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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSAB Minutes 02/17/2021 PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD Virtual Meeting Port Angeles, Washington February 17, 2021 6:00 pm CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman O'Brien called the regular meeting of the Public Safety Advisory Board to order at 6:08 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Evan Brown, Kathleen Graf, Kelsey Lane, Lourene O'Brien, Alan Oman, Kiara Schmitt, Viola Ware Absent: Shana Scott Staff Present: Ken Dubuc, Fire Chief, Brian Smith, Police Chief, Catherine Dewey, Secretary Vice Chair Lourene O'Brien announced the resignation of Chairman Alan Barnard. City Clerk has recommended a list of terms for all seats on the Board and is awaiting Council's review and approval. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: A motion was made by Alan to approve the November meeting minutes, a second was made by Kathleen and the motion passed unanimously. Port Angeles Police Department Report: 2020 Year End Report: At the end of January Detective Sergeant Tyler Peninger retired after 28 years and Kori Malone was selected to serve as PAPD's new Detective Sergeant. Their Operations Sergeant position is still unfilled currently. There is an upcoming assessment center scheduled to promote a new Sergeant as well as a new Corporal. Independent Investigation Team (IIT)presentation by Deputy Chief Jason Viada has been postponed for a future meeting, date to be determined. School Resource Officer, Detective Martin is back at the HS and other schools now that in class learning has resumed. There is a House Bill proposed to incentivize departments for recruiting and diversity amongst demographics that may have not considered law enforcement. Chief is hopeful for funding to pursue expanding the workforce of those underrepresented. Kathleen has reached out to Chief regarding human trafficking training and provided a contact of a retired San Jose PD Lieutenant who is part of a human trafficking institute, Chief has recached out to him in hopes of getting a presentation scheduled for an upcoming meeting. Port Angeles Fire Department Report: Chief Dubuc began by noting that the at last night's Council Meeting a Memorandum Of Understanding was presented between The City and the North Olympic Healthcare Network for their continued work with the Community Paramedic program. NOHN submitted for a grant and was 1 or 5 in the country awarded the grant, much of the grant was written on our behalf and in support of the Community Paramedic program. The MOU will allow funds from that grant in the amount of$220,000 per year for 3 years to provide funding of 2 additional fulltime Community Paramedics. Chief noted that hiring EMTs and Paramedics continues to be a challenge, but we do have a new Paramedic, Cameron Kauten stating February 22. Chief announced that the Washington State Rating Bureau is schedule for their Inspection, so the Department is busy preparing for their visit. NEW BUSINESS: Lourene O'Brien reviewed the open positions still awaiting appointment to the Board. She noted that with Alan Barnards resignation there is a position now available to be filled for Business Owner or Manager. With Teresa Sesma-Meyers' term ending there is also now a position available to be filled for an EMS Representative. Applications are being accepted and will be reviewed to fill these positions. Applications can be found on the City's Website if interested. O'Brien asked the Board if they would like to consider the applications at the March or April meeting and vote at that time, conversation ensued. A motion was made by Alan Oman to vote at the March meeting to fill the Business Owner or Manager and EMS Representative seats, Kelsey Lane seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Lourene O'Brien asked the Chair if they would prefer to vote for and fill the vacant Chairman position this evening or wait until all positions are filled? Conversation ensued. Kathleen Graf made a motion to elect Lourene O'Brien as Chairman of the Public Safety Advisory Board, Alan Oman seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Lourene opened the floor to nominations for the Vice Chairman position. Alan Oman nominated Evan Brown and Kelsey Lane seconded the nomination. Evan Brown nominated Alan Oman and Kiara Schmitt seconded the nomination. After further discussion Alan Oman decided to withdraw Evan's name from nomination. Evan's motion to nominate Alan Oman as Vice Chairman passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS: PUBLIC COMMENT: Jessica Elofson- Thanked the Board for their work and also posed a question to the Board: Why did the Board choose to vote on the Chairman and Vice Chairman this evening rather than wait until more seats are filled and voting with a more diverse group on who should best fill those positions? Susan Hillgren-Shared that she is currently housing someone with mental health issues, she reached out for help and realized that there are not the resources available for mental health issues in the community that she thought or expected. Gayle Brauner- Submitted application to the Board in November and received an email stating that a Member at Large position available so she was looking for clarification to see what positions are available. Carolyn Wilcox- Also asked for clarification on the open seats and noted that Susan Hillgren is a business owner and application and should be considered. She also noted that in her opinion the applicant pool should be closed and those who have already submitted applications should be considered at this time. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Alan Oman-Noted that he would like recognize Alan Barnard for his years of service. He also made mention that he has started carrying cans of food and blankets in his vehicle that he can offer to those in need that he sees while he is out in the community. He also commended Officer Johnson for his save on the bridge and gave recognition of the hard work the Community Paramedicine program is doing in our community. Kiara Schmitt—PAHS is back to school 2 days a week Viola Ware—Noted that the Pandemic has made everything that is already difficult to access that much more difficult for the community she services. Small gestures to help go a long way in supporting the homeless community. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Barnard adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m. The next Scheduled meetings is March 17th, 2021