Police and Fire Commission Meeting — Minutes

Police and Fire Commission MEETING MINUTES March 17, 2026 - 1:00 PM Public Safety Building 16300 W. National Avenue MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Piontek called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL; DECLARATION OF QUORUM; PUBLIC NOTICE Present: Commissioner Palechek, Commissioner Piontek, Commissioner Buer, Commissioner O'Donnell Excused: Commissioner Mary Claire Lanser Staff Present: Fire Chief Mark Polzin and Police Chief Jeff Hingiss 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 20, 2026 Meeting Minutes MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Commissioner Palechek Second by: Commissioner Buer VOTE: Motion Passed 4-0 4. COMMUNICATIONS None 5. BILLS A. Action will be taken on invoices that were received during the normal course and scope of business since the last PFC meeting Fire & Police Selection, Inc. Invoice No. 22898 dated February 2, 2026, in the amount of $525.00 (PO 26523037) for online FACT test credits - Fire Department MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Commissioner Palechek Second by: Commissioner Buer VOTE: Motion Passed 4-0 6. OLD BUSINESS None 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation and Discussion of 2026 Department Goals and Objectives - Police Department Chief Hingiss distributed a document to the Commissioners and reviewed the five broad goals of the Department for the upcoming year. He also highlighted accomplishments from 2025 and addressed questions the Commissioners had about some of the objectives. The Commissioners commended the Chief on the progress he has made and for his leadership roles in county, regional, state and educational law enforcement forums. 8. CLOSED SESSION MOTION: Motion to Enter Closed Session at 1:28 PM Motion by: Commissioner Palechek Second by: Commissioner Piontek VOTE: Motion Passed 4-0 A. The Police & Fire Commission may convene in closed session pursuant to Wis Stat. § 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of a public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, specifically regarding: B. Consideration of Fire Chief’s recommendation to remove personnel from probationary status - Fire Department C. Interview applicants for the position of Battalion Chief - Fire Department D. Interview applicants for the position of Firefighter/EMS Personnel - Fire Department 9. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION MOTION: Motion to Return to open session at 2:57 PM Motion by: Commissioner Palechek Second by: Commissioner Buer VOTE: Motion Passed 4-0 A. Discussion and possible action regarding Chief Polzin’s recommendation to remove personnel from probationary status - Fire Department Motion to ratify the recommendation of Chief Polzin to end the probationary period for Division Chief Mark O’Connor and make his appointment permanent, effective immediately. MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Commissioner O'Donnell Second by: Commissioner Piontek VOTE: Motion Passed 4-0 B. Discussion and possible action regarding establishing an eligibility list for the position of Battalion Chief - Fire Department Deferred - no action taken. C. Discussion and possible action regarding establishing an eligibility list for the position of Firefighter/EMS Personnel - Fire Department Motion to establish an eligibility list for the position of Firefighter/EMS Personnel with the following names: Justin Buschmann, Dominic Clementi, Tyler Granados, Carlos Lopez and Brett Wudtke. The list is valid for a period of one (1) year. All newly hired personnel are subject to a probationary period as described in the prevailing Rules & Regulations of the City of New Berlin Police and Fire Commission. MOTION: Motion to Approve Motion by: Commissioner Palechek Second by: Commissioner Piontek VOTE: Motion Passed 4-0 10. ADJOURN MOTION: Motion to Adjourn at 2:58 PM Motion by: Commissioner Palechek Second by: Commissioner Buer VOTE: Motion Passed 4-0 Respectfully Submitted, Michael D. O’Donnell PFC Recording Secretary