HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-1999-4-22 ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING
MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board
PLACE: Second floor Conference Room, City Hall
TIME & DATE: April 22, 1999, at 3:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Pryor, Skibinski, Jones, Killeen, Graham, Laskowitz.
Excused: Commissioner Nelson
Alderperson Sams, Alderperson Shenk
Chief Basile
City Attorney, Patricia Dunn
Nancy Falconer, CPB Staff
1. Commissioner Pryor called the meeting to order
2. Approve Minutes of Meeting, March 25, 1999
Corrections were made to the minutes as follows:
Chief Basile stated that only one officer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant,
not two as the minutes stated. That officer was Lt. Saul.
Commissioner Killeen wished to add under the Report of the Chief that he
asked the Chief to speak about police plans for Senior Week in Collegetown.
The Chief replied that measures similar to last year would be followed.
Commissioner Laskowitz said that Ithaca College is also making plans to
increase the participation of faculty as monitors for IC's Senior Week activities.
The minutes were approved with these corrections.
By Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Skibinski
Carried Unanimously
3. Comments From City Attorney
The City Attorney was asked by Alderperson Shenk to review the proposed
Appeals Process for decisions about complaints that were not acceptable to one
of the parties involved The City Attorney sent to NYC for copies of the legal
process used for this. The gist of the process is that where new evidence is
introduced within 18 months of the original decision, the complaint could be
reopened and the decision reconsidered. Discussion followed about what
wording could be used by this Board that would be accurate and that would allow
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MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 275 1999
a procedure for appeal that could be used without having to resort to the use of
court. Concern was expressed that the board must, in any decisions to rehear a
complaint or change a complaint decision, be fair to both complainants and
officers who were involved. Alderperson Sams said that any written statement
must have wording that expressly eliminates the possibility of discrimination in
any decisions made. and that perhaps this means we should have appeals go to
an outside source for decisions. The City Attorney pointed out that she is not
sure an 'appeal' can be done after a decision is made, but a citizen review board
could open the case again and review it. Technically, a review means the same
body rehears the case, while an appeal means going to a higher body. It was
pointed out that the Human Rights Commission, if requested, could hear a
complaint of discrimination. Alderperson Sams wants some kind of statement
about discrimination in any written statement about the process. It was decided
the City Attorney would make three copies of the New York State Appeals
process, one for the files, one for Commissioner Jones, and one for
Commissioner Pryor. Commissioner Jones will continue to refine the proposal
based on today's discussion.
4. Report from Common Council
Alderperson Shenk reported that she is trying to arrange to have vouchers from
the CPB go directly to the Comptroller rather than having to be signed by her
first.
5. Report of the Chief
a) The Chief reported that Lieutenant Saul was promoted on April first. And
Officers Barber, Herson and D. Wright were promoted to Sergeants on April 13.
The Chief has posted a Special Investigator position, and several people have
applied. The Deputy Chief positions will be interviewed on the 26 and 27 of April.
There are eight applicants at this time. and they will be interviewed with input
from community people.
b) The Chief also reported that there are four police officer openings, and he will
go to the Civil Service lists to interview candidates. If nothing comes of that list,
he will go to laterals. More discussion followed on what lists the officers could be
picked from.
c) Chief Basile also said he will have as many police officers on duty during
Senior Week at Cornell as he did last year. Discussion followed.
d) The Chief said that the Tompkins County Sheriff has challenged him to race in
the annual PUD race in August. The Chief said that Stewart Park should have
vehicular traffic restricted from entering for about an hour to ensure safety for the
racers. Commissioner Pryor asked if it would be helpful if this Board supports
the request to restrict the traffic at Stewart Park... A motion was made by
Commissioner Jones to send a resolution from the Board to restrict traffic into
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MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 27, 1999
the park for one hour during the PUD race. Commissioner Pryor will draft a
resolution to be read at the Common Council meeting. Commissioner Killeen
seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. It was decided that the
Board members will volunteer to staff a rest stop for the race.
Commissioner Killeen proposed that a letter of congratulations be sent from the
Board to each officer who was promoted, and Commissioner Laskowitz
seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously. Commissioner Killeen
volunteered to draft the letter.
3. Old Business
Commissioner Pryor reported that she send a letter to Officer Wright regarding a
meeting of the community and the police. Alderperson Shenk has met with Sgt.
Wright, and felt that he had some reluctance about this meeting. . The Board
decided instead to ask Sgt Wright to meet very informally with one or two
Commissioners, which Chief Basile thought Sgt Wright would be willing to do.
4. New Business
No new business was discussed
Upon a motion made by Commissioner Laskowitz and seconded by
Commissioner Killeen, the meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 4:47 p.m.
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