Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION January 19, 2019 Minutes PRESENT: Commissioner Jim Sponaugle, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Chief F. Michael Catalano, Deputy Chief Paul Sandy, and Secretary Diane Ferri. EXCUSED: Commissioner Liz Starr CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on January 19, 2020 in the Mayor’s Conference Room, City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland New York. Comm. Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. A. MINUTES – The minutes of the December 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 December bills totaling $43,358.51 and were approved on the motion of Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Sponaugle. C. REPORTS – The reports as approved on the motion of Comm. Sponaugle, second by Comm. Hansen, were highlighted as follows: 1. Payroll Account Balances – The Commission reviewed this report for the final totals and Chief Catalano noted that, even with Lt. Troyer’s retirement benefit expenditure, the retroactive pay from early 2019 was the variable that produced the deficit in the 510000 (Personnel Services) Line. 2. YTD Budget Balances - The Commission reviewed the account lines and percentages expended. Discussion ensued regarding the balance and percentage of Overtime expended. The Chief and Deputy Chief apprised the Commission of the incorrect omission of 2 budget lines from the 2020 Budget. The 520600 line, which provides for the purchase of new vehicles and the 540500 line, which was mistakenly deducted based on the decision of the Common Council, not allowing for the purchase of new cameras. The Department had requested an additional $20,000 be added to this typically $7,000 line. When the Council voted against the cameras, the entire line item was erased from the budget. 3. Sick Time Comparison – The Commission reviewed this report, comparing sick time used balances with 2018, as well as Overtime, Accumulated Compensatory Time, and Workers’ Comp Time comparisons with 2018 balances earned, used or paid. 3. Overtime – Accumulated hours worked for the month of December totaled 1125.00 hours, compared to 1180.50 hours for the same period in 2018, reflecting a decrease of 55.50 hours from 2018 for the month, and an increase of 727.00 hours for the year 4. SPCA Report - The SPCA report was reviewed with note of 281 complaints handled for the year, with 43 after-hours calls. Discussion ensued regarding the breakdown of calls and the explanation on the report. 1|Page  5. Officers Activities Breakdown – Statistics highlighted by Chief Catalano noted 13 DWI arrests for the month, 150 parking tickets issued by police officers, and 171 V&T arrests. 6. Parking Tickets - Parking tickets issued for the month of December totaled 263, the Chief noting this is the lowest number of tickets written annually, in the 36 years we’ve been tracking this information. Reasons include the decline of the downtown area, the sale of parking permits, and the 2019 resignation of one of the Parking Enforcement Officers. 7. Arrest Breakdown - The Chief reviewed this report with the Commission, noting the increased felony arrests of 41 for the year, while penal law arrests have decreased by 452 and the grand total of all arrests, which have decreased by 676. OLD BUSINESS PERSONNEL – 1. The Chief updated the Commission on the status of the new officers, both of whom commenced Basic Police Academy in Syracuse, NY on January 20. The Syracuse Academy is offered free of charge to this department. Additionally, there is yet one more vacant position needing to be filled, due to Sgt. Patrick Sweeney’s retirement; and finally, one officer is planning on transferring to Onondaga County at their next availability. Broome County Basic Academy will be commencing in March. 2. With the Detective Bureau still lacking a sergeant, the Chief is considering a possible promotion to Sergeant in February, and transfer of a current Patrol Sergeant to the Detective Bureau. NEW BUSINESS A. AWARDS GATHERING – The Chief apprised the Commission of the upcoming Awards Gathering, to be held in the Court Room of City Hall on Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m. to recognize the exceptional service and outstanding performances achieved by many of our members for the year 2019. B. BAIL AND DISCOVERY REFORM – The Chief described to the Commission some of the developments with the new Bail and Discovery Reform legislation, including the possibility of a letter to be drafted by the Common Council expressing their concerns regarding the effect the legislation is having locally. Discussion ensued regarding the consequences experienced locally, from additional technology requirements and the labor involved, the exponential numbers of offenders being released. C. NEW LIVESCAN GRANT – The Chief apprised the Commission of this latest grant application for which we’ve applied. The Livescan system is an electronic fingerprinting and booking system the department has utilized since 2005. This grant provides for needed updates, but requires matching funds. At this point, updating this system is not a choice. In order to continue to transmit the information to the regional server in Binghamton, the upgrades are a necessity. 2|Page OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, CORRESPONDENCE REPORT - 1. Chief Catalano wrote a letter to Sgt. Patrick Sweeney, accepting his letter of retirement. 2. Mr. Greg Harvey sent a check for $50.00 to the department to be used for the K9 Program. The Chief sent a letter of thanks. 3. Deputy Chief Sandy received a thank you card from a citizen he helped on Christmas Eve. 4. Sgt. Cheyenne Cute received a Certificate of Completion from the State of New York DCJS Municipal Police Training Council for successful completion of Police Crime Scene and Evidence Specialist Course. 5. Ms. Fay Ferguson of Southampton NJ sent a card expressing her enjoyment of a poster she saw displaying different activities being sponsored locally for youth in Cortland by the COPS Program, and included a check for $25.00. The Chief responded to her note. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – The Chief and Deputy Chief invited the Commissioners to the most recent fundraising event, The Hot Chocolate Challenge on Monday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Bru64. Pieces of chocolate measuring 900 Scoville Units will be eaten by Police Department volunteers, with donations accepted. The goal is to raise $2000.00 for COPS Programs. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Comm. Sponaugle, Second by Comm. Hansen, the meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane L. Ferri Confidential Secretary 3|Page