SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 13, 2022, 4 PM 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 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 Janet Jackson, (512) 974-5747, or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair John Kiracofe Kathleen Hausenfluck Michael Sierra-Arévalo Rebecca Gonzales AGENDA Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Rebecca Webber Cory Hall-Martin CALL TO ORDER 4:00pm–4:05pm PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 4:05pm–4:15pm (from speakers signed up to speak) The first three 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. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4:15pm–4:20pm Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on July 5, 2022 Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on August 1, 2022 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Quarterly Stats Report, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Sponsors: Commissioners Hausenfluck and Gonzales, 4:20pm-4:40pm a. Teresa Gardner, Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Discussion and possible action on the Austin Police Department’s use of the LRAD during the 2020 protests and currently, including potential injuries to police officers and the public Sponsors: Commissioners Bernhardt, and Webber, 4:40pm - 5:10pm a. b. Jeff Greenwalt, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department Kevin Welch, Electronic Freedom Foundation, Austin Discussion and potential assignment of a member of the Public Safety Commission to a working group of the Austin Parks and Recreation Board to address crime in Austin’s parks. Sponsors: Commissioners Bernhardt and Ramirez, 5:10pm - 5:20pm Wildfire Readiness Update Resolution#20160512-016 Sponsors: Commissioners Bernhardt and Ramirez, 5:20pm—5:50pm a. b. Andre DeLa Reza, Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department Justice Jones, Officer Wildfire Mitigation, Austin Fire Department FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 5:50pm—5:55pm ADJOURNMENT 5:55pm—6:00pm 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 …
1. 2. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022 The PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR CALLED meeting on 1st, AUGUST, 2022 at 301 W. 2ND STREET in Austin, Texas. Chair Bernhardt called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:02p.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 Rebecca Webber Cory Hall-Martin PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos Leon – complaint about Austin Public Libraries and Austin Police Department. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on June 6, 2022. Chair Bernhardt called for a vote to approve the minutes from the meeting of (6/6/2022). Minutes were approved on a unanimous vote. Voting: Yes: Commissioners Bernhardt, Ramirez, Webber, Hausenfluck, Kiracofe, Hall-Martin, Sierra-Arevalo Absent: Commissioner Gonzales Abstain: 0 No: Zero July 5, 2022 minutes will be approved at the September meeting. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible action regarding implementation of the settlement agreement in Smith et al v. City of Austin et al, Cause No. D-1-GN-21-003081 in the 201st District Court, Travis County, Texas; Senko et al v. City of Austin et al, Cause No. 1:20-cv-01047, in the United States District Court Western Division, Austin, Texas and the pending Police Executive Research Forum report regarding Austin Police Department’s handling of sexual assault investigations. 4:12pm— 4:53pm - Commander Greenwalt, Austin Police Department - Travis County District Attorney José Garza or - Assistant District Attorney Erin Martinson, Director of the Special Victim’s Unit - Jenny Ecklund, Partner, Thompson Coburn, attorney for the Smith and Senko plaintiffs - Chair of the Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team Commander Greenwalt presented on the trainings and implementations that are in place and forthcoming with the new budget. There was an overall increase of two detectives, one sergeant, four victim services counselors and the creation of a cold case unit and additional victim services counselors to the academy. All sexual assault kits have been tested, and new kits are testing within 30 days and receiving results within 90 days. There are now soft interview rooms and a third party is allowed to sit in the interview. APD is in the process of developing a robust training program about the neurobiology of trauma. There is a new survivor notification protocol in place. APD is in full participation …
1. 2. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION AUGUST 1, 2022, 4 PM CITY HALL/BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION may be participating by Some members of 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 Janet Jackson, (512) 974-5747, or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair Rocky Lane Kathleen Hausenfluck Michael Sierra-Arévalo Rebecca Gonzales Rebecca Webber Cory Hall-Martin Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair John Kiracofe AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 4:00–4:05 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 4:05–4:15 (from speakers signed up to speak) The first three 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 4:15 pm–4:20pm Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on June 6, 2022. Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on July 5, 2022. 3. 4. 5. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action on Austin Police Department Quarterly Report 4:20pm- 4:40pm - Dr. Jonathan Kringen, Austin Police Department Discussion and possible action regarding implementation of the settlement agreement in Smith et al v. City of Austin et al, Cause No. D-1-GN-21-003081 in the 201st District Court, Travis County, Texas; Senko et al v. City of Austin et al, Cause No. 1:20-cv-01047, in the United States District Court Western Division, Austin, Texas and the pending Police Executive Research Forum report regarding Austin Police Department’s handling of sexual assault investigations. 