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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07192023 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesJULY 19, 2023 39 I. REGULAR MEETING July 19, 2023 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller, Lee Ross, Al Kirsits and Pamela Claeys were present. Also present were Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Fire Assistant Chief Todd Skwarcan, and Attorneys Danielle Campbell Weiss, Kylie Connell, Adam Taylor, and Board Clerk Theresa Heffner. The meeting was held on the 4th Floor Council Chambers Room, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2023BPSHybrid Attorney Weiss asked that everyone mute their microphone when not speaking and reminded attendees that comments from the public should be saved for the Privilege of the Floor portion of the meeting. Attorney Weiss then read through the agenda to note any additions or corrections. A.ROLL CALL OF MEMEBERS Board President Dan Jones welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of theBoard Members. B.APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and carried by a roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of the June 21, 2023 regular meeting. C.POLICE DEPARTMENT 1.APPROVE HIRING OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER - ASHTON RUSZKOWSKKIChief Ruszkowski submitted a Letter of Recommendation for the hiring of the ProbationaryPolice Officer Ashton Ruszkowski, effective July 19, 2023. Chief Ruszkowski stated AshtonRuszkowski has met the requirements of the application process of the South Bend PoliceDepartment and graduated from the Indiana University Police Academy in Bloomington. Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call, the Boardapproved the hiring of Probationary Police Officer Ashton Ruszkowski. 2.SWEARING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER Captain Fulnecky gave a brief biography, highlighting his talents, achievements, education,and interests. Deputy City Clerk Victoria Trujillo administered the oath which was thenfollowed by the badge pinning. 3.APPROVE PROMOTION TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASS - ASHLEY DE LA ROSA- DAVISChief Ruszkowski submitted a Letter of recommendation for Officer Ashley De La Rosa-Davis to be promoted to Patrolman 1st Class effective July 20, 2023. Chief stated Officer DeLa Rosa-Davis has successfully met the requirements outlined in the working agreement tobecome Patrolman 1st Class with the SBPD. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Boardapproved the promotions to Patrolman 1st Class. 4.APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT - JAMES SWEENEYPolice Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter of Application and Declaration for Retirementfor Patrolman James Sweeney. Chief Ruszkowski stated Officer Sweeney is retiring in goodstanding from the SBPD effective July 15, 2023 and will have been with the Department for twenty-eight (28) years, three (3) months, and sixteen (16) days. Chief Ruszkowski thanked him for his many years of service with the SBPD and wished him success in his newendeavors. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved. REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2023 40 5. APPROVE RETRACTION OF PROMOTION TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASS - ANDREWWITTChief Ruszkowski submitted a letter requesting Officer Witt’s promotion to Patrolman 1st Class retracted effective June 27, 2023. Chief Ruszkowski added that this is not punitive, it was an error on our part. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, thepromotion was retracted. 6.RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION FOR 2023 EDWARD BYRNE JUSTICEASSISTANCE GRANTChief Ruszkowski submitted a letter from Officer Knepper stating that the SBPD will beapplying for the 2023 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grand Award in the amount of$180,973 on behalf of the SBPD, Mishawaka Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Police Department. Officer Knepper was present at the meeting to give details to the Boardand those in attendance. Officer Knepper stated each department would receive the following amounts based on FBICrime Statistics/Population. Officer Knepper stated as part of the grant process a notification is required to advise the Mayor and one (1) of the governing Boards to hold a public reviewprocess (Board of Public Safety meeting). Officer Knepper noted the SBPD will be awarded$157,097 for the continuation and upgrade of equipment and technology. The MishawakaPolice Department would be awarded $12,649 for purchasing new equipment for their patroloffices, and the St. Joseph County Police Department would be awarded $11,227 for upgrading equipment, technology, and training. Officer Knepper explained that their plans for these funds will include expanding communityoutreach, expanding officer safety gear, protective gear for the SWAT team, and water safetygear for our patrol officers. He added the grant money would also allow the SBPD to replace old