HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/13 Board of Public Safety MinutesPUBLIC AGENDA SESSION MARCH 20 2013 26
The Board of Public Safety met in the Public Agenda Session at 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20,
2013 in the 13`h Floor Board Conference Room, County -City Building, 227 West Jefferson Blvd.,
South Bend, Indiana, with Board President Patrick D. Cottrell and Board Members Laura Vasquez,
Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor present. Also present was Assistant Police Chief Gary
Horvath and Attorney Andrea Beachkofsky. Fire Chief Stephen Cox was absent.
Board members discussed the following agenda items:
- Letter from Common Council
Ms. Beachkofsky stated the Council does not want a letter or response from the Board of Safety at
this time. She noted they informed her they will contact the Board at a later date. She added the
Legal Department was given Case Law to review by the Council's attorney. Ms. Beachkofsky stated
the item should be tabled at this time.
- Addition to the Agenda
Ms. Beachkofsky stated a letter of Request for Administrative Leave without pay for Patrolman Jeff
Mckee from Police Chief Teachman needed to be added to the agenda, it was inadvertently left off.
- Findings of Fact — Kuminecz Grievance
Ms. Beachkofsky stated she needs to have this item tabled at this time.
- Addition to the Agenda
Ms. Martin, Clerk, stated there is an addition to the agenda under the Fire Department of a
Retirement.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Beachkofsky declared the meeting
adjourned at 8:13 a.m.
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
w
Patrick Cottrell, Member
Laura A. Vasquez, Member
Eddie Miller, Member
John ppCollins, Member
Luther Taylor, Mem
ATTEST:
;nda M .Martin, Clerk
EXECUTIVE SESSION MARCH 20, 2013
The Board of Public Safety met in the Executive Session on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 8:20
a.m. The meeting was held in the Board Conference Room, 13th Floor, County City Building, South
Bend, Indiana, for the purposes specified in I.C. 5-14-1.5-6. 1 (b)(2)(A)6(A). Board President Patrick
Cottrell, and Board Members Laura Vasquez, Eddie Miller, John Collins, and Luther Taylor were
present. Also present were Fire Chief Stephen Cox, Assistant Fire Chief Gary Horvath, and Attorney
Andrea Beachkofsky. Board members did not discuss any subject matter other than the subject
matter as specified in the Public Notice. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 a.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ATTEST:
-41ida M. Martin, Clerk
MARCH 20, 2013 27
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Patrickk1� Cottrell, Member
Vasquez, Member
Member
John Collins, Member
a
Luther Taylor, Member(
REGULAR MEETING MARCH 20, 2013
The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:17 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2013,
with Board President Patrick Cottrell, and Board Members Laura Vasquez, Eddie Miller, John
Collins, and Luther Taylor present. Board member was absent. Also present were Assistant Police
Chief Gary Horvath, Fire Chief Stephen Cox, and Attorney Andrea Beachkofsky.
The meeting was held in the Board Conference Room, 13141 Floor, County City Building, South Bend,
Indiana.
ACCEPT MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Mr. Cottrell stated unless there were any corrections, the Board would accept the Minutes of the
Public Agenda Session, Executive Session, and Regular Meetings of February 20, 2013; and the
Special Meeting of March 1, 2013.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
RESET HEARING OF CHARGES NO. 2013 -03 — PATRICIA BYRD
Ms. Beachkofsky stated the Common Council Chambers are available on three of the suggested dates
for the Hearing. Mr. Cottrell noted the Board decided on Friday, April 26, 2013, for the Hearing date.
Ms. Beachkofsky requested the Board also set a request for Discovery deadline, or authorize the
Hearing Officer, Joseph Simeri to set that date. Therefore, upon a motion by Ms. Vasquez, seconded
by Mr. Collins and carried, the Board approved Friday, April 26, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the Common
Council Chambers on the 4 1 floor of the County -City Building, for the Hearing of Charges No.
2013 -03, and authorized Mr. Simeri to set a Pre -trial Hearing to set the Discovery deadline dates in
conjunction with Ms. Beachkofsky and Attorney Thomas Dixon.
TABLE RESPONSE TO LETTER FROM COMMON COUNCIL
Upon a motion by Ms. Vasquez, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the response to Councilman
Davis's letter was tabled until the next regular meeting of the Board of Public Safety.
