HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2023-8-23CITY OF ITHACA
COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m. August 23, 2023
Present:
Chair: Kane
Commissioners (7) Beem-Miller, Rogers, Simons, Korthuis, Wright, Bursic
Onyejuruwa (4:44pm)
Others Present:
Acting Chief - Schwartz
Common Council Liaison - McGonigal
Public Information Specialist - Faraday
Approval of the July 26, 2023, Community Police Board Meeting Minutes-
Resolution:
By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner Korthuis
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the July 26, 2023, Community Police Board meeting be
approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
Public Comment: Zach Winn, expressed concern over instances of crime; Asks Chief/ Board
“what is your assessment of the circumstances; what is going on?”
Chair Kane states that response would require some looking into.
Report from the Police Department: AC Schwartz states that IPD has had a busy summer,
continues to face staffing challenges. 144 folks signed up for the civil service test, a huge
increase from last year. The test is September 9th; results take a few months. Hoping to do an
awards and recognition ceremony this Fall. Budget season is approaching, will take a lot of
energy.
Chair Kane would like to know what matrix the department is using to assess budgeting
priorities. States that the Board can weigh in on the IPD budget and would like to be kept
abreast of the process.
Commissioner Rogers asks about the Community Dashboard being discussed by the County,
Chief Schwartz states that IPD has a dashboard live for about a year now, the Community
Dashboard will be more comprehensive, but there are many agencies at play.
Report from Common Council: Alderperson McGonigal reports that PEDC discussed the
taskforce’s draft plan for the Jungle encampments. There were limited taskforce members at the
PEDC meeting, unfortunately. Many folks showed up to speak, concerns ranged from methods
of enforcement of zones of camping, community/ neighborhood/ business impact, emergency
vehicle access, and sanitary maintenance of proposed facilities.
The Committee seems to have abandoned the idea of any red zone. McGonigal expressed his
dismay with this result.
A discussion ensued explaining what the vision was for the different “zones”. Chair Kane stated
that the CPB submitted their comments on the plan to Common Council, asking what else they
can do to help this process along? McGonigal states that he feels that this issue is stuck on
folks on Common Council that are not open to anything but ensuring the entirety of the Jungle
remains within what would be considered the “green zone” under this plan. Board members
express concern over putting things off and not having action to take by winter.
Old Business:
6.1 Follow up on Privilege of Floor: Chair Kane states that she would like to formally establish
something for the Board. An agreement is reached to leave things as they currently stand, with
no noted Privilege of the Floor to be added to the agenda.
6.2 Follow up on Budget: Is there money in this year or next year’s budget for CPB training?
Chair Kane stated that there is an association that CPB would like to join, they have attended
educational training virtually and would like to pursue this association membership if there is a
budget. Aldersperson McGonigal stated that he will look into it.
6.3 File Sharing Follow Up: Commissioner Bursic investigated the compatibility of Microsoft
Teams sharing for files and has concluded that this is not the most viable/ efficient option for file
sharing for CPB. The group also has different working preferences and styles- analog vs.
internet file sharing. The group agrees to stay with direct asks for files and information, while
items pertaining to the Annual Report could perhaps be shared in Teams.
6.4 CPB Procedure Outline for IPD: The group reviews and suggests edits for the document
to be shared with IPD describing CPB procedures. PIS Faraday agrees to collect the edits and
compile them, document to be shared with the group ahead of the September meeting.
Tabled: My Grandmother’s Hands Discussion
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Melody Faraday,
Public Information Specialist