Public Safety Committee - Regular Meeting

Good. Let's bring to order the, excuse me one minute here, bring to order the board, City of Joliet monthly board of fire and police commissioners meeting Monday, August 10th, 5.30 p.m. We're here in the city council chambers. We'll take a roll call. Commissioner Strosha?

Here.

Commissioner Potts? Here. And Commissioner Stefanski present. We do have a quorum. First off, I'd like to recognize some of the super important people here tonight. Mayor Terry Darcy, thank you again for everything you do and for being present here. City Manager Beth Beatty, very nice to see you. Thanks for attending one of our little meetings here. Miss Lauren O'Hara, thank you so much for being here. She's our city clerk. And Councilman Mudren, again, good to see you and thanks for attending, just for the record. The approval of the minutes will be first off here. It's the Board and Fire Police Commissioner's meeting from July 13th of 2026. Can I get a motion to approve?

Motion.

Second? Second. Let's do a roll call. Commissioner Strosha.

Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski?

Aye. The meeting minutes have been approved. Next, we have a citizen to be heard on agenda items. Anybody here wants to make a comment or any comments on the agenda items for tonight? Hearing none, we'll move on to the Secretary's report. There were several fire department applicants that had to withdraw from the list. They are as follows. Number two, Edith Ortiz Ruiz withdrew from the list on 6-11 of 26. Number seven, Thomas McDougal withdrew from the list on 7-14 of 26. Number 15, Grace Wolf. Removed for failure to meet requirements. That was on 7-30 of 26. Number 20, Daniel Greaves withdrew from the list on 6-11 of 26. Applicant number 27, Alex Guzman withdrew from the list on 6-12 of 26. And applicant 29, Zach Carlson withdrew from the list on 6-11 of 26. On the police department side, There were four taken off the list from the certified lateral list. Number two, applicant number two was Miles Klein. He withdrew from the list on 7-29-26. Applicant number one, Matthew Zieger, failed to meet requirements and was taken off the list on 7-28-26. Applicant number three, Matthew Sheets, failed to meet requirements and subsequently was removed from the list on 7-23-26. And last, applicant number five, John Rodriguez, failed to meet requirements also, was removed. Effective 731 of 28. That was the secretary's report for this meeting. We're going to go a little out of order. Not out of order, just out of order. We're going to move to the promotions to get the promotees out quicker.

Good evening, board. It's a pleasure to stand before you this evening. Chief Gary sends his apologies for not being able to make it tonight. I'll try and fill his spot. I have several letters from him. The first one dated August 5th, 2026. Members of the Fire and Police Board, I have reviewed Lieutenant Michael Kabinsky's personnel file and found no reason for him not to be promoted to captain. Respectfully, Jeff Carey.

Very good. Can I get a motion to?

Motion to accept.

Promote Michael Kubinski from lieutenant to captain. Second. Very good. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Motion carries. Congratulations, Captain Kubinski.

Second letter, dated August 5th, 2026. Members of the Fire and Police Board, I have reviewed Lieutenant Scott Winkle's personnel file and found no reason for him not to be promoted to the rank of captain. Respectfully, Jeff Carey.

Very good. Can I get a motion to approve the promotion of Lieutenant Scott Winkle's to Captain Scott Winkle's?

Motion. Second.

Roll call. Commissioner? Ponce? Aye. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. The ayes have it. It carries. Congratulations to Captain Scott Winkles.

Applause Applause Applause Applause Applause Applause Next letter, dated August 5th, 2026, members of the Fire and Police Board. I have reviewed apparatus operator Chris Kinsella's personnel file and found no reason for him not to be promoted to Lieutenant. Respectfully, Jeff Carey.

Very good. Can I get a motion to promote Christopher Kinsella, apparatus operator paramedic, to Lieutenant?

Motion. Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. The ayes have it. Motion carries. Congratulations, Lieutenant Christopher Kinsella.

Next letter, dated August 5th, 2026. Members of the Fire and Police Board, I've reviewed apparatus operator Christopher O'Hara's personnel file and found no reason for him not to be promoted to lieutenant. Respectfully, Jeff Carey.

