HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-1998 Communication Karen Kubby
CITY COUNCIL MEMBEr,
March 17, I
PCP. B,
Civic Cent, er
410 E. Washington St.
In reviewing the 2-25-98 "Police Citizens Review Board
Iowa City, IA 522~
Focal Mediation Policie~rocedures', [ noticed something
(319) 356-5010 that could be a potential problem and hope that you can discuss
(319) 356-~09 (FA~ this at ~me ~mre m~ting.
R~lden~ I am refe~ng to the eighth and temh poim otthe
728 2nd Avenue policie~procedures. The eighth point ~ates, "Statements and
Iowa City, IA 52245 r~ords disclosed during mediation may not be used or
(319) 33~-1321 introduced in evidence during any legal proceeding or PC~
investigation."
Hope~lly, mediation will become the standard process citizens
choose to re.lye concerns about their interaction with our
police depmment. I~ during this process, p~ple on either side
of the issue are restrictive in their disclosure for fear that once
said in m~iation, it cannot be brought up in another venue, the
process ~11 have broken down.
There may be legal reasons for this process ~ that I don't
understand. But if this is so, ~e 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 PC~ in writing, and
the review of the complaim shall proceed as though mediation
did not occur." Except for ~hing that was brought out in the
mediation process according to point number eight.
It seems as if some cl~fication is wa~anted. I hope you all
don't mind my continued commeming on this process. It is of
great interest to me. Again, I appr~iate the time and energy
the PC~ is putting towards this new way off re~lving
~tTY OF lO WA CITY
Printed on 100%
recycled paper-10%
po~t-con~urncr flber~
City of Iowa City
MORANDUM
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-
BB(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".