point-and-shoot cameras with more advanced cameras which may also include thepurchase of a mobile infrared camera for their crime scene tech unit as they currently haveone (1), but it is not mobile. Ms. Claeys asked if this grant would need to receive any other approval besides the Board of Public Safety. Officer Knepper advised that it actually gets approved by the Department ofJustice in addition to notifying the Board of Public Safety for public input and notifying theMayor’s office. Mr. Kirsits asked what water safety equipment would be involved. Officer Knepper explained that two (2) years ago he replenished all of the throw bags for the entireDepartment and also got full-sized body buoys to put a body on as well as water safety veststhat can hold up to four hundred (400) pound individuals. Mr. Ross asked for some examples of the types of community outreach programs that would be funded. Officer Knepper noted some community cookouts and group community eventswould be funded. There is a National Night Out coming up and they are looking to expandsome of the purchases that are unique to their PAL program. With additional grant money,they can explore things that would not normally fit in their regular budget. Chief Ruszkowski added that the community resource officers will be implementing andparticipating in popsicle patrols and pizza patrols where a lot of items are donated, but noteverything. They would also like to facilitate direct and indirect neighborhood meetings andaround schools. When there are sixty (60) to seventy (70) of these events a year, purchasesadd up quickly. Mr. Heller asked what the Strategic Intelligence Unit (SIU) entails. Chief Ruszkowskiexplained that SIU is collaborative with the strategic focus unit. All of SBPD’s technologyrelated things like shot spotters and nuisance abatement properties are within the StrategicIntelligence Unit. Chief Ruszkowski continued to explain that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to be the future, but he still believes there still needs to be lots of human contact and hewould like to add to this unit by adding a critical incident outreach person or adding items REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2023 41 based on what the community says is needed. Mr. Heller asked about the BolaWrap. Chief Ruszkowski explained that this would be a tool to use instead of using lethal force. This is a device that you point and fire a Kevlar string that wraps around a person to restrain them. Chief Ruszkowski clarified they purchased a minimal amount until they can see how well they work. Mr. Heller asked what the success rate is of BolaWraps. Chief Lancaster noted in the chat that it has an eighty percent (80%) success rate. Mr. Heller asked what items would be purchased for the SWAT team. Officer Knepper noted that gas masks are one (1) of the big items explaining they come with a built-in microphone system, so they do not have to yell through the mask. Officer Knepper explained that due to the expense of these masks they wouldn’t be able to supply enough of them for the whole team without this grant funding. 7.RECEIVE UPDATE OF AWARD GRANT FROM INDIANA DEPARTMENT OFHEALTHChief Ruszkowski submitted a letter from Officer Knepper stating that in December of 2021, the SBPD received notice of being awarded a grant to provide officers with Adapt Pharma Nasal Narcan for four (4) years. Chief Ruszkowski stated because of this grant award, theSBPD just received another one hundred (100) dosages of Narcan from the State of IndianaHeath Department and Saint Joseph County Department of Health. Chief Ruszkowski statedthis grant supplies the Department with an all-in-one unit, requiring no assembly, that can be used immediately. Officer Aaron Knepper explained that a couple of years ago SBPD was awarded a grant fromthe Indiana Department of Health and the St. Joseph County Health Department to help themobtain NARCAN for all of our offices. NARCAN does have a shelf life so they could not buy it in bulk in fear that it would expire. This grant supplies free NARCAN to the SBPD. The cost as of last year was $80 a unit when it is not prescribed. The SBPD just received onehundred (100) more doses having gone through the first one hundred (100) doses that werereceived earlier this year. There are two (2) doses in one (1) box and it does not require anyassembly. Both doses are to be used because they are less effective than the ones that the Fire Department has and the opioids are getting stronger, so officers are advised to use at least two (2) doses until the Fire Department arrives to render aid. Mr. Jones asked if all officers have NARCAN doses in their cars and if there is awareness ofwhere each NARCAN unit is. Officer Knepper answered all patrol officers have one (1) inthe car, every non-patrol officer is issued one (1), and there are several at the Department for potential exposures. Officer Knepper added that as part of the grant, he has to track theDepartment’s usage and replacements through formal requests and documentation. 