APPROVE 2013 SPECIAL POLICE COMMISSIONS
In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Ronald Teachman recommended that a Special Police Commissions
be issued or renewed for the year 2013 to the following individual for the Department of Code
Enforcement, This Commission is issued for the purpose of writing citations for Ordinance violations
where such violations have fines set by Superior Court Judges. This Commission will also empower the
below- listed individuals to enforce the Snow Route and Residential Snow Emergencies and to tow
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 20, 2013 28
vehicles found to be in violation of these Ordinances. This Commission also includes Animal Control
officers who issue tickets for nuisance violations. This Commission does not authorize the powers of
arrest nor the carrying or use of a weapon,
Code Enforcement Officer:
- Ed Williams
Police Chief Ronald Teachman recommended that a Special Police Commission be issued or
renewed for the year 2013 to the following individual for the purpose of Block by Block On- Street
Patrol Parking Enforcement Personnel and does not include the carrying of a weapon, nor the
powers of arrest:
- Emily Sexton
Upon a motion by Ms. Vasquez, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the recommendations for Special
Police Commissions were approved for 2013 as outlined above.
ACCEPT AND APPROVE RETIREMENT — PATROLMAN RICHARD MCGEE
In a letter to the Board, Chief Ronald Teachman submitted an Application and Declaration for
Retirement for Patrolman Richard McGee effective May 11, 2013. Chief Teachman noted that
Patrolman McGee has served the Department with loyalty and distinction during the last twenty-
three (23) years, seven (7) months, and twenty -one (21) days. Chief Teachman joined the Board in
thanking him for his commitment, dedication and years of distinguished service to the South Bend
Police Department and the citizens of South Bend. Members also wished him a long and happy
retirement. Upon a motion made by Ms. Vasquez, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the
retirement was accepted and approved.
ACCEPT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH -- JANUARY 2013 —
KYLE DOMBROWSKI AND CORI BAIR
In a letter to the Board, Chief Ronald Teachmen stated that Patrolman Kyle Dombrowski and
Sergeant Cori Bair were selected as Employees of the Month for January, 2013. The award is to
recognize officers, civilian employees, on the South Bend Police Department who have demonstrated
actions noted by supervisors or citizens from both a professional law enforcement position and in
support of the community policing efforts with citizens of South Bend, Division Chief Gary Horvath
stated that on January 6, 2013, Patrolman Dombrowski responded to a purse larceny at Memorial
Hospital. He reviewed the security camera footage and went to the suspect's home and interviewed
the suspect. Subsequently stolen credit cards were used. Patrolman Dombrowski worked with
Sergeant Bair and obtained a search warrant and returned to the suspect's home to search it. They
also scoured the neighborhood and recovered the purse and several items stolen. Chief Horvath noted
the officers went above and beyond on the case which resulted in the apprehension and arrest of the
suspect. Mr. Cottrell stated the Board would accept Chief Teachman's recommendation of the two
officers as Employees of the Month for January 2013, as outlined in his letter.
FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — FEBRUARY 2013
Division Chief Gary Horvath stated that as of today, there is an 11 % decrease in Part 1 crimes
overall. Mr. Cottrell indicated that unless there were questions or objections by members of the
Board, the statistical analysis report for the month of February, 2013, as submitted by the Police
Department, would be accepted for filing. There being no objections, the following report was
accepted for filing:
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
YEAR TO DATE
PART I OFFENSES
2012
2013
CHANGE
(2012)
2013
CHANGE
MURDER
2
0
2
4
1
3
RAPE
5
1
4
8
7
_ 1
ROBBERY
13
22
+ 0
30
35
+ 5
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
12
9
- 3
24
21
BURGLARY RESIDENT
65
60
- 5
169
145
3
24
BURGLARY NON
RESIDENT
30
10
- 20
78
31
47
LARCENY
199
I65
- 34
396
367
29
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
19
22
+ 3
39
54
+ 15
REGULAR MEETING MARCH 20, 2013
ARSONS 0 I+ 1 0 2
GRAND TOTAL 345 290 - 55 748 663
29
2
85
APPROVAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE — MCKEE
In a letter to the Board, Chief Teachman, Police Department, stated that Patrolman Jeff McKee
was charged with Operating While Intoxicated (Class A Misdemeanor); Operating While Intoxicated
(Class C Misdemeanor), Cause #46D031302CM00680 in Laporte County, Indiana. Chief Teaclunan
is requesting the Board, pursuant to IC 36 -8 -3 -4 (n), place Patrolman Jeff McKee on Administrative
Leave without pay until the disposition of the criminal charges in the trial court. Upon a motion
made by Ms. Vasquez, seconded by Mr. Collins and carried, the Administrative Leave without pay
was approved pursuant to IC 36- 8- 3 -4(n) with the start dated to be effective the first date Patrolman
McKee would return from a previous unpaid leave, the date to be determined by Chief Teachman.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
TABLE FINDINGS OF FACTS — SHAWN KUMINECZ
Upon a motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Taylor and carried, the Board tabled the Findings of
Facts until their next regular meeting.
