Public Safety Commission Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Commission - Agenda for Public Safety Commission Meeting (videoconferencing) on Monday, June 1, 2020 @ 3pm.
Public Safety Commission Meeting Monday, June 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm CST Public Safety Commission Meeting to be held Monday, June 1, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (May 31, 2020 by Noon CST). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Monday, June 1, 2020 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-5747 or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Sunday, May 31, 2020 (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak; late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov by Noon CST the day before the scheduled meeting (Sunday, May 31, 2020). This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Monday, June 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm CST VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Meghan Hollis, Chair Daniela Nunez Rebecca Bernhardt Kathleen Hausenfluck Rebecca Gonzales Rebecca Webber, Vice Chair Selena Alvarenga Bill Kelly Chris Harris Rocky Lane AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 3:00-3:05 pm Public Comment 3:05-3:20 pm (from speakers who signed up to speak on an agenda item) Items for Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3:20-3:25 pm 2. OLD BUSINESS – Review and vote on a corrected version of ATCEMS (Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services) funding Recommendation item #3 of May, 18 2020 Special Called Meeting 3:25-3:35pm Sponsored by Commissioners Hollis and Kelly 1. Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services 3. COVID-19 Agency Impact Updates and Discussion of Delay of Cadet Classes for Public Safety Agencies 3:35-3:55pm Sponsored by Commissioners Hollis, Harris, and Hausenfluck 1. Austin Fire Department …
Public Safety Commission Meeting **Revised** Monday, June 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm CST Public Safety Commission Meeting to be held Monday, June 1, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (May 31, 2020 by Noon CST). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Monday, June 1, 2020 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-5747 or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Sunday, May 31, 2020 (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak; late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov by Noon CST the day before the scheduled meeting (Sunday, May 31, 2020). This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Monday, June 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm CST VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING * **REVISED** CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Meghan Hollis, Chair Daniela Nunez Rebecca Bernhardt Kathleen Hausenfluck Rebecca Gonzales Rebecca Webber, Vice Chair Selena Alvarenga Bill Kelly Chris Harris Rocky Lane AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 3:00-3:05 pm Public Comment 3:05-3:20 pm (from speakers who signed up to speak on an agenda item) Items for Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3:20-3:25 pm 2. OLD BUSINESS – Review and vote on a corrected version of ATCEMS (Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services) funding Recommendation item #3 of May, 18 2020 Special Called Meeting 3:25-3:35pm Sponsored by Commissioners Hollis and Kelly a. Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services 3. COVID-19 Agency Impact Updates and Discussion of Delay of Cadet Classes for Public Safety Agencies 3:35-3:55pm Sponsored by Commissioners Hollis, Harris, and Hausenfluck a. …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200601‐002 June 1, 2020 Recommendation that Council Approve ATCEMS Budget Requests Date: Subject: Motioned by: Seconded by: Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the ATCEMS budget should include funding for: (1) an analysis of overtime with the corporate budget, (2) Phase II of the Meadows Foundation, (3) Warehouse and Inventory Control to support asset inventory and controlled medication program, (4) billing personnel and software upgrades, (5) an additional finance team support supervisor (6) six additional clinical specialist positions to permanently staff the Paramedic Consult Line, (7) twelve additional FTEs so that Demand 1 and Demand 3 can be converted to 24‐hour ambulances, and (8) twenty‐four additional FTEs and two ambulances to better staff Medic 1 and Medic 5. Description of Recommendation to Council: The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with reviewing public safety agency budgets and providing recommendations to the Austin City Council. The ATCEMS provided backup materials and a briefing in the March 2020 Public Safety Commission on budget requests. The Public Safety Commission found that there are five initiatives that Commissioners feel should be funded. Therefore, The Public Safety Commission recommends that ATCEMS includes the following items in the budget submitted to the Austin City Council: 1. Corporate budget should review and fund overtime based on current pay rates. $TBD for analysis of overtime with the corporate budget. 2. $642,200 to fund Phase II of the Meadows Foundation study. 3. $150,500 for warehouse and inventory control to support asset inventory and controlled medication program. 4. $146,000 for billing personnel and software upgrades. 5. $109,500 for a finance team support supervisor. 6. $592,706 for 6 new sworn FTEs to staff Paramedic Consult Line. 7. $1,199,832 for 12 new sworn FTEs to staff conversion of two demand trucks to 24‐hour. 8. $3,130,976 for 2 ambulances ($982,884) and 24 new FTEs to staff them ($2,148,092) The Public Safety Commission also recommends that the Austin City Council funds these items in the budget. Commented [BJ1]: This is a duplication of the 6 Medics the association is asking for in #6. The meadow foundation discussed a triage line but was not one of their funding recommendation the Department was funding internally and before COVID19 it was dedicated to coordinating resources for the Community Health Paramedics as a force multiplier. See the attached description. The 7 medics in this request would be dedicated for this service and the …
