Town of Cedar Lake
Board of Safety
Regular Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence

Mr. Stick called the meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was observed to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, followed by a brief prayer for the community and for those who serve and govern it.

Meeting Called to Order: 6:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Presentation

Life Saving Award — Sergeant Eric Godoy

Deputy Chief Brittingham presented a Life Saving Award to Sergeant Eric Godoy, reading a thank-you card received from a family member of an individual ("Dennis") on whom Sergeant Godoy performed CPR on July 5, 2026, contributing to saving his life. On behalf of the Police Department, Deputy Chief Brittingham recognized Sergeant Godoy for his outstanding, swift, and professional actions. The award will be forwarded for consideration at the District 1 Chiefs Association awards banquet next year.

Sergeant Godoy thanked the Board and Department, noting he carries the family's card with him in his squad car as a daily reminder of the impact of the work. The Board and those present congratulated him.

Public Comment — Opening

Mr. Stick called for public comment three times. No comment was received at this point in the meeting.

VIPS — July & August 2026 Report

• July: 1 call-out (2 hours); 6 details (48 hours); 9 hours miscellaneous administration. Total: 59 hours.
• August: 7 call-outs (7 hours); 3 details (20 hours); 12 hours miscellaneous administration. Total: 39 hours.

The VIP Lieutenant reported a new membership application in process, with the applicant expected to be introduced to the Board next month.

Police Department

Communications

Chief Sulski read a letter drafted by Corporal Huppenthal describing a resident's account of Officer Tomko's interaction with her son. The resident described a prior call to her home involving her son during a mental health episode, and a subsequent positive interaction at a high school football game on August 21, 2026, where Officer Tomko recognized the young man, greeted him warmly, and invited him to walk with him and Corporal Allande for a time. The resident expressed gratitude for the consistently kind and encouraging treatment shown to her son.

Staffing

Erin Healy — Favorable Recommendation to Town Council

Motion to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council to proceed with hiring, providing a Conditional Offer of Employment, to Erin Healy to fill a current vacancy, made by Ms. Littles; seconded by Mr. Nagy.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Patrol Commander — David Moake — Deferred

Mr. Stick noted this item involves an officer's pending retirement and, with the Board's general agreement, deferred the item without requiring a formal roll call vote.

Emergency Hire Advertisement with Lateral Transfer Incentive — Agenda Amended and Approved

Chief Sulski requested authorization to advertise for an emergency hire, with an updated lateral-transfer incentive package intended to make the Department more competitive for experienced officers transferring from other agencies. Under the proposed incentive, a lateral-transfer hire would receive one week of vacation and advancement to First Class Patrolman pay after a three-month probationary period, rather than the prior standard one-year waiting period with no vacation or pay advancement during that time. Chief Sulski clarified this does not exceed what the officer would have already earned at their prior department — it simply preserves their existing standing rather than requiring them to restart at the bottom.

Motion to amend the agenda to authorize advertisement for an emergency hire with the incentive package described made by Mr. Nagy; seconded by Ms. Littles.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Motion to authorize advertisement for an emergency hire with the described incentive package made by Ms. Littles; seconded by Mr. Nagy.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Motion to amend the agenda to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for an incentive package made by Mr. Nagy; seconded by Mr. Kaper.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Because the incentive package (Policy 1107) requires Town Council approval, a second motion followed.

Motion to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for approval of the lateral-transfer incentive package made by Ms. Littles; seconded by Mr. Nagy.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Other Staffing Updates

Deputy Chief Brittingham provided additional context on current vacancies:

• Justin Salas and Jack Miedema: Both remain in process with PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund); once approved, they will be sworn in at the next available Town Council meeting and enrolled in the January academy.
• Adam Holechko and Nathan Young: The next two candidates on the eligibility list; both confirmed they remain interested. If the Department reaches the point of extending an offer, a Conditional Offer of Employment will be brought to the Board for approval, consistent with the prior emergency-hire process (which did not result in a hire after three background checks led to rejection letters).
• Evidence Technician: The vacancy created by Commander Kidd's retirement will be filled by Officer Ben Tomko, who expressed interest. This position does not require Board approval, as it is not a command or administrative role. He will begin internal training immediately and attend evidence technician coursework as scheduled.
• Promotions: The Board agreed to work toward rescheduling previously paused promotional interviews, with Mr. Stick to follow up with Mr. Austgen's office to move the process forward.

