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, February 17, 2025 - 6:00 PM Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join the webinar: Police and Fire Commission Meeting February 17, 2025, 6:00 PM Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/685218381 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 685-218-381 United States: +1 (224) 501-3412 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 6:00 PM by Commissioner Chair Jerry Grant. ROLL CALL PRESENT Commissioner Jerry Grant Commissioner Beverly Stone Commissioner Mwita Binagi Commissioner Marissa Aranda Police Chief Daniel Meyer Police Administra ve Captain Adam Vander Steeg Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Dion EMS Chief Jason Dean Support Services Manager Sabrina Ojibway Police and Fire Commission Mee ng Minutes February 17, 2025 Page 2 ABSENT Commissioner Tom Miller 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 Binagi, seconded by Commissioner Aranda to approve agenda. Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. 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 December 2, 2024 Motion made by Commissioner Stone, seconded by Commissioner Binagi to approve the consent agenda. Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. 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. 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. There were no citizen comments. REPORTS 2. Police Chief's Report a. Whitewater Professional Police Association and Whitewater Professional Police Supervisor Association Residency Update Police Chief Meyer provided the Commission with an update that the Whitewater Professional Police Association (WPPA) and the Whitewater Professional Police Supervisor Association (WPPSA) unions have both completed side letter agreements that alter their collective bargaining agreements to update the residency requirement from Police and Fire Commission Mee ng Minutes February 17, 2025 Page 3 living within 20 miles of the city limits to living within 30 miles of the city limits. Reasoning for the change is to allow the police department to be a more competitive employer by allowing them the opportunity to draw from a greater applicant pool. b. Public Safety Referendum Update Commission members were provided with a pamphlet that contained information about the upcoming Police and Fire referendum. A Google search of “Whitewater 2025 Referendum” will bring up a webpage dedicated to the referendum. The public can also email ww2025referendum@whitewater-wi.gov with any questions they may have. Public information sessions will also be held prior to the April 1st, 2025 election. 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 FTE EMT/Firefighter Candidates Interview of Patrol Lieutenant Candidate Mo on made by Commissioner Aranda, Seconded by Commissioner Binagi to go into closed session. Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. The Police & Fire Commission went into closed session at 6:08 PM. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION Mo on made by Commissioner Binagi, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to go into open session. Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. The Police & Fire Commission went into open session at 7:14 PM 4. Announcement of Recommendation Concerning Whitewater Fire Department Hiring Process Motion made by Commissioner Binagi, Seconded by Commissioner Stone to approve the candidate, Timothy Girard, for placement on the eligibility list for a Firefighter/EMT position, effective 02/17/2025. The position is subject to staffing needs of the department, a medical screening, a psychological evaluation and a 12-month probationary period. This eligibility list will remain in effect for 12 months. Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. Motion made by Commissioner Aranda, Seconded by Commissioner Stone to approve the candidate, Daria Deibele, for placement on the eligibility list for a Firefighter/Paramedic position, effective 02/17/2025. The position is subject to staffing needs of the department, a medical screening, a psychological evaluation and a 12-month probationary period. This eligibility list will remain in effect for 12 months. Police and Fire Commission Mee ng Minutes February 17, 2025 Page 4 Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. Motion made by Commissioner Aranda, Seconded by Commissioner Stone to approve the candidate, Nicholas Soto, for placement on the eligibility list for a Firefighter/EMT position, effective 02/17/2025. The position is subject to staffing needs of the department, a medical screening, a psychological evaluation and a 12-month probationary period. This eligibility list will remain in effect for 12 months. Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. Announcement of Recommendation Concerning Whitewater Police Department Promotional Process Motion made by Commissioner Binagi, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to endorse and recommend the promotion of Ryan Aldrich to the posi on of Patrol Lieutenant for the Whitewater Police Department. Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS It is anticipated that there will be an upcoming quarterly report in the near future along with a police detective hiring process that will be conducted. With Commission elections typically occurring in May, Commission Chair Grant indicated his intent to step down as Chair when his yearly term expires. ADJOURNMENT Mo on made by Commissioner Binagi, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to adjourn. Voting Yes: Commissioner Grant, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. Mee ng adjourned at 7:20 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.