HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011-02-17 Police Commission minutesVillage of Plainfield Board of Police Commissioners Minutes – February 17, 2011 Commissioner Michael Nott called the February 17, 2011 meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners to order at 7:00 p.m. In addition to Commissioner Nott, in attendance was Commissioner Ray Brixey, In terim Police Chief John Konopek and recording secretary, Kathy Glavac. The minutes of the October 20, 2010 meeting were r ead. There being no clarifications or corrections, Commissioner Brixey moved that the minutes be approved as read. Commissioner Nott seconded the m otion. All in favor. The motion carried and the minutes were approved as rea d. Correspondence - A phone message was received fr om Ryan Price, a police officer candidate on the current eligibility list, regarding his employment application with the Village of Plainfield. Commis sioner Nott will contact Commission Attorney, John Broihier to discuss the m atter before responding to Mr. Price. Officer James Caliendo has requested a hearing to appeal a five day suspension he received on February 11, 2011. Havin g been duly notified the Commission will schedule a formal hearing to hear t he appeal. Commissioner Nott explained the process to Commissioner Brixey, stating that all parties involved must be notified and a hearing date coordi nated. Commissioner Nott explained that the Commission will hear all sides b efore making a determination in the matter. Commissioner Nott will contact Atto rney John Broihier to inform him of the hearing request. The Commissioners have tentatively scheduled March 9 or 10, 2011 as possible hearing dates. An invoice was received from the Institute for Pub lic Safety Personnel for services provided for the Sergeant Promotional exam . The amount of the contract was $6,250.00. Commissioner Nott moved th at the invoice be approved for payment. Commissioner Brixey seconded the motion. All in favor. A letter was received from Julius Jackson regardin g a police officer position for the Village of Plainfield. At this ti me there is an eligibility list in place, therefore, no applications are being accepted at th is time. A letter will be sent to Mr. Jackson thanking him for his interest in the Village of Plainfield. Public Comments – None
Page 2 Minutes, 02/17/11 Plainfield Police Commission Executive Session – None New Business - The proposed budget for the Board o f Police Commissioners was presented and a discussion ensued regarding the testing expenses associated with the proposed budget. Commissioner Nott noted that due to difficult econ omic times within the Village of Plainfield and the current eligibility l ist expiring on February 19, 2012, should the Board even consider testing at this time ? After some discussion, both pro and con, the Commission elected to keep the tes ting budget as presented. Commissioner Brixey raised a question regarding the possibility of an open police officer position and as to whether the position wou ld be filled or lost? Chief Konopek stated that he is not sure of the Village’s position at this time, but will inquire and notify the Commission. Commissioner Br ixey also noted that upon attending the fall seminar of the Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners Association, many other municipalities are facing s imilar budgetary shortfalls at this time and are seeking possible alternatives to help keep costs down. Commissioner Nott will contact attorney John Broihi er for additional advice regarding this matter. The possibility of moving the Commission office to a larger office across the hall so that all records of the Commission may be kept in a secure place was discussed. The Commissioners went to see the offic e in question. It is a larger office, but it has no phone capabilities at this ti me. The cost to set up a phone line in the office would be about $1,000. The Comm issioners were reluctant to spend those funds at this time. An alternative sol ution will be sought in the near future. Recording secretary Glavac passed out copies of th e current rules and regulations of the Board of Police Commission as we ll as a copy of the rules from the Village of Carol Stream, which Commissioner Bri xey received a copy when attending the seminar to use as an additional tool for comparison and updating. It was duly noted that the last time the rules were updated was May, 2008. A discussion was held regarding contacting a ttorney, John Broihier, for suggestions and regulatory updates to be added, cha nges that the Commission might want to make and lastly, should this process be postponed due to attorney fees that will be incurred in the process? Commissioner Brixey noted that funds not spent on testing this year could be used to update the rules, make them more concise and detailed. Commissioner Brixey further stated that, John Broihier offered suggestions regarding cutting costs involved with the
Page 3 Minutes, 02/17/11 testing process, including, setting higher passing rates and/or limiting the number of applications accepted, to name a few. Co mmissioner Nott suggested this discussion be tabled until the next meeting asking everyone to read through the rules of the Village of Plainfield and Carol Stream and further discussion will take place at the next regular meet ing of the Board. Commissioner Nott asked Chief Konopek about the po ssibility of a three month delay in the testing process. Chief Konopek noted that it would then encompass two budgetary periods in the Village. At this point, he is not sure of what the Village position will be, but will have a better idea come summer or early fall and will report to the Commission as soo n as the information becomes available. Commissioner Nott noted that for the March 17, 201 1 meeting of the Board, further discussion regarding updating the ru les and regulations of the Board. Along with that, begin discussion on stream lining the hiring process, specifically, using an online application process. Kathy Glavac will speak to Gus Xydakis, the Police Department IT, as to the feasib ility and costs involved. She will report the information to the Commission at th e next meeting. At this time, Commissioner Nott congratulated, Int erim Police Chief John Konopek on his new appointment. On behalf of the C ommission, he wished him much success. Chief Konopek thanked the Commission and is looking forward to the future. There being no further business or discussion, Com missioner Nott moved the meeting be adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Greg Chapman Secretary Plainfield Police Commission