Police and Fire Commission

City of West Allis Meeting Minutes Police and Fire Commission Thursday, October 17, 2024 6:00 PM West Allis Fire Department 7332 W. National Ave. REGULAR AND CLOSED SESSION MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Manthei called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm B. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Mark Manthei, Danielle Romain and Michelle Sutinen Excused: Commissioners Kimberly Cosby and Sagar Tolani Also present: Deputy Chief Chris Marks, Deputy Chief Bob Fletcher - Police Department; Assistant Chief Jason Schaak, Deputy Chief Michael Wright, Deputy Chief Armando Suarez Del Real - Fire Department; CAO Rebecca Grill - City of West Allis; Recording Secretary Bridget Morawetz C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the September 19, 2024 Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Sutinen to approve 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 11/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 17, 2024 D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Request for approval: Payrate and vacation accruals for new police officer DC Marks stated that in anticipation of hiring a recruit who has six years previous experience with the Chicago police department, he is requesting the approval to bring him on board starting at the Step 6 payrate as determined by the Union contract. Additionally, he will also be credited with up to seven years of service relative to vacation accrual. 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, Romain and Sutinen Nay: 0 2. Request for purchase approval: Trimble 7X scanner/receiver and Bosch EDR DC Marks reviewed this purchase request with the Commissioners stating that the current equipment has reached its end of life and while still operational, it lacks the technological advancements and upgrades that are available with the new product. DC Marks stated that the equipment would be purchased through the Federal Equitable Sharing account and software subscription renewals will be via the department’s Computer Equipment account. A motion was made by Commissioner Sutinen and seconded by Commissioner Romain to approve this purchase as presented by DC Marks. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Manthei, Sutinen and Romain Nay: 0 3. Police Department Financial Report DC Marks did not speak to anything contained in this report. 4. Monthly Performance Review DC Marks highlighted some significant calls that were included in this report. First, he spoke to a carjacking/shots fired incident that occurred on September 27th. He stated that the offenders had carjacked a jeep in Milwaukee and then proceeded to attempt to break into cars located in West Allis. He stated that after a short pursuit on foot, two offenders were arrested without further incident and subsequently charged with multiple felonies. He then reviewed a fraud and theft by mail investigation that had been taking place most of 2024. DC Marks indicated that although still an ongoing investigation, a suspect has been identified and arrested after a search of his premises resulted in a connection with several of the mail fraud/theft incidents. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 2 Printed on 11/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 17, 2024 5. Training Unit Report DC Marks gave an update on the status of the Community Service Officer (CSO) program. He stated that the three newly hired CSO personnel continue to meet all of their training expectations to date. He also stated that there are three CSO applicants who are currently in the background investigation stage and should be onboard before the end of the year. DC Marks discussed briefly the FBI Control and Survival Tactics training that three officers recently received through WCTC. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 6. Patrol Bureau Report DC Marks spoke briefly about a domestic violence incident that resulted in a male resident being shot during an altercation with his girlfriend. He stated this incident is still under investigation and has been referred to the DA’s office for additional follow-up. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 7. Criminal Investigations Bureau Report DC Marks did not speak to anything contained in this report. 8. Community Services Unit Report DC Marks stated that the DARE program for all grade school students will be presented in the fall and spring sessions of the school year. He stated that this program was reinstated appropriately three years ago and continues to be a good educational training tool on the dangers of drug use. DC Marks spoke briefly about a long-term neighborhood dispute that continues to require weekly visitation by Lt. Pasdera to mediate issues. He stated that the issues between these neighbors cover the gamut of property lines to fence placement and other miscellaneous infractions between the property owners. DC Marks stated that the city attorney office has become involved with this dispute and the department continues to work toward a workable solution for both parties. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 9. Communications Unit Report DC Marks stated that the communications bureau has one full-time and several part-time positions available and background checks on four individuals from the most recent recruitment process are in progress. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 3 Printed on 11/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 17, 2024 10. Tavern Violation Report DC Marks did not speak to anything contained in this report City of West Allis Page 4 Printed on 11/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 17, 2024 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 11. Operations Division Report Deputy Chief Michael Wright reviewed the fire that was included in his report. He stated that fire was under control within ten minutes of arrival and the cause was determined as accidental. DC Wright also reviewed the automatic aid graphs as well as spoke to a number of the benchmarks included in this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 12. Bureau of Training and EMS Report DC Wright reviewed with the Commissioners the highlighted calls that were included in this report. He spoke specifically to a call regarding an elderly patient who needed assistance after falling. DC Wright stated that the patient has progressive dementia and was being cared for by elderly family members. He stated that the attending crew noticed the bed was soiled and took the time to change all the bed linen and assisted with changing the patients’ clothing. DC Wright stated that the family members were very appreciative of the help from the crew members. DC Wright then reviewed the benchmarks that were included with this report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 13. QPR Performance Report Assistant Chief Jason Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report. 14. Community Risk Reduction/Support Services Division Report AC Schaak stated that the department, in conjunction with Event Medical EMS Services, assisted the State Fair with the 2024 Milwaukee Mile Indy race weekend as well as their annual Harvest Fest event. He noted that both events were well attended and he stated that prep and hard work by all involved helped to ensure a safe environment for all in attendance. AC Schaak stated that members from the bureau attended an event at Engage Workshop and presented an overview of the fire department and their provided services. He noted that the event was well attended and valuable feedback was collected from attendees. AC Schaak briefly spoke about PulsePoint and the continued efforts to engage and educate the public about the app. He then spoke to some of the benchmarks included in his report as well as a brief discussion on the department’s continued efforts to reduce the number of overdoses within the city limits. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. City of West Allis Page 5 Printed on 11/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 17, 2024 15. Bureau of Fire Prevention and Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH Report) Deputy Chief Armando Suarez Del Real stated that the fire inspection bureau is still recovering from their State Fair and Harvest Fest responsibilities which has resulted in general fire inspections to be slightly behind in completion. He noted, however, that October thru the end of the year, the inspectors will be focused on completion on all outstanding inspections. DC Suarez Del Real stated that the MIH division has received an increase in referral calls from Aurora and the VA during the month of September. He stated that these referrals can be for a number of issues, mostly medical but also fall risks and hoarding issues. He noted that the referrals are essential as they allow the MIH crew to enter a patient’s home and really get a chance to assess any issues firsthand. DC Suarez Del Real highlighted a number of his benchmarks included with his report. The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 16. Fire Department Financial Report AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report. 17. Master Plan Performance Snapshot AC Schaak did not speak to anything contained in this report 18. Communication: Resignation of probationary firefighter AC Schaak stated that PFF Kevin Rentz resigned from the department for personal reasons effective at 0800 hours on Monday, October 15, 2024. 19. Request for approval: Begin recruitment and hiring process A motion was made by Commissioner Romain and seconded by Commissioner Sutinen to approve this request as presented by AC Schaak. The motion carried by the following votes: Aye: 3, Commissioners Manthei, Romain and Sutinen Nay: 0 20. Closed session: Discipline of a firefighter For agenda item #20, 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 City of West Allis Page 6 Printed on 11/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 17, 2024 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. F. POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION 21. PFC Financial Report The Commissioners had no additional questions or comments and the report was placed on file. 22. Closed session: Discussion regarding complaint investigation For agenda item #22, 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 short recess, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting convened into closed session at 7:16 pm Both closed session agenda items were addressed On a motion made and seconded, the meeting reconvened into open session at 7:58 pm. G. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 pm City of West Allis Page 7 Printed on 11/22/2024 Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes October 17, 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 8 Printed on 11/22/2024