PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING July 5, 2022 @ 4:00PM City Hall Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 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 by 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. To register please call (512) 974-5747 before noon on July 4, 2022 or email Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov AGENDA Kathleen Hausenfluck John T. Kiracofe Rocky Lane Rebecca Gonzales Rebecca Webber CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Michael Sierra-Arevalo Cory Hall-Martin CALL TO ORDER 4:00-4:05pm Public Communication 4:05-4:15pm (from speakers signed up to speak) Items for Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 6, 2022 4:15pm-4:20pm 2. OLD BUSINESS a. How it works? What are all of the publicly available Austin Police Department data sets? Where can the public find each of them and how can they be used? (sponsors: Commissioner Ramirez and Webber) 4:30pm-5:00pm Speaker(s): Oversight Jason Matson, Program Manager, Austin Police Department Sara Peralta, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager, Office of Police 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Public Safety Organizations Quarterly Report – Austin Fire Department (sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and Gonzales) 5:00pm-5:20pm Speakers: - Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department b. What is Lexipol and how is it used by the Austin Police Department? (sponsors: Commissioners Ramirez & Bernhardt) 5:20pm-5:50pm Speaker(s): - Gerardo Cantu, Austin Police Department - Sylvia Hardman, Acting Director, Office of Police Oversight 4. Future Agenda Items 5:50-6:00pm Adjourn @ 6pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Janet Jackson at Austin Police Department, at 512-974-5747, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Public Safety Commission, please contact Robin Henderson, Chief of Staff, Austin Police Department at 512-974-5030.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING July 5, 2022 @ 4:00PM City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 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 by 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. To register please call (512) 974-5747 before noon on July 4, 2022, or email Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov REVISED AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Michael Sierra-Arevalo Cory Hall-Martin CALL TO ORDER 4:00-4:05pm Public Communication 4:05-4:15pm (from speakers signed up to speak) Items for Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 6, 2022 4:15pm-4:20pm 2. OLD BUSINESS Kathleen Hausenfluck John T. Kiracofe Rocky Lane Rebecca Gonzales Rebecca Webber a. How it works? What are all of the publicly available Austin Police Department data sets? Where can the public find each of them and how can they be used? (sponsors: Commissioner Ramirez and Webber) 4:30pm-5:00pm Speaker(s): Oversight Jason Matson, Program Manager, Austin Police Department • • Sara Peralta, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager, Office of Police 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Public Safety Organizations Quarterly Report – Austin Fire Department (sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and Gonzales) 5:00pm-5:20pm Speakers: - Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department b. What is Lexipol and how is it used by the Austin Police Department? (sponsors: Commissioners Ramirez & Bernhardt) 5:20pm-5:50pm Speaker(s): - Gerardo Cantu, Austin Police Department - Sylvia Hardman, Acting Director, Office of Police Oversight 4. Future Agenda Items 5:50-6:00pm Adjourn @ 6pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Janet Jackson at Austin Police Department, at 512-974-5747, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Public Safety Commission, please contact Robin Henderson, Chief of Staff, Austin Police Department at 512-974-5030.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING June 6, 2022 @ 4:00PM City Hall Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 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 by 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. To register please call (512) 974-5747 before noon on June 5, 2022 or email Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov AGENDA Kathleen Hausenfluck John T. Kiracofe Rocky Lane Amanda Lewis Rebecca Webber CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Michael Sierra-Arevalo Queen Austin Rebecca Gonzales Cory Hall-Martin CALL TO ORDER 4:00-4:05pm Public Communication 4:05-4:15pm (from speakers signed up to speak) Items for Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 2, 2022 4:20pm-4:25pm 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Austin Police Department Quarterly Report – creation of a working group on the make up of the Austin Police Department Quarterly Report metrics (sponsors: Commissioner Bernhardt and Ramirez) 4:25pm-4:30pm 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Public Safety Organizations Quarterly Report – Austin-Travis County EMS (sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and Gonzales) 4:30pm-4:45pm Speaker(s): - Teresa Gardner Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services b. Fiscal year 2022-2023 Budget, Public Safety Agencies, City of Austin (sponsors: Commissioner Ramirez and Bernhardt) 4:45pm-5:20pm Speaker(s): - Michelle Schmidt, Assistant Director, Austin Police Department - Dr. Ronnelle Paulson, Assistant Director, Austin Fire Department - Carlos Ledesma, Interim Assistant Director, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services - Kathy Mitchell, Policy Coordinator at Just Liberty, Community Investment Budget c. Staffing Study, Public Safety Agencies (sponsors: Commissioner Lewis and Ramirez) 5:20pm-5:35pm Speaker(s): - Joseph Chacon, Chief, Austin Police Department - Dr. Jonathan Kringen, Data and Business Technology Manager, Austin Police Department - Dr. Ronnelle Paulsen, Assistant Director, Austin Fire Department - Teresa Gardner, Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services d. How it works? What are all of the publicly available Austin Police Department data sets? Where can the public find each of them and how can they be used? (sponsors: Commissioner Ramirez and Bernhardt) 5:35pm-5:50pm Speaker(s): Jason Matson, Program Manager, Austin Police Department • • Sara Peralta, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager, Office of Police Oversight 4. Future Agenda Items …
AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT Vacancy Staffing Plan 2022 AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT Current Staffing Levels Classification ASSISTANT CHIEF DIVISION CHIEF BATTALION CHIEF CAPTAIN LEIUTENANT FIRE SPECIALIST/DRIVER FIREFIGHTER Total CIVILIAN, FULL-TIME Department Total Vacant Authorized 0 0 0 0 0 0 108* 108 9 117* 5 8 37 72 216 225 694 1257 143 1400 • All sworn vacancies are held at the lowest rank, Firefighter • Vacancy trends correspond with • addition of new FTEs • opening of new fire stations the graduation of cadets • lag in hiring while cadet • testing is conducted • Current retirement/ separation rate for sworn is 1.5 per pay period Ch a rt d e ta ils: • va ca n cie s a s o f Ap ril 1, 2022 • in clu d e s 16 u n fu n d e d FTEs fo r Lo o p • d o e s n o t in clu d e te m p o ra ry civilia n s o r 360 sta tio n Fire Ca d e t FTEs 2 AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT Past Sworn Vacancies 3 AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT Recruitment and Retention Challenges RECRUITING • Po te n tia l a d ve rse im p a ct in th e h irin g p ro ce ss p ro m p ts ta rge te d re cru itin g. • Le n gth o f tim e to go th ro u gh a ll th e ste p s in th e ca d e t h irin g p ro ce ss a s th e y a re d e ta ile d in th e Co lle ctive Ba rga in in g Agre e m e n t. RETENTION Fire figh te rs with le ss th a n 10 ye a rs o f se rvice le a vin g fo r o th e r o p p o rtu n itie s – n e w se p a ra tio n ra te o f 2.0 p e r p a y p e rio d p o ssib le CIVILIAN HIRING & RETENTION Pa y ra te s fo r p o sitio n s in h igh d e m a n d th ro u gh o u t Ce n tra …
EMS Staffing Levels June 6, 2022 EMS Historical Vacancy Rate EMS Challenges Leading to Vacancies EMS Challenges Leading to Vacancies EMS Plan to Fill Vacancies • Recruiting • Dedicate sworn staff to Recruiting • Improve marketing and recruiting materials and presence • Website, social media, recruiting video • Increase visibility of ATCEMS nationally • Professional organizations • EMS conferences • EMS education institutions Reducing Barriers to Entry • Eliminate one-year EMS experience requirement • Reduce and clarify automatic application disqualifications • Extend each hiring cycle • Evaluate pre-requisite certification for EMS Communications Center • Currently require EMT – Basic • Consider reducing to Emergency Care Attendant Direct Hire and Community Engagement • Provide community EMT program • Partner with City of Austin leadership and community • Identify communities with limited access