Police and Fire Commission Meeting

Police and Fire Commission Meeting Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual Monday, April 06, 2026 - 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. Police and Fire Commission Meeting April 6th, 2026 at 6:00 PM https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23922939870793?p=VevtWvZoPhCCEbqmSJ You can also dial in using your phone: Phone Number: 1-929-229-5663 Phone Conference ID: 757 460 859# 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 Binagi. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Kathryn Boyd Commissioner Beverly Stone Commissioner Mwita Binagi Commissioner Marissa Aranda Police Chief Daniel Meyer Police Captain Adam Vander Steeg Police Captain Ryan Taft Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Dion Support Services Manager Sabrina Ojibway 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, Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 06, 2026 Page 2 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 Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to approve agenda. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, 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 for February 23rd, 2026 Motion was made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to approve the consent agenda. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, 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. 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. Fire Chief's Report a. Personnel Update Resignations were submitted by Firefighter/Paramedic Miranda Jasperson and Firefighter/Paramedic Alex Rohde. Josh Benes (POC) retired with 21 years of service. Anthony Vilavong, Theron Spiegleberg, Conor Wolf, Jordan Wedig, and Liam Griffen were hired from the full-time eligibility list. Firefighter/Advanced EMT Tim Girard completed his probationary period. b. Training Update The fire department recently put their new ladder truck into service, with that they were able to secure a state certified arial operator class through Gateway Technical College that was hosted by the department. 12 members completed the training. Work has started at the Training Center site. The department is on track for substantial completion by July 1st, 2026. Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 06, 2026 Page 3 c. Equipment Update A new vehicle for the fire inspector has arrived and is in the shop for radio installs and finish work. It is a 2025 F150 that will be replacing a 2005 Tahoe with 150k miles on it. 3. Police Chief's Report a. Personnel Update Patrol Officer Trey Bradley’s last day was March 17th, 2026, as he is taking a position with the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office. Patrol Officer Melissa Kuchenbecker’s last day was January 15th, 2026, as she took a position with the Menomonee Falls Police Department. Three applicants are currently in the background investigation stage of the patrol hiring process. b. Training Update All sworn staff completed Defensive Tactics training in January along with UW- Whitewater PD staff which was provided by in-house state-certified instructors. All sworn staff completed Standardized Field Sobriety Testing refresher training in March and April, provided by in-house instructors. c. Community Engagement Update Officers met with students at Lincoln Elementary on February 11 th, 2026, for the Cops ‘N Kids book reading event. Staff attended career fairs at UW-Platteville. SRO Ellis and Detective Monson will be attending the International Children’s Day event at Lincoln Elementary on April 18th, 2026. d. Department Updates to Include: PD Evidence/Training Garage, WPPA and WPPSA Bargaining Processes, Spring Splash, Community Impact Team (CIT) and Immigration Liaison Federal Funding PD Evidence/Training Garage: Angus-Young has finalized the design for a dual-purpose evidence and training garage. The city received construction bids, and the contract has been awarded to Gilbank at a total cost of $852,000. Construction is anticipated to be completed by October 31, 2026. WPPA and WPPSA Bargaining Processes: Both the Whitewater Professional Police Association (WPPA) and the Whitewater Professional Police Supervisor Association (WPPSA) are in the process of negotiating their next contract with the city. The current contracts ran through December 31st of 2025, and it’s anticipated that the processes will be completed within the next month. Spring Splash: The police department received information that this event is scheduled to occur on May 2nd, 2026. Captain Taft has been leading PD efforts to plan and prepare for the event. Community Impact Team (CIT): The Community Impact Team has been created. The intent of the team is to increase community engagement efforts and lead crime prevention initiatives. Team members include Detective Monson and Officers Jacobs, Johnson and Kozlowski. Current initiatives include domestic violence prevention that will Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 06, 2026 Page 4 include a new lethality assessment program and outreach to our Spanish speaking population. Immigration Liaison Federal Funding: In February the police department was informed that the city is being awarded $85,000 in a federal appropriation to fund an immigration liaison position. The agency is awaiting further information, but assuming this moves forward, the position will not be under the Police Department umbrella but will instead be based out of the City Attorney’s office. 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 governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility". Items to be discussed: 4. Interview of FTE Firefighter/Paramedic Candidate 5. Interview of Patrol Lieutenant Candidate 6. Interview of Patrol Officer Candidates Motion made by Commissioner Stone, Seconded by Commissioner Boyd to go into closed session. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. The Police & Fire Commission went into closed session at 6:14 PM RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to go into open session. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. The Police & Fire Commission went into open session at 8:19 PM 7. Announcement of Recommendation Concerning Whitewater Fire Department Hiring Process Motion made by Commissioner Stone, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to approve the candidate, Ehren Ezzell, for placement on the eligibility list for a Firefighter/Paramedic position, effective April 6th, 2026. The position is subject to the staffing needs of the department, medical screening, psychological evaluation and a 12-month probationary period. This eligibility list will remain in effect for 12 months. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. 8. Announcement of Recommendation Concerning Whitewater Police Department Promotional Process Motion made by Commissioner Stone, Seconded by Commissioner Boyd to endorse and recommend the promotion of Blake Dorman to the position of Patrol Lieutenant for the City of Whitewater Police Department. Police and Fire Commission Meeting Minutes April 06, 2026 Page 5 Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. 9. Announcement of Recommendation Concerning Whitewater Police Department Hiring Process Motion made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to endorse and recommend the hiring of Alicia Radtke as Patrol Officer for the City of Whitewater Police Department. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. Motion made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Stone to endorse and recommend the hiring of Jacob Ihm as Patrol Officer for the City of Whitewater Police Department. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. Motion made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Stone to endorse and recommend the hiring of Riley Fitzgerald as Patrol Officer for the City of Whitewater Police Department. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Boyd proposed a review of Police & Fire Commission questions used for initial hires and promotions and an overview of processes to be conducted in closed session at a future meeting. Possibility of a subcommittee to address changes. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Stone to adjourn. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed Meeting adjourned at 8:26 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 meeting.