Public Safety Committee
Tuesday, January 18, 2023
Hybrid Meeting, Burlington, Vermont
DRAFT MINUTES
Members Present: President Paul, Councilor Magee
Staff Present: Jared Pellerin (Assistant City Attorney), John Murad (Acting Chief of Police), Derek Libby (Acting Fire Chief), Shannon Trammel (BPD)
Others: Stephanie Seguino (Police Commission), Melo Grant (Police Commission)
Meeting called to order at 5:09 p.m. by Councilor Magee
1. Agenda
1.01 Motion to adopt/amend agenda
Motion to adopt the agenda.
Motion by Councilor Magee, Seconded by President Paul
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous/ President Paul, Councilor Magee
No:
2. Minutes
2.01 Approval of Minutes
Motion was made to approve minutes of the December 1, 2022 meeting of the Public Safety Committee. Motion by Councilor Magee, Second by President Paul
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yes: President Paul, Councilor Magee
3. Public Forum
3.01 Public Forum
Public forum was opened at 5:10 pm by Councilor Magee.
Councilor Magee acknowledged that no one expressed a wish to speak during public forum.
Public forum was closed at 5:12 pm.
4. Committee Discussion/Possible Action
4.01 Implementation of the CNA Recommendations (BPD and Police Commission)
DISCUSSION:
Shannon Trammell (ST) – preliminary meeting was held to discuss highest priority items on CNA report
DD43 - started on draft of updates and has set meeting to discuss changes with command staff at the end of the month, with report to Police Commission (PC) for the 3rd of February. Looking to have the Commission adopt changes at the end of February. Disseminate for training by early March 2023.
DD03 – Fair and impartial policing directive. Two of the recommendations were on the high priority list, adding cultural competencies and update what constitutes a professional translator. Hope to follow the same timeline as DD43.
DD01 – a large directive. ST found 5 recommendations related to this directive, 3 of which were high priority and two of the directives were less priority but should all be addressed together. ST feels this directive needs to be expanded to be more inclusive to staff who are not law enforcement (CSL, CSOs) and also a rewrite of the code of ethics. First revision draft proposed for March 17th, then to the Public Safety Committee and Police Commission by March 24th with potential approval by the PC at their April meeting.
President Paul (KP) – asked about DD40 and wanted to make sure that was being looked at. ST recognized that there are a large number of recommendations to better this directive but ST was hopeful to have an outline of revisions by the middle of March. There will be a lot of collaboration between the PD and PC to get this one sorted.
KP wanted to see the recommendations as an “active” document that could be shared and be able to show how things are being addressed as they move forward.
Stephanie Seguino (SS) – the PC is working on DD13, their goal is to try and get this done by the end of April. SS brought up the fact that NACOLE and CNA recommend the use of a public forum around some of these changes and invite input from the public to approve them. She would also like to add a review by the REIB department.
John Murad – wanted to clarify that the Directives have been decided in a public meeting of the Police Commission. SS wants to make sure that the proper people have been invited to give input.
Councilor Magee – Spoke to the fact that items have probably been on an agenda but not advertised as a larger public discussion and purposefully advertised to draw attention and input.
ST – There are two recommendations that deal with public engagement and public information, which ST believes will be addressed by a new hire who will have the bandwidth to address this recommendation (Public Information Officer.) The Community Mental Health advisory committee is also of concern and there is work that needs to be done but requires more input and direction from the Committee and others.
Spoke about the tackling of Q1 goals and looking forward to Q2.
Councilor Magee – wants to make sure that we are updating the matrix and how do we ensure that it is being updated and is made publicly accessible. Perhaps a smaller matrix can be made and posted online.
4.02 – Police Department General Updates
AC Murad – spoke about the Mayor’s recent public safety initiatives.
BPD will be bringing forward to the BoF and City Council re-classes and position updates that relate to the organizational structure of the Department. Trying to be forward thinking.
Released an RFP for a marketing plan for recruitment of the PD and to highlight the good work of the Department.
Meeting with the CJC to discuss their regular on-going partnership.
An analyst is being assigned to the Department from the Planning Department and that should help to fill a hole around data and reporting that has existed since last summer (’22).
The PD is also trying to create a supervisory positon for non-sworn personnel as these positions within the department have grown and there is a need for further oversight.
KP asked a few questions around the reclassification proposals, as well as the creation of the management of the CSO positions.
4.03 Police Commission General Update
SS – beyond the CNA recommendations, no other major updates.
Spoke to learning and engaging the community and sharing of resources.
KP – spoke to the fact that the resolution commending the PD by the PC was appreciated by the Council and passed unanimously.
4.04 – Fire Department General Updates
AC Libby spoke about increase in call volume overall. 1000+ EMS calls
The Department called in mutual aid ambulances less as a result of ambulance 4 being fully staffed in 2022.
Saw a significant reduction in unauthorized burning calls and feels the urban park ranger program is credited with the reduced call volume because they intervene.
EMS coordinator positon has been posted internally at a captain’s pay grade but no internal interest to date. Still working on this.
Spoke with regard to the CAHOOTS model and getting that off the ground here in Burlington. Reminded the committee of the on-going search for a permanent Chief.
Two new resignations on the horizon and there are also potentials for retirements in FY24.
There is a three year backlog in apparatus production and the department is working hard to replace outdated equipment as approved but it takes time unfortunately.
Councilor Magee thanked AC Libby for his work on CAHOOTS.
AC Libby spoke about overdose numbers and provided the committee with some updated numbers through December 15, 2022.
- Any Other Business
The Committee spoke about setting meetings for February and March. Potentially the third Wednesday of the month going forward but there will be additional follow up off-line.
Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn by Councilor Magee, Seconded by President Paul
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous/ Councilor Magee, President Paul
No:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 p.m.