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VILLAGE OF GRAFTON
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020
GRAFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT – TRAINING ROOM
The Public Safety Committee was called to order by Chair Uribe Harbeck at 6:00 p.m. Committee members present: Trustee Lisa Uribe Harbeck, Trustee Jim Miller, Jeff Thoma, and Bob Wolf
Committee member excused: Trustee David Antoine
Staff present: Police Chief Emmett Grissom, Fire Chief William Rice, Fire Department member Scott Schlenner, and Administrative Assistant Clarissa Allen
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 11, 2020 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Bob Wolf, seconded by Jeff Thoma to approve the February 11, 2020 Public Safety Committee meeting minutes. Motion carried.
PERSONS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD
Dan Schlichting, 1008 Broad Street, advised he is concerned in general about bicycle safety around vehicle traffic, reporting bicycles crossing in crosswalks without slowing down or observing traffic. Mr. Schlichting cited an example of this that occurred while he was traveling through Hartford. Mr. Schlichting would like officials with the Village of Grafton to be aware of these types of situations so it can be dealt with. Mr. Schlichting also cited a similar situation that occurred in Cedarburg. Trustee Harbeck requested Police Chief Emmett Grissom to provide a summary report of any violations of this nature that were observed to the Committee at the April meeting.
FIRE DEPARTMENT SURPLUS:
Fire Chief William Rice summarized the IFC, advising that the items in question are no longer needed and have been stored in the garage at the training ground. Volunteer Firefighters will come in on a Saturday, sort through the items and decide what can be kept and cleaned up and eventually auctioned, and what should be discarded. Chief Rice noted that new
extrication equipment was purchased and the old surplus extrication equipment will be sold. Chief Rice also noted that new thermal imaging cameras were also purchased, leaving four outdated models that will be sold. Any proceeds from the sale of the extrication equipment and the thermal imaging cameras will go directly back into the Fire Department Equipment Fund. All other proceeds from items sold will go to the Grafton Firefighters Association as a fund raiser. Scott Schlenner, representative of the Grafton Firefighters Association was present for the meeting. Chair Harbeck inquired if any items have been sold this way in the past. Mr. Schlenner advised that they have sold items this way in the past. Mr. Schlenner advised that all items are inventoried, photographed, and then posted on a municipal government surplus website to be sold to others who may have a need for the item. Chief
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Rice also added that this website has been used in the past to sell fire engines, a ladder truck, as well as smaller items such as whiteboards, and chalkboards. Jeff Thoma inquired how long ago the last sale of this nature was. Chief Rice advised it was 2014 or 2015, and then again about a year later. Chief Rice will be completing the surplus sales within the next two months.
Motion by Trustee Miller, seconded by Jeff Thoma to recommend the Village Board approve allowing the Grafton Firefighters Association to sell by auction obsolete fire department equipment with the proceeds going to the Association as a fund raiser. Motion carried.
PURCHASE OF 2020 UTV
Chief Rice advised that this purchase has been on the Fire Department’s Capital
Improvement Plan for five years. Initially the request was for a six wheeler, however, as years have passed the more accurate term for the equipment now is a UTV, or utility task vehicle. This UTV can seat four people instead of two, which was listed in older CIP documents. The UTV would be used for calls at Lion’s Den Park during brush fires and mutual aid calls. The UTV serves two purposes; it has a small tank and hose for field fires and an area where a Stokes basket can be attached which is used for transporting injured people from remote areas. This UTV will also be used to shuttle personnel and equipment into areas where larger equipment cannot travel as well as at community events where streets are closed down. Chief Rice explained that two bids were obtained for the chassis with the lowest bid being chosen in the amount of $17,786.23, through Mid-State Equipment in Jackson, Wisconsin. Chief Rice advised that the UTV will also need to be outfitted with the needed pump, tank and reel, compartments, and lights and siren. This work will be performed by EJ Metals of New London at a cost of $23,252.00. Chief Rice advised that in the past Kapco had offered to assist with outfitting the new UTV; however, it was found that Kapco was only compatible with a Polaris model, which is not compatible with the needs of the Fire Department.
Chief Rice advised that in 2019 the Fire Department applied for a grant through the DNR to help cover the cost of the UTV project with a grant of $8,890.41 being received. This grant is only valid until April of 2020.
Bob Wolf inquired if the DNR would be requesting mutual aid from the Fire Department for the use of the UTV since they are providing a grant for the UTV. Chief Rice advised that yes, this was part of the conditions of receiving the grant and feels the request would be received via a MABAS call.
Further discussion was had regarding neighboring Fire Departments and equipment that they utilize that is similar to the UTV.