Finances

Financial reports for July and August were provided via the Board's tablets. No questions were raised.

Training Report — July & August 2026

Training reports for both months were provided via tablet. Deputy Chief Brittingham noted two additional items not included in the written report: Sarah Moore (Administrative Assistant) and Candace Janowiak (Records Clerk) attended the Global Leadership Network Summit, August 6–7 (free admission, sponsored by regional leaders); Patrol Commander Moake attended free, locally hosted CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training at the fire station, August 3–7.

Flock License Plate Reader System — Public Transparency Discussion

In response to a Board member's question (raised on behalf of public inquiries received), Deputy Chief Brittingham provided a detailed explanation of the Department's use of the Flock license plate reader (LPR) camera system, in light of public records requests and public concern regarding the technology:

• All officers must complete required training and receive certification before being granted system access; training was recently reinitiated department-wide, along with re-acknowledgment of the associated Lexipol policy, given heightened public attention to the topic.
• The system has been used to solve specific local crimes, including identifying suspects in a construction-site burglary in the Lakeview area, and has assisted in locating missing or endangered persons.
• The Flock system has no traffic enforcement capability (no speed detection) and is not used for that purpose. Deputy Chief Brittingham distinguished the Town's three digital speed display signs (which only display a driver's own speed and take no enforcement action) from the four Flock cameras, which are unrelated systems; he noted one public misconception involved mistaking a speed display sign near the fire station for a Flock camera.
• The four Flock cameras are placed at strategic Town entry/exit points, not throughout town, consistent with their intended use identifying vehicles associated with crimes committed in Town.
• Every use of the system by an officer requires entry of a case number and justification, and is logged; the Department's IT department now generates monthly audit reports identifying every officer's system usage and the stated reason. To date, no violations or misuse have been identified.
• Deputy Chief Brittingham noted other license-plate-reading technology (e.g., Motorola, Vigilant) has been in use for longer, including by private industry (banks, repossession companies), without comparable public attention, and drew a comparison to other location-tracking technologies (toll roads, cell phone location data, satellite radio) that are also subject to legal process.

In response to follow-up questions from a Board member regarding oversight, Deputy Chief Brittingham confirmed the required case-number justification and monthly audit logging provide ongoing supervisory review, and that the public can be assured the system is not being used for inappropriate surveillance. The Board discussed potentially publishing an explanatory article via the Town newsletter or a utility bill insert to proactively inform the public; Deputy Chief Brittingham agreed to work on this, noting the topic remains a current area of public interest.

Equipment

Vehicles Held Overnight for Repairs — Secured Location Policy — Deferred

Mr. Nagy proposed a department policy requiring vehicles left overnight at repair facilities to be secured (indoors, or brought inside overnight) to prevent vandalism or damage while awaiting repair, citing past incidents involving vehicles left in vendor lots.

Board members raised a number of questions and concerns:

• How the item reached the agenda without prior Board awareness or discussion.
• Whether Indiana "shopkeeper's" insurance covers vehicles on a repair vendor's property while in their care; conflicting information was offered regarding whether such coverage exists or has changed in recent years.
• Whether the requirement would place undue hardship on local repair vendors, several of whom the Town regularly uses, and whether adequate indoor space exists at all vendors to accommodate the requirement.
• Why the policy was presented only under the Police Department agenda and not also the Fire Department, and how it would apply to vehicles (including the Town's own fleet) parked outside overnight at Town facilities.

Given the volume of open questions — including the recommendation that the Town Attorney be consulted regarding insurance and liability implications — the Board agreed to defer the item to the following month for additional information.

Status: Deferred to October 2026 meeting.

Other Equipment Updates

Deputy Chief Brittingham confirmed reimbursement funds for the electric patrol vehicle were received (approximately $64,000). The status of purchasing additional 2026 patrol vehicles remain uncertain pending further budget review; no updates on vehicle repairs.

Monthly Activity Report — July & August 2026

• July: 889 calls for service; 236 traffic stops; 208 warnings; 126 citations; 630 law incident reports; 31 arrests; 41 charges; 36 ordinance warnings; 49 ordinance citations.
• August: 737 calls for service; 165 traffic stops; 157 warnings; 76 citations; 553 law incident reports; 19 arrests; 24 charges; 31 ordinance warnings; 23 ordinance citations.

