Police and Fire Commission Meeting

Police and Fire Commission Mee ng Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual Monday, December 02, 2024 - 6:30 PM Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Police and Fire Commission Meeting December 2nd, 2024, 6:30PM Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/186659989 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 186-659-989 United States: +1 (872) 240-3212 Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual participation, unforeseen technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a quorum. Should you wish to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number: (262) 473-0108. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Commissioner Vice Chair Mwita Binagi ROLL CALL PRESENT Commissioner Beverly Stone Commissioner Mwita Binagi Commissioner Marissa Aranda Commissioner Tom Miller Police Chief Daniel Meyer Police Administra ve Captain Adam Vander Steeg Police Patrol Captain Ryan Ta Support Services Manager Sabrina Ojibway ABSENT Commissioner Jerry Grant Police and Fire Commission Mee ng Minutes December 02, 2024 Page 2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA A commission member can choose to remove an item from the agenda or rearrange its order; however, introducing new items to the agenda is not allowed. Any proposed changes require a motion, a second, and approval from the Commission to be implemented. The agenda shall be approved at each meeting even if no changes are being made at that meeting. Motion made by Commissioner Aranda, seconded by Commissioner Stone to approve modified agenda in which Executive Session Item 3: Interview of FTE EMT/Firefighter Candidate be removed due to applicant withdrawing from hiring process. Voting Yes: Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi, Commissioner Aranda and Commissioner Miller. Motion passed. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the Consent Agenda will be approved together unless any commission member requests that an item be removed for individual consideration. 1. Approval of Minutes from November 18, 2024. Motion made by Commissioner Stone, seconded by Commissioner Miller to approve the consent agenda. Voting Yes: Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi, Commissioner Aranda and Commissioner Miller. Motion passed. HEARING OF CITIZEN COMMENTS No formal Commission action will be taken during this meeting although issues raised may become a part of a future agenda. Participants are allotted a three minute speaking period. Specific items listed on the agenda may not be discussed at this time; however, citizens are invited to speak to those specific issues at the time the Commission discusses that particular item. There were no citizen comments. To make a comment during this period, or during any agenda item: On a computer or handheld device, locate the controls on your computer to raise your hand. You may need to move your mouse to see these controls. On a traditional telephone, dial *6 to unmute your phone and dial *9 to raise your hand. REPORTS 2. Police Chief's Report a. Personnel Update. In November, the City of Whitewater Common Council approved a 2025 budget that includes an additional detective position. This will bring staffing levels up from 24 sworn officers to 25 sworn officers, the first staffing increase since 2008. The job opening will be posted at the beginning of 2025 with an anticipated hiring date of April 2025. Police and Fire Commission Mee ng Minutes December 02, 2024 Page 3 b. Public Safety Referendum Update. The City of Whitewater Common Council selected Mueller Communications as the communications consultant that will be assisting in educating the community on the facts concerning the public safety referendum. EXECUTIVE SESSION Adjourn to Closed Session, TO RECONVENE, pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) “Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility". Items to be discussed: 3. Interview of Patrol Officer Candidate(s) Mo on made by Commissioner Stone, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to go into closed session. Voting Yes: Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi, Commissioner Aranda and Commissioner Miller. Motion passed. The Police & Fire Commission went into closed session at 6:36 PM. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION Mo on made by Commissioner Miller, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to go into open session. Voting Yes: Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi, Commissioner Aranda and Commissioner Miller. Motion passed. The Police & Fire Commission went into open session at 7:24 PM 4. Announcement of Recommendation Concerning Whitewater Police Department Hiring Process Motion made by Commissioner Miller, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to endorse and recommend the hiring of Melissa Kuchenbecher to the posi on of patrol officer for the Whitewater Police Department. Voting Yes: Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi, Commissioner Aranda and Commissioner Miller. Motion passed. Motion made by Commissioner Aranda, Seconded by Commissioner Stone to endorse and recommend the hiring of Cailey Russell to the posi on of patrol officer for the Whitewater Police Department. Voting Yes: Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi, Commissioner Aranda and Commissioner Miller. Motion passed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No future agenda items were discussed. ADJOURNMENT Mo on made by Commissioner Miller, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to adjourn. Police and Fire Commission Mee ng Minutes December 02, 2024 Page 4 Voting Yes: Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi, Commissioner Aranda and Commissioner Miller. Motion passed. Mee ng adjourned at 7:26 PM. A quorum of the Common Council may be present. This notice is given to inform the public that no formal action will be taken at this meeting. Anyone requiring special arrangements is asked to call the Office of the City Manager / City Clerk (262-473-0102) at least 72 hours prior to the mee ng.