to professional • Successful completion earns priority status to entry-level organizations education position Reducing Barrier to Clinical Specialist Promotion • 10% of sworn vacancies • Collaboration with Office of the Chief Medical Officer • Separate clinical training and credentialing process from promotion process • Civil Service Promotion Test • Committees of sworn staff to review source material & test questions FY 2022 • 1 Commander for Recruiting • 1 Civilian for recruiting and hiring process for sworn personnel • 3 Civilian EMS Instructors • 2 Field Captains – Instructors for Academy • High fidelity simulation training lab • 7 High-fidelity manikins • AV & Computer equipment • Cadaver lab training • Textbooks for EMT classes and Promotional Exam material • Funding for more Field Training Officer stipends and training EMS Academy Dates • 2022 • 2023 • July 5th – August 26th • October 10th – December 2nd • January 30th – March 24th • April 24th – June 2nd • July 17 – September 8 • October 9 – December 1
M E M O R A N D U M Mayor and Council Members Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager May 19, 2022 TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: ATX Public Safety Vacancy Staffing Plan (Resolution No. 20220217-036) The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update regarding the development of vacancy staffing plans for the Police, Fire, and EMS Departments as directed by Resolution No. 20220217-036. Final recommendations and the timeline necessary for Council actions to implement the staffing timeline will be provided as part of the FY 2023 Proposed Budget to be presented on July 15, 2022. Presented below is a summary of the three departments’ response to the elements outlined in the Resolution. Detailed information can be found in the attachments. The following table summarizes the FY 2022 authorized sworn staffing and vacancy rates for the three Current Staffing Levels Public Safety Departments. Department Authorized Vacant % Vacant Police Fire EMS 1809 1257 664 190 108 149 10.5% 8.6% 22.4% The factors driving attrition and therefore vacancies are specific to each department and are not Challenges Leading to Vacancies summarized here. Regarding the ability to fill vacancies, the major factors are recruitment and training capacity. Training capacity is the limiting factor in comparison to recruitment due to the length of time required to train cadets, the sworn staffing required for training, and the challenge of scheduling of training classrooms and other resources at the Public Safety Training Center to accommodate multiple cadet classes. The current departmental vacancies pose an additional challenge to staffing the cadet classes, which requires sworn staff from operational units to augment the assigned training sworn staff. 1 Presented below is a summary of how each department has projected future staffing needs. The Draft Departmental Staffing Plans timeline differs based on the unique factors associated with each department, which is detailed in the attachments. Note that an evaluation of fiscal impact has not been conducted given the ongoing contract negotiations. Recommendations regarding how best to address the projected staffing needs will be addressed in the FY 2023 Proposed Budget. Department Police Fire EMS FY22 1809 1257 665 FY23 1844 1305 689 FY24 1889 1321 713 FY25 1944 1337 737 FY26 2009 761 FY27 2074 As mentioned earlier, the existing facilities at Public Safety Training Center along with availability of Training Resource Needs operational sworn staff to augment assigned training staff are the major limiting factors to …
Public Safety FY2022-23 Forecast June 6, 2022 City of Austin, TX Austin Police FY2022-23 Forecast June 6, 2022 City of Austin, TX Police Department Budget Overview FY2022 Totals at a Glance FY2022 Approved Budget $443.1 Million FY2022 Positions 1,809 Sworn 558.5 Civilian FY2022 Budget by Program FY2022 Budget Highlights Reimagine Fund, Decouple Fund, Communications & Forensics back to APD Increase funding for Pension Funds Fully fund 2 Cadet Academy Classes 5 ViCAP Specialist Temp FTEs CAST Rifle plate vest replacement Forensic Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer replacement Police Department Budget Overview FY2023 Forecast FY2023 Forecast FY2023 Positions $451.7 Million* 1,812 Sworn 499.75 Civilian Police FY2023 Forecast Highlights Personnel Cost Drivers Interfund Transfers Contract & Operating Increases $14.4M $4.9M $1.5M $20.8M Total Total Creation of the Forensic Science Department ($12.2M) *Estimate: The FY2023 Forecast as presented in April 2022; the City proposed budget is still under development for City Council approval in August. $8.6M* or 2% Council Initiatives & Department Unfunded Priorities Helicopter Replacement $1.5M 11 Civilian FTEs per Kroll Report Recommendation $1.2M Civilianize 6 Sworn FTEs for Real Time Crime Center $0 o The $501K cost would be offset by an increase in Vacancy Savings 4 Sworn Detective FTEs for Sex Crimes Unit $955K 6 Civilian FTEs for Compliance with Senate Bill 111 $491K Total $4.1M Austin Fire FY2022-23 Forecast June 6, 2022 City of Austin, TX Fire Department Budget Overview FY2022 Totals at a Glance FY2022 Approved Budget $219.4 Million FY2022 Budget by Program Transfers, Debt Service & Other, 13% Support Services, 6% Emergency Prevention, 8% Operations Support, 8% FY2022 Positions 1,257 Sworn 143 Civilian & 60 Cadet FY2022 Budget Highlights $864K for annualized staffing for Travis Country Fire/EMS station $699K for partial year staffing (16 FTEs)& equipment at new Loop 360 fire station $700K Resilience Investments: Operations and Wildfire equipment & Responding to the Interface (RTI) wildfire training Fire/Emergency Response, 66% $50K Mental Health training $150K Tech expenses (AMANDA/ePCR) Fire Department Budget Overview FY2023 Forecast FY2023 Forecast Budget $228.7 Million* FY2023 Forecast Positions 1,258 Sworn 144 Civilian & 60 Cadets Fire FY2023 Forecast Highlights $4.2M Personnel Cost Drivers (includes new Sworn LT reimbursed by ABIA) Interfund Transfers Opening of Loop 360 station (staff & land lease) Paid Parental Leave with backfill …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION No. 20220606.003b Date: Subject: June 6, 2022 Public Safety Budget Recommendation Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the City Council take action to support the following budget items. Description of Recommendation to Council: During the June Public Safety Commission meeting, the three Public Safety organizations presented their initial budget requests. Therefore, The Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin City Council move forward with the following budget requests: APD Fire EMS • 11 Civilian FTEs per Kroll Report Recommendation • Civilianize 6 Sworn FTEs for Real Time Crime Center • 4 Sworn Detective FTEs for Sex Crimes Unit • 6 Civilian FTEs for Compliance with Senate Bill 111 $1.2M $0 $955K $491K $2.4M $135K $195K $2.1M $366K $1.4M $397K • Prevention Inspectors, Engineers and Admins with equip/vehicles $1.2-$3.6M (9 FTEs General Fund, 12 FTEs funded elsewhere) • Del Valle Ladder staffing with OT (16 FTEs) • 3 Pick-up Trucks for Response & PPE Transport • Technology & Equipment Service Increase • Staffing (est. $1M on-going, 9 FTEs , $1.1M one-time) • Data Analytics (est. $344K on-going, 2 FTEs, $172K one-time) • Staying on the Leading Edge of EMS (est. $50k on-going, $1.4M one-time • Staff Engagement (est. $397K on-going, 1 FTE) • Revenue Enhancement $892K (est. $52K one-time, 2 FTEs, $800K on-going) or (est. $62K one-time, 9 FTEs, $892K on-going) Rationale: The Public Safety Commission believes the budget items listed in the recommendation are vital to operations of the public safety organizations. Vote: For: 6 (Commissioners Bernhardt, Gonzales, Kiracofe, Ramirez, Sierra-Arevalo, Webber) Against: 0 Abstain: Absent: (Commissioners Enyioha, Hall-Martin, Hausenfluck, Lane, Lewis) Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] __________________________________
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING May 2, 2022 @ 4:00PM City Hall Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 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 by 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. To register please call (512) 974-5747 before noon on May 1, 2022 or email Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov AGENDA Kathleen Hausenfluck John T. Kiracofe Rocky Lane Amanda Lewis Rebecca Webber CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Michael Sierra-Arevalo Queen Austin Rebecca Gonzales Cory Hall-Martin CALL TO ORDER 4:00-4:05pm Public Communication 4:05-4:20pm (from speakers signed up to speak) Items for Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 4, 2022 4:20pm-4:25pm 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Public Safety Organizations Quarterly Report – Austin Police Department (sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and Gonzales) 4:25pm-4:40pm Speaker(s): - Dr. Jonathan Kringen, Research and Planning- Austin Police Department b. Introduction