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Home My WebLink About11152023 Board of Public Safety Meeting Minutes NOVEMBER 15, 2023 71 I. REGULAR MEETING The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller, Lee Ross (absent), Al Kirsits and Pamela Claeys were present. Also present were Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, and Attorneys Danielle Campbell Weiss, Jenna Throw, Kylie Connell, 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. Attorney Weiss stated the date for the approval of the previous meeting minutes was incorrect, and noted the agenda stated October 15, 2023, and correct date was October 18, 2023. Chief Ruszkowski asked for Item D.4: Approve Application and Declaration for Retirement be tabled until next month. 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 Al Kirsits, seconded by Darryl Heller, and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of the October 18, 2023 regular meeting. C. APPROVE 2024 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING SCHEDULE Upon a motion by Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and carried by roll call, the Board approved the 2024 Board of Public Safety meeting schedule. D. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE PROMOTION TO LIEUTENANT IN STRATEGIC FOCUS UNIT - NEIL GRABER Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter informing the Board that Sergeant Neil Graber, PN2100, has been appointed to the rank of Captain in Strategic Focus Unit, on special assignment in the Operations Division, with a probationary period of one (1) year. Chief Ruszkowski stated Lieutenant Graber was sworn into the department, April 21, 2003, and his effective date is November 15, 2023. Assistant Chief Dan Skibbins read his bio. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Promotion to Lieutenant in Strategic Focus Unit in Special Assignment 2. APPROVE PROMOTION TO LIEUTENANT – TRAFFIC AND SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR - BRAD ROHRSCHEIB Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter informing the Board that Sergeant Brad Rohrscheib, PN2141, has been appointed to the rank of Lieutenant – Traffic and Special Events Coordinator, on special assignment in the Operations Division, with a probationary period of one (1) year. Chief Ruszkowski stated Lieutenant Rohrscheib was sworn into the department, August 28, 2006 and his effective date is November 15, 2023. Assistant Chief Dan Skibbins read his bio. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, the Board approved the Promotion to Lieutenant in Strategic Focus Unit in Special Assignment 3. APPROVE PROMOTIONS TO PATROLMAN 1ST CLASS Juan Arcineda Tyler Deal Robert Kitch Marco Minelli Drake Pauwels NOVEMBER 15, 2023 72 Chief Ruszkowski submitted Letters of recommendations for the above officers to be promoted to Patrolman 1st Class effective December 7, 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 Darryl Heller, seconded by Al Kirsits, and followed by a roll call, The Board approved the Promotions to Patrolman 1st Class. 4. APPROVE APPLICATION AND DECLARATION FOR RETIREMENT- JAMES WOLFF - TABLED 5. APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 05-2023 ESTABLISHING THE 2024 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR THE SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT Upon a motion by Darrly Heller, seconded by Pamela Claeys, and followed by a roll call, the below resolution was approved. RESOLUTION NO. 05-2023 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA ESTABLISHING THE 2024 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR THE SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the Board of Public Safety of the City of South Bend, Indiana, is empowered by law to establish rules and regulations for the South Bend Police Department; and WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the City of South Bend that the Police Department holidays be set with certainty. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Public Safety of the City of South Bend: SECTION I. That for all sworn police officers who are assigned to work as their regular schedule, Monday through Friday, 5 days on and 2 days off or 4 days on and 3 days off, the following holidays shall apply: New Year’s Day (observed) Monday, January 1, 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, January 15, 2024 Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 2024 Juneteenth Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Independence Day Thursday, July 4, 2024 Labor Day Monday, September 2, 2024 Veteran’s Day Thursday, November 11, 2024 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 28, 2024 Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 29, 2024 Christmas Day Wednesday, December 25, 2024 In addition to the ten (10) designated holidays above, employees may choose one (1) additional floating holiday subject to South Bend Municipal Code Sec. 2-121 (a), which can be any day of the employee’s choosing subject to supervisor’s pre-approval. SECTION II. That for all sworn police officers who are assigned to work as their regular work schedule, 6 days on and 3 days off, there shall be no paid holidays. The following dates are designated as Critical Duty Days: New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 2024 Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 2024 Independence Day Thursday, July 4, 2024 Labor Day Monday, September 2, 2024 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 28, 2024 Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Christmas Day Wednesday, December 25, 2024 NOVEMBER 15, 2023 73 New Year’s Eve Tuesday, December 31, 2024 For purposes of the Critical Duty Day stipend, the Critical Duty Day shall start at 6:00 a.m., and last 24 hours. SECTION III. That officers assigned to the South Bend Community School Corporation shall, while so assigned, follow the holiday schedule set by the South Bend Community School Corporation for its clerical employees. Officers so assigned shall be eligible for Critical Duty Day pay only if assigned temporarily to a regular detail or otherwise eligible. ADOPTED this 15th day of November, 2023 s/Daniel Jones, President s/Darryl Heller, Member s/Alfred Kirsits, Member s/Pamlea Claey, Member ATTEST: s/Theresa Heffner/Clerk 6. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT OCTOBER 2023 Chief Scott Ruskowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for October 2023. Chief stated there was a ten percent (10%) decrease in Part One Offenses. NOVEMBER 15, 2023 74 E. