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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230119 - PSAC Minutes January 19, 2023 Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes Present: Commissioners Dolores Pemble, Vicki Baukel, Andrew Caflisch, John Gunter, Theresa Auge` and participating remotely, Melissa Blackstad. City Staff: Chiefs Dave Wilske and John Townsend Guests: Mayor Mary Fasbender Chair Pemble called the meeting to order at 6: 31 pm. 1. A motion made by Commissioner Baukal and seconded by Commissioner Auge to approve the agenda after two items were added: Friends of the Library and Snow and Ice. Motion passed unanimously. 2. A motion made by Commissioner Baukal and seconded by Commissioner Blackstad to approve the December 15, 2022 minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Welcome/Introductions: Mr. Caflisch and Mr. Gunter were introduced to the group. New Member/Swearing In: Chief Wilske swore Calfisch and Gunter in. The group welcomed them. Police Update: • Public disclosure forms were handed to each commission member. This is a housekeeping item required each year. The form requires a notary. Completed forms can either be dropped off at the police station or brought to the next meeting. • Hiring update: Hiring a part-time community service officer. Lots of interest thus far. Full time police officer position(s); revamping the hiring process. Sending 2 officers to Alexandria for recruitment. • Cameras were ordered for downtown. This was a previously approved budget item by city council. Looking to acquire solar cameras that communicate with each other. Video recordings available up to 30 days. • 3 employees have past probation! Yahoo! • Police reserve banquet held last week. Currently 5 reservists with 3 new ones. These new recruits will start their training/orientation later this month. • Chief Wilske has been added to the local Special Olympic board. Congratulations. • The department is assessing space needs. With the additional officers, an investigator will be added to the department. • The department has been utilizing a part-time embedded social worker. This position is a joint effort between agencies. • Chief shared a “missing person” story emphasizing the efforts of department staff and pinging cell phones. Fire Update: • New ambulance was put into service same day as delivered! • New fire truck has some minor issues. It has been in and out of service. • Hiring update: looking to hire 4 firefighters. Very competitive market! • Paid on call update: 2 groups at various levels of training. All in fire training currently. • Air filters were added to all vehicles. This removes viruses including Covid and cariogenics. • Beefing up the mental health program. Partner/spouses will be incorporated into the 2023 year. Increasing employee check-in and training. Mayor Fasbender joined the group at 7:15 pm Old Business: Discussion: The group reviewed the draft of suggested ordinance recommendations from last meeting. Edits were made. A final version reached consensus. Member Baukel left the meeting from 7:50 – 8:00 PM. A motion was made by Commissioner Gunter and seconded by Caflisch to accept the proposed edits. The motion passed unanimously. (Baukel was not present for this vote). New Business: • The group reviewed the 2022 PSAC goals. The commission felt much was accomplished. Goals for 2023 were suggested. They included: Assessing a student member as directed by the city charter. Continue touring facilities: Dakota county jail, communication center and revisiting the fire department. Assessing the community for “camera registry”. Seeking support for emergency sirens. Scooters for city • Fire Report: Chief Townsend reviewed the fire report. The report was quite detailed. A list of recommendations was included. Of note, Fire department has the largest geographic coverage in the state. Employees are usually out the door and into the truck in just under a minute thirty. Nearly all residential areas within the city can be reached in 4 minutes. • Safer Grant Update: the department did not receive the grant. They will review and reapply next year. Meeting and Event Dates: Chair Pemble shared the handbook directs the commission to select their meeting and event dates in January. Chief Wilske provided a handout of the 2023 dates. They include: PSAC Meeting dates: February 16, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 29, November 16 and December 21. Event dates: Public Safety Committee of the City Council to discuss TCH: January 30. Police Week Open House May 16. National Night out is August 1. Fire department Booya is September 9 and Fire Department Open house is October 10. Handbook Update: Chief Wilske provided updates to the handbook including commission membership. Friends of the Library: Commissioner Auge` shared that this group has some funding and might be interested in providing books at one of our events. Auge` will connect with the group to see what they are thinking of and report back. Snow and Ice: Commissioner Auge` commented on the poor condition of some of Hastings side streets. Many sidewalks were not shoveled or poorly done. Chief Townsend shared that any one concerned should connect with the city code enforcement. Chief Wilske shared that the city has only 1 machine able to remove ice from streets. He also shared that an outside contractor was hired to remove snow/ice from individual and commercial sidewalks at the homeowner/business expense. Next Meeting: February 16, 2023. Adjournment: Commissioner Baukal moved, and Commissioner Gunter seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion was passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.