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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-1998 CommunicationKaren Kubby CITY COUNCIL MEMBER Civic Center 410 E. Washington 5t. Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5010 (319) 356-5009 (FAX) Residence 725 2nd Avenue Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 338-1321 Printed on 100% recycled paper —10% poet -consumer fere March 17, 1998 sm In reviewing the 2-25-98 "Police Citizens Review Board Formal Mediation Policies/Procedures", I noticed something that could be a potential problem and hope that you can discuss this at some future meeting. I am referring to the eighth and tenth point of the policies/procedures. The eighth point states, "Statements and records disclosed during mediation may not be used or introduced in evidence during any legal proceeding or PCRB investigation-" Hopefully, mediation will become the standard process citizens choose to resolve concerns about their interaction with our police department. If, during this process, people on either side of the issue are restrictive in their disclosure for fear that once said in mediation, it cannot be brought up in another venue, the process will have broken down. There may be legal reasons for this process this that I don't understand. But if this is so, are there alternatives to resolve those issues without creating a new kind of conflict within the mediation process? Point number ten says, "If mediation fails to resolve the complaint, the mediator shall inform the PCRB in writing, and the review of the complaint shall proceed as though mediation did not occur." Except for anything that was brought out in the mediation process according to point number eight. It seems as if some clarification is warranted. I hope you all don't mind my continued commenting on this process. It is of great interest to me. Again, I appreciate the time and energy the PCRB is putting towards this new way of resolving concerns. In peace. City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: March 27. 1998 To: PCRB From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk The purpose of this memo is to outline general questions and procedures when considering holding meetings for public input. The term Public "hearings" is usually associated when a body actually places on their agenda item which sets a hearing for a specific day and time on a specific subject. For example: Consider a motion setting a public hearing for March 24, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss an application from Joe Blow to use City streets. A formal public hearing would be published in the newspaper and would be listed on the agenda the night of the public hearing as follows: Hold a public hearing on an application from Joe Blow to use City streets. Some sort of action would generally follow the hearing like approving or denying the application. Public discussion, town meetings, or public input are generally less formal. Certainly each of these would appear on the agenda the night of the discussion, meeting or input but wouldn't appear on an agenda prior to that. In other words you would not set a public discussion, town meeting, or public input on a previous agenda. There are a number of general questions that should be discussed and decided on by the Board. I attempted to list and group the questions to aid in your deliberation. RECEIPT OF POLICIES • How does the Board wish to handle the individual policies as they are received? I believe they should be at a minimum, received by the Board and thus stated in the minutes. Sections 8-8-2N, 8-8-7C(3), and 8-8- 8B(7) refers to Board review and report to Council. • After receipt does the Board wish to schedule "Hearings" on an individual policy basis or group together in some way? Does the Board wish to set a series of nights or just one? Page 2 NOTICE • After a decision is made on what type of "hearing" to have then the Board should inform staff how to proceed with notifying the public. Posting in City buildings Posting in other locations Mailings Publications Cable TV • Do you wish to have any educational materials prepared? Distributed? PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING "HEARINGS" • Location/neutral setting • Moderator • General overview prior to opening If yes, done by Board, PCRB staff, Police staff • Goals of "hearing" should be clear listen respond summarize report back time frame for action • Time restrictions for speakers • Pre -registration for speakers • Televised • Limited to discussion of item(s) only • Use of "red light/green light" • Ability to continue "Hearings" to another evening or restrict to evening(s) • Acceptance of written correspondence I will be available at your meeting on March 31 to discuss this matter. We may also wish to discuss summer scheduling issues as it may relate to "hearings".