APPROVE EXTENTION OF CONTRACT — MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF SOUTH BEND INC.
Fire Chief Stephen Cox presented a renewal of the Children's Hospital Ambulance Staffing Contract
with Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Inc., through April 1, 2013, or until the terms of the new
agreement are finalized. Chief Cox stated this contract has been in effect for twenty (20) years and
the City Attorney is working on new contract terms, so they are requesting the old one be extended
until April 1, 2013. Mr. Taylor noted the contract is a three (3) party contract with the Board of
Works, Board of Safety, and Memorial Hospital. Upon a motion by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr.
Miller and carried, the extension of the contract was approved as outlined.
FILING OF MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT — FEBRUARY 2013
Fire Chief Stephen Cox submitted to the Board the monthly report for February 2013 compiled by
the Prevention/Inspection Bureau of the Fire Department. Chief Cox noted there was a double
fatality on February 11 due to a house fire. He informed the Board that he was just told the third
victim that was pulled from the fire, passed away last week. Chief Cox stated the investigation is
ongoing and they hope to have a conclusion within a week. Mr. Cottrell stated if there were no
objections, the Board would accept the report for filing as presented.
A summary is as follows:
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
2012
2013
STRUCTURE FIRES
Property Damage -- Buildings & Contents
(Estimates)
$126,201.01 1 $275,400.00
INSPECTIONS
(Fire Prevention/Ins ection Bureau)
367 Inspections
342 Total Inspections
(130 Re-Inspections)
(1 02 Re -Ins ection)
INVESTIGATIONS
(Police/Fire Arson Bureau)
10
8
Investigations
Investigations
0
1
Arson
Arson
ACCEPT AND APPROVE RETIREMENT — FIREFIGHTE.R ROBERT A. SUDROVECH
In a letter to the Board, Assistant Chief Todd Skwarcan submitted an Application and Declaration for
Retirement for Firefighter Robert A. Sudrovech effective February 22, 2013. Assistant Chief
Skwarcan noted that Firefighter Sudrovech has served the Department with loyalty and distinction
during the last twenty three (23) years, and one (1) month. In his letter, Assistant Chief Skwarcan
joined the Board in thanking him for his commitment, dedication and years of distinguished service
to the South Bend Fire Department and the citizens of South Bend. Members also wished him a long
and happy retirement. Upon a motion made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Miller and carried, the
recommendation for the retirement was accepted and approved.
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 20, 2013 30
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Mr. Cottrell stated on behalf of the Board of Safety, he would like to thank and send out the Board's
appreciation to all Firefighters and Police at the scene of a plane crash into a home that occurred this
week. Division Chief Horvath commended the Street Department also, noting they are often
overlooked and were a great help with equipment and traffic control. He noted they brought in the
equipment to move the aircraft out of the residence. Fire Chief Cox stated the entire Public Works
Department in general did a phenomenal job. Mr. Collins added Public Safety in general showed
amazing skill, and noted their excellent training was apparent.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Cottrell declared the meeting
adjourned at 9:48 a.m.
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Patri k D. Cottrell 'Presi enfj
aura A. Vasquez, Member
Eddie Miller, Member
John Collins, Member
K w� rJ
Luther Taylor, Member
ATTEST:
C� inda M. Martin, Clerk