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Home My WebLink About2026 08-19 BPS Meeting Minutes - FinalAUGUST 19, 2026 37 I.REGULAR MEETING The Board of Public Safety met in the Regular Meeting at 9:16 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with Board President Charles King III, and Board Members Al Kirsits, and Pamela Claeys, were present. Also, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, Assistant Fire Chief Andy Myer, and Attorneys Danielle Weiss, Kylie Connell and Kristen Kocsis and Board Clerk Hillary Horvath were in attendance. The meeting was held on the Council Chambers 3rd Floor, South Bend City Hall Bldg., 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., South Bend, Indiana and virtually via Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2025-2026-BPS President Charles King III 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. A.ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Board President Charles King III 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 Pamla Claeys and carried by roll call, the Board approved the Minutes of July 15, 2026, regular meeting. C.POLICE DEPARTMENT 1.ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF LIFE SAVING AWARD - KYLE DRURY & ANTHONY DAWSON Chief Ruszkowski stated that the Board members received a new item that shows what the actual award plaque looks like for the Life Saving Award. The small plus sign, or medic symbol, is a ribbon that can be worn on the officers’ badge attachment. Chief stated these two Life-Saving Awards are being presented to Lieutenant Kyle Drury and Sergeant Tony Dawson. They performed CPR for approximately eight minutes on a nine-year-old child, and, according to our medics, their actions were critical in saving the child’s life. Chief also noted that their quick response and life-saving efforts are being recognized by their peers. They have already received the awards and will be formally recognized again at their annual awards ceremony, typically held in March of the following year. President Charles King expressed his appreciation to the officers for their dedicated service and commitment to the community. 2.APPROVE SPECIAL POLICE COMMISSIONS Chief Scott Ruszkowski submitted a letter requesting approval of Special Police Commission Animal Control Officer Alaynna Goheen. Chief stated this commission does not authorize arrest powers or the carrying of weapons but allows her to issue citations and enforce applicable ordinances related to animal control activities. Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pamela Claeys, the Board approved the Special Police Commission. 3.RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF 2026 US JUSTICE GRANT Sergeant Aaron Knepper submitted a letter to the board informing them of department applying to the 2026 US DOJ National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN) Modernization Program grant. Sergeant Knepper explained that the department applied for $300,000 over five years to update and replace its NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) system and cover associated maintenance and subscription costs. The department has been informally notified that the grant is expected to be awarded within approximately 60 days. Sergeant AUGUST 19, 2026 38 Knepper also noted that he prepared and submitted the grant application. 4. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR JULY 2026 Chief Ruszkowski submitted the monthly statistical analysis report for July 2026. He noted an overall nine percent (9%) decrease in the grand total of Part 1 Offenses when comparing July 2025 to July 2026. Member Pam stated Rapes decreased by 15%, and Chief noted arsons decreased by 38%. Member Pam asked if Chief had any idea while there was an increase in burglaries among residents. Chief explained that the recent increase in residential burglaries is largely due to changes in FBI/DOJ reporting requirements, which now count separate incidents at the same location as individual reports, particularly affecting vacant properties. D. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 02-2026 APPOINTING AN AGENT/CHIEF NEGOTIATOR TO REPRESENT BOARD OF SAFTEY FOR THE UPCOMING FIRE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATIONS Board Attorney Weiss stated that the resolution appoints the Corporation Counsel, or designee, as the City’s chief negotiator for the upcoming contract negotiations with the South Bend Firefighters Local 362. She noted the current working agreement expires at the end of 2026, and the chief negotiator will assemble the City’s negotiation team, Attorney Weiss did note that she has been appointed the negotiator. Upon a motion by Al Kirsits, seconded by Pam Claeys, the Resolution was approved. RESOLUTION NO. 02 - 2026 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY AUGUST 19, 2026 39 OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPOINTINGAN AGENT/CHIEF NEGOTIATOR TO REPRESENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE UPCOMING FIRE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATIONS WHEREAS, the Board of Public Safety is the administrator of the Fire Department and has the “exclusive control over all matters and property relating” to it and the authority to adopt the rules governing the Fire Department pursuant to Indiana Code §36-8-3-2; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Indiana Code § 36-8-3-3(d), the Common Council has until November 1, 2026, the exclusive authority to fix by ordinance the annual compensation for all members of the South Bend Fire Department; and WHEREAS, the 2026 Working Agreement between the City of South Bend and the South Bend Firefighter’s Local 362 will expire on December 31, 2026; and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Safety desires to appoint a Chief Negotiator who would appoint his or her own advisory City Negotiating Team to represent it and to provide updates during executive sessions called for the purpose of discussing strategy with regard to collective bargaining pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.l(b)(2)(A); and WHEREAS, the Advisory City Negotiating Team shall not be considered a “governing body” or “public agency” under Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-2; and WHEREAS, the City of South Bend Administration and the Board of Public Safety believe that this Resolution is in the best interest of promoting positive and harmonious labor negotiations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Public Safety of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The Board of Public Safety of the City of South Bend, Indiana hereby appoints the Corporation Counsel for the City of South Bend, or his/her designee, as its Agent for the upcoming labor negotiations with the South Bend Firefighter’s Local 362. The Corporation Counsel or his/her designee shall be the City's Chief Spokesperson and Chief Negotiator concerning all matters related to the working conditions and other matters addressed in the Working Agreement except the annual compensation of the firefighters. Section II. Ever respectful of the Common Council's legitimate interest with respect to annual compensation, Corporation Counsel or his/her designee shall attempt to coordinate with the South Bend Common Council’s designated Agent concerning strategy, negotiation times, scheduling of executive sessions, advisory team membership, and other matters pertaining to negotiations. Section III. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from this date until a Working Agreement is signed by this Board. Adopted this 19th day of August, 2026. s/Charles King III, President s/Alfred Kirsits, Member s/Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: AUGUST 19, 2026 40 s/Hillary Horvath, Clerk 2. FILE MONTHLY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS REPORT FOR JULY 2026 Assistant Andy Meyer presented the monthly statistical analysis report for July 2026. Chief Myer stated approximately 2.91% of calls were fire-related, nearly 72% were EMS-related, and approximately 25% involved other incidents, such as elevator entrapments. The department distributed 80 smoke detectors through its Community Risk Reduction program. He noted the department also reported 11 investigations, 120 inspections, and 86 re-inspections. Community Risk Reduction activities reached out to 15 events approximately 473 children and 504 adults, and 13 APRAs were completed. The Board discussed the decrease in inspections compared to the previous month, which Chief Myer stated was attributed to staff catching up on previously increased inspection activity. Seasonal events, festivals, and food trucks, were also noted as contributing to inspection activity. AUGUST 19, 2026 41 AUGUST 19, 2026 42 E.PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR President King asked if anyone present, either in person or virtually, wished to speak during the Privilege of the Floor. No comments were received. F.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon a motion by Al Kirsits seconded by Pamela Claeys and carried by roll call, the meeting was adjourned at 9:29 a.m. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY ______________________________ Charles King III, President ______________________________ Al Kirsits, Member ______________________________ Pamela Claeys, Member ATTEST: ___________________________ Hillary Horvath, Board Clerk