HomeMy WebLinkAbout20251120 - PSAC Packet
City of Hastings
Public Safety Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting Agenda
November 20, 2025
* Call to Order-
* Approval of the Agenda-
* Approval of Minutes of September 18, 2025, meeting
* Welcome/Introduction –
* Department Updates
-Police Department- Chief David Wilske
-Fire Department- Chief John Townsend
* Old Business
• Fire Week: Review
* New Business
• Shop with a Hero
• Commissioner’s Terms
• Annual Report
* Next Meeting
• December 18,2025
Adjournment-
September 18, 2025
Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes
Present: Commissioners: Andy Caflisch, Mary Nehring, John Gunter, Theresa Augé, Brian
Braun, Gary Stevens and Ryan Sherry
Absent:
City Staff: Police Chief Dave Wilske
Fire Chief John Townsend
Guests:
Chair Augé called the meeting to order at 6:21 p.m.
Welcome/Introductions:
A motion made by Commissioner Nehring and seconded by Commissioner Braun to approve the
agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
A motion made by Commissioner Sherry and seconded by Commissioner Gunter to approve the
July 17, 2025 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Police Update – Chief Wilske:
• Officer Lorch and Officer Welt were sworn in at the recent City Council meeting
• HPD had a recent resignation and a retirement. Two current department openings.
• Hiring update: New Police Officers starting July 28th - Trevis Lorch (MSU Grad) and Nathan
Welt (Hastings Grad) Community Service Officer
Fire Update – Chief Townsend:
• Boya last weekend was a sellout
• 2,789 calls as of noon September 18, 2025
• Good response time report (average 5 minutes within city and 7 minutes for rural).
• New engine ordered and expected 2028
• Inspector vehicle now in use
Old Business:
• National Night Out: Positive feedback on overall event. Liked the table set up.
• City Council follow-up from PSAC recommendations related to micromobility
New Business:
• Fire Station Open House is at 6:30 p.m. on October 7, 2025. This is part of Fire Prevention
Week. 3 commissioners will attend and assist at a table.
• Shop with a Hero Event – Officer Rinowski is coordinating the event again this year. Kids are
paired up with an officer and they shop for Christmas gifts at Walmart on December 8th
from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PSAC members confirm attendance by November 20, 2025.
• Cory Slifco Softball Tournament – proceeds from the event support first responders
Next Meeting:
City Hall – October 16th at 6:30 p.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Braun and seconded by Commissioner Nehring to cancel
the October 16th meeting due to limited attendance by commissioners.
Next meeting will be November 20, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Commissioner Gunter and seconded by Commissioner Sherry. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
2025 Annual Report Public Safety Advisory Commission
The commission had a great year.
The commission reviewed their handbook and found no changes in our Mission statement nor
in our Directives. A calendar was adopted of the various events the commission is involved in.
Commission Mission Statement:
Enhancing awareness of public safety through community programs, educational opportunities
and public engagement. Our work is to advise our elected officials.
Commission Directives:
• It is the purpose of the commission to represent the interests of the community on matters of
public safety.
• The commission shall provide advice, input, and feedback to the City’s public safety
administrators and elected officials.
• The commission shall review and monitor the strategic goals of the City’s public safety
departments.
• The Police and fire chief will relay Commission concerns/decisions to the Council Committee
on Public Safety who in turn will report to the City Council/Mayor.
2025 Commission Membership includes:
Chair: Theresa Auge` Secretary: Andrew Caflisch Gary Stevens
Mary Nehring John Gunter Ryan Sherry
Bryan Brown
2025 Commission Goals
1. The PSAC will continue to actively participate in the numerous Hastings PD and Fire public events
throughout the year.
2. The PSAC will learn from the PD staff how the addition of a social worker to their department and
how this impacts those in mental health crisis.
3. 35W Bridge Collapse presentation-emphasizing how multiple agencies work together.
2025 Accomplishments
• The commission continued discussion on the topic of E-bikes. A draft proposal of
recommendations was sent to City Council: of note; our recommendations were
adopted.
• The commission reviewed, discussed and made a recommendation to City Council
on Gores Pool #3.
• The commission reviewed several city ordinances, extensively discussed the topic of
ATV/UTV on Hastings City streets. A recommendation from PSAC was sent to the
City Council: of note, our recommendations were adopted.
• The commission received a request from City Council to review the micromobility
ordinance beyond E-bikes. The commission reviewed several city ordinances and
made a recommendation to City Council.
• Commission members attended the Police Reserve Annual Recognition.
• Assisted in serving at the swearing in of police hires throughout the year.
• Secured sponsors and activities for a community National Night Out. Secured some
donations for a raffle. Commission members served food at this event.
• Commission members attended the Fire Prevention Week Open House.
• Commission members attended the various Coffee with a Cop events.
• Commission members attended and served at the Police Open House.
• Commission members attended and participated on the 4th of July parade.
• Commission members participated in the Arts in Park program.
• Commission members participated in the Fire Badging ceremony.
• Commission members reviewed the Police Department’s participation in the
statewide man hunt.
• Commission members participated in wrapping gifts for the Shop with a Hero event.
• The commission is working to recruit a full slate of members for the 2025 year.
We appreciate the opportunity to serve the city of Hastings in this capacity and look forward to
more interaction with the Council and public safety staff in the future. Thank you.