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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240215 - PSAC Minutes February 15, 2024 Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes Present: Commissioners: Gary Stevens, Melissa Blackstad, Andy Caflisch, Mary Nehring, Theresa Auge`, Steve Anderson, and John Gunter City Staff: Chief Fire Chief John Townsend and Police Chief Dave Wilske Community Service Officer Rinowski Secretary Augé called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm. A motion made by Commissioner Nehring and seconded by Commissioner Gunter to approve the amended agenda. Motion passed unanimously. A motion made by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Blackstad to approve January 18th meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Welcome/Introductions: The commission was introduced and welcomed Officer Rinowski Police Update: • Hiring update: one new officer starts next week. A candidate for community service officer is in background check. The department remains 2 officers down. • Polar Plunge is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. The Hastings Police department is sending a crew to participate. The event is scheduled for February 24 at Crystal Beach. The estimated start time is noon. • Coffee with a Cop scheduled March 18th at Froth and Cork. All available commission members are encouraged to attend. • The department has scheduled their “Check up from neck up” for the department. Staff meet individually. • Hastings Tastings is a fundraiser benefiting the Hastings Family Service will be held on March 25th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Chief Wilske is selling tickets. Fire Update: • Space needs study to get 2 additional dorms has been approved. Work on the dorms to be completed soon. • Hiring update: Staffing has been challenging. 2 new firefighters start next week. Testing begins soon for 2 full time firefighters. Several paid-on call firefighters beginning soon. The department has 2 full-time openings. • Super Breakfast is a fundraiser for the Fire Department. It is sponsored by the Lions and is scheduled for February 24th at the Methodist Church. • Chassie for brush truck has been completed. • A Tinder truck is on order, and once it arrives, the older one will be sold. Old Business: • Reminder the annual Commissioner training is scheduled for February 26th. The training is scheduled for 1 hour and City Attorney Kori Land presents. • 2024 PSAC Goals. The group received a list of 10 suggestions for goals. Each commissioner was to select their top 3 goals. During the discussion, Chief Townsend shared that three of the goals could be accomplished together at one event. They included: The EMT vs Paramedic Program, The role of the Fire Marshall, and the Rental Housing Inspection Program. As a result, the consensus was to have these 3 combined and be presented this year. The second topic agreed upon was the topic of City Social worker on Police Patrol. Both chiefs were asked to assess their staffing and proposed 2024 dates for presentations. The commission will try to limit any other business during these presentations. Chair Auge` to draft goals for discussion and action at March meeting. New Business: • Public Safety Day: also known as Police Week. Officer Rinowski discussed Public Safety Day scheduled for May 14. The commission agreed to support this event. Details were discussed. The event is scheduled from 4:30 – 7:30. Commissioners will need to arrive early for set up and grilling. o Looking for community partners to participate o Secretary Blackstad to connect with Lynn (popcorn) and Cub (water) for both NNO and Public Safety Day o Chair Auge` will secure carport, tablecloths and donate the sweet treat. • State Trooper. Chief Wilske referenced the recent charges brought against the state trooper. Discussion centered on how to support the Hastings Police Department. Officers like to hear thank you when on patrol. • Public Service Announcement: Round-abouts. Chair Auge` had received a request from a citizen asking PSAC to help with sponsoring a public service announcement on roundabouts. There was no consensus on moving forward with this suggestion. • School Resource Officer Thank you. The group felt it was important to send a thank you note to Officer Freeman as the School Resource Officer. Chair Auge` assign to this. • Chiefs Schedules: Both chiefs noted that they will not be available in the week prior to our next meeting, so agendas will need to be done a bit earlier. • Real Time data: Fire Department. Chief Townsend offered to demonstrate the new ability to collect real time data on fire calls. Next Meeting: The next monthly meeting will be March 21st, 2024, at City Hall. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Gunter. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 pm.