HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PSI-2018-04-02
PUBLIC SAFETY AND
INFORMATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
PRESENT: Commissioners (8)
Comella, Jackson, Segerson, McLaurin, Holmes, Cotraccia, Hayton, Spadolini
OTHERS PRESENT:
Alderperson Mohlenhoff
Common Council Liaisons: Gearhart, Smith
Chief of Staff Cogan
Fire Chief Parsons
Ithaca Police Lieutenant Garin
City Clerk Conley Holcomb
Public Information Specialist Faraday
EXCUSED: Chair Mozie
In the absence of Chair Mozie, Common Council Liaison Gearhart and Alderperson
Mohlenhoff led the meeting.
Introductions:
Alderperson Mohlenhoff asked the Commissioners to introduce themselves. Each
discussed where they live, where they work, what their specific interests are related to
the Commission, and something unique about themselves.
Introduced were: Kenneth McLaurin, Mike Comella, Anthony Hayton, Nick Segerson,
Alderperson Rob Gearhart, Erica Cotraccia, Catherine Holmes, Aryeal Jackson, Mark
Spadolini, and Alderperson Steve Smith.
Orientation:
Alderperson Mohlenhoff gave an overview of the City of Ithaca legislative organizational
structure, the role of the new advisory commissions, the specific charge of the Public
Safety and Information Commission (PSIC), and information about proposed agenda
and meeting formats.
Commissioner McLaurin left the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Staff Introductions:
Supporting staff introduced themselves stating their position, tenure and role relating to
the PSIC and the City of Ithaca.
Introduced were Public Information Specialist Faraday, City Clerk Conley Holcomb, Fire
Chief Parsons, and Ithaca Police Lieutenant Garin.
Date: April 2, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Common Council Chambers,
3rd Floor, City Hall
Public Safety and Information Commission
April 2, 2018
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Question and Answer Session:
Alderperson Mohlenhoff led a Q&A session with the Commissioners:
Commissioner Comella inquired whether the Police and Fire Departments were staffed
at 100%. Lieutenant Garin responded that the hiring process at IPD is very involved
and often takes 9-12 months to hire and train a new officer. He noted that they have not
been at full staff in years and are presently down 6 officers.
Chief Parsons stated that the Fire Department is presently staffed at 64, while they are
funded for 66 positions.
Topic Brainstorm:
Alderperson Mohlenhoff led a brainstorming session for future PSIC meetings. Topics of
interest discussed were:
• Creation of a calendar of big issues
• Effectiveness of the Gorge Safety (Ranger) Program
• Ithaca Festival and upcoming special events
• Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program
• Meeting Accessibility
o more meetings streamed
o varied locations for increased community participation
• Substance Abuse
o Sobriety maintenance support
o Post-recovery community reintegration
o Community resources
o Eradication of substance abuse at West Village Apts
• Community Outreach Worker
• Public safety and emergency preparedness interfaces between City, Town,
County, and State
• Best technology systems & public information coordination practices
• Utilizing IC Interns for public information projects
• Metrics for the Swift911 system
• Crisis prevention
Alderperson Mohlenhoff stated that several “starter items” have been identified for each
of the Commissions to begin working on. Along with some of the topics identified
above, the following items are also being assigned to the Public Safety and Information
Commission:
• Begin to consider how the PSIC can contribute in the development of the role of
the new Public Information Specialist position.
• Gain familiarity with the City’s website, cityofithaca.org, and determine what role
the PSIC can play in the upcoming website re-design project.
Alderperson Mohlenhoff asked the Commissioners what information would be helpful to
assist them in their roles. Various links and items were requested including:
Public Safety and Information Commission
April 2, 2018
3
• The City’s Emergency Management Plan
• Public Information resources:
o Swift911
o City Facebook & Twitter messaging
o IFD & IPD messaging
• A current Ithaca Zoning Map
• Plan Ithaca – the City’s Comprehensive Plan
• The Ithaca Plan - the City’s drug policy/ plan
Alderperson Mohlenhoff assigned “homework” to the Commissioners and asked that
they review the provided excerpt “Plan Ithaca Goals” from the Comprehensive Plan and
identify the ways in which it pertains to the role of Public Information and Safety
Commission.
Discussion followed regarding staff presence at the PSIC meetings. Alderperson
Mohlenhoff and Chief of Staff Cogan explained that staff presence would depend on
agenda items as the goal is to ensure that staff members with the most knowledge on a
particular topic would be made available at a meeting. Staff resources are tight so
every effort will be made to make sure that they are being used effectively.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2018 and will include the development of a
Commission work plan.
Adjournment:
On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Melody Faraday, Public Information Specialist