Discussion took place between Committee members regarding the motions involved in this request, with a decision made that there will be three motions made as part of this request.
Motion by Bob Wolf, seconded by Jeff Thoma to recommend the Village Board to approve the acceptance of a DNR grant in the amount of $8,890.41. Motion carried.
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Motion by Jeff Thoma, seconded by Trustee Miller to recommend the Village Board to approve the purchase of a 2020 John Deere UTV model XUV855M S4 from Mid-State Equipment of Jackson, WI, in the amount of $17,786.23. Motion carried.
Motion by Trustee Miller, seconded by Bob Wolf to recommend the Village Board to approve fabrication and installation of a fire-pump/tank/stokes carrier body from EJ Metals of New London, WI, in the amount of $23,252.00. Motion carried.
PURCHASE OF 2020 TRAILER
Chief Rice advised that the Fire Department currently owns two trailers. The department no longer has a special teams, and the trailers have not been in use for about six years. Chief Rice would like to trade in both trailers. Chief Rice discussed the information provided in the IFC.
Trustee Miller inquired if the current trailer could be retrofitted to make it work for hauling the new UTV. Chief Rice advised that he inquired with Mueller’s Sales and Service to see if they could retrofit the trailer, with Mueller advising that would not be possible due to the
construction of the trailer.
Bob Wolf inquired if the cost of the trailer is already in the budget with Chief Rice responding that it is.
Discussion was had regarding how the trailer will be utilized as well as what items and how they would be stored in the trailer.
Motion by Bob Wolf, seconded by Jeff Thoma to recommend the Village Board approve the purchase of a 2020 Bravo 20’ Tandem Axle Cargo trailer from Mueller’s Sales and Service of Random Lake, WI for $4,623, after trade-in of two existing Fire Department trailers. Motion carried.
REPORT OF FEBRUARY 2020 BENCHMARK MEASUREMENTS, LOBBY TALLY AND OVERTIME – POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief Emmett Grissom advised that benchmarks are consistent from last year at this time with an uptick in Mutual Aid calls.
Trustee Miller inquired if we are referring citizens elsewhere for car seat checks until our next Officer attends the training to become certified. Chief Grissom advised that we do refer
inquiries to the Cedarburg Police Department as they have an Officer certified in installing car seats. Trustee Miller asked if this information could be added to the Village website. Chief Grissom advised he would look into that.
Trustee Harbeck inquired regarding any occasions where there are two Police Support
Specialists on the same shift. Chief Grissom advised this occurs a handful of times per month during the dayshift. Due to the resignation of Vika Robbins last week, the department is now down a Police Support Specialist so there will be more third shifts where the lobby will be closed and also some evenings where the lobby will close at 7:00 p.m. The Police Support Specialist job opening is posted until the end of March.
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Chief Grissom advised that overtime is consistent overall with last year at this time, but with February overtime being down from last year.
Trustee Miller noted that the School Resource Officer had zero days devoted to the schools in February and would like to see someone at the school more. Chief Grissom advised that unfortunately it will remain this way for the upcoming months as Officer Dan Radtke
submitted his resignation today, and will be retiring in two weeks. Trustee Miller asked if the school will be staffed by another Officer by the new school year in 2020. Chief Grissom advised that it is his hope to have someone in place by then; however, it will depend on what happens with the hiring of a permanent Police Chief, considerations of any promotion
processes, and staffing; everything overall will need to be looked at. Chief Grissom advised that after Officer Radtke’s departure, other dayshift Officers will be stopping at the schools and handling any calls for service there as needed.
Trustee Harbeck noted that the Investigator worked more shifts in February. Chief Grissom advised that due to Officer Radtke’s resignation, the Investigator (Detective-Sergeant Sutherland) will need to work more Patrol shifts to help cover.
REPORT OF FEBRUARY 2020 BENCHMARK MEASUREMENTS – FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Rice advised things are relatively stable. Fire calls are down by 13, rescue calls are up by 35, and mutual aid calls are spotty. Fire Inspections are low, and they are just starting to get going on them again. Chief Rice advised that the Fire Inspector has to do Town
inspections twice and Village inspections once.
Trustee Harbeck inquired if it would be important to list how many times the Fire Inspector conducts inspections in Saukville. Chief Rice advised this would be challenging because it is tracked in time, and some inspections are done from the office, some from the car, and some where the Fire Inspector actually goes to Saukville. At this time the Fire Inspector has other priorities so he has been unable to focus on inspections.
