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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-1999 Minutes POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD MINUTES - March 2, 1999 Lobby Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Chair L. Cohen called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. ATTENDANCE Board members present: L. Cohen, P. Farrant, P. Hoffey, M. Raymond and J. Watson. Staff present: Legal Counsel D. Russell, Interim Legal Counsel Catherine Pugh, and Administrative Assistant S. Bauer. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by P. Farrant and seconded by P. Hoffey to adopt the Consent Calendar. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL None FOLLOWUP OF MEETING WITH COUNCIL The 2/25/99 correspondence from Eleanor Dilkes to D. Russell with drafts of the revisions to the Board's SOPs and ordinance change was discussed. The revisions are in keeping with the previous discussions between the City Attorney and PCRB legal counsel. Discussion points included: · Legal Counsel noted his satisfaction with the compromises that were reached and expressed his belief that the City Attorney fairly reflected them in her memo. · J. Watson questioned whether the draft language under Section V.1 Identification of Officers (page 6) would include guidelines. Legal counsel stated there would be guidelines, on a case-by-case basis, for the Board to follow in determining whether to release the name of an officer in a sustained complaint. The Board can make an independent judgment on this without clearance from the Police Department. · Legal Counsel believes that the unique identifying number will be provided to the Board at the beginning of its deliberation. · Legal Counsel acknowledged that the Board should not use the identifying number in its public reports, which is a new restriction from earlier discussions. · It is the opinion of Legal Counsel that as long as a public report doesn't allow the public to relate back and identify an officer, the Board could refer to how many previous complaints were filed against a particular officer. In that event, because it's a criticism, the Board shall offer a name-clearing hearing to the officer. · Regarding Section I, A.2 (page 1), it is the opinion of Legal Counsel that the Board request a written clarification on the method for obtaining officer names if they are not shown on the original complaint form, should the Board choose to make that name public. The Board directed Legal Counsel to report its approval of the revisions to the City Attorney (with the exception of the clarification as noted above) and respond back to the Board at its next meeting. Once the Board approves the proposed changes in consultation with the City Attorney, it will appear on the City Council agenda (March 30, 1999); a Board representative shall attend the Council's informal meeting and the formal meeting. Board members expressed their appreciation to the City Attorney for her continuing cooperation and support concerning these matters. The Chair was directed to send her an appreciation letter. COMMUNITY FORUM Interim Counsel confirmed her availability for the forum scheduled at the Broadway Neighborhood Center on April 28, 1999, 7:00-9:00 P.M. Issues decided: · The Chair will preside at the forum · Speakers must come to the podium and sign the "sign-up sheet" with their name and address · Speaker limitation not to exceed 5 minutes · Paul Hoffey was directed to prepare a draft letter (for the next packet) to the Chief requesting his presentation address concerns that are inherent to the Broadway neighborhood and what measures the police department is taking to deal with them. · Noting they are not equipped to be immediately responsive to suggestions and comments from the public, Board members are encouraged to ask questions of those persons addressing them. · The Board does not want the forum to be videotaped; there will be audiotape. · Sign-up sheets will be available on the night of the forum; no preregistration. DEPARTURE OF LEGAl. COUNSEl. Chair noted Russell's official departure as PCRB legal counsel after the meeting on March 9, 1999. Catharine Pugh will serve as interim attorney until new counsel is selected. Staff was directed to provide a copy of the letter of agreement between Ms. Pugh and the City in the next Board packet. At the request of the City Attorney and the City Clerk, D. Russell will prepare a draft "job description" for the PCRB legal counsel; a draft will be furnished to Board members at the next meeting. The Board directed staff to place an ad in: · Newspaper classifieds; · All Johnson County attorneys; · Posted in all appropriate City buildings · City Website · Johnson County Corridor Careers Jobline Appl!cations and inquiries shall be directed to the City Clerk. At the end of the 30-day advertising period, and after the City Attorney's review, all applications are to be sent to the Board. MEETING SCHEDULE · Regular Meeting March 9, 1999, 7:00 P.M. · Special Meeting March 30, 1999 - PCRB Priority- Setting Meeting · Regular Meeting April 13, 1999, 7:00 P.M. 4 · Community Forum at Broadway Neighborhood Center, April 28, 1999, 7:00 P.M. P. Hoffey volunteered to prepare a list of policies that he believes are important for the Board to focus on in its review of police department policies, procedures and practices. This list will be discussed further during the priority-setting meeting on March 30, 1999. PUBLIC DISCUSSION None BOARD INFORMATION None STAFF INFORMATION Doug Russell - · Contacted by Attorney R. Zimmerman, requesting a speaker from the Board for an ACLU meeting on Sunday, April 11, 1999, 1:00 p.m., at the Iowa City Public Library. [Russell was directed to return Mr. Zimmerman's call with instructions to contact Board members.] · Took pizza orders from Board members for his "farewell' meeting EXECUTIVE SESSION PCRB Complaint #99-01 dated 3/2/99 was distributed to Board members. Citing a conflict of interest in regard to PCRB Complaint #98:'19, Chair L. Cohen recused herself at 7:25 P.M. Vice Chair J. Watson presiding. Motion by P. Hoffey and seconded by M. Raymond to adjourn into Executive Session based on Section 21.5(a) of the Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for that government body's possession or continued receipt of federal funds, and 22.7(11) personal information in confidential personnel records of public bodies including but not limited to cities, boards of supervisors and school districts, and 22.7(5) police officer investigative reports, except where disclosure is authorized elsewhere in the Code. Motion carried, 4/0, Cohen absent. Executive session adjourned at 7:26 P.M. Regular meeting resumed at 8:53 P.M. The final draft of Report #98-19 will be discussed at the next meeting. Vice Chair requested that the agenda for the next meeting include "Police Department Investigative Interviews." ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by P. Farrant and seconded by P. Hoffey. Motion carried, 4/0, Cohen absent. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.