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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-2009JEFFERSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT MERIT COMMISSION MINUTES MEETING July 9, 2009 OPENING The first meeting of the Jeffersonville Police Department Merit Commission was held on July 9, 2009, in the City Council Chambers, Room 101, City Hall, Jeffersonville. Conrad Moorer introduced the members, and provided a brief welcoming statement. At that time, the floor was opened for nominations for officers. Conrad Moorer was nominated for the office of President of the Merit Commission, and the nomination was seconded. By unanimous vote, he was elected President. Monty Snelling was nominated for the office ofVice-President of the Merit Commission, and the nomination was seconded. By unanimous vote, he was elected Vice-President. Judith De Simone was nominated for the office of Secretary of the Merit Commission, and the nomination was seconded. By unanimous vote, she was elected Secretary. THE PLEDGE The President led the Merit Commission and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL The President formally called the meeting to order, and requested the Secretary call the Roll. Those present were members Conrad Moorer, Thomas Bodine, Monty Snelling, Stuart Robertson and Judith De Simone. APPROVAL OF AGENDA President Moorer asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Agenda ,and by Motion made by Stuart Robertson, seconded by Judith De Simone, the Agenda was approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: This being the first meeting, there were no minutes for review and approval. OLD BUSINESS This being the first meeting, there was no "old business." NEW BUSINESS Judith De Simone moved the Commission approve temporary, interim rules to govern the business of the Jeffersonville Police Department Merit Commission, as follows: 1, That the regu/ar month/y meetings sha// be on the second Thursday of each month, at 6; 00 p,m, ,and that the location of such regu/ar meet/ngs sha/!beat the leffersonvi//e City Council Chambers; (Room 10Z); City Ha//, 500 Quartermaster Courtin leffersonvi//e, Indiana; and 2, That Specia/ Meetings maybe ca/led at any time by the leffersonvi//e Po/ice Department Merit Commission President, pursuant to the Open Door Law; and 3, That a majority of the appointed Commissioners must be present to constitute a quorum for the conduct of business and a majority vote ofa// Commissioners is required for the passage of any ru/e or decision; and 4. That every twelve months, the leffersonvi//e Po/ice Department Merit Commission sha// designate the fo/%wing officers from among themselves: President, Vice-President and Secretary, with duties including; The President presides at a//meetings and ca//s a//Specia/meetings; The Vice President acts in the absence of the President; The Secretary ensures that accurate minutes ofa//regular and Specia/meetings are kept, and serves as custodian ofa// leffersonvi//e Po/ice Department Merit Commission documents, 5, The leffersonvi//e Po/ice Department Merit Commission sha// request financia/support from the City on a need basis anti/such time that the forma/ annua/budget process is conducted for a//City agencies, The motion then was seconded by Stuart Robertson, and approved unanimously. There followed general discussion regarding the current budget approved by the City Council for certain items. Monty Snelling suggested that a "public comment" period be incorporated as a regular agenda item to confirm that the Merit Commission welcomed suggestions and comments from Jeffersonville citizens. After some discussion as to length of such comments, Judith De Simone moved that the temporary interim rules of the Merit Commission include the following: 6. That Pub/ic Comments at the End of Each Meeting Wou/d Be We%med, and That Such Comments, as a Genera/ Guide/ine, Shou/d Be Limited to Five Minutes. Stuart Robertson seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. 2. Budget, clerical and per diem matters President Moorer described in detail the commitment made by the Jeffersonville City Council to support the Merit Commission with approximately $17,000.00, initially. That sum includes $6,000.00 for attorneys fees; $6,000.00 as monthly stipend for the Merit Commission members over a twelve month period; moneys for clerical assistance at the rate of $100.00 per meeting; and $3,000.00 for miscellaneous costs and supplies. President Moorer further explained that certain other items for which the Merit Commission will require funding, such as testing costs, are currently included in the budget of the Jeffersonville Police Department. Monty Snelling moved that the Merit Commission accept this interim funding, and Stuart Robertson seconded the motion. By unanimous vote, the motion as approved. Monty Snelling mentioned that Sharon King had provided her resume to each Commission member, for future consideration in providing such clerical help as may be needed by the Commission. Her credentials were summarized and several Commissioners commented on her extensive experience in working in the past with legal matters for the City of Jeffersonville, and currently as Legal Assistant with the Louisville Metro Police Department. As part of her current duties, she assists in the preparation of documents for the Louisville Metro Police Department Merit Board. 