Police & Fire Meeting — Minutes

Minutes of the Port Edwards Police and Fire Commission Regular Meeting-Monday, August 11th, 2025 -5:15 p.m. at the Buehler Center Present: Commissioners Stewart, Martin, Weiland, Thomasgard, and Drew. Also present was PEFD Capt. Mancl. No other citizens were present. Meeting was called to order by President Stewart at 5:20 p.m. There was no public comment. Motion by Stewart, second by Thomasgard to approve the minutes of the May 7th meeting. All in favor. President Stewart briefly noted the intent of Fire Chief Lease to complete the employment and reference checks for FD applicants approved for further processing by the PFC. In Chief Lease’s absence, Capt. Mancl reported that the PEFD is closing in on 200 calls in 2025, a volume that was not reached until October of 2024. Most of these calls are EMS responses. The PEFD will host a Bike Rodeo and Brat Fry at the station on August 31st. The dept. has applied for a grant from Domtar for CPR training equipment. If approved, the equipment will allow for CPR training and re-certification for PEFD and Village personnel as well as the teaching of public classes. A second grant is being sought from a different source to start replacing turnout gear. Current protective gear is over the 10-year NFPA recommended age and the proposal is to try to replace 10 sets of bunker pants and coats. There was no PEPD report in Chief Abbott’s absence. Motin by Weiland, second by Thomasgard to go into closed session pursuant to WI Statute 19.85(1) (c) @ 5:25 p.m. All in favor. Motion by Thomasgard, second by Weiland to return to open session at 5:50 p.m. All in favor. Following the closed session, The PEPFC took the following actions: A) Motion by Thomasgard, second by Stewart to reject FD applicant A based on the results of the background check conducted by the PEPD. All in favor. B) Motion by Thomasgard, second by Stewart to approve FD applicant B and move his application forward to the next phase of the hiring process. All in favor. FC Lease will conduct the employment and personal reference checks for this applicant. Commissioners Martin and Thomasgard will coordinate an interview with Chief Lease following his vacation. Pending the interview and possible further applications, the next PEPFC meeting TBD. Motion by Thomasgard, second by Weiland to adjourn at 6:02 p.m. Leo Thomasgard PEPFC Secretary