchase in 2021 pending production status. City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 2/22/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 The Commissioners had no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 18. Monthly Performance Report Deputy Chief Marks stated that the department continues to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and noted that with the vaccination roll-out to essential employees, 65% of the department’s employees have received the first shot in a series of two required. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 19. Patrol Activity Report DC Marks briefly reviewed an attempted homicide incident that took place in late December. He noted that this incident was an isolated and targeted event and the investigation is active and ongoing. He stated that while the both victims were seriously injured, they are expected to make a full recovery. DC Marks stated that of the 39 OWI arrests in December, one individual was arrested for an eighth OWI offense. The Commissioners had no additional comment or questions and the report was placed on file. 20. Communications Activity Report There were no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 21. Community Services Bureau Report There were no additional questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. 22. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report DC Marks stated that car thefts continue to occur within the city and the most targeted automobiles are Hondas and Toyotas. He stated that of the fourteen vehicle thefts most recently, twelve of the cars were recovered but all were missing the catalytic converters. DC Marks stated that the department is working with surrounding departments experiencing the same issue and have made progress relative to potential suspects responsible for these car thefts. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 23. Tavern Violations Report DC Marks briefly discussed some issues that occurred recently at the Spot Lite located on Greenfield Ave. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 2/22/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 The Commissioners had no other questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 24. Training Report The Commissioners had no questions or concerns and the report was placed on file. F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 25. PFC Financial Report This report was placed on file. 26. Discussion: 2021 PFC meeting attendance Discussion among the Commissioners ensued relative to 2021 meeting attendance preferences. While all agreed that in-person attendance is the end goal and hopefully before the end of 2021, Commissioners Cosby and Manthei stated that they would prefer to participate via Zoom at this time and revisit in-person attendance once more people have had a chance to get the vaccine shots. Commissioners agreed to continue with the Zoom option at this time. 27. Communication: Chief Mitchell’s 2020 Performance Review at February 18, 2021 PFC meeting Commissioner Kopplin stated that a closed session will be part of the February meeting to conduct Chief Mitchell’s performance review and 2021 goal setting initiatives. G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm. City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 2/22/2021 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 21, 2021 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 2/22/2021