2023.11.14 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 24, 2023 Page 4 of 7 Council Business 1. Consideration of Professional Services Agreement with Center for Values- Based Initiatives (CVBI) for Public Safety Organizational Assessment and Staffing Study. City Manager Massopust stated Public Safety received five responses to the Request for Proposals (RFP) to study the department. Staff narrowed the group to three semi-finalists who were invited to speak before the Public Safety Commission at its October meeting. Commissioners assessed each presentation and ranked the firms, with CVBI being the first-choice of the majority. Staff also interviewed CVBI and recommends this organization for the project. It was noted Matt Bostrom from CVBI was in attendance. Matt Bostrom, CVBI, thanked the Council for their consideration his proposal. He explained his focus for this study would be the Public Safety Department’s mission with the primary goal being to analyze police, fire, emergency medical services and emergency management operations while also developing a strategic plan that increases trust between public safety and the communities they serve. It was noted the project scope would be to create a comprehensive public safety services and staffing study that provides operational recommendations and best practices to implement for the future success of the department. He commented further on the project scope noting this would include community engagement. The project schedule was reviewed in further detail with the Council, along with a city-wide strategic plan initiative that could be explored by the City. He stated he was delighted to be working with the City on this project and asked for questions or comments from the Council. Councilmember Abdulle asked what groups of people would be involved in the community engagement. Mr. Bostrom reported he would like to work with the Public Safety Commission, the business community, individuals from the faith based community, as well as the volunteer/non-profit community. Councilmember Allen explained he would like to know what the tipping point would be for staff within the fire safety division. Mr. Bostrom indicated he would let the Council know what this number would be. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Mr. Bostrom for his years of service to Ramsey County as the former Sheriff and for his years of service to St. Paul Fire. She believed it was very helpful that Mr. Bostrom understands the County and community. She thanked Mr. Bostrom for submitting a very thoughtful proposal. She requested the study include information on how the number of calls for service will evolve, change or increase over time as the community grows. Mr. Bostrom stated he would look at communication center data for the past three to five years and study the pattern for these calls. Secondly, he would review the informational calls that were being made to the department. Last, he would review reports from officers. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned if there were any predictive analytics that should be considered within the study. Mr. Bostrom explained he would be offering these types of services to the City as the study gets underway. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas commented she believed both staff and community engagement would be important for this study. She asked if Mr. Bostrom would be able to disaggregate the information from the community and staff by race, gender, or other variables. She believed this information would be important given how the community and staff members were diversifying racially. Mr. Bostrom commented on how he approaches community engagement with different groups and noted he takes comments from all members of the group and does not move onto the next question until there is consensus within the group. Councilmember Dunsworth urged Mr. Bostrom to engage with other groups beyond the Public Safety Commission and faith based groups, in order to go deeper into the community to build trust. Mr. Bostrom stated in Falcon Heights he conducted focus groups and a strategic survey in order to draw in specific voices. He suggested the City also leave a window open for community comments. Councilmember Dunsworth questioned how Mr. Bostrom would take into consideration implicit bias in this work. Mr. Bostrom discussed his experience in Compton and described how he allows people to work their way through the questions by offering answers in a variety of ways. He stated from a bias standpoint, he was very conscience of group think and that was why he was careful not to plant any seeds. Councilmember Allen anticipated there were two camps in New Brighton, those who were long term Council Business 1. Consideration of Professional Services Agreement with Center for Values- Based Initiatives (CVBI) for Public Safety Organizational Assessment and Staffing Study.