Police Commission

POLICE COMMISSION November 18, 2022 PRESENT: Chairman Jim Sponaugle, Commissioner Trish Hansen, Commissioner Cheryl Michales, Commissioner Liz Starr, Commissioner Michael Whitlock, Chief Paul Sandy, Deputy Chief David Guerrera and Tracey Hatfield. Also present Kevin Smith from the Cortland Voice. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Police Commission was held on November 18, 2022 in the Main Conference Room at the Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Sponaugle called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Chairman Sponaugle thanked Comm. Hansen for leading the October meeting in his absence. A. MINUTES –On the motion of Comm. Whitlock, second by Comm. Michales the Commission approved the minutes of the October meeting. B. BILLS –The Commission reviewed the October bills totaling $28,580.96 and were approved on the motion of Comm. Michales, second by Comm. Whitlock. C. REPORTS –The October reports as approved on the motion of Comm. Michales second by Comm. Starr were highlighted as follows: 1. Invoice list for month – Nothing notable to discuss. 2. Year-To-Date Budget – Brief discussion of overtime, raises, OIC pay and crossing guards. 3. Training Report –No changes. 4. Vehicle Maintenance – Slightly lower than last month. A few issues: muffler, tires, heater hose, brakes and a thermostat pressure switch. No major repairs needed. 5. Overtime/Sick Time Comparison –Nothing notable to discuss. 6. Overtime Breakdown– Short shift coming down. 7. Other Activities Report –Domestics, persons incarcerated slightly down. Narcan calls down. Mental health calls up. 8. SPCA Report –SPCA has a new director. There is a significant increase in cost proposed for 2023. May be more cost effective to hire our own animal control officer. 9. Detective Bureau Cases –Brief discussion of marijuana sales and pending cases. 10. Officers Injury Report – Nothing to report this month. 11. Officers Activities Report – V&T, parking tickets up. 1|Page  12. Parking Ticket Report – Numbers are up again. Electronic ticketing will help improve administrative side and collecting. 13. Bike Patrol Report –Four hours on the bike this month. 14. Arrest Breakdown –Numbers up everywhere. Brief discussion City Ordinance Violations. Warrants are being assigned to Officers. OLD BUSINESS A. FTO/PHASE II – Phase II doing very well. B. RECOGNITION AT COUNCIL MEETING 11/1  Three more commendation letters: Ptl. Taylor, Ptl. Olson, Sgt. S. Byrnes  More to be issued at the end of the month  In 2023 these will be issued at the end of every month C. IMPROVEMENT TO LOCKER ROOMS  Waiting on the lockers  Received one more to add to female locker room  A block of six lockers has been ordered for the men’s locker room  We will reorder 1-2 blocks of six lockers as the budget allows D. NEW MARKED UNITS  One in service  Second being started at Bush’s on November 19  Third to be started mid-December  Hope to have all three in service by end of year E. NO SHAVE NOVEMBER  High volume of donations coming in  All proceeds to be donated to Paige’s Butterfly Run and Griffin’s Guardians  If the Officers reach their goal, Chief will allow them to keep their beards in December F. VETERAN’S DAY  Good turnout. 48 Veterans and 32 Guests attended NEW BUSINESS A. COFFEE WITH A COP 12/2  To be held at Common Grounds; a new local business owned by a SUNY ESF Graduate 2|Page B. DECEMBER MEETING DATE DISCUSSION  Meeting to be held Thursday, December 22; possibly at the Chamber of Commerce C. BUDGET HEARING-2023 BUDGET  Went very well  Mayor cut $25,000-$30,000 out of Police budget  Encumbrances will be automatic now, we won’t need to ask for them  We have 3 new cars on order, van needs replacing D. SHIP WITH A COP  Sgt. O’Donnell will be managing the program this year  Have funding to include at least 40 participants  Donations are rolling in E. CORTACA  Surprisingly calm; a couple of large parties, nothing too out of control  $14,000 in overtime for two days  34 SUNY students arrested, 4 out of town individuals also arrested  10 buses took students to Yankee Stadium F. BWC GRANT-BALLISTIC VEST GRANT  We received $3,500 from PERMA toward new vests  Vests must be replaced every 5 years G. NEW HIRE  A conditional offer has been made. The candidate just turned 20  Background investigation has been started  Pending results of the background investigation candidate will start in Mid-December  We are looking at another candidate who is turning 20 in Mid-December  Council has approved hiring two more in anticipation of a March and June retirement; the goal is to send them to the March Academy H. PERSONNEL ISSUE UPDATE  Discussed during Executive Session. OTHER BUSINESS A. COMMENDATION, APPRECIATION, and CORRESPONDENCE REPORT – nothing to discuss. B. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – Comm. Starr expressed appreciation for the flowers sent by the Police Commission for her father’s funeral. 3|Page ADJOURNMENT At the request of Chairman Sponaugle, a motion was made by Comm. Hansen, second by Comm. Starr, to go into Executive Session at 10:25 a.m. to discuss Personnel matters. With no further business to discuss, the Commission came out of Executive Session on the motion of Comm. Whitlock, second by Comm. Starr at 10:42 a.m. The meeting was adjourned at 10:54 a.m. on the motion of Comm. Starr, second by Comm. Hansen. Respectfully submitted, Tracey Hatfield Sr. Account Clerk 4|Page