Laserfiche WebLink
did not require an amendment to the City Charter and asked the council to support the draft <br />ordinance and hold a public hearing. He said the proposal had been reviewed by he Human <br />Rights Commission (HRC), the Police Forum, and the Council Committee on Public Safety <br />(CCPS), incorporating their input and addressing their concerns, particularly the issue of overlap <br />in responsibility with the Police Forum. He added that the forum was in hiatus at this time and its <br />fate should be left to the permanent police chief. <br />Ms. Swanson Gribskov expressed support for the proposal, saying it offered a broader <br />opportunity for citizens to be involved early in processes affecting their community. She said the <br />next council will need to address major public safety issues and the proposed group may be of <br />great help, including assisting in future public safety levy measures. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson said she was concerned about the public perception of the council discussion at <br />this time, in light of the recent election. She predicted much public confusion and <br />misunderstanding about the proposal leading to criticism of the council for failing to solicit reports <br />from staff or another group on external review and/or policy. To some citizens, she said, the <br />message will be: "the council is really doing external review although it lost in the election"; others <br />"will be enormously insulted that their 'no' vote didn't actually mean no." <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner said the potential for confusion should not preclude the possible creation of the <br />commission. He expressed support for the proposal but suggested that representation from the <br />HRC be broadened to include "a representative recommended by the HRC, e.g. a member of the <br />Human Rights Support System." Mr. Meisner said calls he has received from the community <br />recognize that the council "is looking at the issue of external review with respect for the fact that <br />it was defeated but at the same time a very conscious acknowledgment that almost half of the <br />community found this an important issue." <br /> <br />Mr. Laue expressed support for the proposal and said he did not share the concern about public <br />confusion. He said that given the proposal's support from the Police Department, the City <br />Manager, and many in the community, the council should move forward with it. Public confusion <br />and concerns can be addressed in the public hearing, he added. <br /> <br />Mr. Tollenaar agreed with Mr. Laue, saying the election result seemed to "toss the ball right back <br />into the council's court." <br /> <br />Mr. Lee noted that the Police Department was one of the city's major budget items and from a <br />management and policy standpoint, very complex. The commission, he said, would enhance <br />efficiency by allowing staff to concentrate on one policy group. He urged the council to move <br />forward with a public hearing. <br /> <br />Mr. Farr said it was up to the council to make it clear to the public what its intention was in <br />moving forward with the ordinance. Had this group been in existence when the June 1, 1997, <br />incident happened, he concluded, it would have addressed the policy issues raised and avoided <br />much of the controversy after the event. <br /> <br />Minutes--Eugene City Council November 18, 1998 Page 3 <br /> 11:30 a.m. <br /> <br /> <br />