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Home My WebLink About2025 10-24 Board of Public Safety Meeting MinutesOCTOBER 24, 2025 63 I.EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board of Public Safety met in the Executive Session on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 8:35 a.m. with Board President Daniel Jones, and Board Members, Lee Ross, Al Kirsits, Pamela Claeys, Board Attorney Danielle Campbell Wise, Assistant Chief Lancaster and Attorney Kylie Connell (virtually). Chief Carl Buchanon joined the meeting in person at 9:11 a.m. The meeting was held in the 13th Floor Boardroom, County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams for purposes as specified in Ind. Code § 5-14- 1.5-6.1(b)(2)(A) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. The meeting concluded at 9:11 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Daniel Jones, President Ross Lee, Member _________________________________ Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Hillary Horvath, Clerk I.REGULAR MEETING The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:17 a.m. on Friday October 24, 2025 with Board President Dan Jones, and Board Members Al Kirsits, Lee Ross and Pamela Claeys were present. Also, Assistant Chief Lancaster, Fire Chief Carl Buchanon, and Attorneys Danielle Campbell Weiss, Adam Taylor, Kylie Connell (virtually), and Board Clerk Hillary Horvath were in attendance. The meeting was held in the 13th Floor Boardroom, County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2025BPSHybrid 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 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 Lee Ross seconded by Pam Claeys and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of the September 17, 2025 regular meeting. C.POLICE DEPARTMENT 1.APPROVE 2025 TRICK OR TREAT HOURS Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter to the Board recommending that Halloween Trick or Treat Hours be held on Friday, October 31st, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Lee Ross and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Recommended Trick or Treat hours. OCTOBER 24, 2025 64 2. APPROVE AND RESCIND SPECIAL COMMISSIONS Chief Ruszkowski submitted a letter to the Board recommending that the following Special Police Commissions are issued for the year 2025. South Bend Police Department Jesus Bernal Crystal Boettcher Katelyn Grzegorek Records and Data Specialist Joyce Gadsby Animal Welfare Officers Skylar Holland Rescinding Special Commission of Cassidy Tigrett as she is no longer employed as a Public Service Officer. Upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Pam Claeys and carried by roll call, the Board approved the 2025 Special Commissions. 3. APPROVE 2026 WORKING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AND THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE SOUTH BEND LODGE NO. 36 Police Attorney Kylie Connel was virtually present to answer questions on the one (1) year working agreement between the City, SBPD, and the FOP. She noted clerical issues and language updates to the agreement. She noted changes such as lodge time increases, vacation and personal payout at separation, sick leave, and unpaid status. She noted the four percent (4%) increase in salary ordinance with additional incentives to make the salaries more competitive. Mr. Josh Morgan, FOP Lodge No. 36 President, thanked the City for their no -nonsense negotiation to make the working agreement come together. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Ross Lee and carried by roll call, the Board approved the 2026 Working Agreement between the City of South Bend, Indiana and the Fraternal Order of Police South Bend Lodge No. 36. 4. FILE 3RD QUARTER REPORT ON SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS Chief Ruszkowski submitted the 3rd quarter report on specialized schools. OCTOBER 24, 2025 65 5. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2025 Chief Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for September 2025. He noted an overall seven percent (7%) decrease in the grand total of Part 1 Offenses when comparing September 2024 to September 2025. D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. ACKNOWLEDGE DONATION FROM LOWES HOME IMPROVEMENT – SMOKE ALARMS Assistant Chief Erquhart submitted a letter to the Board informing them of a donation of smoke alarms from Lowes Home Improvement. He noted the donation is supporting Sound Off Northwest Indiana program which provides school aged children with fire prevention education and home fire safety visits when applicable. The Board accepted the donation. 2. ACKNOWLEDGE DONATION FROM ST. JOSEPH COUNTY FOP & MR. & MRS. DELINSKI Chief Buchanon informed the Board of a donation of Two-hundred and fifty (250) dollars from the St. Joseph County Fraternal Order of Police and Two-hundred and fifty (250) dollars from Mr. & Mrs. Delinski. Chief Buchanon noted that Mr. Greg Delinski is a retired county police officer and member of the FOP St. Joe County Lodge No.155. Chief Buchanon stated the funds would go towards more smoke alarms and public education supplies. The Board accepted the donation. 3. APPROVE 2026 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AND SOUTH BEND FIREFIGHTER’S LOCAL 362 Fire Attorney Adam Taylor was present to answer questions on the one (1) year working agreement between the City, SBFD, and the FOP. He stated the agreement prioritized competitive wages, operational improvements, language changes, and creating an affordable contract even with funding uncertainties due to SB1. Mr. Eric Griffin, president of South Bend Firefighters No. 362, thanked HR Director Melanie Herendeen and others for the efforts made to come together to get this OCTOBER 24, 2025 66 agreement negotiated. Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Ross Lee and carried by roll call, the Board approved the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of South Bend, Indiana and South Bend Firefighter’s Local 362. 4.FILE 3RD QUARTERLY TRAVEL AND TRAINING REPORT Chief Buchanon submitted the 3rd quarterly travel and training report. 5.FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2025 Chief Buchanon submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for September 2025. 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 that they would be allotted three (3) minutes to speak. F.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Lee Ross, seconded by Al Kirsits, and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 10:09 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY OCTOBER 24, 2025 67 Daniel Jones, President Ross Lee, Member Al Kirsits, Member Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: Hillary Horvath, Clerk