` William (Bill) Kelly Kathleen Hausenfluck Rebecca Webber PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 4, 2020 The Public Safety Commission convened a videoconferencing meeting Monday, May 4, 2020 at City Hall 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Commissioner Meghan Hollis called the Board Meeting to order at 4:00p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Meghan Hollis Daniela Nunez Rebeca Bernhardt Rebecca Gonzales Selena Alvarenga Chris Harris Board Members Absent: None Staff in Attendance: Troy Gay, Chief of Staff, Austin Police Department Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department Jasper Brown, Chief of Staff, Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services Citizens signed up to speak on agenda items only: • Sue Gabriel – with Communities of Color United- spoke on item #3 in opposition to funding for Austin Police Department in the FY20-21 budget. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Commissioner Hollis asked for any discussion/edits of the March 2, 2020 minutes; hearing no comments, Commissioner Alvarenga motioned approval of the minutes and Commissioner Kelly second the motion. Vote was taken by roll call and the minutes were approved with a unanimous vote. 1 2. Election of Chair and Co-Chair to serve on Public Safety Commission from May 2020 through April 2021. Commissioner Hollis opened the floor for nominations. Commissioner Kelly nominated Commissioner Hollis for second term as Chair, and Commissioner Harris seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and the vote was unanimous for Commissioner Hollis as chair for second term. The floor opened for nominations for Vice-chair and Commissioner Harris nominated Rebecca Webber and Commissioner Nunez second the motion. Roll call vote, and the vote was unanimous for Rebecca Webber as Vice-chair for May 2020 to April 2021. 3. Budget Proposal Review and Discussion for City of Austin Public Safety Agencies The Chair opened the floor for discussion and there were questions. Commissioner Hausenfluck where are we on officers current and authorized and AC Gay responded with currently 150 vacancies and 1959 authorized with an expectancy to be fully staffed in Spring 2021. Commissioner Harris asked for month-to-month breakdown of retires and how that affect the numbers. AC Gay committed to emailing attrition rates to the PSC, Chair. Michelle Schmidt elaborated on the personnel listed in the FY20-21 budget and the records mgmt. system and the need to replace a 2001 helicopter. Commissioner Hausenfluck had questions for Austin Fire Department’s overtime issues in 2020 and Dr. …
EOC Vision A disaster-prepared and resilient community. EOC Mission To serve as the coordinating focal point for preparedness, response, recovery, and education in any emergency or disaster that disrupts the community. • The Austin Police Department Emergency Management Unit has been fundamental to the City and County-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Austin Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) was opened on March 13th and maintained 12 hour operational periods for most of the event. Working alongside Command and Executive Staff as well as leaders from HSEM, Austin Public Health, Travis County, AFD and EMS, the ATCEOC quickly mobilized and initiated planning for the pandemic response. • APD has worked with the ATCEOC in developing safety protocols and guidelines for officers and other first responders. Worked with APH to initiate APD testing, isolation and quarantine guidelines. Worked to develop innovative staffing strategies to keep essential workers safe and teleworking Worked with our law enforcement partners to develop enforcement protocols according to CDC, employees engaged and informed. State and local guidance. APD Public Information Officers, through the ATCEOC JIC, worked diligently to provide a unified message for a whole-community approach to the COVID-19 response. • SE/EMU staff created and assisted with training for proper use of the following equipment. • Approx. 3500 N95 masks to sworn and civilian personnel. • Approx. 2500 digital thermometers. • Approx. 2500 cloth masks and filters. • Approx. 25,000 surgical masks. • Approx. 2500 disinfecting chemical sachets for mask cleaning. • Sourcing and procuring PPE equipment during this time has proven challenging. EMU staff worked with the Austin Police Association, APD Purchasing and Finance and the ATCEOC to source, procure and establish supply lines for PPE to keep our officers and civilian employees safe. The generosity of our first responder partners and the Austin Community was also apparent through the many donations of PPE and offers of assistance that were received. • APD developed and created a process for the decontamination of police vehicles based upon an EMS process. Special decon kits were assembled and deployed throughout the agency. This process, and the accompanying training, has been referred to several other agencies. Logistical support • APD tracked down and purchased additional resources to ensure sufficient quantities of PPE for Sworn and • APD worked with the following community partners who donated additional PPE for assistance with COVID- o Donations of masks, …
