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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2015-01-28CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting 3:30 p.m. January 28, 2015 Present: Co-Chairs: Kane, Rogers Commissioners (4) Brower, DaGrossa, LaPadula, Onyejuruwa OTHERS PRESENT: Common Council Liaison Kerslick Police Chief Barber Information Management Specialist Day EXCUSED: Commissioner Wright CALL TO ORDER: 3:35 p.m. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR (CO-CHAIRS) FOR 2015 Resolution: By Commissioner Brower: Seconded by Commissioner DaGrossa RESOLVED, That Richard Rogers and Shirley Kane be nominated for the position of Community Police Board Co-Chairs for 2015. Carried Unanimously CONFIDENTIALITY ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM FOR 2015: The confidentiality acknowledgment form was handed out to all Commissioners to sign and kept on file for 2015. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 17, 2014 MEETING: By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner Onyejuruwa RESOLVED, That the minutes of the December 17, 2014 Community Police Board meeting be approved with noted corrections. Carried Unanimously COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: JoAnn Supola Dennis stated that she moved to Ithaca as she thought it was a safe community. She expressed her feelings that she does not feel safe based on the events that have taken place recently in Tompkins County. She asked what the role, duties and qualifications were of the Community Police Board Commissioners. Sarah Chalmers Simmons reported to the Board that she had organized the recent meeting at GIAC to discuss police and community relations. She announced that the next meeting will be on March 10th at 5:30 pm at GIAC and all are welcome to attend. Gino Bush thanked Chief Barber for his work in the community. He stated that the Chief has an open door policy and wants to thank him for doing a phenomenal job. REPORT FROM COMMON COUNCIL: Common Council Liaison Kerslick reported that a number of Common Council members attended the meeting at GIAC on December 28, 2014. Comments were made that indicated that there is a need for community dialogue in the city. He provided an update on the body camera initiative noting that different camera systems have been analyzed and the policy for usage of the cameras is also being drafted. Once the proposed policy is ready it will be submitted to the City Administration Committee for review. Common Council Liaison Kerslick stated that he will share that policy with the Board once it is available. He further noted that he will continue to serve as the Common Council liaison to the Community Police Board through 2015. REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Barber reported that Deputy Police Chief Christopher Townsend and Lieutenant Marlon Byrd will be retiring by the end of the week. Two new Officers have been hired and will begin February 9, 2015. Officer Michael Meskill and Officer Joseph Jiminez have already attended the police academy so that will shorten their training periods. The Police Department will be starting the Ithaca Police Explorer Post program again in February. The program will be held on Thursdays for young people ages 14-20. Starting in March, Chief Barber and Mayor Myrick will be having coffee at local establishments so they can chat with community members in an effort to build better relationship with the public. The dates and locations will be announced. OLD BUSINESS: Common Council Liaison Kerslick noted that there is still a vacancy in the Youth Commissioner position on the Board and encouraged people to let him know if they know anyone who might be interested in serving. NEW BUSINESS: Reappointment to Community Police Board: Commissioner Kane announced that Commissioner DaGrossa has been re- appointed to the Board with the term to expire December 31, 2017. Annual Report for 2014: Commissioner Rogers passed out a draft of the 2014 Annual Report for 2014 for the Board to review. He requested that any additions or corrections be forwarded to him. The final report will be on the February agenda for approval. City of Ithaca Youth Council: Marty Schrieber from the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau addressed the Board on the Youth Council’s activities related to Police –Community Relations. He reported that the Youth Council participated in the working group that the Justice Department facilitated and that they will prepare a report for the February Community Police Board meeting. Discussion on Citizens Police Academy: An informational hand out regarding the Citizens Police Academy was distributed to the Commissioners. The Ithaca Police Department will be hosting the academy from February 25 through April 15, 2015. They will meet every Wednesday from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Commissioner Kane noted that any Commissioners interested in attending the Academy can download the application from the City’s website. All applications are to be submitted by 3:00 pm on February 6, 2015. MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS: By Commissioner Brower: Seconded by Commissioner DaGrossa RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board enter into Executive Session to discuss active investigations. Carried Unanimously RECONVENE: The Board reconvened into regular session with the following resolution. RESOLUTION: By Commissioner LaPadula: Seconded by Onyejuruwa RESOLVED, That case number 2015-1 fell outside of the official timeline to investigate, so no further action will be taken. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Cindie L. Day Information Management Specialist