Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, August 17, 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 6:01 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Mark Manthei, Kurt Kopplin and Danielle Romain Excused: Commissioner Kimberly Cosby Absent: Commissioner Leverett Baldwin Also present: Police Chief Pat Mitchell, Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher - Police Department; Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Deputy Chief Armando Suarez Del Real, Lieutenant Jesse Schwark - Fire Department; City Administrator Rebecca Grill, Deputy City Attorney Nicholas Cerwin - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the July 20, 2023 Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Manthei, Kopplin and Romain Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 9/22/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 17, 2023 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Request for approval: 2024 Police Budget and Capital Budget Chief Mitchell reviewed with the Commissioners his 2024 Police Budget and Capital Budget spending requests. He stated that many of the changes are simply the movement of money from one account to another to accommodate a reduction or increase of various services rendered. He also stated that the Capital budget committee approved the below purchases but neither have been approved for purchase to date: Ø Bullet Resistant Protection for the front lobby of the police department; Ø Komutel Recording system to record radio transmissions as well as incoming and outgoing dispatch calls and other phone lines within the police department. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve all budget requests as presented by Chief Mitchell. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Romain and Manthei Nay: 0 2. Communication: Providing service as a wireless 9-1-1 public safety answering point Chief Mitchell presented a white paper overview authorizing the West Allis Police Department as the primary receiving point for cellular 911 calls originating within the city limits of West Allis. He stated that currently, 911 calls are routed through the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management and then transferred to West Allis dispatch for processing. This results in a delay in service to West Allis citizens which could be problematic for the person in need of our services. After further discussion between Chief Mitchell and the Commissioners regarding cost and other concerns regarding this change in service, the report was placed on file. 3. Request for approval: Initiate Lieutenant process Chief Mitchell stated that in anticipation of the retirement of a current Lieutenant, he is requesting to begin a Lieutenant promotional hiring process. A motion was made by Commissioner Kopplin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this request as presented by Chief Mitchell. City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 9/22/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 17, 2023 The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Romain and Manthei Nay: 0 4. Request for approval: Hiring process for Police Officers and establish three PFC interview dates during the week of September 11, 2023 Commissioner Manthei requested that the recording secretary send out a doodle poll to all Commissioners regarding their availability the week of September 11, 2023. 5. Police Department Financial Reports Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 6. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell stated that the department recently received two resignations from long-term officers, one with seven years on the force and another with ten. However, he noted that two new police officers started with the academy and are expected to graduate in December and will start their field training immediately afterward. He noted that the department held a quarterly neighborhood partnership meeting which was presented on Facebook live. Lastly, he stated that the department entered into an agreement with UW-Madison Department of Family Medicine and Community Health to implement a Nalox-Zone box in the foyer of the WAPD. He stated that the box was installed in August. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 7. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell briefly discussed recent activity that the patrol division encountered during the month of July. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 8. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 9. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell stated that the 2023 West Alis Night Out event was very well attended. He also stated that McGruff visited eleven block parties that were held the next night. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 9/22/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 17, 2023 Chief Mitchell noted that community services continue to work with the Liberty Heights community to ensure the park continues to be a safe and fun place for children and families to visit and enjoy. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 10. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell discussed a home invasion incident that resulted in the arrest of numerous individuals as well as the recovery of four firearms. Chief Mitchell also reviewed a road rage incident that resulted in one of the individuals being shot. He stated that after further investigations, both individuals were arrested regarding this incident and charged for various offenses. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 11. Tavern Violation Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 12. Training Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 13. Closed session: Discipline of a Corporal For the above item, the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners may convene in closed session, following completion of the open session agenda items, pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. section 19.85(1)(c) and (f) 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 and considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where section 19.85(1)(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. The Board may reconvene in open session after completion of the closed session to consider the balance of the agenda. Commissioner Manthei deferred this closed session topic until discussion of all current open session items had been completed. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 9/22/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 17, 2023 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 14. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler reviewed the fire incident that was highlighted in Chief Scharfenberg’s report. He stated that the fire was contained to the basement area and appears to have been started by an overloaded electrical circuit in a storage area in the basement. Chief Pooler reviewed the benchmarks included in the report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 15. Bureau of Training and EMS Lieutenant Jesse Schwark stated that a major training event in the month of July was focused on the annual sky glider rescue training at the Wisconsin State Fair. He noted that personnel performed hands-on training to simulate a civilian rescue in the event that the glider would break down or is otherwise damaged. Lt. Schwark also noted that the department’s two probationary firefighters have been assigned to 24-hour duty and early evaluations are very positive on both individuals. Chief Pooler then reviewed the benchmarks included in this report. 16. QPR Performance Report - July Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 17. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Deputy Chief Armando Suarez Del Real stated that the department was nominated and won the 2023 Hooley New Frontier Award. He stated that this award is presented by ImageTrend, LLC and recognizes departments that have gone above and beyond the call of duty and are breaking new ground or serving in a humanitarian way. DC Suarez Del Real stated that the award was in partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management and recognized the contributions by all to combat the devasting effects of the opioid epidemic. DC Suarez Del Real reviewed the benchmarks also included in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 18. Fire Prevention Bureau Report DC Suarez Del Real stated that due to a number of the regular fire City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 9/22/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 17, 2023 inspectors on vacation and preparing for the 2023 State Fair, inspection numbers are slightly down to date. He noted that inspections will be back on track by mid-August. DC Suarez Del Real also stated that in partnership with the Red Cross, a smoke alarm drive was conducted in early July and 37 smoke alarms were installed. He noted that another smoke alarm install event, in conjunction with the Red Cross, is scheduled for early October. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 19. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report DC Suarez Del Real stated that the MIH division continues to receive referrals from our field resources and direct patient contact with many of these referrals has been successful. He noted that the high utilizer group had a spike in 911 calls during the month of July. He noted that of the 51, 29 were of the behavioral and/or psychological in nature. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 20. Fire Department Financial Report Chief Pooler noted that in an upcoming financial report, the Overtime budget line will reflect the OT paid out for the 2023 State Fair timeframe. He noted that State Fair reimburses the city for this overtime, but that this reimbursement will not be reflected or added back in to this account to offset the payouts. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 21. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 22. Request for approval: Subgrant agreement amendment DC Suarez Del Real requested approval to amend an agreement with MCW to allow reallocation of funding to add a program manager to the Bureau of Justice substance abuse program grant. A motion was made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Kopplin to approve the agreement amendment as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Kopplin, Romain and Manthei Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 9/22/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 17, 2023 F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 21. PFC Financial Report The Commissioners had no questions or comments regarding the report and it was placed on file. 22. Discussion: City and Fire Department time accounting system CAO Rebecca Grill explained the current NovaTime timekeeping process that many of the departments utilize to keep track of work hours. She stated that the current program has reached its end of life and the finance department has been researching a new time entry system for 2024. She stated that at this time, moving any department to an outdated timekeeping system would not be worthwhile. Chief Pooler stated that moving to this time keeping system has been an ongoing conversation for over 10 years and issues continually arise as to a system having the ability and capability to work within a 24-hour timeframe as well accommodate time trades and other specialty hours that are afforded firefighters during their tenure with the department. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. 23. Closed Session: Preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems raised in an August 4, 2023 communication to the members of the Police and Fire Commission. For the above item, the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners may convene in closed session, following completion of the open session agenda items, pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. section 19.85(1)(f) for the purpose of preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where section 19.85(1)(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. The Board may reconvene in open session after completion of the closed session to consider the balance of the agenda. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting convened into closed session at 7:20 pm. Closed session topics were discussed. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 7:42 pm G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 9/22/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes August 17, 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 9/22/2023