Chambana Sun

City of Champaign City Council met July 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-07 (COVID-19 Executive Order No. 5) which suspends the requirement of the Illinois Open Meetings Act requiring in-person attendance by members of a public body during the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, attendance by all Council Members, the City Manager, the City Clerk and other City staff members will be electronic via an online meeting platform.

The members of the City Council were not physically present for the July 14, 2020 Regular Study Session but instead participated in the meeting through audio or audio/video access using a virtual meeting platform.

City Manager David was present, via Zoom, at the City Building Council Chambers.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:                  

Matthew Gladney          William Kyles

Vanna Pianfetti               Alicia Beck

Angie Brix                      Tom Bruno

Clarissa Fourman          Mayor Feinen

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:

Greg Stock

STAFF PRESENT: 

Dorothy Ann David, City Manager

Fred Stavins, City Attorney

Anthony Cobb, Police Chief

Tod Myers, Deputy Police Chief, Operations and Patrol

Thomas Petrilli, Deputy Police Chief, Professional Standards

OTHERS PRESENT: None

TIME STARTED: 7:00 p.m.

A roll-call of Council Members present was called by Clerk Banks. All Council Members, except CM Stock, were present.

MINUTE APPROVAL:

CM Brix, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to approve the minutes. A roll-call vote was taken, all voted yes.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

Champaign Police Department Update [SS 2020-019]

Manager David noted staff would provide an update regarding the Police Department in light of recent local, state, and national conversations regarding policing practices and police reform. A Study Session will provide an opportunity for the Police Department to speak to local practices and to discuss opportunities where the City can engage more with the community about additional measures that could be taken locally to make sure the City’s Police Department is providing responsive services that also protect the rights of all citizens.

Chief Cobb noted members of the command staff present with the exception of Deputy Chief Dave Shaffer who is on a scheduled vacation. He noted the staff presentations will provide a summary of the departments presentation including – adopting 21st Century policing principles; review of departmental policies, practices, and use of force; acknowledge community concerns and departments commitment to continue to partner with the community; share the planned vision for moving forward by listening, learning, growing, and taking action; working and standing alongside the community; replacing mistrust and misunderstanding with mutual trust, new relationships and enhanced community-oriented policing concepts; and Why We’re Here.

Deputy Chief Petrilli’s presentation component (Adopting 21st Century Policing Principles) included the following topics:

• Historical Context: Adopting 21st Century Policing Principles (February 2015, May 2015, and June 2015)

• 2015 Strategic Plan (Four Major Building Block Initiatives: Community Safety and Connections; Trust & Trust Building; Employee Wellness, Training & Development; and Best Practices: Policy & Oversight)

• 2016 Body Cameras

• 2017 Use of Force Review Committee (Goals of Committee, and Citizen Review Subcommittee)

• 2018 NAACP/ILACPD Shared Principles Agreement

• 2018 Community Engagement

Deputy Chief Myers’ presentation component (Use of Force & New Software) included the following topics:

• June/July 2020: Use of Force Policy Updates

• Use of Force Revision: De-escalation (Effective July 10, 2020)

• Chokehold Ban

• Use of Force Revision: Duty to Intervene

• Professional Standards (IAPRO) Software

Chief Cobb’s presentation component (Committed to Action) included the following topics: • #8 Can’t Wait (8 Policies)

• Mayoral Pledge (ACT – Action, Changes, Things)

• Community Listening Sessions (August 2020)

• Community Dialogues

• Chief’s Advisory Committee

• Our Commitment

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

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends Council direct staff to proceed with continued implementation of Police Department strategic plan initiatives and to initiate a public engagement process on community policing incorporating Council input.

Council Members’ Technical Questions:

Council Member’s technical questions included the following topics: selection of people for smaller group sessions, and sessions being one-time or on-going; sharing information from sessions if not streamed; timeline to transition information to the new software; chokehold ban and use; defining community townhalls; attendance at townhalls; inappropriate actions of an officer from another community; departmental policy regarding display of other flags, symbols, groups or affiliations including on uniforms; policy versus practice; and addressing symbolism.

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

Public Input: Deputy Mayor Bruno noted members of the public would be recognized based on hands raised via Zoom. The following members of the public addressed Council in relation to policing issues and concerns, need for transparency, advisory nature of the Citizen’s Review Committee and need for Ordinance review, need to address subpoena power, settlement of lawsuits involving use of force and wrongful imprisonment, gun violence, accountability, union agreement provisions, and need to implement proposed strategic initiatives: Brian Dunn, Champaign

Emily Klose, Champaign

Rita Conerly, Champaign

Emily Rodriquez, Champaign

Minnie Pearson

Council Members’ General Comments: Council Members’ general comments included the need for conversation regarding policy; support changes suggested for policing and the need to address culture and resources for policing; need for Council to seek direct input and to dialogue with citizens; continuing with School Resources Officers that build relationships with students; morale of officers; thanks for presentation, work done, input from community, and continuing to work to keep community together; consider the economic impact on individuals involved with police issues and having them participate and engage; use of community sessions to bring people together, to listen and to share; glad for inclusion of youth involvement; policy versus practice and the need to address concerns communicated by citizens; support proposed direction including different ways to participate; consider recorded community sessions and put sessions

on Zoom; need to be cautious with consideration of in-person input sessions because of COVID; Council decision needed regarding issues, concerns, and direction going forward; and good first step, inclusion of NAACP principles, importance of Council dialogue in additional to dialogue with citizens, and Council’s commitment to change, ideas and conversations focusing on many areas including budget concerns.

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

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled directing staff to proceed with continued implementation of Police Department strategic plan initiatives and to initiate a public engagement process on community policing, incorporating Council input. A roll-call vote was taken; and the result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays.

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

Audience Participation: Deputy Mayor Bruno called upon the following members of the audience based on raised hands via Zoom:

Brian Dunn, Champaign, expressed appreciation of comments, need to continue working together and moving forward, and to reach out to organizations to address violence concerns.

Minnie Pearson, Champaign, expressed thanks for support of items brought forward; consider how policing is done and moving forward; commended staff for wanting to have conversations, need to include everyone, and the need to allow people to be heard and to listen.

Council and City Manager Comments:

CM Fourman expressed support of moving forward with listening sessions; and the need to be mindful that some people have explained their pain, trauma, and frustration but their input is still needed.

Adjournment:

CM Brix, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adjourn. A roll-call vote was taken on the motion to adjourn; all voted yes.

The meeting ended at 8:44 p.m.

http://documents.ci.champaign.il.us/v/1K9HBEqmMKCc4ff7-klzvzh-H4CbGeH4E