HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PSI-2019-05-06
PUBLIC SAFETY AND
INFORMATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
PRESENT:
Chair Jackson
Commissioners (5) Spadolini, Segerson, Comella, Cotraccia, Cantelmo
OTHERS PRESENT:
Common Council Liaisons: Gearhart, Smith
Public Information Specialist Faraday
EXCUSED:
Holmes
ABSENT:
Hayton
McLaurin
Meeting was called to order at 6:03pm
Approval of the April 1, 2019 Public Safety & Information Commission Meeting
Minutes- Resolution:
Moved by Commissioner Segerson: Seconded by Commissioner Comella
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the April 1, 2019 Public Safety & Information
Commission meeting be approved as published.
Carried Unanimously
Presentation: Nightlife Safety Team
Presenters Naomi Barry, Jonny Tunnell, Lindsay LeBlanc, Aleshia Akers, and Ben Ortiz
spoke about the work that they have been doing to try to promote safe nightlife culture
training, promoting a culture of consent and awareness. All parties work in close contact
with, or directly within the nightlife industry of restaurants, bars, event promotion, DJing;
Ortiz and Barry both work in prevention via Cornell Campus Coalition for Sexual Assault
Reduction and the Advocacy Center, respectively.
The Commissioners were provided with statistics and data highlighting correlations
between over consumption of alcohol and sexually predatory acts. The Bar Stander
Training Program, which was created by Naomi Barry and Ashley Cake (of the
Watershed) to promote the prioritization of patron safety, was explained.
Date: 5/06/19
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Common Council Chambers,
3rd Floor, City Hall
The presenters also explained the “Pop’d at the Cherry” event platform that has helped
illustrate the desire for a safe nightlife atmosphere by drawing large numbers of event
goers to advertised “enthusiastic consent” based nightlife.
The team has spoken with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance about the benefits of
promoting safe standards for Ithaca.
Lt. Garin from Ithaca Police Department spoke with the Commissioners and the
presenters from the NightLife Safety team about his, and IPD’s, experience with
afterhours safety situations. He also mentioned the correlations between blood alcohol
content and incidents.
Lt. Garin answered questions from the Commissioners and the NightLife Safety team
about security at venues, venues serving minors, capacity limit violations.
The NightLife Safety team expressed great interest in working with IPD to integrate
different perspectives on public safety and nightlife.
Appointments
Chair Jackson expressed interest in appointing members of the NightLife Safety team to
be advisors to the Public Safety and Information Commission.
A conversation ensued between all members of the Commission, as well as the
Common Council Liasons. All parties expressed that they support and understand the
mission of the NightLife Safety team. Concerns were raised regarding the specific role
that the city can play in this scenario. City fiscal restrictions were explained, possible
resources that could be shared in terms of time and information were brainstormed.
Commissioner Contraccia stated interest in participating in the proposed working group
to address nightlife safety in Ithaca.
A discussion about the efficacy and scope of a potential working group continued, the
commissioners posed that a pilot period be observed, and that the working group be
reviewed in three months.
Appointment of Advisors to Public Safety & Information Commission:
Moved by Commissioner Segerson: Seconded by Commissioner Contraccia
RESOLVED, That Aleshia Ackers, Linsday LeBlanc, and Naomi Barry be appointed as
advisors to the Public Safety and Information Commission
Carried Unanimously
Creation of a Working Group
Moved by Commissioner Contraccia: Seconded by Commissioner Comella
RESOLVED, that a NightLife Safety working group be created for the pilot period of 3
months
Carried Unanimously
Wrap Up/ Announcements:
The discussion of Public Forum protocol was tabled.
NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2019
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Melody Faraday, Public Information Specialist