Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety Meeting

Police Chief Nathan Schmitt advised the board that a Geo-call Memorandum of Understanding was signed off on last night by the 911 board. Geo-call routing takes all the 911 calls that are received for our jurisdiction and routes them directly to our police department. Chief Schmitt expressed his support for the measure and said that it will significantly improve response times for emergency services. The board approved the Geo-Call Memo of Understanding between the city, county, and state. The memorandum will now go to the city council for approval, and then to state 911 board. 

On July 11 th , the police department will be conducting their regularly scheduled active shooter training, which is completed at least annually. Chief Schmitt said that in case members of the public see a heightened police presence at a school or business, it is likely to be related to this training. 

The school resource officer agreement has been updated for the 24-25 school year. Chief Schmitt said that these officers have been valuable for the department, in that they improve bus safety, serve as points of contact for students, provide assistance when necessary for students and staff, and allow for a positive experience with the police for students and their families. 

Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang reviewed fireworks safety for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, especially with the dry weather conditions that we are experiencing. Reminders to the public are always to have some water or a fire extinguisher handy, never smoke or use alcohol when using fireworks, and never to let young children handle fireworks. Never hold lit fireworks in your hand, and do not set off fireworks in city parks or other city properties. Current guidelines limit fireworks use to between 9 AM and 11 PM every day, which will be extended to midnight on the 4 th . Chief Hochgesang also reminded the public to remember that this is very late for some people and can be disruptive to the elderly, as well as those with pets and young children. He said that this can also be a difficult time for our veterans, and asked everyone to remember to be sensitive to these concerns and to be considerate to their neighbors while celebrating. In other business, the board approved a request to award the contract for the street rehabilitation project to the low bidder in excess of $650,000 to Knies Construction. Low bids were accepted for a 1–ton dump truck from Bob Luegers Motors and for a salt spreader from Impco from Madisonville, Kentucky. 

The board also approved a statement of work for Civic Plus, which is renewed every July 1 st with an annual increase limited to 3 percent. Civic Plus services are used by the city’s legal department and code enforcement officers, although it is also available to other city departments.