2025 07-16 Board of Public Safety Meeting Minutes

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JULY 16.2025 51 I. REGULAR MEETING The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 with Board President Dan Jones, and Board Members Darryl Heller, Al Kirsits, and Pamela Claeys were present. Also, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Damiano, and Attorneys Danielle Campbell Weiss, Adam Taylor, Kylie Connell, and Board Clerk Hillary Horvath. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers 41h Floor, County -City Bldg., 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: hqps://tinMrl.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 Darryl Heller, seconded by Pam Claeys and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of the June 18, 2025, regular meeting. C. POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE AND RESCIND SPECIAL POLICE COMMISSIONS In a letter to the Board, Chief Ruszkowski recommended that the following Special Police Commissions be issued for the newly hired employees for 2025 in the following departments: SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT It is my recommendation that the following South Bend Police Department personnel be commissioned as members of the South Bend Police Department Special Police Unit, but do not have the authority to be armed nor do they have powers of arrest: Public Service Officer Cassidy Tigrett Brenda Mcclung It is also requested that you rescind the special commission of Tracey Pittman, she is no longer employed as a Public Service Officer. Revision to June BPS Special Commission of Neighborhoods Division. Brittni Gendron was listed as DCI-Neighborhoods Enforcement Officer, but she is actually Animal Welfare Officer Upon a motion by Pam Claeys, seconded by Darryl Heller and carried by roll call, the Board approved the special police commissions. 2. APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 07-2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPOINTING AN AGENT/CHIEF NEGOTIATOR TO REPRESENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE UPCOMING POLICE DEPARTMENT NEGOIATIONS RESOLUTION NO. 07-2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPOINTING AN AGENT/CHIEF NEGOTIATOR TO REPRESENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE UPCOMING POLICE DEPARTMENTNEGOTIATIONS WHEREAS, the Board of Public Safety is the administrator of the Police Department and has the "exclusive control over all matters and property relating" to it and the authority to adopt the rules governing the Police Department pursuant to Indiana Code §36-8-3-2; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Indiana Code § 36-8-3-3(d), the Common Council has