of new Chief, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services (sponsors: Commissioner Gonzales and Ramirez) 4:40pm-4:55pm Speaker(s): - Robert Luckritz, Chief - Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services c. Labor Negotiations Update and EMS Public Safety Pay Equity Recommendation (sponsors: Commissioner Webber and Bernhardt) 4:55pm-5:20pm Speaker(s): - Lee Crawford, Law Department, City of Austin - Kenneth Casaday, President, Austin Police Association - Selena Xie, President, Austin EMS Association - Chris Harris, Director of Policy, Austin Justice Coalition d. Discussion of Hazard Mitigation Plan in Public Safety Departments (sponsors: Commissioner Gonzales and Bernhardt) 5:20pm-5:50pm Speaker(s): - Rachel Scott and Richard Brimer, Environmental Commissioners - James Mason, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department - Jeff Kennedy, Chief, Austin Fire Department - Teresa Gardner Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service 3. Future Agenda Items 5:50-6:00pm Adjourn @ 6pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Janet Jackson at Austin Police Department, at 512-974-5747, for additional information; TTY users …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION May 2, 2022 WHEREAS, the City of Austin has become synonymous with the housing crisis facing the Proposal that the Austin City Council pay the Austin EMS Equitably with Public Safety Unions Date: Subject: Motioned by: Rebecca Bernhardt Seconded by: Rebecca Webber Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager’s Office to prioritize negotiations with the Austin EMS Association and offer substantial additional compensation as part of the union contract, in line with the cost of living in Austin, the compensation of credentialed staff with comparable workloads at Texas EMS agencies, and the compensation of sworn staff of the Austin Police Department and Austin Fire Department. United States and has become the least affordable housing market outside of California, surpassing notoriously expensive cities including Boston, Miami and New York City for cost of housing; yet, the current living wage of $15.00 per hour was established in 2018 and is outdated. The City of Austin’s Living Wage Working Group, which includes representatives from the City’s Department of Human Resources, has recommended a living wage of $22.00 per hour for 2022; WHEREAS, 26.4 percent of EMS sworn staff are considered low-income. Single parents will not stop being low-income until they reach 11 years of service with EMS if they have one child, 17 years of service if they have two children; WHEREAS, a great deal is made of the police labor shortage, the Austin EMS labor shortage is more severe. Austin EMS is currently operating at 75.3 percent of authorized sworn capacity. Austin EMS has lost 26 experienced medics to attrition so far during calendar year 2022; in all of calendar year 2019, Austin EMS lost 28 experienced medics to attrition; WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a long-time commitment to supporting a living wage; WHEREAS, Austin EMS cannot effectively recruit new sworn staff because of substandard wages. Although authorized for 30 medics, the December 2021 EMS Academy was only able to recruit 18 cadets. The March 2022 EMS Academy was able to recruit 17 cadets. At this rate, Austin EMS will be unable to fill its vacancies and Austin EMS will remain structurally understaffed and become increasingly understaffed into the foreseeable future, creating an increasing public safety crisis for city emergency health services; WHEREAS, Austin EMS has performed valiantly and faced unprecedented risks during the Covid-19 pandemic. Before vaccines were available, …
` PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES April 4, 2022 The Public Safety Commission convened a hybrid in person and videoconferencing meeting Monday, April 4, 2022 at City Hall 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Commissioner Nelly Ramirez called the Board Meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Kathleen Hausenfluck Cory Hall-Martin Nelly Ramirez John Kiracofe Rebecca Bernhardt Amanda Lewis Rebecca Webber Rebecca Gonzales Absent: Commissioners Lane, Sierra-Arevalo, and Queen Austin Executive Liaison Present: Robin Henderson,and Rob Vires, Theresa Gardner Public Communications - Citizens signed up to speak: none 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Commissioner Ramirez called for any edits/corrections to the March 7, 2022 minutes and hearing none the minutes were deemed approved. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Update from Austin Police Department on actions from the Kroll Report and potential recommendation (sponsored by Commissioner Bernhardt and Ramirez) 4:04pm-4:31pm Speaker(s): -Joseph Chacon, Chief, Austin Police Department Chief Chacon provided an update to changes that have been made. With regards to recruitment, he stated that the incoming 144th and 145th Cadet Class saw increased rates of black cadets and female cadets. APD has committed to trying increase female officers by 30% by 2030. They are also working with James Joyce to set diversity metrics. APD is working to modify fitness testing and qualification criteria. APD has updated their policies around use of force. This includes adding language, definitions, and clarifying language around shooting at moving vehicles, firearm discharge situations, and response to resistance, de-escalation and duty to intervene. All 20 use of 1 force cases flagged by Kroll were previously reviewed by APD. Chief Chacon introduced the Force Review Unit, which is outside of the officer’s chain-of-command and reviews use of force cases who are trained to investigate these cases. Commissioner Bernhardt asked if there had ever been the opportunity for an all-female cadet class with all female trainers. Chief responded no, mostly based on class size and trainer availability. Commissioner Webber asked for clarifications around the Force Review Unit. Chief Chacon provided a brief history of the review process. The Force Review Unit has nine dedicated sergeants and one lieutenant who are receiving training to review these cases in a consistent, unbiased manner. Commissioner Gonzales requested that APD continue to provide updates on these recommendations on a monthly basis. 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Public Safety Organizations Quarterly Report – Austin Fire Department (sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION May 2, 2022 WHEREAS, the City of Austin has become synonymous with the housing crisis facing the Proposal that the Austin City Council pay the Austin EMS Equitably with Public Safety Unions Date: Subject: Motioned by: Rebecca Bernhardt Seconded by: Rebecca Webber Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager’s Office to prioritize negotiations with the Austin EMS Association and offer substantial additional compensation as part of the union contract, in line with the cost of living in Austin, the compensation of credentialed staff with comparable workloads at Texas EMS agencies, and the compensation of sworn staff of the Austin Police Department and Austin Fire Department. United States and has become the least affordable housing market outside of California, surpassing notoriously expensive cities including Boston, Miami and New York City for cost of housing; yet, the current living wage of $15.00 per hour was established in 2018 and is outdated. The City of Austin’s Living Wage Working Group, which includes representatives from the City’s Department of Human Resources, has recommended a living wage of $22.00 per hour for 2022; WHEREAS, 26.4 percent of EMS sworn staff are considered low-income. Single parents will not stop being low-income until they reach 11 years of service with EMS if they have one child, 17 years of service if they have two children; WHEREAS, a great deal is made of the police labor shortage, the Austin EMS labor shortage is more severe. Austin EMS is currently operating at 75.3 percent of authorized sworn capacity. Austin EMS has lost 26 experienced medics to attrition so far during calendar year 2022; in all of calendar year 2019, Austin EMS lost 28 experienced medics to attrition; WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a long-time commitment to supporting a living wage; WHEREAS, Austin EMS cannot effectively recruit new sworn staff because of substandard wages. Although authorized for 30 medics, the December 2021 EMS Academy was only able to recruit 18 cadets. The March 2022 EMS Academy was able to recruit 17 cadets. At this rate, Austin EMS will be unable to fill its vacancies and Austin EMS will remain structurally understaffed and become increasingly understaffed into the foreseeable future, creating an increasing public safety crisis for city emergency health services; WHEREAS, Austin EMS has performed valiantly and faced unprecedented risks during the Covid-19 pandemic. Before vaccines were available, …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING April 4, 2022 @ 4:00PM