Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, September 19, 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 6:04 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Mark Manthei, Danielle Romain, Michelle Sutinen Late: Commissioner Sagar Tolani arrived at 6:10 pm after roll-call, approval of minutes and agenda item #1 Excused: Commissioner Kimberly Cosby Also present: Deputy Chief Jason Schaak - Fire Department; Police Chief Patrick Mitchell, Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher - Police Department; City Attorney Kail Decker, CAO Rebecca Grill, Asst. City Administrator/Talent & Strategy Director, Richard Pfaff - City of West Allis; Attorney Megan Mirka, Walcheske & Luzi, LLC; Recording Secretary Bridget Morawetz C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the August 15, 2024 Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes as well as the September 10, 2024 and September 11, 2024 Special Meeting and Closed Session Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Sutinen and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve all the minutes as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Manthei, Romain and Sutinen Nay: 0 City of West Allis Page 1 Printed on 10/18/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. Request for approval: Extension of Bureau of Justice grant Assistant Chief Jason Schaak explained to the Commissioners that the current grant contract with the Bureau of Justice will expire at the end of September and he is requesting approval to extend the grant contract for an additional twelve months. He stated that this extension contract has been reviewed by the city attorney as well. A motion was made by Commissioner Sutinen and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Manthei, Sutinen, Romain Nay: 0 2. Request for approval: Plymovent repairs and upgrades AC Schaak submitted an approval request and proposal from Hastings Air Energy to repair and upgrade the department’s plymovent exhaust removal system. AC Schaak stated that these repairs and upgrades would take place at all three stations. AC Schaak stated that Hastings had installed the original system and thru competitive bidding, they were the lowest in cost. A motion was made by Commissioner Tolani and seconded by Commissioner Sutinen to approve the request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Sutinen, Romain and Tolani Nay: 0 3. Operations Division Report AC Schaak presented the department’s Operation report for the month of August. He noted that compared to August 2023, fire run volume was slightly lower. He then reviewed the two fire incidents that were included in this report. He noted that both fire incidents were a result of arson and both continue to be investigated by the WAPD. Commissioner Sutinen asked for clarification on what the term false alarm means and are there any consequences regarding a false alarm call. AC Schaak stated that false alarm is just that, a crew is dispatched to a site and do not find a fire. It is usually the result of a faulty fire alarm system or something with the sprinkler system. He stated that owners are given three warnings on false alarms and then after that, they are fined per city ordinance. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 4. Bureau of Training and EMS Report AC Schaak reviewed the highlighted calls included in this report. He stated that City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 10/18/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 the call with Platoon B was challenging as the environment and nature of the call required the responding crew to split into two teams and work with one patient each. He stated that WAPD had already administered doses of Narcan and initiated CPR, but unfortunately, the patients were pronounced deceased on scene. AC Schaak stated that involved crew members were debriefed and offered crisis counseling if need be. AC Schaak stated that the PFF Maya Pagel and PFF Jared Jenkins have completed three months of employment with the department and continue to progress as expected. He noted that both have been integrated into the Milwaukee County EMS system and are currently at the intern paramedic status. AC Schaak then highlighted some of the benchmarks included with this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 5. QPR Performance Report AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report and the report was placed on file. 6. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report AC Schaak shared with the Commissioners a program instituted by Milwaukee County to assist with the needs of individuals recently released from incarceration and are at high risk of substance abuse following their release. He stated that WAFD will be provided with referrals of recently released residents who are returning to the community and may need additional assistance to find recovery programs to keep them safe and thriving. AC Schaak also spoke briefly about the current Pulsepoint numbers as well as reviewed the benchmarks included in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 7. Bureau of Fire Prevention and Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Report AC Schaak stated that August was a busy month for the Fire Prevention bureau as the bureau was focused on inspections relative to the 2024 State Fair vendors. He noted that most vendors do not arrive on-site until a few days prior to the start of the fair, and the bureau needs to inspect 87 permanent structures and 315 temporary stands during the short timeframe available leading up to the start of the fair. He stated that in collaboration with the American Red Cross and volunteers from UWM, the department was able to provide approximately 400 individuals with hands only CPR training during the fair’s 11-day run. AC Schaak stated that the department will have two more smoke/CO alarm installation events before the end of the year. He invited all the Commissioners to attend and participate in the installation events if their schedule allowed. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 10/18/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 8. Fire Department Financial Report AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. 