REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION October 7, 2024 at 4:00 PM Austin City Hall Boards and Commissions Room #1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas Some members of the Public Safety Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Angelica Reyes Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 2. 3. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on January 9, 2023. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on March 6, 2023. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on September 9, 2024. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. DISCUSSION ITEMS Public Safety Quarterly Report by Austin Police Department, including an update on the license plate reader program. Update on Wildfire Readiness by Austin Fire Department, including an update on the PANO AI system by Austin Energy. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and overview of the Community Police Review Commission with the Office of Police Oversight and consideration of a Recommendation to Council. Approve a Public Safety Commissioner to serve on the Downtown Commission as a non- voting member. Approve the Public Safety Commission 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule. WORKING GROUP UPDATES Update from the Training Academy Working Group on recent meetings with APD Training Academy Staff and next steps. Update from the Public Safety Wellness Center Working Group on meetings with Wellness Center staff to date and next steps. Update from the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Working Group for the 2024 third quarter (Q3) with discussion of project scope item referencing sexual assault data. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2023 The PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR CALLED MEETING on January 9, 2023 at COA Permitting and Development Building, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco– Room 1405 AUSTIN, TEXAS Chair Bernhardt called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:16p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Nelly Ramírez, Vice Chair Kathleen Hausenfluck John Kiracofe Michael Sierra-Arévalo Rebecca Webber PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Chris Harris Elizabeth Gonzales APPROVAL OF MINUTES MEETING on November 7, 2022. Postponed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion of the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report – Austin Police Department Presentation was made by Jason Matson, Research & Planning Division, Austin Police Department. 3. Discussion and possible action on Recommendation regarding counsel at first appearance for all criminal charges in Travis County. 1 The motion to approve the Recommendation regarding counsel at first appearance for all criminal charges in Travis County was made by Commissioner Ramírez, seconded by Commissioner Webber and failed on a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Sierra-Arévalo abstained. Commissioners Gonzales and Hall-Martin were absent. The motion to place the Recommendation on City Council agenda was made by Chair Bernhardt, seconded by Commissioner Ramírez and approved on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Gonzales and Hall-Martin were absent. 4. Discussion and possible action endorsing the Austin Police Oversight Act, which is on the May 2023 ballot. Postponed. 5. Discussion and possible action on Austin Police Department Towing Fee Study The presentation was made by Michelle Schmidt, Financial Director, Austin Police Department. The motion to recommend that Council send the study back to the drawing board and not pass it at the next meeting was made by Commissioner Webber, seconded by Commissioner Ramírez and failed on a 5-1 vote. Commissioner Kiracofe voted no. Commissioners Gonzales and Hall-Martin were absent. 6. Discussion and possible action on Kroll Report regarding Austin Police Department Training Academy Questions were answered by Mark Ehlers, Managing Director, Kroll Consultants; Retired Chief Rick Brown, Curriculum Review Committee; and Joyce James, Joyce James Consulting. Questions were answered by Assistant Chief Jason Staniszewski, Austin Police Department; Commander Wade Lyons, Austin Police Department; and Dr. Anne Kringen, Austin Police Department; and Chief Robin Henderson, Chief of Staff, Austin Police Department. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Legislative Update for some point in future as new Texas legislative session begins (Commissioner Ramírez) …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, March 6, 2023 The PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR CALLED MEETING on March 6, 2023 at City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W. 2nd Street, AUSTIN, TEXAS Chair Bernhardt called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:05p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Nelly Ramirez, Vice Chair Kathleen Hausenfluck John Kiracofe Michael Sierra-Arevalo Timothy Ruttan David Holmes PUBLIC COMMUNICATION None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the November 7, 2022 Public Safety Commission Regular Meeting The motion to approve the November 7, 2022 Public Safety Commission Regular Meeting Minutes was motioned by Commissioner Hausenfluck and failed on a 3-0 vote. Commissioners Kiracofe, Ruttan, Hausenfluck and Holmes abstained. Commissioner Hall-Martin was absent. Approve the December 5, 2022 Public Safety Commission Regular Meeting The motion to approve the December 5, 2022 Public Safety Commission Regular Meeting Minutes was motioned by Commissioner Hausenfluck and failed on a 5-0 vote. Commissioners Ruttan and Holmes abstained. Commissioner Hall-Martin was absent. Approve the January 9, 2023 Public Safety Commission Regular Meeting 1 The motion to approve the January 9, 2023 Public Safety Commission Regular Meeting Minutes was motioned by Commissioner Hausenfluck and failed on a 5-0 vote. Commissioners Ruttan and Holmes abstained. Commissioner Hall-Martin was absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Public Safety Quarterly Reports – Austin Fire Department and ATCEMS (Emergency Medical Services) Presentation was made by Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department. Presentation was made by Teresa Gardner, Chief of Staff Austin/ Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department. 