GO 914 Austin Police Department General Orders Equal Employment Opportunity and Non- Discrimination 914.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this order is to prevent Department employees from being subjected to discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or retaliation. 914.2 POLICY The Austin Police Department is committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation and that ensures equal employment opportunities for all employees. Discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation based on a protected class, in any form, as defined in federal, state, or local law, will not be tolerated. Protected classes include race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, pregnancy status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, and veteran status or other legally protected class. Every employee is responsible for maintaining a professional environment free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation, and for bringing to the City’s attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation. Findings of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or retaliation against an employee may result in discipline up to and including discharge or indefinite suspension. 914.3 PROHIBITED CONDUCT 914.3.1 DISCRIMINATION Discrimination is the unequal or different treatment of an individual in any employment and/or personnel action based on a protected class, as per section 914.2. The Department will recruit, hire, train, compensate, discipline, provide benefits, and promote without regard to a protected class. The Department will employ positive business and personnel practices designed to ensure equal employment opportunity. (a) The Department will ensure: 1. 2. equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates; and that employees covered by these policies are selected and promoted based on merit and fitness and without discrimination, and in accord with the requirements of state civil service laws and any applicable labor contract. (b) The Department will not discriminate in employment decisions and/or personnel actions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the Department discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/04/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Austin Police Department Equal Employment Opportunity and Non- Discrimination - 608 Austin Police Department General Orders Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination (c) Reasonable accommodations shall be provided for all employees and qualified applicants with …
Collaborative Care Communication Center “C4” C 4 - C o l l a b o r a t i v e C a r e C o m m u n i c a t i o n C e n t e r 4 / 3 / 1 9 2 M a i n G o a l o f C 4 A t t a c h e d t o t h e E M S 9 1 1 C e n t e r o p e r a t i o n , t h e m a i n g o a l o f C 4 i s t o e s t a b l i s h a c o l l a b o r a t i o n p o i n t f o r c a s e m a n a g e m e n t a n d s e r v i c e d i s t r i b u t i o n w h e r e a l l s e r v i c e p r o v i d e r s c a n a c c e s s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t s e r v i c e a v a i l a b i l i t y , c o n n e c t c l i e n t s t o s e r v i c e s m o r e e f f i c i e n t l y t h r o u g h c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h o t h e r p r o v i d e r s , i n c r e a s e w h a t i s k n o w n a b o u t t h e c l i e n t p o p u l a t i o n , a n d e x p a n d t h e r e a c h o f e x i s t i …
Subject: AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT Policy and Procedure Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Application: All Uniformed Personnel Authorized by: Joel G. Baker, Fire Chief General Order Number E202.3 Effective Date: 05-06-2020 Rescinds: E202.2 Page: 1 of 9 I. Purpose II. Background To define and establish the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation policy for Austin Fire Department (AFD) sworn personnel. AFD civilian personnel need to refer to Chapter A of the City of Austin’s Personnel Policies. The Austin Fire Department strives to create and maintain a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. The environment of all workplaces within AFD should be characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression, and exploitation. Members should be able to work and learn in a safe, yet stimulating atmosphere. Accomplishing this goal is essential to the mission of AFD. For that reason, AFD is committed to equal employment opportunity and anti- discrimination. Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation to a protected class, in any form, as defined in federal, state, or local law/ordinance, will not be tolerated. Through enforcement of this policy, and by education of its members, AFD seeks to prevent, correct, and discipline behavior that violates this policy. All members, regardless of their positions/ranks, are responsible for maintaining a professional environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and for bringing to their chain of command’s attention conduct that interferes with providing such an environment. Findings of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation against a member may result in discipline, up to and including indefinite suspension. Policy and Procedure Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation E202.3, Page 2 of 9 III. Policy A. Definitions 1. Assault – When a person intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another, and said person knows or should reasonably believe the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative. This includes a threat of bodily harm coupled with an apparent, present ability to cause that harm. 2. Bullying – Persistent conduct that is malicious or unwelcome. Abusive, obscene, or threatening conduct or communication intended to shame, injure, or instill fear in another and/or conduct that harms, intimidates, offends, degrades, or humiliates another. Bullying conduct can be verbal, non-verbal, physical, or psychological. This policy considers bullying to be a form of harassment. 3. Discrimination – The unequal or different treatment of an individual, in any employment and/or personnel action, due to their status in a protected class. 4. Harassment …
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF TO: All Fire Department Personnel FROM: DATE: Joel G. Baker, Fire Chief May 6, 2020 SUBJECT: E202.3 Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy In January 2020 I provided you a revised draft of E202, the department’s Harassment Prevention Policy for comments. The policy needed revisions to address requests from the City of Austin Human Resources Department, City Legal, and the Public Safety Commission to update and standardize language across all City policies. There was a delay while we discussed procedure changes and addressed coronavirus issues. The E202.3 policy that is being adopted today is now titled E202.3 Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy. Adjustments to this policy include legal definitions of terms and the corporate process related to third-party investigation of all sexual harassment allegations and certain allegations against department executives. While the changes are not a huge departure from the previous policy, I believe this is a good time for all sworn members to perform a thorough review of E202.3. Company Officers and Battalion Chiefs shall dedicate time to discuss the policy with their crews, ensuring that it is fully understood and questions regarding the procedures are addressed. Within company journals, Company Officers shall document a review of the E202.3 policy for each company member. Verification of policy review documentation will be the responsibility of the Battalion Chiefs. This review must be completed by all uniformed personnel no later than July 2, 2020. Please direct your questions through your chain of command.
Appendix A OPC investigates (Sworn) EMSHR investigates (Non-Sworn) Reporting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Employee submits a complaint Employee, Manager, Supervisor, member of ATCEMS Mgmt Team, OPC, EMSHR, receives complaint Employee, Manager, Supervisor, member of ATCEMS Mgmt Team or OPC notify EMSHR w/out undue delay Employee, Manager, Supervisor, member of ATCEMS Mgmt Team or OPC notify EMSHR w/out undue delay Discrimination, Harassment or Retaliation? Yes Sexual Harassment? Yes No No EMSHR or OPC investigates EMHR notify HR Director and/or HRD’s ER Division w/out undue delay HRD will coordinate w/ EMSHR and/or OPC on addressing complaints EMHR notify HR Director and/or HRD’s ER Division w/out undue delay HRD or 3rd Party Investigator (at HRD’s discretion) investigates sexual harassment complaint (Sworn & Non-Sworn)
3. COVID-19 Agency Impact Updates and Discussion of Delay of Cadet Classes for Public Safety Agencies 4:35-4:55 pm Sponsored by Commissioners Hollis, Harris, and Hausenfluck In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, AFD took actions to ensure proper staffing of frontline units and a safe training environment for our cadets. At the time the pandemic struck, AFD had two separate classes (Classes 128 and 129) in session (approximately 75 cadets total). To minimize exposure between students instructors and bolster social distancing at the Academy, AFD was able to accelerate those cadets in Class 128 who were already pre-certified and graduate them early. The benefits realized from this action included increasing our Operations’ staffing (saving ~$90,000) and reducing the number of individuals at the Academy by 50 percent. Class 129 will graduate July 31, 2020. The next cadet class will begin in late October 2020. Applicant processing of the next 200 candidates (the final list of which will make up Class 130) has been delayed due to the shifting of staffing resources at our Wellness Center. Several of those members are deployed in support of COVID-19 testing for public safety personnel across Travis County and critical City of Austin infrastructure personnel. In mid-May, we re-evaluated testing needs and adjusted scheduling to continue testing in the morning. This freed up the remainder of each day to resume applicant processing and regularly scheduled physicals. AFD is currently on track to fill two cadet classes in FY2021. 4. Sexual Harassment Policy Updates 4:55-5:15 pm Sponsored by Commissioners Hollis and Webber AFD’s revised Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation policy was distributed on May 6, 2020, with a corresponding Information Bulletin. Points to note: o Although the final version of the policy was ready for distribution in March, it was held due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. o Battalion Chiefs are required to dedicate time to discuss the policy with their crews, ensuring it is fully understood and questions regarding the procedures are addressed. All reviews of the revised policy must be completed by July 2, 2020. AFD began revising its existing E202 Harassment policy in 2019. Revisions to the independent harassment policies across all three public safety departments for both uniform and sworn personnel focused on aligning those policies with the legal language used by the City of Austin. This was initiated by inquiries from the Public Safety Commission. The City’s Legal and …
