06.24.2020 City Council Work Session Minutes

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Councilor Zelenka -agreed how police policy and budgeting/Community Safety Initiative construct can be two different processes, and this dichotomy can also lead to two immediate actions; stated he doesn't buy into the idea of defunding police; suggested another model that would allow councilor involvement is as an ex-officio member, without voting privileges but there to hear the conversation; stated the two presumptive councilors for wards 2 and 8 need to be included too; said he thinks Eugene's story of its long legacy of reform needs to be told; in the short-term the Mayor and City Manager can collect more input to be considered at the July 20 meeting, to help Council craft a more thoughtful process. Councilor Clark- stated he spent a lot of time on the Police Commission writing many of these policies, including the bias -free policing policy, which involved many conversations with officers and staff in the department to understand how the impact of those policies, written by non -police people, affect their day-to-day lives; asked Council to consider what it expects of the police department and does it expect police officers to make the right decisions and behave perfectly all of the time; stated it is an important question to be fair to employees about how they are asked to do the job of keeping the community safe, enforcing and forcing people to comply with the rules. Mayor Vinis - stated it is her hope through a community conversation that community members can understand more about how government works and Council can get a better sense of priorities and outcomes; stated there is a dynamic process that can happen. MOTION: Councilor Yell, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to direct the City Manager to workwith staff, the Human Rights Commission, the Police Commission and the Civilian Review Board to create a task force from those groups and the community, tasked with developing a plan for reviewing and making recommendations on police policy to Council and then making those recommendations. MOTION TO POSTPONE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to postpone and have the discussion prior to July 30. Council Discussion: • Councilor Clark- stated Councilor Evans is not present and he does not want to vote on the creation of this group without him; stated more time is needed to discuss many pieces of this motion which Council does not have at this meeting. • Councilor Zelenka - suggested the motion could be simplified and brought back on July 20; stated Councilor Evans needs to be part of the conversation. • Councilor Semple - stated Council needs to vote on the motion, but not today; stated she is concerned about leaving it until July 20 and agreed that Councilor Evans needs to be present. • Mayor Vinis - suggested she and the City Manager can look for a new date, and Council and staff can come back more prepared for the conversation. • Councilor Taylor - stated the City has a Police Commission and its function is to make recommendations on police policy, so why create another committee; stated she supports the motion to postpone. • Councilor Yeh - stated she appreciates the direction and agrees to postpone as long as it is not to July 20; stated for the motion she will suggest three members from the HRC, PC, CRB, and City Council with an additional 4-5 community members. VOTE ON MOTION TO POSTPONE: PASSED 7:0. The meeting adjourned at 1:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, MINUTES - Eugene City Council June 24, 2020 Page 4 Work Session