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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/2021 - Work Session *** Proof of Publication Courier Communications 100 East 4th Street, Waterloo, Iowa 50703 Black Hawk County I do solemnly swear that the annexed copy of notice was published in the WATERLOO/CEDAR FALLS COURIER, a daily newspaper printed in WATERLOO, Black Hawk County, Iowa, and that the annexed rate of advertising is the regular legal rate of said newspaper, and that the following is a correct bill for publishing said notice. Waterloo, City of - Legals 715 MULBERRY ST. WATERLOO IA 50703 ORDER NUMBER 199731 Signed Subscribed and sworn to before me tthis;y=5day of,, , 203 _ G Notary Pubic Received of the sum of Dollars in full for publication of the above invoice. Notary Seal: a.*••.� JODI E MCMNSTRY COMMI SIO N0.782413 MY IRES Section: Legals Category: 950 Legal Notice PUBLISHED ON: 06/22/2021 TOTAL AD COST: 154.92 FILED ON: 6/24/2021 *** Proof of Publication *** COUNCIL WORK SESSION June 7,2021 350 p.m. Harold E.Getty Council Chambers Members present: Bowen,Amos, Klein, Feuss, Grieder, and Juon. Absent: Morrissey. 160044-Juon/Grieder that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice-vote Ayes: Seven. Mo- tion carded. Objective:Update on Police Department operations. Chief Joel Fitzgerald provided an update on police department operations. He shared that they are authorized to have 123 officers but currently have 118 on staff,with 105 that are actually deploya- ble. This is due 10 difficulties with hiring new employees,retirements,and officers on leave due to injury. He provided an overview of crime statistics in 2020 vs. 2021. He updated council on agencies that assist the department on federal Task Forces,such as ATF, FBI and US Marshall's Office. In addition,the depart- ment has instituted a crisis intervention unit through a partnership with Elevate to address mental health problems in the community. This is called the CIT program.When officers suspect a call for service is mental health related,a social worker from will go on the colt with the officer to provide services. Mrs. Juon stated that she had a citizen call her to ask if the CIT program is funded through a grant and questioned it it would run out. Chief Fitzgerald stated that the CIT program is grant funded through Elevate and a state grant.Few communities in the state are taking advantage of these funds and expressed that he has minimal concems about the funding running out. Mrs.Juon questioned the disparity on the index crime rate and CFS Rate on slide three for Waterloo versus the rest of the stale. Chief Fitzgerald commented that the disparity indicates just how well our staff has done at mitigating some of the problems that hit those other cities. Mr.Boesen questioned where the Elevate staff persons are housed when they are working with the city. Chief Fitzgerald explained that they do not have a dedicated space; however, they are able to utilize the interrogation room to write their reports when it is available. He stated that the aim is to have them spend more time on the street than in the building. Mr. 6oesen asked if the Elevate staff Persons are NCIC certified. Chief Fitzgerald commented that Elevate staff are not certified,and then explained how officers and staff maintain the integrity of confidential information. Mr. Grieder commended the police department for the hard work that they do every day.He asked the Chief to address the LGBTQ,downtown and the homeless- ness liaison programs. Chief Fitzgerald explained that he has received favorable responses from the citizens who have commented on the proactive nature of the LGBTQ liaison. The same has been for the homelessness and downtown liaisons.He said that with COVID relenting a bit,there will be even more opportunity to proactively interact with the citizens. M.Grieder requested an update on haw the change to beat work is going. ChiefFifzget commented that it has been a bit hard for officers to meet community leatlem to meet their MPO liaisons due to COVID.As restrictions are lifting they are working to get officers to the meetings to engage with the neighborhood. Mrs. Klein explained that someone had called her and said that the officers are no longer able to write their reports in the building and that they're required to make their reports in their vehicles. Chief Fitzgerald commented that the Officers need to be out on the street,and that they have means to perform their work from inside the police vehicle. He stated that she was misinformed by the taller and explained that the officers have not been restricted from coming into the building,but they have been told that they need to utilize the computers in their cars Io type up the necessary reports. Mr_ Amos commented that prior to him becoming Chief there was a project started called the Hail Mary Project. He questioned what the status of that program currently is. Chief Fitzgerald commented that it is not currently active but that they are working to get it restarted. ObjectiveDiscussion of criminal activity. Mrs. Klein commented she called this work session because it seems that crime in the community has been getting worse, *** Proof of Publication *** especially since mere was a murcer downtown on 41h Street.She questioned what will be done to make people feel safe with all of the upcoming events this summer, including RAGBRAI. She then questioned if officers are forbidden to wear the flag pin and the thin blue line pin. Chief Joel Fitzgerald denied that officers are forbidden to wear either of the pins and stated that policy allow the pins to be wom. Mrs.Klein questioned it all officers need to be qualified on a firearm to serve and if he was currently qualified. Chief Joel Fitzgerald confirmed that all officers and the chief creed to be qualified to serve. He explained that he is not currently qualified due to recent shoulder surgery that has prevented him from being able to