9. Master Plan Performance Snapshot AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report and it was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 10/18/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 E. POLICE DEPARTMENT 10. Request for approval: Lateral vacation time for Officers Iaquinta, Youngquist, Olson, Medina, Kuenzi and Howe Chief Mitchell reviewed with the Commissioners a request for approval relative to increased vacation for lateral police officers. He stated that a recent arbitration award granted eligible officers additional vacation hours based upon their prior experience. Chief Mitchell stated that this impacted officers hired between 2022 through the present. He indicated that there was no financial impact to the city and department staffing would continue to follow optimal staffing policy requirements. A motion was made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Tolani to approve this request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Sutinen and Tolani Nay: 0 11. Request for approval: TraCS SQL License Chief Mitchell stated that the TraCS (Traffic and Criminal Software) program is a national model for the development of automated reporting systems for law enforcement. Chief Mitchell stated that recently, the department was informed that the State of Wisconsin will be updating this program and all agencies will need a Microsoft SQL Server newer than 2016 to accommodate this upgrade. Chief Mitchell stated that the department worked with and received approval from the city’s finance department to transfer funds from the department’s salary account to the software account to allow for this upgrade purchase. A motion was made by Commissioner Sutinen and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Sutinen and Tolani Nay: 0 12. Request for approval: HIDTA Admin Agreement 2025-2029 Chief Mitchell presented and explained to the Commissioners about the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) request for the city, via WAPD, to provide certain purchasing and fiscal agent services on their behalf. Chief Mitchell further explained the city has acted in this capacity for HIDTA since 1998 and it has been a seamless partnership to date. A motion was made by Commissioner Tolani and seconded by Commissioner Sutinen to approve this request as presented by Chief Mitchell. The motion carried by the following votes: City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 10/18/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Sutinen and Tolani Nay: 0 13. Communication: Police Officer Eligibility Lateral, Community Services Officer, New Officer list Chief Mitchell stated that this communication was to share with the Commissioners the final candidates and group breakdowns that resulted from the most recently completed recruitment process. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 14. Request for approval: Begin Police Officer Recruitment Chief Mitchell requested approval from the Commissioners to begin another police officer recruitment process. He stated that it is expected that by the end of the year, the department will have approximately 13 department vacancies due to resignations, expected retirements and potential promotions by the end of the year. Discussion ensued between the Commissioners and Chief Mitchell on incentives and other recruitment efforts to help attract qualified individuals to apply with the department. A motion was made by Commissioner Sutinen and seconded by Commissioner Tolani to approve this request as presented. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 4, Commissioners Manthei, Romain, Sutinen and Tolani Nay: 0 15. Police Department Financial Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report and the report was placed on file. 16. Monthly Performance Report Chief Mitchell spoke to the Commissioners about a bomb threat incident that had occurred at Nathan Hale High School. He stated that after investigating, it was determined the threat was not real, all involved parties were identified and the appropriate discipline and corrective action will be handled accordingly. Chief Mitchell noted that the 2024 State Fair went very well this year and the department did not run into many problems outside the fairgrounds. He noted that officers were on bike patrol during the fair and he stated that one robbery was reported resulting in the loss of $2000. Chief Mitchell reviewed briefly the staffing shortage that the department may face by the end of 2024. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 17. Training Bureau Report City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 10/18/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 Chief Mitchell reviewed the status of the current probationary officers noting that, except for one, all are progressing through their training requirements accordingly. He stated that the officer in question is knowledgeable regarding police work, however, is deficient in necessary paperwork and other follow-up tasks as required. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 18. Patrol Activity Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report as highlights from this report were reviewed in the Monthly Performance Report. 19. Criminal Investigations Bureau Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in this report as highlights from this report were reviewed in the Monthly Performance Report. 20. Community Services Bureau Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in the report and the report was placed on file. 21. Communications Bureau Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in the report and the report was placed on file. 22. Tavern Violation Report Chief Mitchell did not speak to anything contained in the report and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 10/18/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 2024 F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 23. PFC Financial Report This report was presented and placed on file. 24. Request for approval: 2025 PFC Budget Proposal A motion was made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Tolani to approve the 2025 PFC proposed budget as presented. 25. Discussion: Creation of sub-committees to review police and fire interview questions, Fire Chief and Police Chief annual performance review process and PFC rules and regulations A discussion ensued between the Commissioners regarding the various topics as noted above. CAO Grill explained the annual review process and steps for both Chiefs and it was determined that the recording secretary would work with CAO Grill and the Commission President to ensure the reviews are held on a timely basis. Attorney Decker made mention that to keep things as simple as possible, he suggested that only two Commissioners be assigned to work on an issue versus creating a 3-person sub-committee which would be subject to the open records posting requirements. Lastly, Commissioners Sutinen and Solani agreed to review the current fire and police department interview questions and to follow-up with the rest of the Commissioners at an upcoming PFC meeting. 26. Closed Session: Discussion regarding complaint investigation For agenda item 26, the Police and Fire Commission may convene in closed session pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. Section 19.85(1)(g) for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved. The Police and Fire Commission may reconvene in open session after completion of the closed session to consider the balance of the agenda. After a brief recess, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting convened into closed session at 7:43 pm. On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 8:45 pm G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 8:46 pm City of West Allis Page 8 Printed on 10/18/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes September 19, 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 9 Printed on 10/18/2024