Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, January 18, 2024 6:00 PM West Allis Police Department 11301 W. Lincoln 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: Fire Chief Mason Pooler, Assistant Chief Jason Schaak - Fire Department; Interim Police Chief Robert Fletcher - Police Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis; Bridget Morawetz, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the December 21, 2023 Regular 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: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Baldwin and Kopplin Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 2/16/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 18, 2024 D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. Operations Division Report Chief Pooler reviewed numerous items contained in AC Scharfenberg’s end of year report to include run volume and mutual aid. He stated that the property loss dollar amount for 2023 was extensive due to three major fire incidents that occurred at the Morgan Grove apartments, a 4-family fire on Maple Street and a national gas explosion. He stated all of these major fires were out of control prior to the department’s arrival and the properties could not be saved or salvaged. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 2. Bureau of Training and EMS Chief Pooler spoke about one of the highlighted calls included in this report. He stated that fire personnel arrived on scene after the patient’s doctor called 911 regarding a wellness check. Chief Pooler stated that the patient was found watching TV and no complaints however, as the patient was being checked out, the patient went into full cardiac arrest. The patient was treated accordingly and the outcome was positive. Chief Pooler also reviewed the department’s Lieutenant Mentorship program, stating that this program pairs a firefighter with an officer for a year to prepare them for leadership roles in the future with the department. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 3. EMS Revenue Reports Chief Pooler presented the December EMS Revenue Reports. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. QPR Performance Report Chief Pooler presented the QPR Performance Report for the month of December. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 5. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report Assistant Chief Schaak spoke to the ongoing efforts to improve the PulsePoint application and to continue the growth of subscribers. He also reviewed the benchmarks included in this report and spoke to many of the ongoing programs to fight the opioid epidemic. City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 2/16/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 18, 2024 Lastly, he shared with the Commissioners a recent visit to the National Fire Academy and his experience with viewing the tribute memorial pavers and other tributes to fallen firefighters available on the academy grounds. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 6. Fire Prevention Bureau Report AC Schaak noted that false alarm fees for 2023 increased significantly compared to 2022. He stated businesses are billed this fee after three false alarms are triggered. AC Schaak stated that the department will continue to work with the Red Cross for smoke and CO detector installations. He noted that a 2024 goal is to increase the campaigns and meet the stated benchmark. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 7. Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Bureau Report AC Schaak noted the department’s relationship with the Milwaukee Street Angels outreach program. He stated that this organization has helped many of the West Allis homeless population by supplying food and warm accessories that are essential until they are able to get into a shelter during the winter months. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 8. Fire Department Financial Report Chief Pooler did not speak to anything included in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Master Plan Performance Snapshot Chief Pooler did not speak to anything included in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 10. Communication: January Firefighter Interviews Chief Pooler reminded the Commissioners of the January 25th and January 30th firefighter interviews to be held at the fire department admin offices. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 2/16/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 18, 2024 E. POLICE DEPARTMENT 11. Request for approval: Begin Police Officer recruitment process Interim Police Chief Fletcher requested approval to begin a Police Officer recruitment process. A motion was made by Commissioner Baldwin and seconded by Commissioner Kopplin to approve the request a presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Baldwin and Kopplin Nay: 0 12. Police Department Financial Reports I/Chief Fletcher stated that year-end financial numbers have not been finalized but the department’s OT budget line is expected to be over due to end of year OT payouts to department members. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 13. Monthly Performance Report I/Chief Fletcher stated at the end of 2023, the department was fully staffed with 126 sworn positions filled. However, the beginning of the year already has one retirement and it is anticipated that a few officers will be leaving due to various personal reasons and circumstances. I/Chief Fletcher stated that in late 2022 the city announced a Reckless Driving Deterrence Campaign and in 2023, the department focused on this initiative by allocating resources to address this problem. He went on to state that in 2023, the department conducted almost 9000 traffic stops which resulted in 6600 citations for various offenses to include negligent operation, speeding and reckless driving. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 14. Patrol Activity Report I/Chief Fletcher spoke briefly to a murder/suicide incident that occurred in early December. He stated that one of the victims was known to the department and had suffered from numerous mental health and substance abuse issues over the years. I/Chief Fletcher noted a successful use of a Flock camera hit that resulted in the apprehension of two suspects, one wanted by MPD for a robbery incident in their jurisdiction and the other for an outstanding warrant in Sauk County. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 2/16/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 18, 2024 The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 15. Communications Activity Report I/Chief Fletcher stated that currently the dispatch center is at full staffing with nine full-time dispatchers. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 16. Community Services Bureau Report I/Chief Fletcher stated that Lt. Jessica Johnson will retire at the end of January after a 27-year career with the department. He stated that Lt. Pasdera will be taking over the Community Services Unit in February. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 17. Criminal Investigations Unit Activity Report I/Chief Fletcher did not speak to anything included in the report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 18. Tavern Violation Report I/Chief Fletcher did not speak to anything included in the report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 19. Training Report I/Chief Fletcher stated that two officers recently completed their MATC academy training and are currently participating in the new officer training setting at WAPD. He also stated that three officers hired in late December have been accelerated through the new officer training program as all had previous police experience. He noted that these three officers will begin their field training patrol rotations by the middle of January. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 2/16/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 18, 2024 F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 20. PFC Financial Report It was noted that the Commissioners budget line for Testing/Medical was over budget for 2023. This was attributed to numerous hires by the police for dispatchers and police officers as well as two new hires for fire in 2023. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 21. Closed Session: Discipline of a Police Officer 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 into closed session at said time and place to review and discuss the discipline of a Police 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 by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Kopplin, the meeting convened into closed session at 6:49 pm On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 7:05 pm H. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:06 pm City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 2/16/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes January 18, 2024 All meetings of the Police and Fire Commission 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 7 Printed on 2/16/2024