Lexipol Policy Updates

Mr. Villalobos summarized seven Lexipol policy updates, nearly all driven by legislative or regulatory changes: Policy 318 (Victim & Witness Assistance); Policy 408 (Emergency Detention); Policy 415 (Field Training — also updated to remove provisions not applicable to a department of this size); Policy 430 (Mobile Audio/Video); Policy 432 (Homeless Persons — added definitional clarity); Policy 903 (Records Maintenance & Release); and Policy 1100 (Recruitment & Selection — minor/administrative changes only). All were reviewed and found to be in order; the Board recommended adoption.

Motion to accept the Lexipol policy updates as reported made by Mr. Villalobos; seconded by Mr. Nagy.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Fire Department

Communications

Chief Mager announced a community 9/11 remembrance prayer service at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Friday morning at 10:00 a.m.

Finances

July purchase orders totaled $16,981.70; August totaled $6,994.56. As of August 31, the fiscal year was 66% complete, with 53% of the annual budget utilized.

Motion to accept the Fire Department finance report made by Mr. Nagy; seconded by Mr. Villalobos.

Motion carries, 5–0.

Training Report

Combined July and August training totaled 787 hours across all categories.

Equipment

A significant ladder truck repair is anticipated, with further update expected next month. Engine 1211 (the Department's newer engine) completed its first 500-hour service with all major components, including the pump, inspected and found in good working order, with only minor adjustments needed. The Hanover Township truck remains awaiting a replacement fitting/valve for its front intake from the manufacturer; the truck remains operational for pumping and drafting in the interim.

Monthly Activity Report

• July: 287 total incidents.
• August: 312 total incidents, including 113 incidents (approximately 75% storm-related) during the severe storm event beginning August 11, 2026.

In response to a Board member's question, Chief Mager confirmed the Department has generally seen call volume increase 10–20% annually over roughly the past decade.

Lexipol Policy Updates

No major fire policy updates this reporting period. The Department will transition to the new "LexOne" platform in mid-October; Chief Mager noted the Department will retain printed copies as a backup during the transition.

Other

Chief Mager reported the Fire Department's new administrative assistant continues to perform well, with cross-training support from the Police Department's administrative assistant on the Lexipol platform.

Other

Town Council Liaison Report

Mr. Villalobos asked both Chiefs for a status update on 2027 budget preparation, given the September timeframe and the state's approximately October submission deadline.

Deputy Chief Brittingham reported he, Ms. Sandberg, and department administrative staff have met to discuss potential budget adjustments, but that significant uncertainty remains given the impact of recent state legislative changes (Senate Enrolled Act 1) on local revenue; specific increase requests will be submitted but final state approval and available revenue remain unknown at this time.

Mr. Carnahan (Town Council liaison) noted a revenue loss estimate previously discussed as approximately $826,800 was more recently corrected by Ms. Sandberg to approximately $1.1 million, underscoring the uncertainty. He expressed personal support for compensation increases for employees if funding allows.

Chief Mager confirmed the Fire Department has been coordinating with Ms. Sandberg and is preparing to submit a budget consistent with the current year's levels, with a request for a follow-up meeting with the Council Affairs Committee to discuss additional needs if any funding flexibility exists. In response to a question noting the Department's rising call volume against a flat budget, Chief Mager confirmed this is a function of the broader state revenue constraints, not a Town or administrative decision.

Ms. Littles relayed two citizen thank-you messages: general appreciation for Public Works' storm cleanup efforts, and specific thanks to Chris Craft and Matt Sella for their kindness in assisting an elderly Rose Garden Estates resident's mother.

Public Comment

Kevin Toth — 9725B W. 129th Place

Mr. Toth addressed the Board regarding an internal matter he described in general terms: that two Department officers had recently been required to arrest a fellow officer as part of their professional duties. Without naming any individual(s) involved or providing further specifics, Mr. Toth — drawing on his own past experience in public safety having faced a similar situation — commended the two officers for setting aside personal loyalty to uphold their professional and legal obligations, characterizing their conduct as difficult, professionally significant, and worthy of the Board's and the community's recognition.

Marie Sumara — 13318 Morse Street

Ms. Sumara raised concern regarding e-bike safety, describing witnessing children riding e-bikes without helmets, weaving across both sides of Morse Street on two separate occasions before turning onto 135th Avenue, and requested the Board consider action to address the issue.

No further public comment was received.

Executive Session

Mr. Stick announced an executive session would follow adjournment of the regular meeting.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Stick declared the meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.