Minutes-160201
MINUTES
Call to Order
Attendance/Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Chair Peterson at 4:35 PM. Present at the meeting were Commissioners Ben Peterson and Gloria Kumagai;
Police Chief Jason Sturgis, Commander Steve Johnson and Administrative Assistant Amanda Johnson. Commissioner Roxanne Sienko was absent.
Approval of Minutes of November 10, 2015
Commissioner
Kumagai moved to approve the November 10, 2015 minutes; seconded by Chair Peterson. The November 10, 2015 minutes were unanimously approved.
Approval to Initiate a Police Officer Hiring
Process
Chief Sturgis advised there is one viable candidate left on the eligibility register that was approved in November 2015. Three candidates have been given final employment offers
and there is still one officer vacancy remaining. Chief Sturgis requested approval to initiate a police officer hiring process.
Commissioner Kumagai moved to approve the initiation
of a police officer hiring process; seconded by Chair Peterson. The motion was unanimously approved.
Staffing Projections for 2016
Chief Sturgis advised there are currently four police
officer openings. Three new officers will begin employment on 02/08/16. One candidate has police experience as a state trooper and the other two candidates are new to law enforcement.
Three officers are eligible to retire, but have not given notice of their intentions.
Chief’s Report
Chief Sturgis advised Chief Carlson retired at the end of December and Sgt. Roberts
retired late summer. Sgt. Buffie was promoted to replace Sgt. Roberts and the promotion of a lieutenant will take place when staffing allows.
Chief Sturgis advised the department was
very active with community outreach in 2015. Chief Sturgis highlighted the Shop with a Cop event in December, where $3,500 was raised by employees and 13 children from Noble School
were able to participate. The children had a great time shopping for their families and the event had a positive impact on both the students and the staff. The event will be held again
in 2016. Chief Sturgis advised the Citizen’s Academy is currently underway with approximately 25 participants.
Commissioner Kumagai inquired whether the current Citizen’s Academy will
be the last one held in 2016. Chief Sturgis advised there may be another academy held in the fall depending on the level of interest.
Commissioner Kumagai asked Chief Sturgis to outline the police chief selection process. Chief Sturgis advised City Manager Tim Cruikshank desired to promote from within the department
and Chief Carlson recommended he be considered for the position. A panel consisting of community members, city council members and human resources interviewed Chief Sturgis in December
and he was selected to permanently fill the position.
Election of Officers
Per state law the commissioner in the last year of his/her term is the designated chair of the commission.
Chair Peterson nominated Commissioner Kumagai as Chair; seconded by Commissioner Kumagai. Commissioner Kumagai was elected chair by consensus.
Chair Peterson nominated Commissioner
Sienko as secretary; seconded by Commissioner Kumagai. Commissioner Sienko was elected secretary for 2016 by consensus.
Other Business
Chair Peterson advised he is moving out of the
City of Golden Valley and has submitted his resignation letter to Mayor Harris, effective 02/02/16, due to the residency requirement for city board members. Commissioner Kumagai thanked
Chair Peterson and advised it had been a pleasure serving with him.
Closing Comments
There were no closing comments.
Adjournment
Commissioner Kumagai moved to adjourn the meeting;
seconded by Chair Peterson. The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Kumagai, Secretary