Can I get a motion to promote apparatus operator paramedic Christopher O'Hara to lieutenant?

Motion.

Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Potts?

Aye.

Commissioner Strosha? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Motion carries. Congratulations, Lieutenant Christopher O'Hara.

Last but not least, the letter dated August 5, 2026. Members of the Fire and Police Board, I've reviewed apparatus operator Christian Conroy's personnel file and found no reason for him not to be promoted to lieutenant. Respectfully, Jeff Carey.

Can I get a motion to promote apparatus operator paramedic Christian Conroy to lieutenant?

Motion. Second.

And roll call. Commissioner? Ponce? Aye. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Motion carries. Congratulations, Lieutenant Christian Conroy.

That's all I have. Thank you very much. Very good.

Very good. Okay, at this point, I think we're going to move to closed session. Can I get a motion to move to closed session?

Motion. Second.

And roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. We'll move to closed session.

Okay, coming out of closed session, do I have a motion to enter, re-enter open session? Motion.

Second.

Very good. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye.

Commissioner Potts? Aye. Commissioner Stefanski?

Aye. Okay. First on the... First are the police applicants being considered for hire. Can I get a motion to hire Hannah Maciejak?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm on the wrong one. Hold on. Hold, please. Got the wrong one. There we go. All right. First applicant for police lateral applicants, William Whitfield. Can I get a motion to hire William Whitfield? Motion. Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant William Whitfield has been conditionally hired pending a successful vision, drug, and physical exam. Next applicant, the lateral police applicants. Can I get a motion to hire Samuel Marcusek? Motion. Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant Samuel Markusik has been conditionally hired pending a successful vision, drug test, and physical. David DeVries on the police lateral applicant list. Can I get a motion to hire David DeVries? Motion. Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant David DeVries has been conditionally hired pending a successful vision, drug test, and physical. Next applicant on the lateral list, David Mullen. Can I get a motion to hire David Mullen?

Motion. Just motion. Yes. Aye.

Second. Second. Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha. No. Commissioner Potts. No. And Commissioner Stefanski, no. Motion does not carry. Next applicant, Caitlin Mosier. Caitlin Mosier on the police lateral list. Can I get a motion to hire Caitlin Mosier? Motion.

Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Ponce? Aye. Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant Caitlin Mosier has been conditionally hired. Pending a successful vision, drug test, and physical.

Congratulations.

Last applicant for consideration on the lateral police list, Brian Cemental. Brian Cemental. Can I get a motion to hire Brian Cemental?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha. Aye. Commissioner Potts. Aye. Commissioner Stefanski. Aye. Brian Cemental has been conditionally hired pending a vision, drug test, and physical exam. That's it for police. We'll move to fire applicants.

Okay, off of the fire department applicants. First applicant, Devin Wiggers. Can I get a motion to hire Devin Wiggers?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha?

Aye.

Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Devin Wiggers has been conditionally hired for the Julia Fire Department, pending a successful vision, drug test, and physical, as well as a background investigation. Next applicant for the Fire Department, Hannah Macejack. Hannah Macejack, can I get a motion to hire Hannah Macejack?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Hannah Macejack has been conditionally hired for the Joliet Fire Department, pending a successful vision, drug test, and physical, as well as a background investigation. Next applicant, Jesse Hurtado. Jesse Hurtado. Can I get a motion to hire Jesse Hurtado? Motion.

Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye.

Commissioner Ponce? Aye.

And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant Jesse Hurtado has been conditionally hired by the Joliet Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, and physical exam, as well as a background investigation. Next applicant, William Owens. William Owens. Can I get a motion to hire William Owens?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. William Owens has been conditionally hired by the Jillian Farr Department pending successful vision, drug test, physical exam, as well as a background investigation. Next applicant, Michael Bellevue. Michael Bellevue. Can I get a motion to hire Michael Bellevue? Motion.

Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Strosha?

No.