3. Discussion of winter/extreme weather event preparedness Discussed. The following participated in the discussion: Robert Nicks, President, Austin Firefighters Association; Selena Xie, President, Austin Emergency Medical Services Association; Kevin Parker, Division Chief, Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Services; Brandon Wade, Assistant Chief , Austin Fire Department; Jason Stansizewski, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discuss/draft recommendation regarding enough generators for public safety departments (Ruttan) Update from Chief Medical Officer (Bernhardt) Update on 911 Call Center (Kiracofe) View Report on disabled community’s interaction with Austin Police department and what kind of actions come as a result of report (Ramirez) Election of PSC Officers for the 2023-2024 year (mandatory election in April each year per City Clerk’s office) Safety of Uber and Lyft drivers (Bernhardt) Chair Bernhardt adjourned the meeting at 6:00 pm …
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 9, 2024 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 9, 2024 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, September 9, 2024, at City Hall Building, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes Pierre Nguyễn Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos León Patrick Jones APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on August 5, 2024. The minutes from the meeting on 08/05/2024, were approved on Commissioner Bernhardt’s motion, Commissioner Nguyễn’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Sierra-Arévalo was off the dais. Commissioner Reyes was absent. 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 9, 2024 The presentation was made by Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services. 4. Update on Text to 911 by Chief Jeff Greenwalt, Austin Police Department. Update was given by Lee Rogers, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department. 3. Update from Public Safety Commissioners on the Austin Police Department Police Chief interview panel. Update was given by Commissioner Sierra-Arévalo. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a Recommendation to Council for Workers’ Compensation for Public Safety sworn staff to adopt a policy to remove barriers and reduce impact on staffing. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council for Workers’ Compensation for Public Safety Sworn Staff to adopt a policy to remove barriers and reduce impact on staffing was made by Commissioner Nguyễn, seconded by Vice Chair Ruttan. The following amendment was motioned by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Hermesmeyer. The amendment was to add to the third bullet point and insert “and awareness of process” after “workers compensation claims.” The amendment was approved on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Sierra-Arévalo abstained. Commissioner Reyes was absent. The following amendment was motioned by Chair Ramírez, seconded by Commissioner Bernhardt. The amendment was to add the clause “WHEREAS, former sworn public safety personnel are bound by same worker’s compensation program and entitled to continued coverage for injuries sustained on the job;” before the last WHEREAS clause and to insert “current and former” to the …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Community Police Review Commission & Austin Police Oversight Act Implementation Gail McCant, Director Mia Demers, Public Safety Compliance Program Manager Sara Peralta, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager October 7, 2024 Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) Consists of eleven community volunteers selected by the City Manager. Separate and independent from the Austin Police Department. OPO working to re-establish CPRC in alignment with Municipal Code 2-15-4, Austin Police Oversight Act. CPRC: Eligibility & Selection • Applicants cannot have any personal or professional connections to any police department or police association. (§2-15-4) • Other eligibility requirements can only be instituted by amending the ordinance. (§2-15-4) Eligibility Selection • Commission will have eleven members. (§2-15-4) • Process must be open, the City Auditor will review applicant eligibility, the City Manager will make the final selection. (§2- 15-4) CPRC: Training Requirements Attend 20 hours of training created by the Office of Police Oversight within 90 days of their appointment, which shall be focused on the laws, rules and policies governing the conduct of police officers in Austin in accordance with recommendations of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, and members may begin to serve before completion of training. Training Plan 9 hours projected at 8 hours • Training conducted by OPO, City Legal, and City Clerk: Currently projected at • Training conducted by the Austin Police Department (APD): Currently • Training conducted by NACOLE: Currently projected at 8 hours Austin Police Oversight Act (APOA) Implementation APOA Implementation Summary City Code § 2-15-3 Provisions in Compliance ✓ The Office of Police Oversight should provide recommendations to the City about how investigations involving officers are carried out and what the ✓ Provide recommendations to the City on how effective APD rules and procedures are for handling complaints about police officer misconduct, police officer training, when and how police officers use force, how the police interact with the community, and anything else the department does, are effective and outcomes are. § 2-15-3(B) suitable. § 2-15-3(B) ✓ Receive complaints and compliments from the community, including anonymous complaints and compliments. § 2-15-3(B) ✓ Act as a liaison between the community and APD during the complaint process. § 2-15-3(B) ✓ OPO can participate in investigations of complaints, may interview complainants to obtain more information. § 2-15-3(B) ✓ Provide the Chief of Police with recommendations based on complaint investigations and …
