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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2012-02-23APPROVED ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING MINUTES LOCATION: Third Floor, Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street TIME /DATE: February 23,-2M @ 3:30 pm PRESENT: Commissioners Kane and Rogers; Alderperson Kerslick; Staff: Herden ABSENT /EXCUSED: Commissioners Bush and Hang GUESTS: Myfanwy Mattes Chairperson Rogers called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm. 1. Approval of Minutes of Meeting of January 26, 2012 The minutes were approved unanimously. 2. Comments from the Public Myfanwy Mattes stated her concern that witnesses to criminal activity are at times rebuffed. She went on, expressing hope that IPD Chief Vallely can continue the goal of "not making the application of the law heavy- handed." 3. Report from Common Council Alderperson Graham Kerslick reported on his discussion with Mayor Myrick about the Community Police Board. While stressing the importance of the Board in addressing its mission, Kerslick acknowledged that it is not currently fully functional. Commissioner vacancies coupled with the relative inexperience of the current board require attention. A meeting among CPB Co- Chairs Kane and Roger, Mayor Myrick, IPD Chief Vallely, PBA President Joly, and Common Council -CPB Liaison Kerslick is scheduled for next Thursday, March 1, with a focus on what is needed going forward to achieve an effective Board. Commissioner Rogers stressed the importance of police records access: "For the Board to fulfill its mandate, commissioners need access to complete and timely records." Commissioner Kane identified additional issues, including building better trust between IPD and CPB and commissioner education on police procedures. Kane believes that many of the issues confronting the CPB can be addressed structurally. Kerslick agreed that a structure that more clearly clarifies roles and responsibilities is needed. All present expressed a desire for a more collaborative process, with greater participation from IPD and PBA members. Rogers made the point that trust between CPB and IPD cannot be a matter of personal trust because of the inevitable personnel changes that occur in any organization. Kerslick continued that the public needs to better understand the role of the Board and what services it can expect. He emphasized that many of the struggles faced by the CPB are ones confronting other City boards. Kerslick reported that some of his constituents are concerned that crime is increasing in Ithaca. Chief Vallely recently reported on national and local crime statistics collected by the FBI, sharing information about the decrease in local crime rates. Kerslick would like to reference data when discussing constituents concerns about rising crime. Herden felt it would be informative to have a link to such data on the CPB page at the City of Ithaca web site and will ask the Chief for more details on the crime data from his reported. APPROVED ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING MINUTES LOCATION: Third Floor, Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street TIME/DATE: February 23, 2012 @ 3:30 pm PAGE 2 OF 2 4. Report from Police Department none 5. Report from Staff The City Clerk's Office sent information regarding the New York State Open Meetings Law. Herden and the Clerk's Office are working together to find the best ways to fulfill the applicable requirements of the law's provisions, most of which were already being successfully addressed by CPB. 6. Old Business Covered under Report from Common Council. 7. New Business Upcoming meeting with Mayor, covered under Report from Common Council. 9. Adjournment to Executive Session @ 4:32 pm Motion by Commissioner Kane and seconded by Commissioner Rogers to move to executive session to discuss open complaints then return to public session and adjourn. Two open complaints were discussed: 1. Complaint (Kane) was carried over. ( #1011) 2. Complaint (Rogers) report found no evidence that IPD acted inappropriately. Findings of report were voted as "accepted" and complaint concluded. ( #1111) No new complaint and no new citizen letters of compliment were received between the January and February board meetings.