Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, April 20, 2023 6:00 PM West Allis Fire Department 7332 W. National Ave. REGULAR MEETING AND CLOSED SESSION A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Manthei called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Mark Manthei, Danielle Romain, Lev Baldwin and Kurt Kopplin Excused: Commissioner Kimberly Cosby Also present: Acting Police Chief Robert Fletcher, Deputy Chief Chris Marks - Police Department; Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Assistant Chief Jason Schaak, Lieutenant Steve Prusinski, Firefighter Christopher Williams, Firefighter Quinn Dombrowski - Fire Department; City Administrator Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the March 16, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes as well as the April 11, 2023 and April 12, 2023 Special Meeting and Closed Session Meeting Minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve all the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Baldwin, Romain and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 5/19/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Communication: Police Officer Eligibility Lists Acting Police Chief Fletcher presented to the Commissioners the finalized eligibility list for the position of police officer following the recent interview process. He stated that employment is still contingent on a successful background check as well as medical and psychological evaluation. Commissioner Romain asked how many vacancies the department currently had and A/Police Chief Fletcher stated three currently, but anticipated retirements in June could bring that number to five. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 2. Police Department Financial Reports Chief Fletcher noted that as it was early in the year, the budget numbers were as expected. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 3. Monthly Performance Report Chief Fletcher stated that an officer recently suffered an opioid exposure after initiating a traffic stop. Chief Fletcher stated that the officer was treated with Narcan and after monitoring, was released and has fully recovered from the incident. Chief Fletcher stated that the department continues to contribute to the development of their staff and noted that most recently three Sergeants graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command conducted through Northwestern University. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. Patrol Activity Report Chief Fletcher made mention that third shift officers conducted 250 traffic stops in March which included 17 arrests for OWI and the recovery of 15 miscellaneous firearms. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 5. Communications Activity Report Chief Fletcher stated that the Communication division is currently recruiting for one full-time dispatcher and three part-time dispatchers. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 5/19/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 6. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Fletcher highlighted the recently introduced program called The Sundown Program. Chief Fletcher stated that sponsorship from The Woman’s Club of West Allis was key to getting this program implemented. Chief Fletcher stated that the program provides door alarms to homes housing autistic or memory challenged individuals which will sound if an alarmed door is opened unexpectedly. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 7. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Fletcher did not speak to anything contained in this report and the Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 8. Tavern Violation Report Chief Fletcher stated that after the recent shooting incident at the Bug N’Out establishment, their bar license was suspended for 90 days and the upstairs area will be excluded from their liquor license once it is reinstated. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Training Report Chief Fletcher stated that the current probationary officers continue to progress satisfactorily through their training period. Chief Fletcher reminded the Commissioners that the department will be holding an Axon open house event on April 25th. He stated that this would be a great opportunity for the Commissioners to see firsthand the whole suite of devices and tools offered by Axon. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 5/19/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 10. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler reviewed the fire incident that took place on West Oklahoma Avenue. He stated that there was extensive damage to the apartment of origin and after additional investigation, the apartment was found to have various car parts in the living room area. He stated that the individual that lived in the apartment fled the scene upon the department’s arrival but has since been apprehended. Chief Pooler noted that mutual aid to Wauwatosa almost doubled in March compared to February. Chief Pooler stated that adjustments to unit deployment were made to help alleviate this situation going forward. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 11. Bureau of Training and EMS Chief Pooler stated that the department responded to a call for service at a midwife clinic in Wauwatosa. He stated that upon arrival, crews came upon a baby that was not breathing. After initiating CPR, the baby was resuscitated. The baby was quickly transported and had good color and was making age-appropriate sounds upon arrival at the hospital. Chief Pooler noted that this isn’t the first time the department responded to this clinic as there have been previous issues regarding effective infant care. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 12. EMS Revenue Reports Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in these reports and the Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 13. QPR Performance Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in these reports and the Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 14. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Chief Schaak stated that in March the department hosted a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) maintenance school. He stated that our department has the only certified maintenance staff in-house and it is the plan to continue to send more staff members thru this training in the future. Chief Schaak stated that in-house repair of the SCBA equipment provides faster repair turnaround time and significant cost savings. Chief Pooler congratulated AC Schaak on receiving the 2023 Governor’s Emergency Management Award. Chief Pooler stated that Chief Schaak was recognized for his work during Covid-19 when he and a small team at City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 5/19/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 WAFD created an online PPE inventory and on-site central donation system to assist with Covid-19 pandemic protocols. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 15. Fire Prevention Bureau Report AC Schaak stated that Lt. Prusinski has attended several public events during March to share the importance of fire prevention activities. Chief Schaak stated that the department is hopeful to have a smoke alarm installation campaign in either the second or third quarters of 2023. Chief Schaak stated that the department is expecting a delivery of smoke detectors from the Red Cross at the end of April. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 16. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report AC Schaak stated that in March, members of the MIH team attended a Paramedicine and Leadership Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. He stated that the conference offered 45 different clinical and leadership presentations as well as an opportunity to meet with other departments working to better their own MIH programs. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 17. Fire Department Financial Report Chief Pooler noted that as it is the beginning of the year, the budget numbers are currently running at or below budgeted amounts. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 18. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and the Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 19. Communication: Resignation of Lieutenant Chief Pooler stated that Lt. Guy Carriveau resigned from the department effective on April 2, 2023. He noted that Lt. Carriveau was a 12-year veteran of the department and had accepted a Battalion Chief position with Western Lakes Fire Department. 20. Request for approval: Promotion to Lieutenant Chief Pooler stated that with the resignation of Lt. Carriveau, there is now a vacancy at the rank of Lieutenant. Chief Pooler put forth a request to promote Firefighter Chris Williams to the rank of Lieutenant. He stated City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 5/19/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 that FF Williams is a 9-year veteran with the department and has excelled in his current position as a MIH Lieutenant. A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Kopplin to approve this promotion as requested. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Baldwin and Kopplin Nay: 0 21. Communication: Retirement of Equipment Operator Chief Pooler stated that Equipment Operator Michael Theim was a 24-year veteran with department and retired effective at 0800 hours on April 16, 2023. 22. Communication: Promotion to Equipment Operator Chief Pooler stated that with EO Theim’s retirement, FF William Emery was next on the Equipment Operator eligibility list. He will be promoted to Equipment Operator effective at 0800 hours on Saturday, April 22, 2023. F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 23. Police and Fire Financial Report The Commissioners had no questions or comments regarding their financial report. 24. Closed session: Resignation of Patrol Officer City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 5/19/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 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 review and discuss the resignation of a patrol officer. A closed session for the above purpose is authorized pursuant to the provision of Section 19.85(1)(b)(f) of the Wis. Stats., to consider dismissal, demotion, licensing or discipline of any public employee or person licensed by a board or commission or the investigation of charges against such persons, and to consider financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigations of charges against specific persons except where par.(b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations. 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 6:35 pm. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 6:46 pm. H. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 6:47 pm. City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 5/19/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 20, 2023 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 5/19/2023