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. ACKNOWLEDGE COMMENDATION OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE - EDDIE PALICKI Chief Carl Buchanon submitted a Letter of Commendation for Firefighter Eddie Palicki. Chief Buchanon stated Firefighter Eddie Palicki, assisted by Firefighters Shannon DeGeyter and Blake Palicki all contributed to saving an individual’s life from a motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Chief Buchanon stated Firefighter Palicki exhibited sound judgement and quick thinking to the highest degree, in determining a course of action. Chief Buchanon stated his skill and precision resulted in an efficient and expedient extrication that was safe for both the patient and the other rescuers. The Board Members congratulated Firefighter Eddie Palicki and President Jones stated he would be presented with a commendation coin. 2. APPROVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 800 – Records Management 801 – Release of Records 802 – Subpeonas and Court Appearance 803 – Patient Medical Record Security and Privacy 1100 – Facility Security 1101 – Emergency Power 1102 – Wastewater Discharge 1103 – Flad Display 1104 – Department Use of Fire Detection and Suppression Systems 1105 – Fire Station Living Attorney Adam Taylor submitted the above Lexipol Polices for approval, and Attorney Jenna Throw reminded the Board Members and the public that the above policies were submitted to the Board at the October 2023 Board of Public Safety Meeting. Upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call, the proposed changes for the Lexipol Polices were approved. 3. RECEIVE LEXIPOL POLICIES 1000 – Recruitment and Selection 1001 – Performance Evaluations 1002 – Requests for Transfer 1003 – Position Descriptions 1004 – Classification Specifications 1005 – Career Tracks 1006 – Omitted, Under Review 1007 – Educational Incentives 1008 – Tuition Reimbursement 1009 – Reporting for Duty 1010 – Conduct and Behavior 1011 – Personnel Complaints 1012 – Duty to Maintain Contact Information 1013 – Personnel Records 1014 – Coommendations and Meritorious Service 1015 – Omitted, Under Review 1016 – Physical Fitness 1017 – Omitted, Under Review 1018 – Workplace Violence 1019 – Lactation Breaks 1020 – Smoking and Tobacco Use 1021 – Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace 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 Jenna Throw stated she was happy to answer any questions, at this time the Board accepted the polices for review. Pam Claeys noted a comment about section 1002.4 - Request for Transfer where it states NOVEMBER 15, 2023 75 “crew cohesion”. She stated that she really liked that wording. Pam Claeys noted in section 1001.3 - Performance Evaluations where it states if there is an incident of either outstanding or unsatisfactory performance, the member and the supervisor meet either to look at what went right and congratulate them or work on what went wrong and work to improve. She added that not everybody specifies that action in their policies, and that it is a very good supervisory tactic. Darryl Heller asked if there were female firefighters who helped shape policy 1019- Lactation Breaks. Chief Buchannon stated that this came about through our female firefighters, especially those that were either on maternity leave or those that took maternity leave and were returning to fire service after leave. We wanted to make sure that we had a policy dictating what the procedure would be so that we would be able to adequately provide that operation for them during the period of time that they are on the fire service. We wanted to make sure that not only are we addressing that, but also to have a particular area where they can achieve that. We agreed to make sure that it was standardized within the policy, so that when formalized within the policy, everybody knows and is able to see it and be able to understand that this is the Lexipol Policy 1019. 4. APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 06-2023 ESTABLISHING THE 2024 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Darryl Heller, and followed by a roll call, the below resolution was approved. RESOLUTION NO. 06-2023 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA ESTABLISHING THE 2024 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, the Board of Public Safety of the City of South Bend, Indiana, is empowered by law to establish rules and regulations for the South Bend Fire Department; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of South Bend that the Fire Department holidays be set with certainty. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Public Safety of the City of South Bend: SECTION I. That all firefighters who work 24-hour shifts are not entitled to holidays off. SECTION II. That for all firefighters who work 24-hour shifts, Critical Duty Days are as set forth in Article 25 of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement which is in force in 2024 per Article 33 of the Agreement. SECTION III. That all firefighters who are assigned to work a four or five day work week shall have the following holidays apply, as previously approved by the Board of Public Works: New Year’s Day (observed) Monday, January 1, 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, January 15, 2024 Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 2024 Juneteenth Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Independence Day Thursday, July 4, 2024 Labor Day Monday, September 2, 2024 Veteran’s Day Monday, November 11, 2024 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 28, 2024 Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 29, 2024 Christmas Day Wednesday, December 25, 2024 NOVEMBER 15, 2023 76 SECTION IV. That all firefighters who are assigned to work a four or five day work week shall have one floating holiday to be taken, upon approval from a supervisor, at the time of their choosing. Adopted this 15th day of November 2023 s/Daniel Jones, President s/Darryl Heller, Member s/Alfred Kirsits, Member s/Pamlea Claeys, Member ATTEST: s/Theresa Heffner/Clerk 5. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2023 Chief Carl Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for October 2023. NOVEMBER 15, 2023 77 E.PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Attorney Weiss reminded the public to use the hand-raising function of Microsoft Teams to indicate their desire to speak during Privilege of the Floor. She reminded attendees thatthey would be allotted three (3) minutes to speak. F.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Pamela Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at9:49 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Darryl Heller, Member ______________________________ Al Kirsits, Member Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Theresa Heffner, Clerk