CITY OF AUSTIN EMS DEPARTMENT 208 CHAPTER 2 – Code of Conduct POLICY MANUAL POLICY TITLE: General Workplace Standards – Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO), Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Retaliation APPLICATION: All Personnel Effective Date: AUTHORIZED BY: Rescinds: Revision: 208 – General Workplace Standards – Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO), Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Retaliation .01 Purpose Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department (ATCEMS) is committed to provide a work environment that is free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or retaliation. Discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and retaliation based upon a protected class, in any form, as defined in federal, state or local law, will not be tolerated. Protected classes includes classes as defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII and the City’s Personnel Policies. Every employee is responsible for maintaining a professional environment free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and retaliation, and for bringing to the City’s attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and retaliation. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines and expectations for general workplace standards to further equal employment opportunities and prevent discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or retaliation. In addition, this policy establishes guidelines in reporting concerns regarding alleged violations of City policy, or local, state or federal law. Sustained allegations/findings of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or retaliation against an employee may result in discipline up to and including indefinite suspension (termination of employment) or discharge. .02 .03 Exceptions / Exemptions None Definitions A. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department (ATCEMS) Executive Management team – ATCEMS Executive Management team includes the EMS Chief, Assistant Director, Chief of Staff, Assistant Chiefs and Division Chiefs. B. Chain of Command – The order in which authority delegated within ATCEMS. The Chain of Command is as follows: CAAS Standards: 202 - 1 of 6 POLICY TITLE: General Workplace Standards NUMBER: 208 Chain of Command (Sworn) Chief Chief of Staff Assistant Chief Division Chief Commander Captain Chain of Command (Non-Sworn) Chief Assistant Director Manager Supervisor C. Discrimination – The unequal or different treatment of an individual in any employment and/or personnel action on the basis of a protected status. D. Emergency Medical Services Department Human Resources (EMSHR) – EMSHR receives any complaints and investigates complaints again non-sworn personnel. E. Human Resources Director (HR Director) – Director of the City’s corporate Human Resources Department. F. Human Resources Department’s (HRD) …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200601-002 June 1, 2020 Recommendation that Council Approve ATCEMS Budget Requests Date: Subject: Motioned by: Meghan Hollis Seconded by: William (Bill) Kelly Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the ATCEMS budget should include funding for: (1) an analysis of overtime with the corporate budget, (2) Phase II of the Meadows Foundation, (3) Warehouse and Inventory Control to support asset inventory and controlled medication program, (4) billing personnel and software upgrades, (5) an additional finance team support supervisor, (6) twelve additional FTEs so that Demand 1 and Demand 3 can be converted to 24-hour ambulances, and (7) twenty-four additional FTEs and two ambulances to better staff the area around Dove Springs and the Rundberg corridor. Description of Recommendation to Council: The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with reviewing public safety agency budgets and providing recommendations to the Austin City Council. The ATCEMS provided backup materials and a briefing in the March 2020 Public Safety Commission on budget requests. The Public Safety Commission found that there are five initiatives that Commissioners feel should be funded. Therefore, The Public Safety Commission recommends that ATCEMS includes the following items in the budget submitted to the Austin City Council: 1. Corporate budget should review and fund overtime based on current pay rates. 2. $642,200 to fund Phase II of the Meadows Foundation study for 6 new sworn FTEs to staff 3. $150,500 for warehouse and inventory control to support asset inventory and controlled Paramedic Consult Line. medication program. 4. $146,000 for billing personnel and software upgrades. 5. $109,500 for a finance team support supervisor. 