8. FILE QUARTERLY REPORT FOR SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS Chief Ruszkowski submitted the 2ND Quarter Report for Specialized Schools for April, May, and June of 2023. Chief Ruszkowski stated these are off-site schools that are not at theSBPD, and the total for this quarter was $34,245.21. REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2023 42 9. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANYALYSIS REPORT JUNE 2023 Chief Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for June 2023. He noted a decrease of one percent (1%) in Part One Offenses when comparing June 2022 to June 2023.He noted upon the Boards Acceptance of these statistical analyses, the online SBPDtransparency hub would be updated for the public to access. REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2023 43 D.FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT KEVINKURTZChief Carl Buchanon submitted a Letter of Application and Declaration for Retirement for Firefighter Kevin Kurtz, Badge No. 516. In Chief Buchanan’s absence from the BPS meeting due to a scheduling conflict for a mandatory Indiana Fire Chiefs Association meeting, FireAssistant Chief Todd Skwarcan presented the Board and attendees with informationregarding Firefighter Kurtz. He stated Firefighter Kurtz was appointed to the SBFD on June18, 2003 and his effective date of retirement was June 21, 2023. Assistant Chief Skwarcan asked the Board to join them in appreciation and gratitude for his commitment and distinguished service to the SBFD and the citizens of the City of South Bend and wished himmany years of good health and happiness on his retirement. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved. 2.APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 03-2023 APPROVING THE DONATION OF FIREEQUIPMENTAttorney Adam Taylor did a summary of the below resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 03-2023 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY APPROVING THE DONATION OF FIRE EQUIPMENT REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2023 44 WHEREAS, the City of South Bend Board of Public Safety (the “Safety Board”) exists and operates pursuant to Ind. Code 36-8-3 and South Bend Municipal Code § 2-50; and WHEREAS, the Safety Board has exclusive control over all matters and property relating to the South Bend Fire Department (the “SBFD”) pursuant to Ind. Code § 36-8-3-2(b)(2); and WHEREAS, the SBFD possesses certain property, namely: used sets of firefighter turnout gear (the “Turnout Gear”) which have been retired from service in accordance with NFPA 1851 standards and deemed surplus property pursuant to Ind. Code § 5-22-22-12; and WHEREAS, said surplus Turnout Gear has effectively reached the end of its service life within the United States pursuant to NFPA Standard 1851 and, therefore, no other fire departments within the State or Country could accept donation of said Turnout Gear; and WHEREAS, Carlos Baldizon, a former St. Joseph County employee, immigrant from Guatemala City, and proud citizen of the United States of America, has made known to the SBFD the need for firefighting and emergency services equipment for use by volunteer fire departments in around the area of Antigua, Guatemala; and WHEREAS, the region around Antigua, Guatemala is an impoverished region that experiences many natural disasters in addition to typical fire and emergency services; and WHEREAS, the SBFD wishes to gift, under the supervision of and with the assistance of Mr. Baldizon, at least two hundred twenty-five (225) sets of the Turnout Gear to: Attn: Jose Rafael Quiroa Pellecer and Olga Marina Cabrera Código Único de Identificación: 1738 15901 0101 Asociación Civil de Antigüeños Responsables, 1st Calle Campos de la polvora Antigua Guatemala, 03001 NIT.: 9701493-1 (the “Donee”) in care of and for distribution to certain Guatemalan volunteer fire departments; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Ind. Code § 5-22-22-12(e), a governmental body may transfer title of surplus property to a volunteer fire department by sale, gift, or another arrangement acceptable to the governmental body and the fire department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY AS FOLLOWS: 1.The Safety Board hereby approves the donation and transfer of the Turnout Gear from the SBFD to the Donee, and authorizes staff of the SBFD and any other City of South Bend personnel to work with Mr. Baldizon to carry out any and all actions necessary to facilitate this process. 2. This Resolution will be in full force and effect upon its adoption by the Safety Board. ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City of South Bend Board of Public Safety held onJuly 19, 2023, at 1308 County-City Building, 227 West Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana 46601. s/Daniel Jones, President s/Darryl Heller, Member s/Lee Ross, Member s/Al Kirsits, Member s/Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: s/Theresa Heffner/Clerk REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2023 45 Mr. Jones asked if the equipment was sanitized prior to shipping and Assistant Chief Todd Skwarcan said everything was cleaned and laundered before being sent away. Mr. Kirsits asked if the SPFD labels were removed from the equipment. Assistant Chief Todd Skwarcan answered that the badge numbers were removed but some of the SBFD logos remain on the equipment. Ms. Claeys asked how the recipient of the equipment was picked. Assistant Chief Todd Skwarcan answered that the SBFD was working with a St. Joseph County employee in 2018 who had contacts with a volunteer fire department association near Antigua, Guatemala and the association decides where the supplies are distributed. Assistant Chief Skwarcan also noted that the CEO of Chiquita Banana has covered all the shipping of the equipment which is thousands of dollars. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call, Resolution No. 03-2023, Approving the Donation of Fire Equipment was approved. 3.APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICIES320 – Public Interference with Fire Dept. Activity 321 – Carbon Monoxide Responses 322 – Natural Gas Emergencies500 – Electronic Health Care Record501 – Patient Refusal of Pre-Hospital Care502 – Advance Health Care Directives 503 – Latex Sensitivity 504 – Controlled Substance Accountability505 – Non-Department Personnel on Emergency VehiclesAttorney Adam Taylor submitted the above Lexipol Polices for approval, and reminded theBoard Members and the public that the above policies were submitted to the Board at the June 2023 Board of Public Safety Meeting. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call theproposed changes for the Lexipol Polices were approved. 4. RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 600 – Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Training601 – CPR and Automated External Defibrillator Training602 – Communicable Disease Training Program603 – Emergency Action Plan and Fire Prevention Training604 – Hazard Communication Program Training 605 – HAZMAT Training606 – Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Training607 – Heat Illness Prevention Training608 – HIPAA Training609 – National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training 611 – Respiratory Protection Training612 – Training Records613 – Firefighter Health, Safety and Survival Training614 – Live Fire Training1022 – Personal Apperance Standards Attorney Adam Taylor submited the above Lexipol Policies for review by the Board and toconsider for approval at the next Board Meeting. Attorney Taylor did a summary of eachitem above and clarified that 610 was purposefully left out of the submittal because it is inconsideration for removal as it is redunant and repeats the statutue, but will be revisited later. Mr. Heller asked if there was anything critical to know about the above policies and AttorneyTaylor said they were more procedural changes than policy changes. Attorney Taylor said that policy 1022 had a lot of back and forth and was discussed with the Human Relations Committee. Attorney Taylor said this policy was pushed up as it wasimportant to the Human Relations Committee and was a beneficial collaborative process. REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2023 46 Mr. Heller asked about Policy 614 and if there could be some clarification on what the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1403 standards are for live fire training. Attorney Taylor replied that NFPA sets hundreds of standards for the fire service and live fire training is one of the more dangerous trainings that occur. He noted the NFPA sets standards for teacher to student ratio, standby equipment on scene, positions that need to be filled in the incident command structure, burn materials that can be used, and more. 5.FILE QUARTERLY TRAVEL AND TRAINING REPORTChief Carl Buchanon submitted the 2ND Quarter travel and training expenses report for April, May and June of 2023 with a total of $18,437.00. Ms. Claeys said that it looked like the statistics from the packet submitted to the Boardmembers showed that ten (10) out of thirteen (13) buildings had no smoke alarms. AssistantChief Skwarcan said that he could not comment on that without the full packet in front of him, but he stated it was not uncommon for that kind of statistic which is why the SBFD tries to push their free smoke alarm installation and maintenance program to the public. 6. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR JUNE 2023 Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for June 2023. REGULAR MEETING JULY 19, 2023 47 F.PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOORAttorney Weiss reminded the public to use the hand-raising function of Microsoft Teams toindicate their desire to speak during Privilege of the Floor. She reminded attendees that theywould be allotted three (3) minutes to speak. No participants requested to speak during privilege of the floor. G.ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pam Claeys, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 10:09 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member ______________________________ Lee Ross, Member Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk