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JUNE 17, 2026 25 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />I. REGULAR MEETING <br />The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:16 a.m. on Wednesday, June <br />17, 2026, with Board President Charles King III, and Board Members Al Kirsits, and Pamela <br />Claeys, were present. Also, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, and <br />Attorneys Danielle Weiss, and Kylie Connell and Acting Board Clerk Candy Bermudez <br />were in attendance. The meeting was held on the Council Chambers 3rd Floor, South Bend <br />City Hall Bldg., 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via <br />Microsoft Teams at the following link: <br />https://tinyurl.com/2025-2026-BPS <br /> <br />Attorney Weiss asked that everyone mute their microphone when not speaking and <br />reminded attendees that comments from the public should be saved for the Privilege of <br />the Floor portion of the meeting. Attorney Weiss then read through the agenda to note <br />any additions or corrections. <br /> <br />A. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS <br />Board President Charles King III welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the <br />presence of the Board Members. <br /> <br />B. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS <br />Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pam Claeys and carried by roll call, the Board <br />approved the Minutes of May 20, 2026, regular meeting. <br /> <br />C. POLICE DEPARTMENT <br /> <br />1. ACKNOWLEGDE YEARS OF SERVICE SERGEANT KEVIN GIBBONS <br />Assistant Chief Dan Skibins stated Sergeant Gibbons was hired into the SBPD on <br />July 2, 1986, and will retire on July 7, 2026. Chief noted that Sergeant Gibbons <br />served over forty (40) years, and asked the Board to join him, wishing them success <br />in their endeavors, along with thanking them for their many years of service with <br />the SBPD. The Board thanked him for his many years of service and wished him <br />well. <br /> <br />2. APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 01-2026 APPOINTING AN AGENT/CHIEF <br />NEGOTIATOR TO REPRESENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE <br />UPCOMING POLICE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATIONS <br />Attorney Kylie Connell submitted the below resolution for approval. <br /> <br /> RESOLUTION NO. 01 - 2026 <br />A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY <br />OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, <br />APPOINTINGAN AGENT/CHIEF NEGOTIATOR TO <br />REPRESENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR <br />THE UPCOMING POLICE DEPARTMENT <br />NEGOTIATIONS <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Board of Public Safety is the administrator of the Police <br />Department and has the “exclusive control over all matters and property relating” <br />to it and the authority to adopt the rules governing the Police Department <br />pursuant to Indiana Code §36-8-3-2; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, pursuant to Indiana Code § 36-8-3-3(d), the Common Council has <br />until November 1, 2026, the exclusive authority to fix by ordinance the annual <br />compensation for all members of the South Bend Police Department; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the 2026 Working Agreement between the City of South Bend <br />and the Fraternal Order of Police South Bend Lodge No. 36 will expire on December