do the physical qualifica- tions, and that he has been given an extension. He further explained that he has been an officer for 30 years and has never not qualified in any state that he has worked in. Mrs. Klein questioned if the officers are required to always wear body Cams and body armor. - Chief Joe Fitzgerald confirmed that patrol officers and those that are typically on the street during the majority of their tour of duty. Mrs. Klein questioned if he was also required to wear the same equient. Chief Joel Fitzgerald explainedpmthat he is not,and explained that body cams are for the officers,net for command staff. Mrs.Klein questioned if it is current policy to conduct exit interviews. Chief Joel Fitzgerald commented that it is not. Mrs.Klein questioned if he is aware of the feelings of some of the officers who have left the department. Chief Joel Fitzgerald commented that he is aware that some were unwilling to conform to the policy changes that were made by order of the council,and some were very dissatisfied;with dissatisfaction comes attrition. He staled that the majority of those that he has spoken to are very happy with the things that are happening. Mrs.Klein questioned what is being done to make sure people feel safe when coming into Waterloo for the summer events. Chief ,bel Fitzgerald commented that downtown is net plagued by violence and comments that perpetuate that thought are inaccurate.He explained that one of the things he instituted when he started was mandatory operational planning and that each event will have the right and appropriate amount of protection. The plans are not generally shared with individuals outside of police or fire or others involved. Mayor Hart commented that on June 21, 2021,the City Attorney will be presenting his task force information to address violence at after-hours establishments, and on June 10,2021 there is a meeting with downtown businesses to discuss holistic plans on making sure people feel sate in the downtown area. Mr.Bowen questioned it the iPads were being utilized to write municipal infrac- tions as was established by the previous police chief. Chief Joel Fitzgerald commented that he is unaware if the tablets have been issued or are up and running,but he advocates the practice and will look into it and get things going. Mr.Gneder requested an update on when the new body cameras will be arriving. Chief Joel Fitzgerald commented that training will begin June 16,2021. Mr. Grieder questioned what has hap- pened to the police budget over the last five years, and is our department being funded at levels that are comparable to other cdies. Chief Joel Fitzgerald explained that he does not have that information available at this time but he will come back to council with that information. Mr. Grieder thanked Chief Fitzgerald for being open and available to set the record straight by addressing the questions and rumors on a one on one level. Mrs.JUen tormented on the nationwide increase in violence and commended all of the police officers for doing such a good job in taking care of crime in our city, and that is it not as bad as some people are making it appear to be. She acknowledged the efforts of the chief and thanked him for all the good he has done. Mayor Hart thanked the chief for his service and hard work and for answering today's questions and rumors. Chief Fitzgerald read some of the crime statistics from the last five years. which show crime is down,and that the officers have been consistent in their efforts, desoite anv rumor or innuendo, He will *** Proof of Publication *** make sure that council and the city clerk receive a copy. Objective: Update on Waterloo Fire Rescue operations. Pat Tieloar, Fire Chief, provided an overview of Fire Department operations and SWOT outlook. Mr.Bowen questioned if other cities we compare slaffing to are also Fire based EMS or only Firefighters, and stated a need to find it in the budget to support an administrative assistant chief. Chief Treloar commented Nat not all 01 the cities compared have EMS,so a more true comparison would be to back out the number of EMS that Waterloo has. He stated that if he could have an assistant chief,the position would be in charge of operations.He explained that a lot of his time is spent administratively onpperson- nel and budget related issues,adtling that his admin is leaving at the end of June so he anticipates being swamped with administrative duties.He mid that adding an assistant chief has been a goal,but he has not been willing to lose a position on shift so that he would have an assistant __- --— - chief, Mrs. Judd questioned the benefit of becoming an accredited department. Pat Trainer explained that the benefit is to force you to look at the weaknesses in the department through standard operating guidelines,rules and regulations,training format, etc. Accreditation is every five years. Mrs. Klein commended the chief on a great presentation. r.Feuss questioned the open status of Station 6. Chief Treloar commented that he does not have the number readily available but that it is very similar to the previous year. He will email the number to all of council. Mr. Feuss questioned the status of the overtime budget for the department. Chief Treloar commented that they have approximately$10,000 left in the current overtime budget and new overtime budget, which begins on July list, was reduced to$100,000. He expects those funds will be gone by the end of September so Station 6 will be browned out. Mr.Grietler requested an update on the SAFER Gram. Chief Treloar explained that the four employees the city got from the SAFER Grant are hired. Mr. Gdeder questioned if those four employees that were hired could be brought in through addition with the upcoming retirements. His hope is that council continues to authorize the depart- mem at 110 firefighters. 160045-Juon/Amos That the meeting be adjourned at 5:07 p.m.Voice-vote Ayes:Six.Motion carried. Kelley Felchle City Cleric