PFC 3/14/2011

Minutes of the Police & Fire Commission meeting held on Monday, March 14, 2011 pursuant to notice duly given.


1. Meeting called to order by President Hayes at 6:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call: Ron Hayes, Tim Longsine, Steve Gering and Jim Lacourciere
Excused: Gene Berth
Also present: Chief Carper, Jack Mlnarik and Carol Stewart as recording secretary.
3. Moved by Gering seconded by Lacourciere to approve of the agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
4. Moved by Lacourciere seconded by Gering to accept and place on file
the meeting minutes from 02/07/11.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
5. Public Input/Correspondence:
a. Letter regarding Clean-up costs;
Carper reported information that the Drug Enforcement Agency will no longer provide funding for the cost of any lab clean-up sites…costs will be borne by local departments…average cost is $4,000.
Carper submitted a list of items that Sgt. Van Hulle had disposed of from the upstairs storage area which included approximately 200
4-foot light bars;
Mlnarik reported that a thank you was received from the Humane Society for participating in the bowling tournament fund raiser;
6. Discussion/action/updates on:
a. Cadet Program;
Chief Carper reported that he was trying to get together with Chief Pemrich of Gillett and Chief Roberts of Oconto Falls…one individual that applied for the program has administrative experience that could help with coordination; Hayes questioned if they were looking at sharing the cadets with the other departments; Carper stated that was the plan…no major event in the other communities happen at the same time; Hayes questioned if Carper has had a meeting with the staff regarding the program. Carper stated they have not had a staff meeting recently but do have one coming up…all the officers have been involved with working through the program;
b. Squad Car;
Chief Carper reported the car has been delivered; Gering questioned which car was going to be retired; Carper reported that the 2007 Impala will be pulled off of primary duty…the cage and plastic back seat will remain but the radio and light bar will be removed…Cadets will use for their duties; Carper stated he is considering getting some magnetic signs with “Cadets” to place on the vehicle;
Part-time Officers;
Carper stated newest hire should be ready soon…already trained in TRacs so he will work street patrol while others are in school; Carper reported he received 90 applications for “eligibility list for part-time officers.”
c. Mandated Ballistic Vest Policy;
Chief Carper reported that the Federal government is requiring a mandatory wear policy in order to receive funds for vests…this is due to the increase in number of officers killed; Carper stated there is no policy in place at this time and one would have to be approved by the commission; Lacourciere questioned the cost of a vest; Carper stated the cost is around $800 depending on the features; Gering questioned what the government share of the cost is? Carper stated it was 50%... line item for safety equipment would pay for 1 vest; Carper stated he would try to get model policies from state and local departments;
d. Flannery grant program proposal;
Chief Carper stated that he was contacted by John Flannery informing him that he may be able to help out some smaller departments with a grant that he received...would like to meet with him and talk further and explore some of the duties such as crime prevention efforts, liaison with business partners and nuisance properties;
e. Policy drafts;
Carper stated that in 2004 the federal government passed a Law Enforcement Safety Act (HR 218)…revised position with new State Attorney General; Carper stated the he obtained documents from other depts. and used those for updating our “Use of Force” policy…waiting for response from City Attorney on liability releases;
f. Police and Fire Chief Job Descriptions;
Hayes stated now that we have the policies we can review them and have a discussion at the May meeting; Longsine questioned if either of the Chief’s were going to see if there’s things they would want changed; Mlnarik stated he reviewed before signing it in May 2010 when assuming the position of Fire Chief; Longsine stated that after being on the job for awhile he may have some opinions; Gering commented that he doesn’t see anything regarding “chain of command;” Mlnarik stated he plans to tackle the policy next…from 1982…new things need to be implemented due to technology; Carper stated succession planning also needs to be addressed;
7. Review Police Fire and Ambulance Dept. reports;
Moved by Lacourciere seconded by Longsine to approve and place on file the dept. reports as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
8. Review expense and revenue dept. reports;
Carper stated that the contract days have been used up on all officers…burned a lot of hours with part-time officers…will feel the impact soon;
Moved by Longsine seconded by Gering to accept reports and place on file.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
9. Moved by Gering seconded by Berth to approve of the listing of accounts payable in the amount of $7,976.84.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 4 ayes
10. Report on meeting/conferences/seminars;
Chief Mlnarik stated he attended the Wisconsin Fire Chief’s Education Association…talked with Terry Williams, Fire Chief from Rhinelander and how they handle all building inspections; Mlnarik stated this is something his dept. would be interested in taking on in the future…would save the city quite a bit of money and would be beneficial to the fire fighters; Longsine asked the Chief if after permits are issued, would they go back and inspect; Mlnarik stated that was correct…exploratory stage right now…willing to take on…up to commission where we go from here…would cost about $6,000 to cover training cost; Hayes stated this is an option the city can explore…could play into job structure when assessor retires;
11. Moved by Longsine seconded by Lacourciere to adjourn. M/C
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Next meeting: 4/11/2011



Submitted by:
Carol Stewart
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer