Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, October 19, 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, Kimberly Cosby and Lev Baldwin Excused: Commissioner Kurt Kopplin Also present: Police Chief Pat Mitchell, Deputy Chief Chris Marks - Police Department; Assistant Chief Jason Schaak, Firefighter Quinn Dombrowski - Fire Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City Hall; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the September 21, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Baldwin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 11/17/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Request for approval: Placement on permanent WAPD roster Chief Mitchell presented the final training reports on four (4) probationary police officers and requested approval for them to be placed on the permanent WAPD roster: Ø Officer Eric Ulloa Ø Officer Raymond Coello Ø Officer Mitchell Schroeder Ø Officer Alexa Billstrom A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve the request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Baldwin and Cosby Nay: 0 2. Police Department Financial Reports Chief Mitchell stated that as the end of the year draws closer, requests for overtime payouts from staff will begin. He noted that these payouts, as in past years, will push the OT budget over the budgeted amount. Chief Mitchell also stated that after three years of staff not required to attend court proceedings, in-person court appearances have returned and it is expected that the OT budget will also reflect this change. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 3. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell stated that the department has reintroduced the DARE program and Corporal Poklasny presented it recently to fifth graders at six West Allis elementary schools. He stated that Corporal Poklasny noted it was well received by both the students and their teachers. Chief Mitchell also highlighted the use of flock cameras within the city and he noted that movement in budget money in 2024 may allow the purchase of five more flock cameras for the city. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell highlighted a number of incidents noted in this report. He spoke to the September 14, 2023 fatal motorcycle accident, stating that high speed by the cyclist was the main contributor to this fatal incident. He noted that unfortunately, a vigil held the following day resulted in several City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 11/17/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 arrests and charges such as disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly. Chief Mitchell also reviewed an police involved shooting incident that took place on September 28th that resulted in the death of a citizen. Chief Mitchell stated that Wauwatosa has been assigned as the lead investigative agency and final findings are expected by November. He stated that all four officers involved in this incident have been assigned to administrative duty until further notice. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comment and the report was placed on file. 5. Communications Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that the dispatch center continues to recruit for part-time dispatchers. He stated that currently the center is short six part-time dispatchers and one full-time dispatcher. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and report was placed on file. 6. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and the report was placed on file. 7. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report Chief Mitchell stated that a high-end jewelry store located on Highway 100 experienced a burglary that resulted in significant financial loss and building damage. He stated that investigation into this incident is ongoing but the perpetrators of the crime are suspected to be an experienced crew out of California. 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 in this report and the report was placed on file. 9. Training Report Chief Mitchell noted that the department completed their fall in-service training and thanked the fire department for their instruction of various field medical applications such as quick clots and chest seals. Chief Mitchell stated that this medical training will be helpful knowledge for officers to better assist injured citizens when necessary. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 11/17/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 10. Operations Division Report Assistant Chief Jason Schaak reviewed the benchmarks included in Chief Scharfenberg’s report. He stated that all the fires noted in the report were low damage and were brought under control very quickly. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 11. Bureau of Training and EMS AC Schaak noted that the focus of the September training a line of duty death review. He stated that personnel reviewed reports produced by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and then training was conducted to practice recommendations included in the most recent reports. AC Schaak also reviewed the benchmarks included in DC Novak’s report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 12. EMS Revenue Reports AC Schaak presented the EMS revenue reports and the Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. The reports were placed on file. 13. QPR Performance Report AC Schaak presented the September end of month QPR performance report and the Commissioners had no additional questions or comments. The report was placed on file. 14. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report AC Schaak stated that there was an overall increase in PulsePoint subscribers in September. AC Schaak also reviewed the benchmarks included in his report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 15. Fire Prevention Bureau Report AC Schaak stated that the Fire Prevention bureau, in conjunction with the Red Cross, will be conducting an early October smoke detector installation event. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 11/17/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 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 Lieutenant Chris Williams, currently assigned as our Substance Use Disorder Coordinator, has been reassigned to 24-hour duty. AC Schaak stated that with his recent promotion to Lieutenant, it was a necessary move to allow Lt Williams to gain experience in the role of a 24-hour shift Lieutenant. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 17. Fire Department Financial Report AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report and the report was placed on file. 18. Master Plan Performance Snapshot AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report and the report was placed on file. 19. Request for approval: Policy change regarding intradepartmental fund transfers A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Baldwin Nay: 0 20. Request for approval: Firefighter recruitment and selection process A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Baldwin Nay: 0 21. Request for approval: Placement on permanent WAFD roster AC Schaak requested approval to place probationary firefighter James Hauser on the department’s permanent roster. A motion was made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Baldwin to approve the request as presented. City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 11/17/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Baldwin Nay: 0 22. Request for approval: Contract agreement between WAFD and E-Plan A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Cosby to approve this request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Cosby and Baldwin Nay: 0 23. Communication: 2023 Firehouse Magazine Cover AC Schaak stated that Firehouse Magazine did a cover story regarding the large fire at Morgan Grove Apartments on May 31, 2023. He presented a copy of the cover of the magazine that featured one of our firefighters breaking into the complex. 24. Communication: Resignation of Firefighter/Paramedic AC Schaak shared with the Commissioners that firefighter and paramedic, Raechel Liska resigned from the department to take a position with the FBI. City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 11/17/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 25. PFC Financial Report The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments regarding this report and it was placed on file. 26. Communication: 2024 City Budget Overview CAO Rebecca Grill reviewed a short presentation with the Commissioners regarding the city’s 2024 budget goals and constraints. Discussion ensued with the commissioners regarding the city’s reckless driving initiative as well as questioning the funding provided to developers that perhaps could be better used to fund city services that directly affect the citizens of West Allis as well as the employees. 27. Closed session: Information update related to 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 7:23 pm. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 7:45 pm. G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:46 pm City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 11/17/2023 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 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 11/17/2023