City Hall Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 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 by 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. To register please call (512) 974-5747 before noon on April 3, 2022 or email Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov AGENDA Amanda Lewis Rocky Lane Michael Sierra-Arevalo Rebecca Bernhardt Cory Hall-Martin CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Rebecca Gonzales, Chair Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Rebecca Webber Kathleen Hausenfluck Queen Austin John T. Kiracofe CALL TO ORDER 4:00-4:05pm Public Communication 4:05-4:20pm (from speakers signed up to speak) Items for Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 7, 2011 4:20pm-4:25pm 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Update from Austin Police Department on actions from the Kroll Report and potential recommendation (sponsored by Commissioner Bernhardt and Ramirez) 4:25pm-4:35pm Speaker(s): -Robin Henderson, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Public Safety Organizations Quarterly Report – Austin Fire Department (sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and Gonzales) 4:35pm-4:50pm Speaker(s): -Rob Vires, Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department b. Public Safety Commission Officer Elections (sponsors: Commissioner Gonzales and Ramirez) 4:50pm-5:05pm c. Review of Employee Diversity metrics from all three organizations (sponsors: Commissioner Bernhardt and Ramirez) 5:05pm-5:35pm Speaker(s): -Robin Henderson Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department -Rob Vires Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department -Teresa Gardner Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services d. Reimaging Public Safety (sponsors: Commissioner Gonzales and Ramirez) 5:35pm-5:50pm Speaker(s): -Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager 4. Future Agenda Items 5:50-6:00pm Adjourn @ 6pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Janet Jackson at Austin Police Department, at 512-974-5747, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Public Safety Commission, please contact Robin Henderson, Chief of Staff, Austin Police Department at 512-974-5030.
***REVISED*** PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING April 4, 2022 @ 4:00PM City Hall Boards and Commissions Room 301 W 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 by 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. To register please call (512) 974-5747 before noon on April 3, 2022 or email Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov AGENDA Amanda Lewis Rocky Lane Michael Sierra-Arevalo Rebecca Bernhardt Cory Hall-Martin CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Rebecca Gonzales, Chair Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Rebecca Webber Kathleen Hausenfluck Queen Austin John T. Kiracofe CALL TO ORDER 4:00-4:05pm Public Communication 4:05-4:20pm (from speakers signed up to speak) Items for Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 7, 2011 4:20pm-4:25pm 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Update from Austin Police Department on actions from the Kroll Report and potential recommendation (sponsored by Commissioner Bernhardt and Ramirez) 4:25pm-4:35pm Speaker(s): -Joseph Chacon, Chief of Austin Police Department 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Public Safety Organizations Quarterly Report – Austin Fire Department (sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and Gonzales) 4:35pm-4:50pm Speaker(s): -Brandon Wade, Austin Fire Department b. Public Safety Commission Officer Elections (sponsors: Commissioner Gonzales and Ramirez) 4:50pm-5:05pm c. Review of Employee Diversity metrics from all three organizations (sponsors: Commissioner Bernhardt and Ramirez) 5:05pm-5:35pm Speaker(s): -Robin Henderson Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department -Brandon Wade, Austin Fire Department -Teresa Gardner Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services d. Reimaging Public Safety (sponsors: Commissioner Gonzales and Ramirez) 5:35pm-5:50pm Speaker(s): -Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager 4. Future Agenda Items 5:50-6:00pm Adjourn @ 6pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Janet Jackson at Austin Police Department, at 512-974-5747, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Public Safety Commission, please contact Robin Henderson, Chief of Staff, Austin Police Department at 512-974-5030.
