Crime Commission Meeting

Crime Commission Meeting Madison Heights, Michigan August 09, 2022 A Crime Commission Meeting was held on Tuesday, August 09, 2022 at 2:30 PM at City Hall - Executive Conference Room, 300 W. 13 Mile Rd. CALL TO ORDER Call to order 2:32 pm. ROLL CALL PRESENT Martha Covert Lisa Lenart-Cynowa Margarette Marentette Anthony Roberts Council Representative Sean Fleming Council Alternate Representative Quinn Wright ABSENT Jeffrey Hilliard Deliza Lee Colleen Monaghan ADDITIONS/DELETIONS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion made by Roberts, Seconded by Lenart-Cynowa to approve the minutes from June 14, 2022. Voting Yea: Covert, Lenart-Cynowa, Marentette, Roberts, Council Representative Fleming Motion Carried. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Jennifer Zmarzlik, 649 E. Harwood was present and stated that was there only to observe. REPORTS 1. Chief's Report The Chief stated that the department is continuing to move forward with hiring. Now offering credit to candidates coming from other police departments for their time served 1 01-24-22  in the other departments. Also waiving the requirement of an associates degree if they have minimum of three years worked as a police officer. The recruitment team is scheduled for a job fair in October and continuing to visit police academies. Commissioner Lenart-Cynowa asked if the city pays for qualified candidates to go to the academy. The Chief explained that the issue with that is the amount of time it takes before we have an officer on the road whereas we are in need of patrol officers immediately. It takes approximately 2 months for the background investigation. Then Academies only offer classes in August and January. Then it is four months in the academy and finally four months of in field training before they can be on patrol alone. The Chief stated that he is currently working with Lamphere and Madison School districts to have on site Resource Officers. Bishop Foley already employs their own Resource Officer. The City has already budgeted for these positions but have not been hired yet due to our current shortage of road patrol officers. The school will be paying for 60% of the resource officers pay whereas the city will be paying 40%. Our current officers can apply for the resource officer position they will be interviewed and offered the position based on education and seniority. The resource officer will be located at the schools with their own office, laptops and whatever other tools they need. Commissioner Marentette asked if the police department is still participating in school events such as the science fair. The chief responded that for the most part the schools have stopped inviting us however, if they invite us we do participate. Last year we did several "Trunk or Treat" events at the schools. 2. Council Report Councilor Fleming reminded everyone about the Michigan Attorney General's presentation on Consumer Protection is scheduled for September 6th at 6 pm at the Active Adult Center. Councilor Fleming advised that the Mayor approved a new Alternate commissioner member - Alexandria Laquinto. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3. Postponed from June meeting the nomination of Jeff Hillard to Co-Chairperson. Jeff Hillard did accept the nomination and vote of Co-Chairperson via email. 4. Public Event - K-9 Demonstration Motion made by Lenart-Cynowa, Seconded by Council Representative Fleming to schedule the K-9 demonstration for October 22nd. Motion amended by Lenart-Cynowa, seconded by Marentette to schedule the K-9 Demonstration on October 22, 2022 at 12:00 pm at Rosies Park 2 01-24-22  Voting Yea: Covert, Lenart-Cynowa, Marentette, Roberts, Council Representative Fleming Motion Carried. 5. Public Event - Consumer Protection with Guest Speaker Michigan Attorney General The Consumers Protection Public Event is scheduled for September 6, 2022 at 6:00 pm at the Active Adult Center. 6. Crime Commission Facebook Page Motion made by Covert, Seconded by Council Representative Fleming to not continue with the project of creating a Crime Commission Facebook page. Voting Yea: Covert, Marentette, Council Representative Fleming Voting Nay: Lenart-Cynowa, Roberts Motion Carried. NEW BUSINESS New Boards and Commissions Handbook was sent to all the commissions from the City Manager noting the new changes to the handbook. “Alternate members are encouraged to attend all the meetings to stay up to date on issues; they are not voting members and are considered members of the public if an entire board or commission is in attendance. When acting in place of an absent board or commission member, the alternate shall have all the rights and responsibilities of a regular voting member. When attending in an alternate capacity without filling a vacancy, the alternate board member may participate in agenda item discussions but shall not make motions, second motions, or vote.” 7. 2022 - 2023 Goals The new handbook requires that each commission submit to City Council an Annual Work Plan consisting of up to three priorities due by January of the coming year. The City Council will ask the Board or the Commissioner Chair to present the work plan to the City Council. Chairperson Covert advised the members to bring their ideas and plans to the October meeting to construct the work plan. Suggested areas of focus could be such things as crime prevention, education and assisting with recruiting. CLOSING COMMENTS Commissioner Marentette -no closing comments. Councilor Fleming - no closing comments. Commissioner Lenart-Cynowa stated that she was not happy with the vote to not continue with the Crime Commission Facebook page, eliminating the communication between the commission 3 01-24-22 and the public. Lenart-Cynowa feels that the commission should be an independent group from the city and is thinking about resigning from the commission. Councilor Wright advised that there is a Justice Resource Fair on September 24th from 12 - 2 pm in Pontiac. Chair Covert did a good job with chairing her first meeting. Commissioner Roberts stated Chair Covert did a fine job. Chair Covert thanked everyone for their patience and support during her first meeting and liked every ones fresh ideas. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjorned at 3:25 pm. Next meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2022 at 2:30 pm in the executive conference room at City Hall. 4 01-24-22