POLICE CHIEF REPORT
Chief Grissom advised that the department will be moving forward with filling the vacancy created by Officer Radtke’s resignation. Chief Grissom has reached out to the next approved Officer candidate from the last hiring process, and will be moving forward with a background check on the applicant, with hopes of having them up and running within a month. Chief Grissom advised that a hiring process is ongoing for the Police Support Specialist vacancy created by Vika Robbins resignation. New Police Officer John Gallenbeck was sworn in last week, advising that Officer Gallenbeck comes to the department with experience and Chief Grissom advised we are fortunate to have him.
Trustee Harbeck inquired if the current vacancy created by Officer Radtke’s resignation will affect the two Officers who are going to be attending the DNC this summer. Chief Grissom advised it will not prevent these Officer from attending the DNC. Officer Gallenbeck will have field training completed by this time, and will be counted on the schedule on his own. The current vacancy will be filled by then and will also be done with field training by July.
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Chief Rice advised there is not much to report at this time, other than the staff shortage he is experiencing due to Division Chief Karpinski attending paramedic school. Chief Rice advised that currently Division Chief Karpinski only works on Wednesdays. Chief Rice is planning on doing a recruitment in the late spring or early summer, to attract more volunteers. Chief Rice explained that two of his fulltime Firefighters are earning PTO days, and are requesting time off to use them. This creates shift shortages that need to be filled by volunteers.
Trustee Harbeck inquired when the next Fire Department Consolidation meeting will be. Chief Rice advised that Village Administrator Jesse Thyes advised him that there is a meeting planned in about one week, that will be for Administrators to attend.
Trustee Harbeck inquired if Chief Rice has received any direction from the medical director, Dr. Zils, regarding standard or universal precautions for patients due to the current virus situation. Chief Rice advised that he has had discussion with Dr. Zils regarding this, but has not received specific directions at this time. Chief Rice advised that the Fire Department is trained to handle these sort of occurrences and there is not anything to do differently at this time. Trustee Harbeck also advised Chief Grissom that this could also concern the Police Department. Chief Grissom agreed with Chief Rice’s information, adding that there is nothing different to do at this time, and just emphasizes common sense precautions such as frequent hand washing, and trying to apply a face mask when possible to anyone who exhibits signs of possible sickness. Chief Rice advised there is some concern that special protection
equipment that may be needed down the road, may be hard to obtain, however, he is keeping in close contact with Dr. Zils regarding this.
Trustee Miller wished to thank Chief Rice and the Police Department for participating in Career Day at John Long Middle School last week.
Bob Wolf advised that he has been reading that some 911 centers are asking more questions regarding symptoms that callers have when requesting EMS, and in turn are then advising first responders of any possible risk. Chief Rice advised that this is not happening here yet, and that there are possibilities for changes in how things are handled in the future if the Coronavirus becomes prevalent in this area. Chief Rice is waiting for Dr. Zils to advise how things should be handled.
Bob Wolf stated that last month Chief Rice, during the discussion of the Annual Report, indicated that he wanted to bring the staffing issue forward to the Committee for further discussion. Bob Wolf relayed that at his prior employment, he issued gift cards to spouses of employees as an incentive to have the employee come in to work for extra hours, and
inquired of Chief Rice if the Fire Department offers any incentives for volunteers to respond more often to calls. Bob Wolf advised that budget time is not the most appropriate time to discuss staffing issues, and would like to discuss staffing issues now ahead of budget time, adding that the Town has no room to expand their budget if decisions are not made until the Village’s budget discussions. Chief Rice agreed that a plan for discussion is needed, but that it is a complicated problem in the Village. Trustee Harbeck and Trustee Miller both agreed that staffing should be discussed prior to budget time. Trustee Harbeck indicated that there may be something in writing with the Village that says the Public Safety Committee can discuss Fire Department staffing prior to the Village budget meeting. Chief Rice agrees that if the Committee would like to discuss staffing, that he can put something together for the
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Committee to discuss. Bob Wolf commented that he believes Village Administrator Jesse Thyes once commented that the Fire Department budget was separate from the rest of the Village budget. Chief Rice commented that it is difficult to budget for more staffing when there is no room to increase the budget each year. Further discussion was had regarding this topic. Chief Rice advised he would get preliminary information and bring it to next month’s meeting, along with a review of what was spent each year by the Fire Department.
Jeff Thoma asked Chief Rice when Division Chief Karpinski’s paramedic training will be completed. Chief Rice advised it will be completed in June, and then he will need to complete clinicals after that. Trustee Harbeck asked if clinicals were done according to a date span or the number of hours involved. Chief Rice believes there are a certain number of hours required for different types of cases.
ADJOURN
Motion by Jeff Thoma, seconded by Trustee Miller to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Motion carried.
