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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2010-05-27 ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING DRAFT MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: Third Floor, Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street TIME/DATE: May 27, 2010 @ 3:30 pm PRESENT: Commissioners Bush, Firenze, and Slattery; Alderperson Zumoff; Chief Vallely; Staff: Herden ABSENT: Commissioners McGruder and Laskowitz (excused); Commissioner Smith GUESTS: none Chairperson Slattery called the meeting to order at 3:34 pm. 1. Approval of Minutes of Meeting of May 27, 2010 Commissioner Firenze moved to approve last month's minutes. Commissioner Bush seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously. 2. Comments from the Public There were no comments from the public. 3. Report from Common Council Alderperson Zumoff provided additional updates on public safety issues discussed last month and prior: 1. Fences on gorge bridges—Cornell has asked the City of Ithaca to extend by eight to ten weeks its planned removal of the fences on the City-owned bridges. A general discussion about whether the fences might be effective deterrents to suicide attempts followed. A recent, thwarted apparent suicide attempt was not deterred by the fencing currently in place; the person climbed over. Other accidental deaths, caused by carelessness or poor judgment and often involving alcohol, might have been prevented by fencing on the bridges. 2. Cornell's Slope Day—Zumoff reported that Slope Day is the most policed event in Tompkins County. Despite this, seven people were taken to the hospital for alcohol- related health issues. At least in some of the cases, alcohol consumption began before the event and outside of its venue. A general discussion of alcohol abuse on the college campuses followed. 3. A community meeting to discuss the shooting death of Shawn Greenwood is scheduled for June 1 at Calvary Baptist Church. 4. Report from Police Department Chief Vallely reported on a variety of police-related issues, including: 1. The IPD provided training at Pyramid Mall for Mall Security. 2. Ithaca Police worked with local fire fighters and Cornell Police to help prevent an attempted suicide attempt. The Chief said that a civilian was the first to address the person and noted that her calming intervention was helpful and much appreciated. 3. In response to questions from Commissioner Bush, the Chief discussed Ithaca's noise ordinance. ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING DRAFT MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: Third Floor,Common Council Chambers,City Hall,108 East Green Street TIME/DATE: May 27,2010 @ 3:30 pm Page Two of Two 5. Old Business a. To date, no new appointments to the Ithaca Community Police Board have been made. No notice of new applicants has been received by the Chair. b. The Community Police Board received a copy of the Mayors answer to a FOIL request from the Ithaca Journal. The request for access to specific Ithaca Police Department videotape footage was granted but only because it was clear that the newspaper had already had a copy of the tape in its possession. The Mayor's document emphasizes that this granting does not set a precedent for similar requests in the future. 6. New Business New Roots Charter School has two students who are interested in learning more about what being an Ithaca Community Police Board Youth Commissioner entails. In the upcoming week, Chairperson Slattery hopes to meet with them to talk about the Community Police Board, outline the application process, and answer any questions. 7. Adjournment to Executive Session @ 4:02 pm Motion by Commissioner Firenze, seconded by Commissioner Bush, to move to executive session to discuss and vote on results of investigations of open complaints, then return to public session and adjourn. Two investigations were discussed: 1. The complainant cannot be reached to reschedule a missed meeting with Chief Vallely, at which Commissioner Laskowitz plans to be present. A letter asking the complainant to provide current contact information was sent. Investigation carried over to complete. (Laskowitz) 2. A new complaint was voted founded and closed. (Slattery & Firenze/#0310) One new complaint was received (#0310) and investigated between the April and May board meetings. Two letters of compliment came in during May, one referencing five IPD officers.