Police & Fire Commission Meeting

Police & Fire Commission Mee ng Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual Tuesday, September 09, 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 September 9, 2025, 6:00PM Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/741408613 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 741-408-613 United States: +1 (312) 757-3121 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 6:01 PM by Commissioner Binagi ROLL CALL PRESENT Commissioner Kathryn Boyd Commissioner Beverly Stone Commissioner Mwita Binagi Commissioner Marissa Aranda (arrived at 6:29pm) Police Chief Daniel Meyer Police Captain Adam Vander Steeg Police Captain Ryan TaŌ Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Dion Support Services Manager Sabrina Ojibway ABSENT Commissioner Tom Miller Police & Fire Commission MeeƟng Minutes September 09, 2025 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 Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Binagi to approve agenda. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone and Commissioner Binagi. 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 May 29th, 2025 After Commissioner Aranda’s arrival, motion was made by Commissioner Binagi, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to approve the consent agenda. Voting Yes: Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Commissioner Boyd abstained due to her recent appointment to the Police and Fire Commission. 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. NEW BUSINESS 2. Administration of Oath The Police and Fire Commission Oath of Office was administered by City Clerk Heather Boehm to new Commission member Kathryn Boyd. 3. New Member Code of Ethics The Police & Fire Commission Code of Ethics was reviewed and signed by Commissioner Boyd. 3. Recognition of Police & Fire Commission Member Jerry Grant's Service to the City of Whitewater Chief Meyer presented former Police and Fire Commission member Jerry Grant with a plaque and expressed the City’s appreciation for his dedication and nine years of service on the Police and Fire Commission. Police & Fire Commission MeeƟng Minutes September 09, 2025 Page 3 4. Overview of Procedures for Recording Minutes in Closed Session Meetings The Commission was presented with a memo outlining the procedures for the recording of minutes during closed session meetings. In the case of committee closed sessions where the municipal clerk is not present, the committee or board chair must appoint an individual to record the minutes of the closed session. All minutes from closed sessions must be maintained separately from open session minutes and handled with appropriate confidentiality in accordance with Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law. REPORTS 6. Fire Chief's Report a. Personnel Update The hiring process for the three Firefighter positions that were added post referendum is anticipated to begin in October. Paid-On-Call members Elias Adrian and Mike Messler and FTE Abel Turner have successfully completed their initial probationary period. b. Training Update Personnel are rounding out necessary training hours for various required topics to include online Hazardous Materials training. Joint training was conducted with LaGrange Fire Department last month. The topic was thermal imaging. The training center project is progressing. The geo-technical work is complete, and it is anticipated that a 50% drawing will be completed by mid-September. Bids will go out this fall for the flat work, with a target operational day no later than June 30th, 2026. c. Community Engagement Update The Whitewater Fire Department pancake breakfast was held Sunday, September 7th, 2025. In conjunction with the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), they were able to host a live burn/sprinkler demonstration during the event. WFD will also have upcoming fire extinguisher training sessions happening this fall with businesses in the industrial park. d. Equipment Update The new engine (pumper) has arrived and is in service as of July 4th, 2025. The new ladder truck (replacing a 1990 Grumann) and a replacement ambulance should arrive in the next 30 days. 7. Police Chief's Report a. Personnel Update. Patrol Officer Olivia Monson was sworn in on June 16th, 2025 and just recently completed field training. Patrol Officer Jeremy Alexander was sworn in on July 28th, 2025 and is currently attending the law enforcement academy at Waukesha County Technical College (new position – referendum pre-funded in 2025). Patrol Officer Jack Bridleman was sworn in on August 18th, 2025 and is completing the law enforcement academy at Gateway Technical College (new position – referendum pre-funded in 2025). His graduation date is set for September 9th at which point he’ll begin field training. Police & Fire Commission MeeƟng Minutes September 09, 2025 Page 4 Patrol Officers Derek Johnson, Cailey Russell and Melissa Kuchenbecker successfully completed field training in August, 2025. Lieutenant Nick Borchardt submitted his resignation in June. A hiring process for Patrol Lieutenant was held, but the decision was made to hold off on backfilling the position until 2026, when there will be a re-posting. The department is still on track to hire an additional officer as well (and potentially a 2nd officer) depending on whether the City and School District come to an agreement on staffing a 2nd School Resource Officer (new positions – referendum). We will also be