HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CpB-1999-08-26 ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING
MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board
PLACE: Second floor Conference Room, City Hall
TIME & DATE: August 26, 1999 at 3:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Pryor, Laskowitz, Nelson, Jones Skibinski, Graham
and Killeen
Deputy Chief Barnes, Nancy Falconer, CPB Staff
Visitor Esther Gass, private citizen
Absent: Alderperson Shenk
Commissioner Pryor called the meeting to order at 3:37
1 Approve Minutes of Meeting July 22, 1999
Corrections were made as follows
Page 2, item name changed to Pud's Run rather than Pud Run.
Page 3: After 'Northampton' insert the state name of Massachusetts.
It was moved to accept the minutes as corrected. by Commissioner
Laskowitz; seconded by Commissioner Killeen.
Approved unanimously
Commissioner Pryor announced to the Board that it was decided
to postpone printing the new brochures until after January 2000, in order
to include the new Commissioner names for 2000.. In the meantime,
labels will be placed on all old brochures and complaint forms that are
around the community and the labels will add the statement of non-
discrimination that the Board previously approved.
2. Comments from Public
Esther Gass, a visitor who has recently moved to the city, introduced
herself and said that she was present because she wanted to observe this
and other boards in the city to become more familiar with them
3. Report from Common Council
No one was present from Common Council and no report was given.
4. Report from Police Chief
a.) Interviews have been scheduled for the 2 k-9 officers for Monday,30th. y'
b.) Discussion and questions followed about the recent shooting' on the
Northside. Chief Barnes said that it was not a drive-by shooting, but a
retaliatory shooting, because the shooters knew the victim, and had been
trying to get him.
THACA COMMUNITY M ET
MEETING MIN TES POLICE BOARD 2
August 26, 1999
5. Old Business
a.) A discussion followed about the plans for staffing the water table at
Sunday's Pud's Run. Commissioner Skibinski offered to make a temporary
sign that will identify the water table as staffed by the Community Police
Board. Further discussion about ways to increase the Board's visibility in
the community followed. Several places were identified where the Board,
might staff tables with a sign indicating 'City of Ithaca, Community Police
Board'. These included the Southside Community Festival on 9/14 and the
Cornell Expo on the Commons on 9/18.
b.) . A review of the 'Final Determination of the Appeals Process' was
presented and approved unanimously. Commissioner Pryor said that she
had asked Attorney Dunn about the old notes on investigations and how
they should be kept to ensure confidentiality. Atty. Dunn said that all notes
of any kind on case investigations should be turned into the office by the
Commissioners and kept secure in the files there.
c.) A discussion followed about whether there is a way to eliminate
officers' perceptions of frivolous complaints. It was pointed out that the
current method of investigating and summarizing a complaint provides the
protection needed.
6. New Business
a.) Commissioner Pryor presented a written copy of a resolution supporting
the Tompkins County Harm Reduction Program for approval by the Board.
Questions arose again about the experiences that Northampton, Mass. has
had with the program and if the Board could receive information on those
experiences before acting on the resolution. Discussion followed about the
merits of the program, and the question of the Board's support of it.
Commissioner Pryor suggested that the resolution be tabled until reports
are received. Commissioner Graham will obtain those reports from Aids
Work and give them to Nancy Falconer (staff) for distribution to the Board.
A motion to table the Resolution was approved unanimously.
b.) The Community Police Board budget for year 2000 was presented and
discussed. Explanations of items such as Community Outreach were
clarified.
The IPD budget for year 2000 was reviewed and discussed. It pointed out
that this is a preliminary budget, and the Police Chief has not yet met with
the Mayor and the Budget Committee. There will be cuts made to
thisbudget prior to the presentation to Council. Chief Barnes will keep the
Board informed about the process.
At 4:45 a motion was made by Ralph Jones, and seconded by Jonathan
Laskowitz. to move to Executive Session