6. $1,199,832 for 12 new sworn FTEs to staff conversion of two demand trucks to 24-hour. 7. $3,130,976 for 2 ambulances ($982,884) and 24 new FTEs to staff them ($2,148,092) The Public Safety Commission also recommends that the Austin City Council funds these items in the budget. Rationale: The Public Safety Commission has reviewed the requests from ATCEMS for additions to the budget for the seven items outlined above in the March, May, and May Special Called meetings of the Public Safety Commission. ATCEMS has kept this community safe during this COVID-19 crisis. And they have done so while putting their own lives at risk. This pandemic has entirely changed the way ATCEMS operates from adjusting the workflow of each medical call all the way down to requiring each medic to have a second pair …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200601-005 June 1, 2020 Recommendation that Council Eliminate City of Austin Open Container Policies Date: Subject: Motioned by: Meghan Hollis Seconded by: Bill Kelly Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the City Council eliminate Open Container ordinances across the City of Austin. Description of Recommendation to Council: The Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20191205- 062. This Resolution tasked the Public Safety Commission with reviewing the City of Austin’s Open Container Policies. The Public Safety Commission reviewed these policies at the June 2020 meeting and found that these policies (1) only apply to certain areas of the city, and (2) could contribute to disparate treatment by race, ethnicity, and/or socioeconomic status due to the sociodemographic composition of areas where open container policies apply compared to those where they do not. Therefore, The Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin City Council eliminates all Open Container prohibitions in the city. Rationale: The Public Safety Commission has reviewed Resolution No. 20191205-062 and all related ordinances. The Public Safety Commission has also reviewed available data on enforcement of Open Container statutes and the socio-demographic properties of the areas of the city subject to open container prohibitions compared to those that are not subject to open container prohibitions. The Public Safety Commission found that there is great potential for open container policies and prohibitions to be applied in a discriminatory manner due to the way those ordinances are written. To promote rule of law and equal protection under the law in the City of Austin, it is essential that laws apply equally across population subcategories – including different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status/class groups – in the City. The designations of areas where Open Containers are permitted compared to those where they are prohibited reflect underlying socio-demographic differences. This does not afford citizens equal protection under the law and equal probability of being subject to the law. This could have adverse effects in perceptions of procedural justice based on the research evidence presented before the Commission. Therefore, we recommend that any open container laws must be consistent across all geographic areas in the City. Additionally, the Public Safety Commission found that there are other tools available to handle concerns that arise from the presence of the open container itself. It is not the open container that is the behavioral and societal concern. Concerns emerge when the presence and consumption …
Comments to the Austin Public Safety Commission June 1, 2020 Meeting I was on your Commission when it launched in 2009 appointed by Councilwoman Sheryl Cole. I was elected Chair and served until 2013. I have worked with the City of Austin in many ways and have provided University classes for city and country employees in public safety and leadership over the years. One of the more intensive efforts I was involved in was the Federal Demonstration Grant: Restore Rundberg that used community policing to address high levels of crime and disturbances in the Rundberg area of the City. That was a very successful effort and was seen as that year’s most successful award of the DoJ’s national innovation awards. What The Police Do Police perform three basic social services for a city and the residents. The first is where officers spend their most time and that is direct service. Your car breaks down at night and a patrol officer stops to provide assistance. You fall in the home and need assistance. A child is lost. A call to 911 is usually first responded by a police officer. The police unlike Fire and EMS are on mobile patrols rather than at a station house and can get there first and provide initial assistance. The second basic social service is order maintenance. Heavy rains cause a street to flood. Police place barriers and re-direct traffic. Electricity goes out and so do traffic lights. Police direct traffic. The third basic function is crime control. Police respond to crime calls, seek to take suspects in custody, prepare reports and then respond to grand juries and county and district attorneys in criminal proceedings. The first two basic functions are where officers spend most of their time. Only on the average is crime control ever more than 10 percent. We must select, train and supervise officers in terms of these basic functions. Current thinking and research use the model of “community policing” to best meet these functions. Community policing means the officer builds and maintains partnerships with all people in the community. They are not a paramilitary force. They do not impose order. Getting out of the patrol car and meeting citizens on the street is important. So is contact with schools, churches, businesses, people walking in the parks, clubs, etc. The funding and authority of the police officer comes from the community. Community policing …