Public Safety Commission 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule 1st Monday of each month 1. January 6, 2025 2. February 3, 2025 3. March 3, 2025 4. April 7, 2025 5. May 5, 2025 6. June 2, 2025 7. July 7, 2025 8. August 4, 2025 9. September 8, 2025* 10. October 6, 2025 11. November 3, 2025 12. December 1, 2025 *Labor Day on September 1, 2025
REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION October 7, 2024 at 4:00 PM Austin City Hall Boards and Commissions Room #1101 301 West 2ND Street Austin, Texas Some members of the Public Safety Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Angelica Reyes Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith REVISED AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 2. 3. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on January 9, 2023. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on March 6, 2023. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on September 9, 2024. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. DISCUSSION ITEMS Public Safety Quarterly Report by Austin Police Department, including an update on the license plate reader program. Update on Wildfire Readiness by Austin Fire Department, including an update on the PANO AI system by Austin Energy. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and overview of the Office of Police Oversight’s progress on implementation of the Austin Police Oversight Act (APOA) and consideration of a Recommendation to Council. Approve a Public Safety Commissioner to serve on the Downtown Commission as a non- voting member. Approve the Public Safety Commission 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule. WORKING GROUP UPDATES Update from the Training Academy Working Group on recent meetings with APD Training Academy Staff and next steps. Update from the Public Safety Wellness Center Working Group on meetings with Wellness Center staff to date and next steps. Update from the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Working Group for the 2024 third quarter (Q3) with discussion of project scope item referencing sexual assault data. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS …
Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Project – Q3 2024 Update Austin Police Department Ge ne ra l Proje c t Upda te s • FY2025 funding requests were fully approved. • City Manager Broadnax received a project overview/update in September 2024. • OVW Abby Honold Grant was awarded to APD. It includes trauma- informed and victim-centered training for sexual assault and will be scoped in consideration of CSCRM once approved by Council. • Case Review (2021 & 2022) Draft Report is under review with the final report scheduled for completion in November. • APD and TCDA are meeting monthly to formalize policy, procedure, and process agreements. Quarterly case debriefings are beginning in Q4 2024. • Academy training class observations have begun with the 153rd Cadet Class. Award. • SCU Leadership and APD Co-Chairs reviewed project progression and made adjustments to assist with acceleration (for example, updating SOPs quarterly vs biannually). • SCU received the APD 2023 Investigations Meritorious Unit of the Year • Addition of two new elements of scope: • 15.18 Establish a process to coordinate scheduling of non-acute survivors that make first contact with a SANE establishment for SCU detective and Victim Services response. This is a scheduled service, not an on-demand service. • 15.19 Review and update the Sex Crimes Unit webpage found at https://www.austintexas.gov/department/apd-sex-crimes-unit. Q3 2024 2 Da s hboa rd Sta tus – Se pte m be r 2024 Sum m a ry: • Com ple te = 15% (18 Ite m s ) • In Progre s s = 72% (88 Ite m s ) • Not Sta rte d = 13% (16 Ite m s ) Q3 2024 *Note: Items listed as “Not Started” have not yet been assessed by the multi-disciplinary Workgroup, however improvements may have already been initiated and/or implemented by APD independently. 3 3 Burndown Tim e line – Se pte m be r 2024 We a re He re • Timeline estimates for each element of scope are being tracked by quarter. • Quarterly estimates are targets for completion and may be impacted by leadership transitions, funding, project team availability, and unforeseen constraints. Q3 2024 4 Proje c t Cha lle nge s & Ris ks • Training timeline is at risk and will be better understood once CSCRM is fully assessed and scoped in accordance with the OVW Abby Honold Grant. • CSCRM continues to track the …