4:40pm— 5:20pm - Commander Greenwalt, Austin Police Department - Travis County District Attorney José Garza or Assistant District Attorney Erin - Martinson, Director of the Special Victim’s Unit Jenny Ecklund, Partner, Thompson Coburn, attorney for the Smith and Senko plaintiffs - Chair of the Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team Discussion and possible action regarding the Austin Police Department’s current policies and tactics in responding to protest organizing and protest activity. 5:20pm—5:50pm - Commander Wroblewski, Austin Police Department - Kevin Welch, President …
PSC CIT COMM – AUG 1, 2022 Soy Carlos León. First and foremost, Gracias a Dios for letting me expose APL and APD evil that must be immediately overturned and permanently stopped for our public safety. The supporting evidence in front of you now will be posted online for this meeting. July 19 a Criminal Trespass Notice was wrongly issued to me, banning me from all Austin Public Library properties for one year to unlawfully punish me for lawfully defending myself against repeated harassment by attacking APL staff, security, and customers across multiple branches. My attackers should be banned for violating Library Use Rules, not me for using the library for what it’s intended. APL Director Roosevelt Weeks has NOT rescinded the CTN, making him part of the problem, from the top down. Though I told the Austin Library Commission about this injustice, they have done NOTHING publicly to stop or overturn it. Worse, though the law protects my attendance at their limited public forum meetings, their liason Sharon Herfurth said, “Mr. León will be allowed to attend,” implying I had to be given permission by someone acting above the law, ALIEN to our republic. So I filed a complaint against her with the City Auditor. If APD were called to unlawfully arrest me for lawfully being at that meeting on APL grounds, would the officer listen to, look at, and follow the legal truth I’d be telling and showing, proving I was NOT criminally trespassing? On July 18, Black Male APD Officer Brinson, badge 7694, wrongly REFUSED to force a Black Male CAP METRO bus driver to board and transport me, though that driver was ILLEGALLY discriminating against me by violating my civil rights by NOT stopping for me. Brinson justified his inaction by FALSELY telling me CAP METRO is private. When I tried telling and showing him CAP METRO is public transportation that must serve everyone, he refused to hear or see it. Brinson’s gaslighting, upside-down behavior must NOT exist because it does NOT protect or serve us, violating APD’s LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS, because an officer’s fundamental duties include respecting the CONSTITUTIONAL rights of ALL to liberty, equality and justice, meaning NO cherrypicking, NO two-tiered system of injustice, NO secular sharia law. Per Article 1 of APD’s CANONS OF POLICE ETHICS, an officer’s primary responsibility is to protect us by upholding our laws, which Brinson failed …
APD’s Response to Protests Presentation to the Public Safety Commission Topics Covered • APD’s policies regarding protests • Tactics used at protests • Arrest policies APD GO 408: Mobile Field Force The activation of a MFF should be considered when dealing with any: 1. Large scale disturbance 2. Disturbance where there is potential for escalation of violence if a large scale show of force is not present. APD GO 408: Mobile Field Force The following personnel have the authority to activate a MFF response: 1. Chief of Police 2. Assistant chiefs 3. Commanders 4. Watch Lieutenant 5. Patrol and support lieutenants APD GO 408: Mobile Field Force The Mobile Field Force (MFF) is an organized group of specially trained and disciplined officers that can vary in size depending on the scale of the situation. The objectives of the MFF are to: a) Life/Safety Incident Stabilization b) c) Property Protection d) Societal Restoration APD GO 408: Mobile Field Force The MFF will be equipped with: • Batons or PR24's (excluding ASPs) • OC spray • Less-lethal shotguns • Helmets with face shields Less-Lethal & Non-Lethal Weapons Less-Lethal: 40mm foam baton launcher ***(APD no longer utilizes the 12 gauge bean bag shotgun during crowd control events)*** Non-Lethal: PepperBall launcher Pepper spray APD GO 408: Mobile Field Force The MFF activation will utilize a tiered response plan: 1. Tier I Response - Two designated officers from each on-duty patrol shift respond to a MFF call up. 2. Tier II Response - Officers from the Highway Enforcement Command (Motors, L&W, and Highway Response) respond to a MFF call up, and they can be supplemented by additional officers from patrol or other Department units Tactics The control strategies employed by the MFF include: a) Emergency Response b) Containment c) Arrest d) Local Emergency Orders Emergency Response A major civil disorder will require the Department to devote a large portion of its resources to restore order. When circumstances indicate that such a response is required, the Incident Commander will announce the mobilization of the MFF and will give the location of the assembly area. All specified personnel will respond to the designated location. Containment The three basic concepts of perimeter control are: 1. Linear Strategy - Deploys police as a blocking force along a roadway or geographic barrier perpendicular to access routes into the area. 2. Cordoning - Surrounds a particular problem area by using the …
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 …
