HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-1997 Minutes POLICE CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD
OCTOBER 2, 1997 - 6:00 P.M.
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER Temporary Chair P. Hoffey called the meeting to order at 6:00
P.M.
ATTENDANCE All Board members were present: J. Watson, M. Raymond, P.
Farrant, L. Cohen and P. Hoffey. Staffpresent: D. Russell, M.
Kart and S. Bauer.
LEGAL COUNSEL Motion by M. Raymond to appoint and approve Douglas Russell
as legal counsel to the PCP, B; seconded by P. Farrant. Motion
carried unanimously, 5/0, all members present. Mr. Russell was
welcomed.
MINUTES Motion by J. Watson and seconded by L. Cohen that the minutes of
September 19 be approved; motion carded unanimously, 5/0, all
members present.
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL: The PCRB recommends that Council grant it
a 45-day extension of time to respond to Complaint No. 97-01.
CORRESPONI)ENCE: Motion by J. Watson and seconded by P. Farrant that
correspondence from Sandra Gilpin and Philip Reisetter be
accepted. After discussion, it was agreed that henceforth minutes
and correspondence shall be presented in the agenda as "Consent
Calendar." Motion carried unanimously, 5/0, all members present.
OPEN MEETINGS
OPEN RECORDS Attorney Doug Russell gave an overview of the open meet'rags and
open records laws. Staffwas directed to provide a copy of Chapter
21 and 22 of the Code to each board member.
It was suggested by counsel that the Board should decide if it wants
to keep taped minutes beyond one year. It was also suggested the
Board should formulate and publish some rules of conduct for
spectators and the media attending meetings.
PCRB Minutes - 10/2/97
Page 2
With respect to open records, counsel advised that the Board
needs to name and publicly announce the identity of the lawful
custodian of the records and make it a part of the Board's Rules
· and Procedures.
Counsel will do further research on whether the Police Chief's
Report could be considered an investigative report.
CONFLICT OF
INTEREST Conflict of interest is defined by the Supreme Court as a potential
private advantage, financial or otherwise. Ifa conflict exists, one
And as amended on 10/8/97 needs to state what it is in the meeting, leave the meeting before the
discussion begins, and return only after the vote is taken. Counsel
will clarify the issue as to whether the State conflict ofimerest law
applies to city officials on volunteer boards.
BYLAWS The Board voiced a desire to firm up bylaws and roles of procedure
as quickly as possible so as to move forward on Complaints and
Police Department policies, rules and procedures. A discussion of
the drnfl bylaws followed. Direction was given to amend the draR
bylaws to reflect:
Article m, Section 7: Resignations. Resignations shall be
submitted in writing to the Mayor with a copy to the City Clerk and
the Chairperson of the Board at least 30 days prior to the date of
intended departure.
Article IV, Section 1: Delete" Secreta~."
Article IV, Section 6: Delete entire section.
Article V, Section 1: Regular Meetings. At least one monthly
meeting shall be held with special meetings as needed.
Article V, Section 2: Delete entire section.
Article V, Section 4: All meetings shall be held in a City
accessible facility.
Article V, Section 9: At the direction of the Board, counsel will
provide language effecting a need for a regular procedure for
reporting exparte contacts.
PCRB Minutes - 10/2/97
Page 3
Article V, Section 11: Voting. A majority is required to pass any
motion or election, except for closed sessions as provided for in
Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code.
Article VI. General and Limited Powers and Duties: Delete
entire article, keeping only a reference to the powers and duties set
forth in Section 8 of Ordinance 97-3792.
Article VII, Section l(b): The minutes and tape recordings of any
session closed under the provisions of Iowa Code shall be closed
records.
The Board requested stalTto make above changes and submit the
new draft bylaws and put it on for a vote at the next meafmg
COMPLAINT In discussing the funeline for the first Complaint, it was determined
the Board needs to make a formal request to City Council for a 45-
day extension of time. Reasons for such request would include:
· the Board has only just retained legal counsel;
· the Board has not yet adopted bylaws
· the Board has not yet adopted procedural rules
· the Board only just received a copy of Complaint 97-1 and
the Chief's Report.
Staffwas directed to provide Board members with a copy of
Police policies and procedures specific to this case. Members also
requested a Police Department representative be available in the
Police Department should there be any questions from the Board at
their next meeting
When processing the Complaint, counsel suggests us'rog the
procedural rules in the statute that are standard, fair and
predictable; follow the bylaws agreed upon; and, write up
supplementary procedural rules and make them part of the meeting
record so the process is fair. Counsel was directed to follow up
with City Attorney on questions concerning the Ordinance.
Discussion followed regarding level of investigation for review.
Motion by J.Watson and seconded by P. Hoffey that the Board
review Complaint 97-1 at level "e" for additional investigation.
Discussion continued. Motion carded unanimously, 5/0, all
members present.
PCRB Minutes - 10/2/97
Page 4
MEETING DATES Next meeting dates are scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 1997
from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and Friday, October 10,1997 from 4:00 to
6:00 p.m
ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournmem by M. Raymond, seconded by L. Cohen.
Motion unanimously carried, 5/0, all members present. Meeting
adjourned 8:50 p.m.