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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-1998-1-23 • #' CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD PO BOX 6557 ITHACA, NEW YORK 14851-6557 MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: Second Floor Conference Room, City Hall TIME & DATE: January 23, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Jones. McGruder, Nelson, Pryor, Richardson, Sarachan, Seligmann. Deputy Chief Barnes, Alderperson Sams. Alderperson Spielholz JR Clairborne, the Ithaca Journal Marcia Forte, GIAC Director Audrey Cooper, GIAC Board Susanne Davis, GIAC Board Zelda Lockhart, Multicultural Resource Center Lauren Austin, TC Human Rights Commission Jose Paulino, IHS Asst. to the Principal for Minority Affairs Sean Eversley-Bradwell Joyce Muchan videotaped this meeting. 1 . Commissioner Sarachan called the meeting to order. 2. Approve Minutes of Meeting of December 5, 1997. By Commissioner Pryor, seconded by Commissioner Seligmann. RESOLVED, That the minutes of the December 5, 1997 Community Police Board Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. Comments from the Public: Several people from the community and the Greater Ithaca Activities Center were present to discuss the relocation of the Community Police Board files from the police chief's office to GIAC. Marcia Forte, Director of GIAC, was concerned about the PBA's lack of support for the location of the CPB support person and the CPB files. Discussion followed about the security of the files in this building. Ms. Forte noted that GIAC employees will not have access to this office and that a spare key for the office will be kept in the safe for her use only during an emergency situation. Ms. Forte noted that she would like to see Netter cooperation between all City employees as a few employees of GIAC have had problems with police officers recently. Discussion followed about the recent problems between GIAC employees and police officers. Ms. Forte noted that GIAC employees are trying to do good Things for The community, as the police are. She also noted that she is willing to meet with the PBA to discuss their concerns. Alderperson Sams noted that she ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD Page 2 Meeting Minutes January 23, 1998 has written two memos to PBA President Martin with no response. Commissioner Nelson was disappointed that no one from the PBA was present to discuss this. Commissioner McGruder suggested that the PBA view the video being made of this meeting so that they hear all of the discussion. It was also noted that there is no rent for this office as it will be housed in a City-owned building. Susanne Davis, 2nd Ward Representative from the Tompkins County Board of Representatives, noted that there was discussion about housing the CPB office in the new Human Services Building. Ms. Davis stated that this is not possible and highly recommended GIAC for the CPB office location. Audrey Cooper from the GIAC Board of Directors, noted that GIAC serves a very diverse community and that people may feel more comfortable discussing complaints there than at the police department. Commissioner Jones noted that the PBA feels that this location will be used to generate complaints against police officers. Commissioner Sarachan noted that the PBA is concerned about frivolous complaints. Commissioner Pryor felt that a lot of people have complaints and are afraid to come forward with them as they feel the CPB is a part of the police department. She also felt that the number of complaints received yearly do not accurately reflect the amount of actual complaints in the community. Commissioner Jones asked who would supervise the support person and it was decided that Alderperson Sams will. Arrangements will be made with Ms. Forte for flexible hours for the support person, when GIAC is not open. Commissioner Pryor noted that a job offer has been made and accepted by Shawn May, a current GIAC employee for the staff support person. Commissioner Pryor noted that the files that are currently in the Police Chief's office will have to be moved to the GIAC office. RESOLUTION by Commissioner McGruder, seconded by Commissioner Pryor RESOLVED, That the Ithaca Community Police Board offers the position of Senior Typist to Shawn May, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board graciously accepts GIAC's offer to house this office in their building. Carried Unanimously 4. Report from Common Council: Alderperson Sams noted that there is money leftover from last year's budget for the staff support person as well as for the office fixtures. 5. Report of the Chief: Chief Basile was not present. 6. Comments from PBA President: There was no one from the PBA present. 7. Old Business: There was no old business. • • ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICEBOARD Page 3 Meeting Minutes January 23, 1998 8. New Business: Commissioner Sarachan opened the floor for nominations for Chair of the Ithaca Community Police Board for 1998. Commissioner Jones nominated Commissioner Pryor for the position of Chair. RESOLUTION By Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Richardson. RESOLVED, that Commissioner Pryor be appointed to the position of Chair for the Ithaca Community Police Board for 1998. Carried Unanimously Nominations were then accepted for the position of Vice Chair for the Ithaca Community Police Board for 1998. RESOLUTION by Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Jones RESOLVED, that Commissioner Nelson be appointed tc the position of Vice-Chair for the Ithaca Community Police Board for 1998. Carried Unanimously 9. Adjournment: The next meeting of the Community Police Board is scheduled to be held February 25, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center. On a motion by Commissioner Pryor, seconded by Commissioner Richardson, the Community Police Board adjourned into Executive Session at 4:55 p.m. CPB/lac