Laserfiche WebLink
March 20, 2013 <br />Item 7. a <br />Evaluation of 2012 Achievements <br />should get a better sense of where they were in agreement, and further fine-tuning <br />was needed or revisions to the City Ordinance, originally written in 1968 and last <br />revised in 1975; and needing to address the duties of the Civic Engagement Task <br />Force. <br />Chair Grefenberg advised that the HRC had been approached by outside groups <br />suggesting that the City was not responsive enough, specifically a recent incident <br />with the City's Police Department and its SWAT Team. Chair Grefenberg opined that <br />it would be helpful to the HRC to get guidance from the City Council on its role and <br />to get some sense on specific issues. In the Police Department issue, Chair <br />Grefenberg advised that the HRC waited until the regular processes had been <br />followed; however, he was aware that there were some lingering concerns in the <br />community that should be addressed without the HRC becoming an overseer of the <br />Police Department. Chair Grefenberg opined that this had been a problem in the <br />past, and questioned the preference of the City Council in whether the HRC should <br />provide a forum for citizens of if they should go through the City Council process. <br />Member Thao noted that, from her understanding, the SWAT Team issue involved <br />someone with special needs, not just the police process itself; and suggested a need <br />to address how to handle mental health issues in those circumstances. <br />Councilmember Pust concurred that this was exactly the issue. Councilmember Pust <br />expressed her appreciation for the work the HRC had done to-date; and expressed <br />her advocacy to think about diversity broadly, including abilities and disabilities <br />across the entire age demographic. Councilmember Pust clarified that this was in <br />no way a reflection on the Police Department doing things differently; however, she <br />noted that they admitted and were pursuing more training in similar situations. <br />Councilmember Pust opined that it would be an appropriate role for the HRC to be <br />involved in such a process if they were aware of resources; and offered her personal <br />partnership to the HRC in such future endeavors. <br />Mayor Roe opined that it made sense to partner with any and all City departments <br />where they could make connections; noting that the City's Fire and Police <br />Departments are already doing a lot of outreach that may be available for the HRC <br />to tie into. Mayor Roe noted that HRC facilitating relationship-building among <br />various interest groups was a great idea; and if adding cultural events and activities <br />to the annual Rosefest festivities was possible, the more connections the better for <br />everyone. <br />In noting different abilities, Councilmember McGehee opined that all are not <br />noticeable. <br />Councilmember Johnson opined that the parameters and responsibilities alluded to <br />by Councilmember Pust were good. Councilmember Johnson noted that the Police <br />Department had already made adjustments on how to handle similar situations in <br />the future; and only if the HRC observed that those adjustments were not <br />happening would it be their role to step in. <br />Vice Chair Singleton noted that issues with the Police Department and the HRC had <br />occurred several years ago, and opined that the HRC currently had a good rapport <br />with all City departments and staff. <br />HRC Current Status Review of 2012 Strategic Plan and 2013-2014 Revisions & Initiatives 11 <br />