Public Health and Safety Board Meeting: November 5, 2025

The Public Health and Safety Board convened a meeting on November 5, 2025, at 2:30 PM to review and approve several critical contracts and reports. The meeting addressed the need for specialized medical evaluations for police disability pension cases, annual fire inspection contracts, a major vehicle replacement initiative, safety equipment upgrades, and a presentation on the Non-Fatal Shooting Advocacy Program. The Board discussed operational challenges, pricing structures, and long-term sustainability, ultimately approving the primary agenda items after thorough deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• The Board unanimously adopted the minutes from the previous meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony from members of the public were recorded in this transcript.

Discussion Items

• IMPD Disability Pension Contracts (Hendrix County Hospital & Hope Haven)

  • Director Andrew Merkley explained that the Hendricks County Hospital contract ($250/hour) addresses physical disability cases, replacing the previously free services of Dr. Kenneth Young who faced a heavy burden. Speaker stated that the new vendor offers specialized musculoskeletal services and operational staff, which is essential for meeting the 90-day NPERS window. Merkley noted that the 90% cost is for paper review and described the rate as an excellent deal compared to dropped vendors charging over $400/hour.
  • Hope Haven Psychological Resource was introduced for mental health/PTSD claims. Their pricing includes flat rates up to $2,975 for comprehensive evaluations. Speaker stated that the board is seeing a shift toward psychological cases (approx. 40% vs. 60% medical) and that this contract is critical for timely processing.
  • Board Member Query: A board member asked if the two vendors would handle overlapping cases or if applicants could pursue both tracks. Merkley clarified that applicants generally select one track (medical or psychological) based on their specific impairment, though complex cases involving both can be tricky to evaluate for return-to-duty fitness.
  • Board Member Concern: One member expressed concern about the financial structure of the fire inspection contracts (discussed in the next item) regarding vendors sharing a single pot of funds, citing potential perception of unfairness. The Fire Department representatives replied that the budgeting is managed via Purchase Orders (POs) issued annually, which dictates the specific allocation for each vendor, mitigating competition for the total amount.

• Fire Inspection Contracts (Antonio Simone & Marion County Fire Inspections)

  • Kennedy (Contract Manager) and Captain Brody Bradshaw presented the request to approve contracts with two private vendors to inspect low-risk occupancies, as the department of 10 deputy marshals cannot cover all 31,000+ inspectable occupancies across the city alone.
  • Chief GPM explained the risk matrix (High, Medium, Low) and noted that high-risk facilities (e.g., gas stations, schools) are inspected annually, while low-risk inspections (e.g., office buildings, strip malls) occur on a three-year cycle via these contracts.
  • Financial Structure Debate: A board member questioned why the two vendors were sharing a single Not-to-Exceed (NTE) of $765,000 over two years rather than having separate budgets. The Fire Department explained that sharing the pot provides essential flexibility to shift inspection zones between vendors if one experiences staffing shortages or if new construction emerges unexpectedly. They noted that while Antonio Simone typically handles ~75% of the volume, the dynamic nature of inspections requires this fluidity.
  • Resolution: The Board agreed to the motion based on the need for operational flexibility, despite acknowledging the potential confusion of the joint NTE structure.

• Vehicle Procurement (JP Morgan Chase Bank)

  • Deputy Chief Michael Tiernan requested approval for an $18.3 million financing deal (3.59% interest, 8-year term) to purchase 18 new apparatus vehicles.
  • Vehicle Details: The order includes five engines, five ladders, five squads, a tanker, a TSU (Technical Support Unit), and a tactical vehicle. The Board discussed that this includes a replacement for aging units and a new addition (the tanker) for Station 32 on the north side, which had previously lacked coverage.
  • Discussion: A member noted the perceived low cost per vehicle compared to previous years when engines/ladders exceeded $1 million. Tiernan clarified that the squads are utility-style vehicles (significantly cheaper) and the TSU/tactical units are specialized support vehicles.

• Particulate Hoods (Phoenix Safety Outfitters)

  • Deputy Chief (representing Chief Cook) requested approval for a $150,000 contract to purchase 150 particulate hoods.
  • Purpose: The hoods filter out carcinogens in vulnerable neck areas during fire suppression. Speaker stated that wearing these hoods is now mandatory for all firefighters, replacing the old gear that has reached its expiration cycle.
  • Logistics: The hoods are one-size-fits-all with a flexible design. The goal is for each firefighter to have two hoods to allow for rotation and replacement as they are cleaned or worn out.

• CVIP Grant & Non-Fatal Shooting Advocacy Program

  • Deputy Chief Kendall Adams presented data on the Non-Fatal Shooting Advocacy Program, funded previously by ARPA and now extended via a DOJ CVIP grant running through 2027.
  • Performance Metrics: Speaker stated that the clearance rate for homicides is up 90% and non-fatal shootings has decreased by 13-25% (depending on the metric cited) since the program's inception. Adams emphasized that the advocates have lived experience, including advocates who have personally lost children or been victims of trauma themselves.
  • CBO Integration: Adams explained that for the first time, the police department is directly funding Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to provide resources (housing, food, therapy referrals) to non-fatal shooting victims. Previously, referrals were informal.
  • Future Strategy: A board member asked about expanding the vendor list. Dwayne (Deputy Chief) confirmed that the department is shifting to an RFP process via their e-Civis grant management system to fairly select and onboard additional CBOs to fill gaps in service.
  • Sustainability: Adams expressed concern that the department may not have the budget to retain the three full-time advocate positions (FTEs) once the grant ends in 2027, though they hope to secure alternative funding (e.g., VOCA).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Motion to adopt Item 110525A (Hendrix County Hospital contract) for physical disability reviews. (Vote: Unanimous)
• Approved: Motion to adopt Item 110525B (Hope Haven contract) for mental health reviews. (Vote: Unanimous)
• Approved: Motion to adopt Items 110525C and 110525D (Fire Inspection Contracts for Antonio Simone and Marion County Fire Inspections) sharing a $765,000 NTE pool. (Vote: Unanimous)
• Approved: Motion to adopt Item 110525E (Vehicle Procurement) for $18.3 million financing through JP Morgan Chase. (Vote: Unanimous)
• Approved: Motion to adopt Item 110525F (Particulate Hoods contract) with Phoenix Safety Outfitters for $150,000. (Vote: Unanimous)
• Not Voted: Item 110525G (CVIP Grant Presentation) was informational only; no vote was required. However, the Board praised the program's results and the strategy to expand CBO partnerships. The Chief acknowledged the Board's support for the data trending in the right direction.