3. Detail /Recital of Commissioner's Qualifications Each Commissioner detailed facts regarding their qualifications for membership, per the statutory requirements. Each qualified per the age (at least twenty-one years old) and legal residency (a resident of Jeffersonville for three consecutive years immediately preceding one's term) requirements. Stuart Robertson and Monty Snelling are the appointees of the Fraternal Order of Police, with Monty Snelling, a Republican, serving a two year term, and Stuart Robertson, a Democrat, serving a four year term. Thomas Bodine and Judith De Simone are appointees of Mayor Thomas Galligan, with Thomas Bodine, a Republican, serving a four year term, and Judith De Simone, a Democrat, serving a two year term. Conrad Moorer is the appointee of the Jeffersonville City Council, serving a four year term. 4. Designation of Jeffersonville Police Department Merit Commission as central repository for all documents regarding the establishment of the Commission Thomas Bodine moved that the Jeffersonville Police Department Merit Commission be formally designated the central repository for all official records and documents regarding the establishment and business of the Merit Commission. Monty Snelling seconded the Motion, which was approved unanimously. S. Appointment of Attorney for Jeffersonville Police Department Merit Commission President Moorer detailed the background and experience of Charles Braun, II, the proposed attorney for the Merit Commission. Mr. Braun has served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Indiana for nine and one half years; has been the staff attorney for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy since 1987, and teaches criminal, traffic and in- service law courses at various programs and Universities throughout Indiana. He serves as legal counsel to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board and Academy Staff, and has assisted and advised other Merit Commissions in set-up procedures, as well as in conduct of operations. Mr. Braun has offered to advise the Jeffersonville Police Department for a contract rate of $5,000.00 per year for all consultations, advice and responses to Commissioners' inquiries via fax, a-mail or correspondence. Other authorized legal work would be charged at a rate of $100.00 per hour and would include such items as authorized document preparation, correspondence to third parties, legal research, conferences with third parties and litigation services. After some discussion, Stuart Robertson moved that the Merit Commission retain the services of Charles Braun II, and approve the terms of his service. Judith De Simone seconded the Motion and the Motion was approved unanimously. 6. Jeffersonville Police Department Merit Commission Rules President Moorer explained that upon approval of this Commission to serve as our attorney, Charles Braun, II, will provide us with a working draft of such proposed rules, guidelines and procedures as can then be reviewed and examined by each Commissioner. Such rules regarding hiring, promotions, performance reviews and other charges of the Commission should be consistent with statutory provisions, the current Contract between the City of Jeffersonville and the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Standard Operating Procedures of the Jeffersonville Police Department. Discussion by each Commissioner emphasized that all such proposed rules will be aired at a public meeting, after ten days advance notice, so that all interested parties may have ample time to review and report his /her comments, analyses, evaluations and any proposals. Only after consideration of all such comments would rules be formally adopted at a later meeting. The Commissioners emphasized their commitment that the development of these Jeffersonville Police Department Merit Commission Rules, as well as the operation of the Merit Commission itself would always be guided by considerations of fairness, integrity and honor. OTHER ACTION /COMMENTS /PUBLIC COMMENTS President Moorer inquired whether the Commissioners had further comments or items to address, and with no such suggestions, he called for public comments. 1. The first query addressed whether there were investigatory procedures within the Police Department itself. The Commissioners responded that they had only received the Department's SOPs and job descriptions within the last several weeks, and it appeared the SOPs themselves were in the process of being updated. 2. A suggestion was made that a "Public Comment" period be placed after each agenda item. 3. Joe Hubbard, President of the Jeffersonville Fraternal Order of Police, addressed the Merit Commission and generally relayed the support of the FOP for the anticipated work of the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Stuart Robertson, seconded by Thomas Bodine, and the Motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. CONRAD MO RER President /~~'~ ITH DE SIMON ecretary