AU ST IN FIRE D EP AR TMENT Wildfire Readiness Update Jeffrey Kennedy– Assistant Chief Justice Jones – Wildfire Mitigation Officer BE IT RESOLVED... "Provide a progress report every six months to the Public Safety Commission for the following important components of a comprehensive WUI risk reduction plan." Council Resolution NO. 20160512-016 The information presented in this update are maintained in real-time through dynamic data 11 Wildfire Readiness Update 1. The number of local CWPP’s completed and implemented. 2. The number of local CWPP's started but not completed. 3. The percentage of high-risk WUI areas in which identification of potential local CWPP planning areas is ongoing. 4. The number of public presentations and home assessments provided. 5. The number, size, type and location of fuel mitigation activities conducted. 6. The number of training hours received and conducted. 2 2 1) The number of local CWPP's completed and implemented is 23. Local level CWPP’s are community led initiatives that AFD facilitates and supports. We have 20 Firewise Communities ‘In Good Standing’ and another 3 communities that are ‘Inactive’. Wildfire Division staff are currently re-engaging with those communities. Barton Hills community is on track to become our newest Firewise community in the next six months. AU ST I N CW PP ’ s 3 2) The number of local CWPP's started but not completed is 23. Local level CWPP’s are community led initiatives that AFD facilitates and supports. Three of these communities have re-engaged with AFD in the last six months, and five communities are engaged to the degree where we anticipate them becoming Firewise in the next six months. Acti ve & En ga ged Sentence or subheading goes Here on the page in the header box. 4 3) The percentage of high-risk WUI areas in which identification of potential local CWPP planning areas is still ongoing is 49%. Of the 14% of Austin classified as high risk, 51% is covered by a local level CWPP, 49% are identified as opportunity zones. High R isk Ar ea s 5 4) The number of public presentations and home assessments provided in the past 6 months. 29 Presentations and events, and 55 home assessments provided. The Wildfire Division has taken measures in the last six months to dramatically increase our capability to provide home assessments. We have also increased our footprint in the Eastern Crescent. Outre ac h Acti vi ties 6 5) …
CSCRM Working Group Project Scope Item 15.9: Utilize Public Safety Commission to review aggregated sexual assault case data. Data elements to be considered for regular reporting SAFE Alliance (by County or for Travis County Only) • # of total (unduplicated) encounters/contacts/requests • # of forensic exam evidence collections • #completed at time of request • #unable to be completed at time of request or referred elsewhere (include break- down of why (no nurse, no advocate, etc.)) • #completed at a time later than requested • # of medical services (not counting forensic exams) • # completed at time of request • # unable to be completed at time of request or referred elsewhere (include break-down of why (no nurse, no advocate, etc.)) • # completed at a time later than requested • # of consults only • # completed at time of request • # unable to be completed at time of request or referred elsewhere (include break-down of why (no nurse, no advocate, etc.)) • # completed at a time later than requested Austin Police Department • # calls for service by offense type (SCU only) • # of new cases opened by highest offense code (SCU only) • # of cases ‘closed’ by case clearance status (SCU internal status type) • # cases staffed • Victim demographics (#, age range, race/ethnicity, gender) Travis County District Attorney (by Law Enforcement Agency) • # of cases staffed • # of total cases available for prosecution • # declined • # pending further investigation • # accepted • # rejected or dismissed (include break-down of why) • # indicted • # no billed • # pled • # tried (include break-down of results)
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Community Police Review Commission & Austin Police Oversight Act Implementation Gail McCant, Director Mia Demers, Public Safety Compliance Program Manager Sara Peralta, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager October 7, 2024 Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) -2- Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) Consists of eleven community volunteers selected by the City Manager. Separate and independent from the Austin Police Department. OPO working to re-establish CPRC in alignment with Municipal Code 2-15-4, Austin Police Oversight Act. -3- CPRC: Eligibility & Selection • Applicants cannot have any personal or professional connections to any police department or police association. (§2-15-4) • Other eligibility requirements can only be instituted by amending the ordinance. (§2-15-4) Eligibility Selection • Commission will have eleven members. (§2-15-4) • Process must be open, the City Auditor will review applicant eligibility, the City Manager will make the final selection. (§2- 15-4) -4- CPRC: Training Requirements Attend 20 hours of training created by the Office of Police Oversight within 90 days of their appointment, which shall be focused on the laws, rules and policies governing the conduct of police officers in Austin in accordance with recommendations of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, and members may begin to serve before completion of training. Training Plan 9 hours projected at 8 hours • Training conducted by OPO, City Legal, and City Clerk: Currently projected at • Training conducted by the Austin Police Department (APD): Currently • Training conducted by NACOLE: Currently projected at 8 hours -5- Austin Police Oversight Act (APOA) Implementation -6- APOA Implementation Summary City Code § 2-15-3 Provisions in Compliance ✓ The Office of Police Oversight should provide recommendations to the City about how investigations involving officers are carried out and what the ✓ Provide recommendations to the City on how effective APD rules and procedures are for handling complaints about police officer misconduct, police officer training, when and how police officers use force, how the police interact with the community, and anything else the department does, are effective and outcomes are. § 2-15-3(B) suitable. § 2-15-3(B) ✓ Receive complaints and compliments from the community, including anonymous complaints and compliments. § 2-15-3(B) ✓ Act as a liaison between the community and APD during the complaint process. § 2-15-3(B) ✓ OPO can participate in investigations of complaints, may interview complainants to obtain more information. § 2-15-3(B) ✓ Provide the Chief of Police with recommendations …
