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Home My WebLink About08162023 Board of Public Safety Meeting Minutes AUGUST 16, 2023 48 I. REGULAR MEETING August 16, 2023 The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:16 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 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 Chief Carl Buchanon, 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. Chief Scott Ruszkowski stated item C. 1. B. the hiring of Andre Jamal Mathews was removed due to paperwork issues. Chief Ruszkowski also noted he need to add two (2) items as well. An acknowledgment of Commendations of Life Saving Award for Lieutenant Maranda Baker, Officers John Bies, Brad Sadilek, Lauren Baker, and Jerrid Arnold. Chief Ruszkowski stated a Special Meeting needs to be scheduled for hiring of probationary officers as well. A. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Board President Dan Jones welcomed the public, called roll, and confirmed the presence of the Board Members. B. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Upon a motion by Darry Heller, seconded by Lee Ross, and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of the July 19, 2023 regular meeting. C. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE HIRING OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER – MELISSA HAVENS Chief Ruszkowski submitted a Letter of Recommendation for the hiring of the Probationary Police Officer Melissa Sue Havens, effective August 16, 2023. Chief Ruszkowski stated she has met the requirements of the application process of the South Bend Police Department. Chief Ruszkowski stated Officer Havens was a sworn officer on the Mishawaka Police Department from October 4, 2011 to August 2023. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the hiring of the above Probationary Police Officer Melissa Havens. 2. SWEARING IN OF PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER Captain Fulnecky gave a brief biography of Officer Havens highlighting her talents, achievements, education, and interests. City Clerk Dawn Jones administered the oath which was then followed by the badge pinning. 3. APPROVE PROMOTIONS TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASS Jacob Hasbrook Brian Meador Austin Price Antonio Rodriguez David Stefanovski Daniel Turner Caleb Waits Chief Ruszkowski submitted Letters of recommendations for the above officers to be promoted to Patrolman 1st Class effective August 25, 2023. Chief stated the above officers have successfully met the requirements outlined in the working agreement to become Patrolman 1st Class with the SBPD. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the promotions to Patrolman 1st Class. REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 16, 2023 49 4. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT Dominic Zarate Britton Pratt Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted letters of Application and Declaration for Retirement for the above officers. Chief Ruszkowski stated Officer Dominic Zarate, PN2009 is retiring in good standing, from the SBPD, effective September 2, 2023. He will have been with the Department for twenty-seven (27) years, one (1) month, and eight (8) days. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Application and Declaration for Retirement for Officer Zarate. Chief Ruszkowski stated that Detective Britton Pratt, PN2008 is retiring in good standing, from the SBPD, effective September 2, 2023. She will have been with the Department for twenty-seven (27) years, and eight (8) days. Chief Ruszkowski noted that she has accepted a new job with the Penn Harris Madison School Corporation. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Application and Declaration for Retirement for Detective Pratt. 5. APPROVE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO) AGREEMENT Attorney Kylie Connell submitted a letter of the School Resource Agreement to the Board. Darryl Heller asked why the Board was not given a month to review the agreement before approving it. Attorney Connell explained that there were no substantial changes, and the few changes that were requested were by the South Bend Community School Corporation. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Pam Claeys, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved tabling the School Resource Officer Agreement until the next meeting. 6. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICY UPDATES 411 – Involuntary Detentions For the record, Attorney Connell explained a few errors in the policy and made corrections. Upon a motion by Al Kirstis, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Lexipol Policy Updated for 411 - Involuntary Detentions 901 – Temporary Custody of Juveniles Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Lexipol Policy Updated for 901 - Temporary Custody of Juveniles 7. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANYALYSIS REPORT JULY 2023 Chief Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for July 2023. Chief Ruszkowski stated in July, Part One Offenses was down six percent (6%) and noted that next week they will host their quarterly public safety update meeting with the mayor. REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 16, 2023 50 8. ACKNOWLEDGE COMMENDATIONS OF LIFE SAVING AWARD Maranda Baker John Bies Brad Sadilek Lauren Baker Jerrid Arnold Chief Ruszkowski stated that the above officers used their life saving skills and were able to assist with a severely injured child and get them in stable condition and transported for further treatment. Board Member Al Kirsits thanked the Officers and commended them for their actions and skills and stated this is an example of the South Bend Police Department’s finest. President Jones stated all the above officers will be presented with a commendation coin. 9. SCHEDULE AUGUST 30, 2023, SPECIAL MEETING Chief Ruszkowski asked the Board to schedule a special meeting on August 30, 2023, at 9:15am to swear in four (4) or six (6) officers. All members agreed upon the Special Meeting on August 30, 2023 at the Police Department. D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE HIRING OF PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS Cody MacLeod Jacob Beebe Jake Whitesel Tim Born REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 16, 2023 51 Stephen Margaritis Paige Burkus Justin Miller Caleb Fischer Justin Rankert Matt Petrie Jordan Walthall Zach Amberg Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a Letter of Recommendation for the hiring of the Fire Recruits listed above. Chief Buchanon stated each of the recruits has completed all of the class requirements to become members of the SBFD and noted that these recruits will be sworn in at a formal graduation ceremony at the Luther Taylor Fire Training Center on August 18, 2023. Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the hiring of the above probationary firefighters. 2. ACKNOWLEDGE COMMENDATIONS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE - CAPTAIN SAMUEL ELLINGER Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a Letter of commendation for Captain Samuel Ellinger. Chief Buchanon stated Captain Samuel Ellinger, Engine and Medic 7 and a bystander all contributed to saving an individual’s life from the St. Joseph River. The Board Members congratulated Captain Ellinger and President Jones stated he would be presented with a commendation coin. 3. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT - CAPTAIN KEN MARKS Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a Letter of Application and Declaration for Retirement for Captain Ken Marks, Badge No. 363. Chief noted that Captain Marks was appointed to the SBFD on July 17, 1991, and his effective date of retirement was August 11, 2023. Chief stated Captain Marks served the SBFD not only as a lead on the fireground, but also serving as the President of IAFF Local 362 for many years and asked the Board to join him in appreciation and gratitude to Captain Marks for his commitment and dedicated service to the City of South Bend and the SBFD for more than thirty-two (32) years. Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Application and Declaration for Retirement was approved. 4. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 600 – Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Training 601 – CPR and Automated External Defibrillator Training 602- Communicable Disease Training Program 603 – Emergency Action Plan and Fire Prevention Training 604 – Hazard Communication Program Training 605 – HAZMAT Training 606 – Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Training 607 – Heat Illness Prevention Training 608 – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training 609 – National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training 611 – Respiratory Protection Training 612 – Training Records 613 – Firefighter Health, Safety and Survival Training 614 – Live Fire Training 1022 – Personal Appearance Standards Attorney Adam Taylor submitted the above Lexipol Polices for approval, and reminded the Board Members and the public that the above policies were submitted to the Board at the July 2023 Board of Public Safety Meeting. Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Lee Ross, and followed by a roll call the proposed changes for the Lexipol Polices were approved. REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 16, 2023 52 5.RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICIES700 – Use of Department-Owned and Personal Property 701 – Vehicle and Apparatus Inspections, Testing, Repair, and Maintenance 702 – Use of Department Vehicle703 – Information of Technology Use704 – Mobile Data Terminal Use705 – Knox-Box Access 706 – Communications Operations 707 – Photography and Electronic Imaging708 – Non-Official Use of Dept. Property709 – Hose Testing Attorney Adam Taylor submited the above Lexipol Policies for review by the Board and to be considered for approval at the next Board Meeting. Attorney Taylor did a summary ofeach item above. 6.FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR JULY 2023 Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for July 2023. E.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. F.ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Darryl Heller,seconded by Lee Ross, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 16, 2023 53 Darryl Heller, Member ______________________________ Lee Ross, Member Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk