Board of Police Commissioners

TOWN OF ZIONSVILLE, INDIANA BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 25, 2024, PUBLIC MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 1100 WEST OAK STREET ZIONSVILLE, INDIANA SPECIAL MEETING MEMORANDA I. OPENING A. CALL TO ORDER: President Josh Garrett called the meeting to order at 8:03 am. B. MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: President Josh Garrett, Vice President Kristin Vargo, Commissioner Graig Collings, and Commissioner Bob Kuzman. C. MEMBERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Commissioner Brad Burk. D. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Chief of Police Michael Spears, Captain Marius Klykken, Captain Josh Samuelson, Adam Steuerwald, Legal Counsel for the Board of Police Commissioners, and Administrative Manager Melissa Laird. II. APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING MEMORANDA: A. Commissioner Kuzman made a motion to approve the May 20, 2024, Meeting Memoranda as submitted. Vice President Vargo seconded the motion. All in favor; the motion passed with a vote of 4-0. III. OLD BUSINESS A. None. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Chief Spears discussed the timeline and background regarding the ratification of a Merit Board pursuant to recently enacted state law. Ordinance 2024-28 was passed by Town Council on 11/18/24, which established a Merit System for the Police Department. As outlined in Ind. Code § 36-8-3.5-4, establishment of the merit system is contingent upon approval by a majority of the department's active members. To facilitate this, a secret ballot vote must be held within 60 days to either accept or reject the merit system outlined in Ordinance 2024-28.  B. Captain Klykken further explained that the notice for the vote must be given by the Board of Police Commissioners, with at least 3 weeks’ notice, and a copy of the ordinance must also be distributed to all members at least one week before the vote. With the mandatory noticing and timeline of events, and considering scheduling that will allow SROs, detectives, and graveyard staff to participate without conflict, Captain Klykken recommended that the Board schedule the secret ballot vote for either December 16 or December 17 at 4:00 pm. C. Vice President Vargo made a motion to schedule the secret ballot vote for Tuesday, December 17 at 4:00 pm, whereby a majority of the department’s active members will either accept or reject the merit system outlined in Ordinance 2024-28. Commissioner Kuzman seconded the motion. All in favor; the motion passed with a vote of 4-0. V. OTHER MATTERS A. None VI. ADJOURN A. President Garrett made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 am. Vice President Vargo seconded the motion. All in favor; the motion passed with a vote of 4-0. The next regular Board of Police Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 16, 2024, at 8:00 am or upon the conclusion of the Town Council meeting. ______________________________________________________________________________ Board of Police Commissioners November 25, 2024 Meeting Memoranda Page 2 of 2