HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230420 - PSAC Minutes April 20, 2023
Public Safety Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes
Present: Commissioners: Dolores Pemble, Vicki Baukol, Andrew Caflisch, Melissa Blackstad, Gary
Stevens, John Gunter and Theresa Auge`
City Staff: Chiefs Dave Wilske and John Townsend
Guest: Officer Whitney Rinowski
Chair Pemble called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
1. A motion made by Commissioner Baukol and seconded by Commissioner Blackstad to approve
the agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
2. A motion made by Commissioner Baukol and seconded by Commissioner Stevens to approve
the March 16th, 2023, minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Welcome/Introductions: None
Police Update:
• The PD welcomes 360 communities advocate Cassidy Daniels.
• The last few weeks have been tough for local, regional, and state peace officers. Several deaths
of which the Hastings PD has shown a presence at the farewell funerals.
• Welcome to Karter Gorney to the Hastings PD! He comes to us from Red Wing PD. He is from
Minot, North Dakota.
• 3 New cameras arrived for the downtown area. These were budgeted for 2022. This technology
includes one statice cameras and one PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) with live coverage 24/7!
• All staff are going through their annual hearing assessment.
• 2 applicants for the CSO position are being backgrounded for the position.
• The Chief, Deputy Chief and Commander were able to attend the Police Chief Conference held
in Duluth last week.
• A grant was submitted for $107K to purchase new barricades. If awarded these devices would
help serve the city, especially during all the community events.
• Public works lead the flooding issue.
• A public meeting will be held with Dakota County sheriff on the topic of “No Wake”.
• Currently a No Wake zone is in event for portion of the river due to high water levels.
Fire Update:
• An agreement was reached with our rural partners on a tinder.
• A chassis has been ordered for a brush truck.
• While no ambulance is in the 2024 budget, we learned that purchasing new ambulances are two
years out.
• Applicants are moving forward to the interviewing process, hoping to select 4 out of the 16.
• Paid On Call hiring to begin for early fall enrollment.
• Due to flooding and current conditions, our vehicles are limited to various areas of coverage.
Those affected have been notified.
• Two staff are going to a conference in Indianapolis.
• The department is changing their EMS billing company, hope to have the transition completed
by June 1.
• A joint rescue of two 13-year-old girls was accomplished by Air Rescue and Special operation
Teams.
• The department is meeting with the Public Safety Committee of the City Council in the next few
weeks.
Old Business:
• Student Member:
Chief Wilske reported to remove reference of a student member from the city charter, it takes
two readings by city council. The commission resumed discussion regarding inclusive of a
student member.
A motion made by Commissioner Baukol and seconded by Commissioner Stevens to pursue the
removal of a student member from the Public Safety Advisory Commission. The motion passed
unanimously.
A motion made by Commissioner Baukal and seconded by Commissioner Auge` to request the
city attorney draft language to remove reference of a student member from the city charter.
The motion passed unanimously.
• Edits to the PSAC Handbook.
The group was given a draft on proposed language to the PSAC handbook under Norms of
Collaboration. The proposed edit read:
A quorum is established by in person attendance. Should a commission member be unable to
attend the meeting location yet wants to participate and be included in the quorum, they shall
provide an address 72 hours in advance of their location. This address will be published to
comply with open meeting law requirement. As long as the member can be seen and heard they
will be considered part of the quorum and be eligible to participate in both discussion and voting.
A motion made by Commissioner Auge` and seconded by Commissioner Gunter to adopt the
proposed edits to the PSAC handbook. The motion passed unanimously.
• Police Week:
Officer Rinowski walked us through the Police Week event. Tasks were discussed, commission
members are asked to arrive early to help set up and to wear their T-shirts and name tags.
New Business:
• Sound the Siren:
Officer Rinowski shared the contest occurring between the Hastings Police Chief and Dakota
County Sheriff. This event is in collaboration with United Way of Hastings. The winner will be
announced at Police Week. The loser gets a “pie in the face”.
• Next meeting location
Our May meeting will be held at the Dakota County 911 center. 2860 160th Street West.
Rosemount. Carpooling is available.
• River Flooding
PSAC members are encouraged to support city efforts during the flooding.
Next Meeting:
May 18, 2023.
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Commissioner Auge` and seconded by Commissioner Blackstad. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:50 pm.