Public Safety Commission - Questions & Answers PENDING QUESTIONS: October 7, 2024 – Regular Meeting Item 4. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Police Department, including an update on the license plate reader program. 1. Can APD help us get a better understanding of violent crime going down, violent crime clearance rates staying the same, and account for APD staffing as it relates to those stats? Pending 2. How many people were stopped that did not result in an arrest (false positive stops) via the License Plate Reader Program? Pending 3. What amount of data was shared to state or other agencies via the License Plate 4. Data on demographics of people with false positive arrests via the License Plate Reader Program? Pending Reader Program. Pending Item 5. Update on Wildfire Readiness by Austin Fire Department, including an update on the PANO AI system by Austin Energy. 1. Has AFD worked to provide the unhoused community with fire extinguishers? Several of Homeless Strategy Office’s (HSO) partner agencies provide meals to individuals experiencing homelessness, including Caritas of Austin and Sunrise Navigation Center. Additionally, multiple faith-based and community-based groups that are not HSO-affiliated provide food/meals to people experiencing homelessness. Lastly, our street outreach staff (and our street outreach partners) provide fire safety tips to people experiencing homelessness. 2. Has AFD considered and/or partnered with other organizations to provide prepared meals to the unhoused to prevent cooking fires? Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) has also partnered with Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) who have assisted with fire extinguisher distribution to people experiencing homelessness. Item 8. Update from the Training Academy Working Group on recent meetings with APD Training Academy Staff and next steps. 1. Request for Academy cadet class completion reports recommended by Audit Protocol Guidelines1 for cadet classes completed since final Kroll report on 148th Cadet Academy. See Exhibit A and B 1 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=383863 Exhibit A APD Training Academy Audit 149th Cadet Class May 22, 2023 – December 30, 2023 Community Involvement Co-facilitated Coursework • 8 courses taught by or in cooperation with outside SME’s and/or community partners • Key topics: Sexual Harassment Recognition; U.S. & Texas Constitution and Rights; History of Policing and Race in Austin; Mindfulness & Resilience Techniques; Professional Policing; Non-Consensual Language; Traumatic Brain Injury; Crisis Intervention Training • Co-facilitators represented the University of Texas, Texas State University, Neill-Cochran House Museum, Austin Community College, the Centre for Neuro Skills, and Integral Care 149th …
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, October 7, 2024 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 7, 2024 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Paul Hermesmeyer Pierre Nguyễn Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos León APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on January 9, 2023 The minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on January 9, 2023 were approved on Vice Chair Ruttan’s motion, Commissioner Hermesmeyer’s second on a 7- 0 vote. Commissioners Holmes, Orr, and Reyes were absent. 2. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on March 6, 2023. The minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on March 6, 2023 were approved on Vice Chair Ruttan’s motion, Commissioner Bernhardt’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Holmes, Orr, and Reyes were absent. 3. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on September 9, 2024. The minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on September 9, 2024 were approved on Vice Chair Ruttan’s motion, Commissioner Bernhardt’s second on a 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, October 7, 2024 6-0 vote. Commissioner Smith abstained. Commissioners Holmes, Orr, and Reyes were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Approve the Public Safety Commission 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule The Public Safety Commission 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule was approved on Commissioner Hermesmeyer’s motion, Vice Chair Ruttan’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Holmes, Orr, and Reyes were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Public Safety Quarterly Report by Austin Police Department, including an update on the license plate reader program. The presentation was made by James Mason, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department. Lisa Davis, Police Chief, Austin Police Department introduced herself to the commission. 5. Update on Wildfire Readiness by Austin Fire Department, including an update on the PANO AI system by Austin Energy The presentation was made by Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department; Justice Jones, Chief Mitigation Officer, Austin Fire Department; Jeff Kennedy, Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department; and Chris Vetromile, Wildfire Mitigation Manager, Austin Energy. …
