HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-19 PACKET 01.B.PUBLIC SAFETY HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION
Minutes of Meeting
February 19, 2013
Pursuant to due notice, a meeting of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission
was held at the City Hall. Due to a conflict the meeting was held in the Minnesota
Room.
01.A. Call to Order: The February 19, 2013, meeting of the Cottage Grove Public
Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was called to order at 7:05 pm.
Members Present: James Neuenfeldt, Lori Hedican, Jodi Lewis, Nick Maciejewski
Members Absent: AJ Jannsen, Dave Barkow, Brian Hagen
Staff Present: Deputy Director of Public Safety Peter Koerner, Fire Chief Rick
Redenius, Council Liaison Derrick Lehrke
01 B. Approval of Minutes
Vice Chairperson James Neuenfeldt presented the January 15, 2013 minutes of the
Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission for review. On a motion by Commission
member Lori Hedican, seconded by Jodi Lewis, the January 15, 2013 minutes were
accepted and approved by the Commission. Motion carried.
01 C. Approval of Agenda
Vice Chairperson James Neuenfeldt presented the February 19, 2013 agenda of the
Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission for review. On a motion by Commission
member Lori Hedican, seconded by Jodi Lewis, the February 19, 2013 agenda was
accepted and approved by the Commission. Motion carried.
2. OPEN FORUM
Vice Chairperson James Neuenfeldt invited citizens present to address the Commission
regarding any matters that were not on the approved agenda.
There being no items, Vice Chairperson James Neuenfeldt closed the Open Forum
segment of the meeting.
3. Community Development
No presentations however Council Liaison Lehrke did update the Commission that there
may be an agenda item in the near future in regards to the poultry and duck ordinance
amendment as well as additional information on service animals i.e. pot - bellied pig
4. OLD business
None at this time
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February 19, 2013
5. New Business
05.A — Administration
Discuss Commission Terms and make recommendations for 2013 Public Safety
Commission Chair and Vice Chair. Deputy Director Koerner did confirm that Lori
Hedican did wish to be reappointed and James Neuenfeldt to confirm that he did not
wish to be reappointed. (Information was forwarded to Joe Fischbach for Council
Action) Council Liaison Lehrke did request that Commission members interested in
being the Chair or Vice Chair to send him an e -mail to be considered for the
recommendation.
05.B — Discuss considering combining Public Safety and Public Works Commissions.
Deputy Director Koerner did present a memorandum to the Commission that articulated
the history of the discussion, the possibility of increased efficiency, the timing, as well as
the City Ordinance that outlines the purpose and duties of both the PSHW Commission
and Public Works Commission.
Deputy Director Koerner did provide some background and advised that this was
discussed in 2002 and at that time the PSHW Commission recommended merging and
the PW Commission recommended sta
The initial reaction from the PSHW Commission was to merge. The PSHW
Commission initially commented that it appeared to make sense. They were concerned
however that the PW Commission felt it wasn't a good idea.
There was additional discussion by the Commission members. They were all in
agreement that the meetings should be meaningful and they want to be engaged.
Council Liaison Derrick Lehrke (since he was a past liaison to the PW Commission) did
explain the Public Works purpose and duties. He did explain some of the overlap as
well as the differences. Often the agenda items are looked at differently and the PW
Commission will look at the more technical aspect while Public Safety may look at it in
broader terms.
Commission member Maciejewski responded that this would be an excellent time to
explore the purpose and mission of the Public Safety Health and Welfare Commission.
The Commission could "roll up their sleeves" and explore the duties and responsibilities.
The Commission did review the City Ordinance that outlined their purpose and duties as
well as the Public Works Commission's purpose and duties.
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February 19, 2013
Commission member Neuenfeldt commented that when both Commissions have to
review the same items that the joint meetings are beneficial since everyone can provide
feedback from a different point of view. The group agreed that this would be beneficial.
The Commission did not make a recommendation at this time. The Commission wants
to "roll up their sleeves" and discuss /explore the duties and purpose whether in a work
shop or combined meeting.
7. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
None at this time
8. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
08.A During the Council Recap, Council Liaison Lehrke did request that the last two
months minutes were included which would help for review.
9. STAFF REPORTS
09.A Police — Deputy Director Koerner did
two officers recently completed the joint acE
Woodbury. He did explain the benefits of w
instructors, training sites, and be more effici
field training. He started to discuss fire hirir
Redenius.
iscuss the current hiring process and that
emy between Cottage Grove and
'king with Woodbury so we could share
, it with training. Both officers are now in
but then turned over to Fire Chief
09.B Fire — Fire Chief Redenius did discuss the hiring process for two fire
fighter /paramedics and briefly where the plan came from with the Council retreat. He
discussed a recent awards banquet where fire fighters were recognized. The top five
contributed over 5,000 hours.
Fire Chief Redenius also discussed combining resources with 3M's emergency
response crew and how they plan to train together.
Recently Fire Chief Redenius, Chief Woolery and EMS Coordinator Halverson attended
an emergency management conference.
Recently, fire's ice rescue training was videotaped and will be used for a future episode
of Ron Schara's outdoor television show.
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February 19, 2013
09.0 Council Recap - Council Liaison Lehrke did update the Commission briefly in
regards to the Council retreat at which time that discussed goals and strategic planning
for the city. He did mention that was when the planning for the EMS department was
discussed. Most importantly he said that strategic planning would occur with more long
term budget goals.
10. ADJOURN
10A. Motion by Commission member Lewis, seconded by Commission member
Hedican to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully subrr
Pete Koerner
Deputy Director of