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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-1997 CommunicationJuly 30. 1997 JOHN S ALLEN 398 BOYD LAW BLDG IOWA CITY IA 52242 Re: Iowa City Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) Dear Member of the Johnson County Bar Association: CITY OF IOWA CITY The purpose of this letter is to obtain preliminary information from attorneys who are interested in " serving as legal counsel to the newly -formed Police Citizens Review Board ("PCRB"). The Iowa City City Council gave final consideration to the ordinance establishing the PCRB on July 15, 1997 and the ordinance became effective upon publication on July 23, 1997. Board members will be appointed at the Council's meeting on August 26, 1997. If you would like a copy of the ordinance, please contact my office and we will send you one. City staff is currently in the process of establishing staff support for the PCRB. Due to potential conflicts of interest the City Attorney's office will not represent the PCRB. Because we are chartering new territory with the PCRB it is difficult to imagine all the legal issues that may arise. However, one can anticipate that counsel will review the bylaws and complaint form and assist the PCRB with issues concerning the Iowa Open Meetings and Open Records laws, personnel and confidentiality, police policy and procedure and use of force. If you are interested in being considered as counsel for the PCRB, please submit the following information to me no later than August 26, 1997: 1. Resume and/or summary of your education, work experience and any other experience that particularly qualifies you to represent the PCRB. 2. Current hourly rate. Rates are subject to negotiation. 3. Identify any potential conflicts of interest you may have in representing the PCRB. Retention of counsel will be one of the first items on the PCRB's agenda when it meets following appointment of members on August 26, 1997. The Board will choose its own attorney with assistance from City staff. The budget for the PCRB will include attorney's fees. Although the fee structure has not yet been determined, City staff anticipates a guaranteed monthly retainer amount with payment at an hourly rate for any hours in excess of the retained number of hours. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or Assistant City Attorney Dennis Mitchell. Very truly yours, &.'vrn. 9Q Eleanor M. Dilkes Acting City Attorney cc: City Council Steve Atkins, City Manager Marian Karr, City Clerk eleanar/hdattorney. mrg 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET • IOWA CITY, IOWA 53360.1626 • (519) 356-5000 • FAX (J 19) 336-5009 July 30, 1997 MEMBERS OF LINN COUNTY BAR ASSOC C/O KAREN VOLZ - PRESIDENT PO BOX 50762 CEDAR RAPIDS IA 52407-5062 Re: Iowa City Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) Dear Member of the Linn County Bar Association: CITY OF IOWA CITY The purpose of this letter is to obtain preliminary information from attorneys who are interested in serving as legal counsel to the newly -formed Police Citizens Review Board ("PCRB"). The Iowa City City Council gave final consideration to the ordinance establishing the PCRB on July 15, 1997 and the ordinance became effective upon publication on July 23, 1997. Board members will be appointed at the Council's meeting on August 26, 1997. If you would like a copy of the ordinance, please contact my office and we will send you one. City staff is currently in the process of establishing staff support for the PCRB. Due to potential conflicts of interest the City Attorney's office will not represent the PCRB. Because we are chartering new territory with the PCRB it is difficult to imagine all the legal issues that may arise. However, one can anticipate that counsel will review the bylaws and complaint form and assist the PCRB with issues concerning the Iowa Open Meetings and Open Records laws, personnel and confidentiality, police policy and procedure and use of force. If you are interested in being considered as counsel for the PCRB, please submit the following information to me no later than August 26, 1997: 1. Resume and/or summary of your education, work experience and any other experience that particularly qualifies you to represent the PCRB. 2. Current hourly rate. Rates are subject to negotiation. 3. Identify any potential conflicts of interest you may have in representing the PCRB. Retention of counsel will be one of the first items on the PCRB's agenda when it meets following appointment of members on August 26, 1997. The Board will choose its own attorney with assistance from City staff. The budget for the PCRB will include attorney's fees. Although the fee structure has not yet been determined, City staff anticipates a guaranteed monthly retainer amount with payment at an hourly rate for any hours in excess of the retained number of hours. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or Assistant City Attorney Dennis Mitchell. Ver^ryy, truly yours,�/ 7 ll 4,w ) � - `� I4u Eleanor M. Dilkes Acting City Attorney cc: City Council Steve Atkins, City Manager Marian Karr, City Clerk Neanor/Rdattomey.mrg 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET • IOWA CITY, IOWA 52260-1936 • 4319) 336-5000 • FAX (319) 336.5009 City of Iowa City DATE: TO: FROM RE: MEMORANDUM September 11, 1997 PCRB Members Marian K. Karr, City Clerk CONFIDENTIAL Suggested questions for interviewing legal counsel Following are some questions that you may wish to consider for interviewing the legal counsel for PCRB. I suggest we use these questions as a basis for discussion at your Monday meeting. Certainly the questions can be modified or omitted at your discretion. i What are your reasons for applying for this position? What do you know about the Police Citizen Review Board? How familiar are you with the Civil Service system? , Do you currently have any pending cases regarding police officers? What do you see as your role and the time commitment for this position? Can you summarize the open meetings and open records law as it relates to this body?