Minutes: Public Safety: December 2010

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 6:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Evansville City Hall Council Room
31 S Madison Street

MINUTES


1. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Wessels at 6:00 p.m.
2. Chair/Alderperson Wessels conducted roll call. The following persons were present: Alderperson Jacobson, Police Chief Scott McElroy, and EMS Coordinator Mary Beaver.

3. Motion by Jacobson, second by Wessels, to approve the agenda as printed. Motion passed.

4. Motion by Jacobson, second by Wessels, to approve the November 3, 2010 regular meeting minutes as printed. Motion passed.

5. Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed - None
6. Old Business - None
7. New Business
a. Motion to approve Operator’s License Applications for: None
b. Police Chief McElroy feels that the city should follow suit with Milton and Clinton in creating an ordinance relating to synthetic marijuana. City attorney expressed that local control and immediate enforcement ability are great reasons to adopt an ordinance. Motion by Jacobson, second by Wessels, to approve adopting a city ordinance relating to synthetic marijuana use. Motion passed.

c. Chief McElroy has been working on the PD becoming a licensing agent for the DNR licenses. Motion by Jacobson, second by Wessels, to approve the police department becoming a registered agent for the DNR for boat, ATV, and snowmobile registrations and hunting, fishing, trapping and harvesting licenses and park stickers. Motion passed.

D. The police department and Jennifer Braun of Partners in Prevention are working toward having the PD become a collection point for unwanted, unused and expired prescription medicines. Motion by Wessels, second by Jacobson, to approve becoming a medicine drop off location. Motion passed.

8. Evansville Police Report – The police department had 983 calls for service for November 2010, compared to 1191 in November of 2009. There were 58 license plate transactions in November. The PD is now listed on the DMV website as a registration agency. The police department will be participating in the statewide “Booze and Belts” traffic safety campaign December 10 through 18. Articles provided for “Behind the Badge” and placed on the website this past month were the “Booze and Belts” Initiative and “Texting While Driving Law” that goes into effect on December 1, 2010. The TRACS system is still experiencing problems and continues to be a work in progress getting the “bugs” worked out.

The police department is working toward creating an “Evansville Emergency Monitoring System” or (EEMS). The system is an automatic dialer that residents have connected to their phone. This would be ideal for elderly residents with medical conditions, the handicapped, someone living alone, etc. The resident would wear a pendant that they would activate for immediate assistance. The department would then respond to the call for assistance.
The police department is also working with Tammy Pence of Alzheimer’s Support Center in Rock County to host a training seminar on Alzheimer’s Elder Abuse, etc. tentatively planned for March 30, 2011 at the Evansville High School.

We are continually working on Accreditation. Two new part-time officers, Margaret Wirth and Jeremy Schmidt, were appointed in November. Officer Nankee, Jones, Job and Reese have committed to participating in the Special Olympics “Polar Plunge” in Madison in February 2011. The team, called the “Law Dogs”, are looking to raise $75 each and would like your support and consideration in participating in the cause. All staff is scheduled for range training December 16, 2010.

9. Evansville Medical Service Report – Mary stated that we had 34 runs for the month of November 2010. Recruitment is still a priority in the department, and there is one potential student for the upcoming semester. Mary and Zach attended a Life Quest conference at Wisconsin Dells. New Medicare laws and guidelines were covered that are in the works, along with new HIPPA laws. The service also received a report card on how well we are doing with collections and completion of run report information.

10. Motion by Wessels, second by Jacobson, to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m.


Dennis Wessels, Chairperson


Requests for persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting should be made to the Clerk’s office by calling 882-2266 with as much advance notice as possible.

Please turn off all cell phones while the meeting is in session. Thank you.