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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230720 - PSAC Minutes July 20 2023 Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes Present: Commissioners: Dolores Pemble, Andrew Caflisch, Gary Stevens, John Gunter, Melissa Blackstad and Theresa Auge` City Staff: Chiefs Dave Wilske, Fire Chief John Townsend and Assistant Deputy Emily King Guest: City Council Member Dave Pemble Chair Pemble called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. 1. A motion made by Commissioner Gunter and seconded by Commissioner Blackstad to approve the amended agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 2. A motion made by Commissioner Caflish and seconded by Commissioner Gunter to approve the June 18, 2023, minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Welcome/Introductions: City staff were introduced. Police Update: • Officer Jacob Willers welcomed a son, Elliot. • Hiring Update: A police candidate has completed two interviews and has been sent for background. An additional candidate was interviewed this week. Officer Payton Walser’s last day is August 1st, 2023, she is moving to the Eagan police department. • 360 Communities advocate is scheduled to come to the department for a meet and greet. • The department is prepped and ready for the upcoming Rivertown Days. Fire Update: • Hiring update: 4 new Firefighters have been hired. The department has received 1 resignation of which that opening will be posted. Paid on Call applications are closed, and candidates are moving into the testing phase. • A replacement ambulance has been ordered. This item is in the 2024 budget. • The department has been busy with calls and training. Old Business: • National Night Out. The punch list was reviewed, and assignments made. Emily King will be the point person for the event. There are 14 other community parties that night as well. • PSAC Shirt Update. Chief Wilske has received sizes for members and shirts have been ordered. • PSAC Member Interview. Interviewing for vacant position (formely Baukol’s) is pending. • 4th of July Parade A discussion was held on the logistics of the parade. The commission was reminded that this is not a city event. The parade was well attended, and there were no incidents. The closure of Pleasant Street had an impact on traffic. Suggestions for improvement included: 1. Every moving float needs spotters on either side to prevent children from running into the street. 2. Floats or vehicles should not be throwing candy but rather walkers alongside floats/vehicles can throw or hand out candy. 3. If Westview remains part of the parade route, better direction on traffic flow along Westview is encouraged. 4. Consider rotation of candy distribution to ensure more spectators participate. • Camera Registry. Commissioner Auge` shared her findings. There are two cities in Dakota County with a camera registry and several other metro cities with registries. This project will be pushed to Officer Rinowski upon her return. • Siren Update. The cities have 7 sirens of which 4 are monitored by citizens. The remaining 3 sirens were identified. Commissioner Gunter is looking for candidates for 2 of the 3 remaining sirens. Commissioner Blackstad is checking into the third. Chief Wilske will confirm the address for the Water Tower Siren. New Business: Spin Scooter Update Chief Wilske presented the topic. Commissioners were given an opportunity to comment on the 2023 Spin City Scooter program. The following comments will be sent to the City Council as requested. • Witness underage usage. • No helmets are provided, thus question the concern for safety. • Don’t obey traffic rules, often zig zagging in and out. • The program appears to be better managed this year compared to 2022 season. • Episodes of scooters left blocking ADA access for sidewalks. • Complaints from community on locations of where scooters are left (personal property or in the road). • Social Media comments seen regarding lack of availability to certain parts of the community. • Don’t enhance the community atheistically when left lying around. • There have been no known accidents involving a scooter. Next Meeting: August 17th, 2023. Both Chiefs will be absent from this meeting and will be sending replacement staff. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Gunter and seconded by Commissioner Caflish. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.