posting for a dispatcher later this fall (new position – referendum). b. Training Update All sworn staff were trained in Tactical Response at the Whitewater High School and completed intoximeter recertification in July along with de-escalation training in August. Both sworn staff and dispatchers were provided SWATTING training by Detective Kevin Gowan in August. All sworn staff completed gas mask fit testing at the end of August. The police department is working closely with the School District Superintendent and Safety Team to provide district staff with training for Run/Hide/Fight (now Evacuate/Evade/Defend). Scenario- based training is set for late September, and annual training will be provided moving forward. A handful of sworn and civilian staff attended weekly Spanish classes provided by Sara Foucalt – one beginner class and one intermediate class. This was the second summer staff were provided with this opportunity. About half of sworn staff members attended training on the new WRAP restraint system. This is designed to restrain highly resistive individuals which will better protect them and departmental staff. c. Community Engagement Update Police Department staff participated in the School Supply Giveaway at the Old Armory on August 18th, 2025. Each student received a free backpack filled with school supplies, and children had the opportunity to play soccer with department members. Officers James Garcia and Hunter Martin as well as Community Service Officer Brooklyn Knurr attended National Night Out on August 5th, 2025. d. Department Updates to Include: Promotional Video, Evidence/Training Garage, School Resource Officer Update, 2024 Police Department Awards and Technology Update With the additional hiring processes expected in the immediate future, the Media Services Department has been helping the department put together a Whitewater Police Department promotional video. The department is currently working with Angus-Young on a construction design for a dual- purpose evidence and training garage. This was one of the key capital improvement recommendations made in the Fitch & Associates organizational and workload study completed Police & Fire Commission MeeƟng Minutes September 09, 2025 Page 5 last fall. The current plan is to construct the garage on the Wastewater Treatment plant grounds. The Plan Commission approved the plan in August. It needs to be determined if it will be included in the 2026-27 budget. The department has worked closely with Common Council and School Board representatives and now have a School Resource Officer extension agreement in place. The police department continues communications with School District staff to foster positive working relationships. The 2024 Police Department Awards were presented at the Annual Picnic in August. The award recipients are as follows:  Officer of the Year: Officer Richard Ellis  Civilian of the Year: Dispatcher Maci Shrock  Police Star: Lieutenant Ryan Aldrich, Officers Blake Dorman, Trey Bradley and Hunter Martin  Trainer of the Year: Lieutenant Brandon Taylor  Distinguished Service Award: Detective Anthony Heilberger  Exceptional Service Award: Records Specialist Cathy Swartz  Civilian Community Award: Community Crisis Liaison Araceli Wence The department is now utilizing PowerDMS records management system for all policies and accreditation management. Department members are testing Enforce scheduling software that also provides report writing assisted by artificial intelligence. The department is also going to be utilizing AFR Engine which is a facial recognition investigative platform beginning in 2026. This allows staff to compare suspect photos with a vast network of arrest photos from around the country. Whitewater Police Department has begun posting a monthly service summary to better communicate departmental activity. 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: 8. Presentation of EMT/Firefighter Paid on Call Candidates for Certification 9. Interview of Patrol Officer Candidate MoƟon made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Binagi 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 6:37 PM RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION MoƟon made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to go into open session. Police & Fire Commission MeeƟng Minutes September 09, 2025 Page 6 Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. The Police & Fire Commission went into open session at 7:24 PM 10. Announcement of Recommendation Concerning Whitewater Fire Department Certification Process Motion made by Commissioner Binagi, Seconded by Commissioner Boyd to approve the appointment of Connor Wolf to the position of Paid-On-Call Firefighter/EMT effective September 9th, 2025. This appointment is subject to the successful completion of a 12 month probationary period. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed. 11. Announcement of Recommendation Concerning Whitewater Police Department Hiring Process Motion made by Commissioner Binagi, Seconded by Commissioner Boyd to endorse and recommend the hiring of Benjamin Jacobs 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 There were no future agenda items discussed. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Boyd, Seconded by Commissioner Aranda to adjourn. Voting Yes: Commissioner Boyd, Commissioner Stone, Commissioner Binagi and Commissioner Aranda. Motion passed Meeting adjourned at 7:27 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.