DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore Fire and Police Commission Met March 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

I. Roll Call

Chairman Dembinski called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Present were Chairman Dembinski, Commissioner Knetsch, Commissioner Barnes, Recording Secretary Maggie Peck, Fire Chief Pete Polarek, Police Chief Jim Winters and Attorney Kevin Buick. Special Guests Jessica Lingle and Steve Braser

II. Approval of the Agenda

Motion

Commissioner Barnes made the motion to approve the Agenda and seconded by Commissioner Knetsch.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried

III. Approval of the Minutes from the Open Session Special Meeting December 15, 2020; and Open Session Special Meeting January 6, 2021.

Motion

Commissioner Knetsch made the motion to approve the Minutes of Open Session Special Meeting of December 15, 2020 and seconded by Commissioner Barnes.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried.

Motion

Commissioner Barnes made the motion to approve the Minutes of Open Session Special Meeting of January 6, 2021 and seconded by Commissioner Knetsch.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried.

IV. New Business

a. Status on probationary firefighter

Chief Polarek stated probationary firefighter is doing well and going through training currently.

b. Status of apprentice points development for Fire Department Chief Polarek with the assistance of Attorney Kevin Buick discussed the draft Amendments to the Rules and Regulations that would be proposed in connection with the change from a Paid-on-Call to an Apprenticeship Program.

c. Establishment of 2021-22 Fire and Police Commission Meetings Meeting dates were set for 2021-22: May 4, 2021; August 3, 2021; December 7, 2021 and March 8, 2022.

Motion

Commissioner Knetsch made the motion to approve the 2021-22 Fire and Police Commission Meeting Dates and seconded by Commissioner Barnes.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried.

d. Consideration of Acting City Manager’s correspondence regarding vacancies to begin hiring process of a Police Officer

Maggie Peck presented the commission with a letter to begin the hiring process of a police officer to fill a current vacancy.

Motion

Commissioner Barnes made the motion to approve to begin the hiring process of a police officer and seconded by Commissioner Knetsch.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried.

e. Closed Session for the purpose of conducting bi-annual review of Closed Session Meeting Minutes and Resolution 2020-01 authorizing the destruction of audio recordings from closed sessions.

Motion

Commissioner Knetsch made a motion to enter closed session to conduct review of closed session meeting minutes, Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion 3-0.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried

Closed Session began at 2:24 p.m

The meeting resumed regular session at 2:42 p.m.

Motion

Commissioner Barnes made a motion to release closed session meeting minutes from 5/7/19; 10/7/19; 10/8/19; 12/30/19; 9/16/20; 9/21/20; 9/22/20; 10/21/20; and 11/16/20, Commissioner Knetsch seconded the motion 3-0.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried

Commissioner Knetsch made a motion to dispose of closed session meeting audio recordings in correlation with Resolution 2020-1, Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion 3-0.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried

V. Fire Chief report

Chief Polarek updated the board on COVID-19 in regards to personnel and continued safety.

VI. Police Chief Report

Chief Winters informed the board that this past year they had two suspensions due to violations both of which were under 5 days.

He stated that the officer who is at the academy is doing well. Additionally, the police department has had 3 officers come off of FTO and all are doing great.

Lastly, he discussed the current police reform bill and stated that there may need to be changes made to the Rules and Regulations (R&R) in the future to be compliant with the changes. He will keep the board informed and will begin reviewing the current R&R’s.

VII. Adjournment

Motion

Commission Barnes made the motion to adjourn and seconded by Commissioner Knetsch.

Vote

Commissioners voted 3 Aye and 0 Nay; motion carried

Meeting was adjourned at 2:42 p.m.

https://cityofsycamore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FP-Minutes-March-9-2021.pdf