2021.03.09 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 23, 2021 Page 2 of 6 1 GeoffHollin-m Chair Geoff Hollimon provided the Council with the annual report from the Public Safety Commission for 2020. He discussed the background and primary responsibilities of the Public Safety Commission and reviewed the issues the Commission addressed last year, which involved discussions surrounding parking regulations, public health management, 21 ' Century policing, body worn camera updates, use of force policy, traffic stop data collection and de-escalation training. He explained he was very proud of the great work the Public Safety Department was conducting on behalf of the community. He thanked Public Safety Director Paetznick for serving the Commission well and also thanked each of the individuals that served on the Commission. He stated he looked forward to having a student commissioner appointed to the Public Safety Commission in the near future. He commented on the activities the Public Safety Commission would be addressing in 2021, which included advocacy for public health during the COVID-19 emergency, review traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, City parking regulations, considering lowering residential speed limits, audit of body worn camera program, review of traffic stop data, promote crime prevention and police - community engagement, support fire and life safety enhancements in apartment complexes. Councilmember Abdulle thanked Chair Hollimon for his report. He appreciated the fact that the Public Safety Commission would be investigating pedestrian safety, lowered speed limits in residential neighborhoods and parking regulations in 2021. Councilmember Axberg thanked the Commission for their great work. She requested further information regarding the City's body worn cameras. Chair Hollimon discussed the process that was followed to select and implement the Public Safety Department's body wom cameras. He reported all officers and squad cars are equipped with Panasonic cameras. He explained the cameras are always recording but when officers turn their cameras on, they record the last 30 seconds plus all action going forward. He noted that all squad car cameras are activated when the lights are turned on. He explained full eight hour shifts are not recorded due to the expense of the data storage. Public Safety Director Paetznick stated all supervisors do a monthly review of randomly selected incidents to assure compliance with the body worn camera policy. He noted the department has a very high compliance rate. He indicated the only issues typically found are with the coding of data and not the operation of the cameras. Chair Hollimon commended the Public Safety Department and all of its officers for complying with and properly using body worn cameras. Councilmember Allen thanked the Public Safety Commission for their tremendous efforts on behalf of the City of New Brighton. He commented on the LISTEN webpage that was created and encouraged residents to visit this site. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked the Public Safety Commission for their great work and for continually looking for ways of being champions for public safety. 2. Presentation from Parks, Recreation and Environmental Commission Chair, Matt Johnson. Chair Matt Johnson provided the Council with the annual report from Parks, Recreation and Environmental Commission (PREC) for 2020. He discussed the background and purpose of PREC. He reviewed the issues the Commission addressed last year which included how the Parks and Recreation Department adapted to the COVID pandemic, made amendments to the City's scholarship program to expand access, and recommended a Parks Master Plan to the City Council. He thanked Parks and Recreation Director Fink and her staff members for continuing to be creative through the pandemic. He commented on the activities PREC would be addressing in 2021 which included COVID reentry plans, implementation of the Parks Comprehensive Plan, programming updates, sustainability efforts within the City, and new plans for Hansen Park Councilmember Dunsworth thanked Chair Johnson for his presentation. She explained she served as the Council liaison to PREC and she appreciated the passion the Commissioners bring to PREC. Councilmember Axberg thanked Chair Johnson for stepping in and serving as the Chair of PREC after she was elected to the City Council. She stated she was very excited to see the PREC would be working towards implementing the Parks Comprehensive Plan in 2021. She commented there was a lot the Parks and Recreation Department has completed in the last year that was done through a diversity, equity, inclusivity 2. Presentation from Parks, Recreation and Environmental Connuission Chair, Matt Johnson.