Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION August 27, 2020 Minutes PRESENT: Chairman 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 August 27, 2020 in the new Mayor’s Conference Room. Comm. Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. A. MINUTES – On the motion of Comm. Hansen second by Comm. Sponaugle, the Commission approved the minutes of the July meeting as written. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the July bills totaling $11,589.20 and were approved on the motion of Comm. Sponaugle, second by Comm. Hansen. C. REPORTS – The reports as approved on the motion of Comm. Hanson, second by Comm. Sponaugle, were highlighted as follows: 1. Year-To-Date Budget – The budget was reviewed by account, with the Chief noting the overage for the School Crossing Guard line, Operating Equipment line, Contractual Equipment Repair line, and the Uniform Expenditure line. 2. Vehicle Maintenance – The Deputy Chief apprised the Commission of the status of the vehicles. Discussion ensued regarding a leasing option versus vehicle purchase, the high mileage on some vehicles, and the continued increase in maintenance costs. 3. Overtime - Various categories of overtime hours were reviewed. 4. Parking Tickets - Number of tickets continued its extremely low count. 6. Arrest Breakdown - It was noted that the number of felony arrests continue to increase, while all other statistics are continuing to decrease. OLD BUSINESS A. EXECUTIVE ORDER 203 UPDATE – In compliance with Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 203, Mayor Hal McCabe, of Homer, has organized a local coalition entitled Executive Order 203 Collaborative Task Force. Appropriate community input is under discussion, with the first meeting scheduled for 9/12/2020. The Chief reported that, because the department has maintained NYS Accreditation, we should be able to meet the demands of the Order. All aspects of the Executive Order need to be in place by April 1, 2021. 1|Page B. SUNY RETURN – SUNY Cortland students have been returning for classes in a staggered fashion. A strong message has been conveyed to the students from the SUNY Cortland administration regarding what will be the strict and swift response to any violations of their COVID regulations. NEW BUSINESS A. PERSONNEL – 1. The two recruits, Ptl. Austin Fiske and Ptl. Kory Olson, who graduated from the Syracuse Basic Police Academy on 7/24/2020 are now in the midst of their field training experience. 2. The school crossing guards will be reinstated from their furloughs as of 9/14/2020, the first day of school. 3. The PEO will be returning to duties after Labor Day. 4. The Records Clerk position needs to be filled. B. 2021 SCHEDULE - The tentative 2021 meeting schedule was reviewed and approved. OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, CORRESPONDENCE REPORT - 1. Chief Catalano received a thank you card from the Hollyfield family, thanking Cortland Police officers and staff for their service, for keeping us safe and for their courage. 2. Syracuse Regional Police Academy program for the graduation ceremony of Ptl. Austin Fiske and Ptl. Kory Olson. 3. GEO Secure Services sent a letter of appreciation to Lt. Guerrera for his and the department’s willingness and outstanding effort in allowing the transport team to access the department facilities during a recent movement of inmates. 4. Chief Kenton Buckner, Syracuse PD, sent a letter to Chief Catalano thanking him for the assistance rendered by the TRU during a time of civil unrest in the City of Syracuse in June. 5. A postcard with a poem written by Aja Anderson and signed by “We The People” was sent to the department. 6. Richard VanDonsel sent a $100 check towards K9 Lummel’s dental work. 7. Katina Casterline sent a thank you letter to the department and provided $100 in gift cards for Coffee Mania for the department. 8. Ptl. Derrick Edick sent a memo to Chief Catalano thanking him for allowing him to attend the 2020 IACP Virtual conference to expand his exposure to DRE related materials and speakers. 9. A large manila envelope with numerous thank you cards and notes signed by children’s first names, was hand delivered to the department for display in the Lounge B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – 2|Page  Chairman Sponaugle noted all three Commissioners attended former Chief Cinquanti’s funeral, and expressed appreciation for the Honor Guard, while noting that due to COVID the attendance was low. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Comm. Hansen, Second by Comm. Sponaugle, the meeting was adjourned at 11:41 AM. Respectfully submitted, Diane L. Ferri Confidential Secretary 3|Page