Chambana Sun

Champaign City Council Study Session met Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Here are the minutes as provided by Champaign:

MINUTES

Champaign City Council

Regular Study Session

DATE: January 24, 2017

PLACE: Champaign City Building

City Council Chambers

102 North Neil Street

Champaign, Illinois 61820

COUNCIL MEMBERS Greg Stock Angie Brix

PRESENT: Tom Bruno Paul Faraci

Clarissa Fourman Matthew Gladney

William Kyles Michael La Due

Mayor Feinen

COUNCIL MEMBERS None

ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Dorothy Ann David, City Manager

Fred Stavins, City Attorney

Anthony Cobb, Police Chief

Jon Swenson, Deputy Police Chief

Jeff Hamilton, Communications Manager

OTHERS PRESENT: Rev. Larry Lewis, Police Complaint Working Group Chairman

Bruce Brown, Police Complaint Working Group Vice-Chairman

TIME STARTED: 7:00 p.m.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

CITIZEN REVIEW OF POLICE COMPLAINTS [SS 2017-004]

City Manager David noted Council held a Study Session in April 2016 to discuss Citizen Review for Police Complaints, and directed staff to assemble a working group. The working group has worked through an understanding of citizen review models and has some recommendations for Council consideration.

Staff Presentation: A presentation by Chief Cobb, Deputy Chief Swenson, Chairman Rev. Lewis, and Vice-Chairman Brown included the following topics:

 Formation of Working Group

 Committee Members

 Process

 Scope of Working Group

 Community Meetings

 Conclusions

 Overview of Current Complaint Process

 Recommendations – Citizen Complaint Process

 Overview of Proposed Complaint Process

 Recommendations – Use of Force Review Process

 Next Steps/Timeline

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends that City Council accepts the recommendations, to include directing staff to begin drafting an ordinance which would authorize the creation of a subcommittee of the Human Relations Commission whose members would assist with reviewing complaint investigations and providing recommendations to the Chief of Police.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions concerned several topics including geographic information on reports; a quarterly report to Council; current and proposed locations for filing complaints; subcommittee’s subpoena power; and citizen participation on a Use of Force Review Board.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Public Input: The following members of the audience spoke regarding Citizen Review of Police Complaints:

 David L. Berg, 2103 Lynwood Dr.

 Martel Miller, Urbana

 Mikolaj Kaminski, 2103 Lynwood Dr.

 Rebecca Patterson, 609 E. Bradley

Council General Discussion: Council Members’ comments included being pleased with the inclusion of subpoena power; proposal does not violate labor negotiation agreements or contract agreements; citizens will be considered for the Use of Force Review Board the same way citizens are considered for other City boards and commissions; the proposal is part of a continuous evolution of transparency; thanks to the working group for all of their work, the leadership at the police department, the officers out on the streets every day, and community members who attended the community meetings; support of an independent study group; certain subpoenas are designed to acquire documents and other tangible evidence, instead of compelling a human to testify; the proposal will not make everyone happy, but it is a good way to get a Review Board established and moving forward; looking forward to seeing the proposed complaint process in action; appreciate contact from community members; and like the education and outreach components.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 directing staff to implement the recommendations of the Police Complaint Working Group, to include drafting an ordinance which would authorize the creation of a subcommittee of the Human Relations Commission. The result of the poll was 9 ayes and 0 nays.

2015-2017 CITY COUNCIL GOALS PROGRESS REPORT [SS 2017-005]

City Manager David noted every two years, after a Council election, Council comes together to set City Council Vision and Goals for the current Council term. The Vision and Goals becomes the major policy document that defines the aspirations Council has for the community, and identifies key projects Council wants staff and financial resources focused on. City Manager David noted Manager Hamilton will provide an update on the progress towards the completion of the 2015-2017 City Council Goals.

Staff Presentation: Manager Hamilton’s presentation included a review of the 2015-2017 Council Goals along with a progress summary of the 33 key projects within the goal areas. The 2015-2017 Council Goals are:

 Our City Promotes Quality of Life for All Citizens

 Our City Promotes First-Rate Services

 Our City Promotes Healthy & Safe Neighborhoods

 Our City Promotes Fiscal Responsibility

 Our City Promotes Economic Opportunity

 Our City Promotes Environmental Sustainability

 Our City Promotes Honest, Transparent, & Inclusive Government

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration seeks Council feedback on progress made on major projects to date and any additional direction on further implementation.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: None

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Public Input: None

Council General Discussion: Council Members’ comments included thanks to staff for their continuous leadership and behind the scenes work; the update is a reminder of how busy City staff are; and appreciate for how staff sticks with the projects and gets the job done after Council sets the goals.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 directing staff to continue implementing the 2015- 2017 City Council Vision and Goals. The result of the poll was 9 ayes and 0 nays.

Audience Participation:

Demario Turner, 1609 Cruising Lane, thanked Council for approving his appointment to the Human Relations Commission, noting the appointment was an honor, and it is a privilege to be able to give back to the community. Mr. Turner noted he intends to serve under the declarations that women’s rights are human rights, civil rights are human rights, equal is equal, and fair is fair.

Council/Manager Comments:

CM Brix commended the Champaign Public Library for An Evening with David Sheff, the author of Beautiful Boy, and encouraged the public to attend an Evening with Terry McMillan in May.

City Manager David noted the Administration requests a Closed Session to discuss Collective Negotiating Matters.

Adjournment: CM Bruno, seconded by CM Faraci, moved to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Collective Negotiating Matters. A roll-call vote was taken on the motion to adjourn; all voted yes.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m