HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-1999-09-23 ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING
MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board
PLACE: Second floor Conference Room, City Hall
TIME & DATE September 23, 1999 at 3:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Pryor, Laskowitz, Nelson, , Graham and Killeen
Deputy Chief Barnes, Chief Rick Basile, Deputy Chief Lauren Signer,
Councilpersons Diann Sams, and Sara Shenk,
Nancy Falconer CPB Staff
Excused, Ralph Jones; Absent: Commissioner Skibinski
Visitors: Ithaca College media,
Commissioner Pryor called the meeting to order at 3:37
1 Approve Minutes of Meeting August 26, 1999
Minutes were approved as read. Accepted unanimously
2. Commissioner Killeen thanked the IPD for its prompt response to the
second shooting in the Northside of the City. Commissioner Laskowitz
moved that thanks be sent to the IPD in writing for their handling of the
most recent incident. Seconded by Commissioner Killeen and approved
unanimously
3. Comments from the Public
Ithaca College media students asked some questions about the Board's
position on the Harm Reduction Program. This item was scheduled for
discussion at a later point in the meeting and they were asked to wait until
that time.
4. Report From Common Council
Alderperson Shenk reported that the hearings on the budget for the City
begin in one week, and she would like the Board to back the Police
Department budget as it is presented at the Common Council meeting.
The Commissioners stated that they had already agreed on this, and
would do so.
Alderperson Sams said that several people had told her that they had
turned in complaints to the Police, and that they are apparently not being
forwarded to the Community Police Board for processing. Discussion
1)JHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD 2
MEETING MINUTES
sav;z3. 1999
followed on the placement and accessibility of the complaint forms at the
IPD
Chief Basile and Deputy Chief Signer were asked by the Board to
reinforce a positive attitude toward the placing and accepting of the
complaint forms by the front desk at the Police Station. Deputy Chief
Barnes asked if envelopes could be supplied along with complaint forms
so that complaints could be returned more privately. This was agreed to.
5. Report From Police Chief
a) The Chief reported that the IPD budget will be presented to Common
Council on October 7`h, and he would appreciate our attendance to
back the budget. Pat Pryor plans to attend for the CPB.
b) The Chief reported that there are still two officer positions not filled, one
will be filled soon from within the Department, and that he is recruiting
aggressively for applicants. Deputy Commissioner Signer told of a
recruiting ad that was filmed, and outlined more advertising that is
aimed at reaching a diverse pool of applicants.
c) The Chief reported that two officers and their k-9 dogs, are just starting
narcotics training and then will be going to tracking The first year of
this program is supported entirely by a grant to the City for this
purpose.
d) Chief Basile said that the PBA is grieving both the creation of the
Deputy Chief positions and the inclusion of civilians on the interview
committee.
6. Old Business
a) Commissioner Pryor announced that we have not yet heard of the date
for the CPB budget hearing before Common Council, but said that we
can request the same date as the Police Department presentation.
b) Commissioner Pryor asked the Board to consider whether it should do
an organized approach to tabling at appropriate community events.
Commissioner Laskowitz volunteered to identify appropriate events,
and asked CPB staff if packets could be put together for the tables.
c) Commissioner Pryor said that the Interim Director of AIDSwork is
leaving, and a replacement has not been found. This has resulted in
delays in visiting Northampton, Mass. to obtain feedback on their
program. She raised the question of whether the Board should wait
until that information is available, and more Board members are
present, or go ahead and vote on endorsing the Harm Reduction
program of Tompkins County. Commissioner Killeen moved to accept
the second draft as handed out today, and Commissioner Laskowitz
Seconded the move. The motion was passed with three ayes and one
nay.
4:59 p.m. Commissioner Killeen moved to adjourn to Executive
Session and Commissioner Laskowitz seconded.