Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, February 17, 2022 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 Amy Heron, Lev Baldwin, Danielle Romain and Kurt Kopplin Excused: Commissioner Mark Manthei Also Present: Police Chief Pat Mitchell, Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher, Deputy Chief Chris Marks - Police Department; Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Assistant Chief Jason Schaak, Deputy Chief Armando Suarez Del Real, Lieutenant Jesse Schwark - Fire Department; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the January 20, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Baldwin to approve the January 20, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Heron, Baldwin and Romain Abstained due to absence: 1, Commissioner Kopplin City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 3/18/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 17, 2022 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Request for approval: Purchase of five (5) squad cars Chief Mitchell requested approval for the purchase of five (5) Ford Interceptor squad cars and required accessories. He stated that funding will come from the department allocated budget as well as the Federal Equitable Sharing funding account. After a brief discussion and questions by the Commissioners, a motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Heron to approve the request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Heron, Baldwin, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 2. Communication: PFC Interview Dates in April After discussion, the Commissioners agreed on the following dates to hold open for police officer candidate interviews in April: Monday, April 11, 2022 Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Wednesday, April 13, 2022 3. Police Department Financial Report Chief Mitchell did not highlight anything in this report and there were no additional questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 4. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell stated that the department currently has four vacancies and had two more retirements in January. Chief Mitchell noted that police officer recruitment continues to be a challenge, but the department is not willing to compromise on stated requirements of the position nor hire below standards to fill positions. Chief Mitchell stated that the new 5-year Strategic Plan for the city includes the reduction of reckless driving and the 2022 budget reflected funding to achieve this initiative. Chief Mitchell stated that WI Statute provides guidance to impose a $10,000 fine to individuals arrested and convicted of negligent operation of a vehicle. Chief Mitchell stated that additional ways to curb reckless driving are being discussed as well. Lastly, Chief Mitchell stated that the 2022 Citizens Police Academy is currently accepting applications and the program is set to begin on March 16th. The Commissioners did not have any additional question or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 3/18/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 17, 2022 5. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell reviewed a shooting incident that took place in early January that involved shots fired at two police officers. He noted that the suspect was subsequently located near an apartment complex and was found to be deceased via a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 6. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that retention of employees in the dispatch center has been challenging over the last year. He noted that currently there are four full-time positions open in the center and the dispatch center is in a constant state of hiring and training. Chief Mitchell stated that the department is polling surrounding communities to get an idea of their current pay scale for this type of position. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 7. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and the Commissioners did not have any questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 8. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that the department continues to assist with the investigation of an off-duty police officer that was shot in an incident that took place in downtown Milwaukee in early January. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Tavern Violation Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and the Commissioners did not have any questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 10. Training Report Chief Mitchell stated that the department is very pleased with the use of the Virtual Academy Software. He stated that the program has allowed the department to assign important training videos department wide and to receive appropriate feedback regarding viewing status of the training videos. Chief Mitchell briefly discussed the status of the department’s five probationary police officers with the Commissioners. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 3/18/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 17, 2022 The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 3/18/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 17, 2022 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 11. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler stated that January was a busy month noting an increase in the number of fires and ems calls. He then went on to review briefly the two incidents included in AC Scharfenber’s report. Chief Pooler noted that the second incident was a hazmat situation that required the assistance of the Milwaukee FD hazmat unit. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 12. EMS Bureau Report Chief Pooler reviewed a highlighted call that was included in DC Novak’s report. He stated that a family had self-quarantined due to COVID like systems however, after several days, family members came to check on them and found all to be severely confused and not well. Chief Pooler stated that upon WAFD’s arrival, it was determined that all the family members were experiencing severe CO poisoning and were transported immediately for medical attention. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 13. EMS Revenue Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything included in this report and the report was placed on file. 14. QPR Monthly Report - January Chief Pooler did not speak to anything included in this report and the report was placed on file. 15. Training Bureau Report Chief Pooler stated that the focus of January training is ice rescue winter training exercises. He stated that this training has been conducted over the years in a retention pond located on the grounds of Quad Graphics - West Allis location. Chief Pooler noted that the days selected happened to be very cold and the training bureau alternated staff throughout the day from ice training to warming vehicles. Lieutenant Schwark briefly addressed that Commissioners regarding the importance of the department’s ISO (Insurance Service Office) rating and what the training bureau is doing to ensure required hours of training by each member of the department has been and continues to be achieved. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 3/18/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 17, 2022 16. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Assistant Chief Jason Schaak stated that the bureau submitted for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Coverdell Stroke Grant and it has been accepted. If awarded, the grant dollars will assist the department with risk mitigation strategies for patients effected by debilitating stroke issues. AC Schaak also reviewed the benchmarks included in his report and briefly spoke to a new benchmark added regarding bystander performance of CPR prior to EMS arrival. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 17. Fire Prevention Bureau Report Deputy Chief Suarez Del Real noted that the three fires incidents included in his report were the result of careless smoking materials by the occupant(s). He stated that fire prevention bureau is working with the City’s communication department to create social media PSA’s regarding safe disposal of smoking materials as well as investigating grant funding to purchase appropriate disposal receptacles. DC Suarez Del Real stated that the bureau is awaiting a delivery of smoke/co detectors and will be scheduling an install event in the near future. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 18. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report DC Suarez Del Real introduced the newest member of the MIH team, Lieutenant Guy Carriveau. He stated that Lt. Carriveau has been with the department for 10 years and will be a great addition to the MIH team. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 19. Request for Approval: Participation in American Heart Association’s Implement-HF Initiative A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this participation request as presented by DC Suarez Del Real. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Heron, Baldwin, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 20. Fire Department Financial Report This report was presented and placed on file. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 3/18/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 17, 2022 21. Master Plan Performance Snapshot This report was presented and placed on file. F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 22. PFC Financial Report This report was presented and placed on file. 23. Closed Session: Chief of Police annual performance evaluation and 2022 goal setting 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 conduct the Chief of Police annual performance evaluation and to set 2022 goals 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. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting convened into closed session at 7:18 pm H. ADJOURNMENT On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session and adjourned at 8:02 pm. City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 3/18/2022 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes February 17, 2022 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 3/18/2022