Item 3.1 4.15.2025 Public Safety Meeting MinutesPUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
April 15th, 2025
6:30 PM
Call to Order:
This meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM.
Roll Call: Chair David Greeman; Commissioners: Dan Freiberg, Kyle Heltemes, and Ross
Becker, Loren Green and Judy Sibert
City Council: Mayor Jessica Stockamp, CM Ryan Dunlap, Tina Goede, and Emergency Services
Director Rausch.
Absent: John Braun, Gregory Hubbard
2.Consider agenda approval.
Commissioner Dan Freiberg motioned to approve the agenda as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Loren Green. All in favor. Motioned carried 6-0.
3.Consider the following minutes:
3.1 March 11, 2025
Commissioner Loren Green motioned to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Dan Frieberg. All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
4.Open Forum:
No comments
5.Annual Business: Election of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
Chair was - David Greeman nominated by Judy Sibert and seconded by Dan Freiberg.
Vice Chair - Dan Freiberg nominated by Kyle Heltemes and seconded by Judy Sibert.
Secretary - Kyle Heltemes nominated by Dave Greeman and seconded by Dan Freiberg.
All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
6.Review received monthly reports.
6.1 Albertville Fire Department. - No one present. See packet documents.
6.2 Elk River Fire Department. - No one present. See packet documents.
Item 3.1
6.3 Rogers Fire Department. - No one present. See packet documents.
6.4 Alina EMS – Continued improvement in response times. From last quarter they had an
11% improvement and from same time frame last year they had 17% improvement.
They have hired a new person to replace the personnel that have left the organization.
They strive to maintain quality people to ensure proper care of patients. They have also
hired a new supervisor named Tony Piotto.
6.5 Wright County Sheriff’s Department was present. Interstate 94 will be under
construction which may increase congestion on local roads in Otsego from people trying
to avoid congestion caused by construction.
Technology has advanced enough that they can use their phones to document buildings
and collect evidence for major crimes.
Wright County has encrypted their radio communications which will be state law.
Encryption prevents people from showing up and spectating at crime scenes. People
would also use a phone scanner to evade sheriff deputies when they were being
pursued. The state patrol will be the last to switch to encrypted.
Suppressors are being purchased for the SWAT teams because they assist in preventing
hearing damage. Rifles will be replacing shotguns and shotguns will be used for non-
lethal use.
They have added a rapid response team that will have more safety and tools at their
disposal. Two people will be assigned to every shift and be available for dangerous or
hostile situations.
They have adopted a new computer system that is free because Oracle is using Wright
County as a trial run. Oracle has been very committed to making it work and is rolling it
out slowly to make corrections as needed. This system has cameras that can be viewed
live from remote sites. The trial is for five years and then there will be a subscription
cost. They are already paying subscription fees for multiple systems anyway. The new
system can replace all the other systems.
6.6 Emergency Services Director Rausch Updates.
Director Rausch attended a fire convention in Indianapolis, IN. This is one of the largest groups
of fire conventions in the world. Annual reports are posted on the City of Otsego website except
for Elk River. A joint meeting is scheduled for April 29th at 6:30 with the City Council and Public
Safety Commission, Director Rausch will be presenting the staffing plan. The agenda for the
staffing plan is 20 pages with a total of 65 pages which includes supporting documentation.
7. Set Next Meeting
May 14th, 2025, 6:30pm – Commissioners to arrive an hour early for road clean up.
8. Adjourn
Commissioner David Greeman motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Dan
Freiberg. All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
Adjourn at 7:38 pm
Minutes taken/written by Commissioner Kyle Heltemes