Commissioner Potts? No. And Commissioner Stefanski, no. Motion fails. Next applicant, James Schneider. James Schneider.

Can I get a motion to hire James Schneider? Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha. Aye. Commissioner Ponce. Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski, aye. Applicant James Schneider has been conditionally hired by the Julia Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, physical exam, and a background investigation. Next applicant, Kyle Dupree. Kyle Dupree. Can I get a motion to hire Kyle Dupree? Motion. Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Kyle Dupree has been conditionally hired by the Julia Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, physical exam, and a background investigation. Next applicant, Alejandro Paleo. Alejandro Paleo. Can I get a motion to hire?

Motion.

Second. Roll call.

Commissioner Strosha? No. Commissioner Potts? No. And Commissioner Stefanski?

No.

Motion fails. Next applicant, Armani Dixon. Armani Dixon. Can I get a motion to hire Armani Dixon? Motion. Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts?

Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant Armani Dixon has been conditionally hired by the Julia Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, physical exam, as well as a background investigation. Next applicant, Andrew Willis. Andrew Willis.

Can I get a motion to hire Andrew Willis? Motion.

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? No. Commissioner Potts? No. Commissioner Stefanski? No. Motion fails. Next applicant, Bartek Zumiak. Bartek Zumiak.

Can I get a motion to hire?

Motion. Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant Bartek Zumiak has been conditionally hired by the Julia Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, physical exam, as well as a background investigation.

Next applicant, Jack Kuchera. Jack Kuchera? Can I get a motion to hire Jack Kuchera?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? No. Commissioner Potts? No. And Commissioner Stefanski? No. Motion fails.

Next applicant, John Sutherland. John Sutherland. Can I get a motion to hire John Sutherland? Motion.

Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? No. Commissioner Potts? No. Commissioner Stefanski? No. Motion fails. Next applicant, Joseph Manzo. Joseph Manzo. Can I get a motion to hire Joseph Manzo?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha.

Aye. Commissioner Potts. Aye. Commissioner Stefanski. Aye. Applicant Joseph Manzo has been conditionally hired by the Julia Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, physical exam, as well as a background investigation. Next applicant, Sergio Della Torre. Sergio Della Torre, can I get a motion to hire?

Motion. Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Sergio Della Torre has been conditionally hired by the Joliet Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, physical exam, as well as a background investigation.

Applicant David Bednar. David Bednar. Can I get a motion to hire?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? No. Commissioner Potts?

No.

And Commissioner Stefanski? No. Motion fails. Next applicant, Jason Hoffman. Jason Hoffman. Can I get a motion to hire Jason Hoffman?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts?

Aye. Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant Jason Hoffman has been conditionally hired by the Joliet Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, physical exam, as well as a background investigation. Next applicant, Jamar White. Jamar White, can I get a motion to hire?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? Aye. Commissioner Potts? Aye. And Commissioner Stefanski? Aye. Applicant Jamar White has been conditionally hired by the Joliet Fire Department pending a successful vision, drug test, physical exam, as well as a background investigation. Next applicant, Brandon Union. Brandon Union. Can I get a motion to hire?

Motion.

Second. Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? No. Commissioner Potts?

No. And Commissioner Stefanski? No.

Motion fails.

Anthony Bryce. Next applicant, Anthony Bryce III. Can I get a motion to hire? Motion.

Second.

Roll call. Commissioner Strosha? No. Commissioner Potts? No. Commissioner Stefanski? No. Motion fails. Next applicant, Damian Lagonic. Damian Lagonic has been removed from the list for failure to meet the requirements.

Next applicant, Luke Granholm. Luke Granholm. Can I get a motion to hire Luke Granholm?

Motion. Second.

roll call commissioner strocha no commissioner potts no and commissioner stefanski no motion fails and that is the uh the last of the fire department applicants for this meeting um we'll move on to new or old business not for final action or recommendation any new business Hearing none, we'll go on to public comment. Anybody out there want to make a comment? Hearing none, I move to adjournment. Can we motion the adjournment? Motion.

Second. All in favor?

Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Didn't think so.