Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION June 26, 2019 Minutes PRESENT: Commissioner Jim Sponaugle, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Chief F. Michael Catalano, and Secretary Diane Ferri. EXCUSED: Deputy Chief Paul Sandy. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on June 26, 2019 in the Mayor's Conference Room, City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland New York. After a brief prayer in memory of Commissioner Eric Prior for his family, Comm. Jim Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 3:28 p.m. A. MINUTES – The minutes of the May meeting were accepted as written, and on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Sponaugle, were approved for filing. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the May bills totaling $28,359.48 and were approved on the motion of Comm. Sponaugle, second by Comm. Hansen. C. REPORTS – The reports as approved on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Sponaugle, were highlighted as follows: 1. YTD Budget Balances - The Commission reviewed the account lines and percentages expended with the Chief noting the new budget balances. Of special note was the balance and percentage of Overtime expended, which was discussed. 2. Vehicle Maintenance - There was no Vehicle Maintenance Report due to the Deputy Chief’s absence. 3. Overtime – Accumulated hours worked for the month of May totaled 1386.25 hours, compared to 1474.25 hours for the same period in 2018, reflecting a decrease of 88.00 hours from 2018 for the month, and a decrease of 282.25 hours year-to-date. 4. Other Activities - Calls for service have decreased by 50 compared to 2018. 4. SPCA Report - The SPCA report was reviewed with note of 38 complaints handled for the month, 2 after-hours, and 4 tickets issued. 5. Officers Activities Breakdown – Statistics highlighted by Chief Catalano noted 6 DWI arrests for the month, 4 of which were effected by Ptl. Derrick Edick. 6. Parking Tickets - Parking tickets issued for the month of May totaled 244, which is the second lowest number on record. 7. Arrest Breakdown - 1  The Chief reviewed this report with the Commission, noting that while felony arrests have increased while on the whole, penal law arrests have decreased by 31 as well as the grand total of all arrests, which have decreased by 490. OLD BUSINESS MCGRUFF GOLF TOURNAMENT – the Tournament had to be postponed until August 14, 2019, due to extremely inclement weather; of which the Chief noted, this is the first time in 29 years. The alternate date is a Wednesday, as opposed to the normal Thursday time. NEW BUSINESS A. PERSONNEL – 1. The Chief apprised the Commission of the recent resignation tendered by PEO Cindy Hurlbert, effective 6/24/19. However, she will continue her school guard duties. No replacement will be authorized at this time 2. Pursuant to the Parker School closing, school guard crossings have been adjusted and the bidding process for the school guards has just been completed. Although seven crossings were eliminated, based on the expected traffic glow with the new Grade Centers, four new crossings have been created. The current substitute guards will be terminated, and three permanent school guards will be transferred to a “substitute” status. 3. Ptl. Derrick Edick has completed the “Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)” course and is now the only DRE for Cortland County. This certification required a two-week training; with a third week contingent on successfully passing the local course and held in Arizona. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Commission reimbursed all the expenses. 4. Ptl. Ryan Gross recently completed and passed the EMT course (where), which was also an extensive training. As a member of the TRU, this certification is particularly valuable. B. 2020 BUDGET – The Chief reported to the Commission the completion and submission of the department’s 2020 estimated budget to the Director of Administration and Finance, with provision for 2 vehicle replacements, 4 mobile video cameras in cars and additional surveillance cameras for Main Street. OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, CORRESPONDENCE REPORT - 1. Chief Catalano attended a NYMIR conference entitled Law Enforcement Professionals: BEST PRACTICES for Complex Challenges. 2. Mr. Clifford Thomas sent a thank you card to K9 Lummel with a gift card for a “box of treats or a new toy” in response to Ptl. Kenneth Bush’s manner with him during a recent stop in Cortland. Mr. Thomas stated, “I was so intent on seeing your face (Lummel) that I drove straight through a red light!” 3. Chief Catalano attended the Welcome to Randall School Leadership Day on 5/31. 4. Ms. Cindy Hurlbert, PEO tendered her resignation letter effective end of business on 6/24/19. 2  5. Sgt. Daniel Edwards received a Certificate of Completion in recognition of successful completion of the training seminar on 2019 Leads Online Leadership Conference. 6. Lt. David Guerrera received a Certificate of Attendance for attending the Lexipol Webinar entitled Arrest-Related Deaths: Managing Your Medical Examiner. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – 1. Thoughts and prayers/concerns offered for the Prior family. 2. The July Police Commission meeting is cancelled. The Chief will be in attendance at the NYS Association of Chiefs of Police Conference and Comm. Sponaugle has other commitments. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Comm. Hansen, Second by Comm. Sponaugle, the meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane L. Ferri Confidential Secretary 3