Welcome and Opening
Introduction of meeting facilitators and staff liaisons. Facilitator provided overview of meeting agreements which included understanding, patience, and that it be a brave space.
Co-Chair Nominations / Nominee Statements / Co-Chair Vote
Task Force (TF) Member Alicia Torres recommended that there be a third alternate to serve as a Co-Chair. There was a question posed for the need to an alternate and due to this position being in addition to full-time employment, and other commitments. It would be ideal to have an alternate for instances where a Co-Chair is absent. TF Member Kathy Mitchell voted to authorize a third Co-Chair, with TF Member Hailey Easley seconding. TF Members voted with one in opposition and the remaining members supporting a third Co-Chair.
There was an inquiry about compensation and having discussions publicly. Deputy City Manager (DCM) Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde indicated the City would have to review these inquiries.
The Facilitator asked if there was anyone to add to the list of nominees or if anyone wants to be removed. The nominees were:
David Johnson
Farah Muscadin
Quincy Dunlap
Paula Rojas
Alicia Torres
Chris Harris
Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde
Brion Oaks
There were no additional nominees added nor removed from the nominee list. A Google poll was provided to Task Members and they were instructed to vote on only two candidates and that the top three would be elected as Co-Chairs. The nominees did not provide statements. The Facilitator indicated that the Co-Chair duties would begin after this meeting and named the Co-Chairs, Paula Rojas and Brion Oaks and Farah Muscadin as the third Co-Chair.
DCM Rivera-Vandermyde voted to suspend Roberts Rules, TF Member Dawn Handley seconded.
History of Policing Presentation
Co-Chair Brion Oaks provided an introduction. TF Members Emily Gerrick, Chris Harris, Hailey Easley, and Paula Rojas provided the History of Policing presentation.
TF Members shared reactions and comments about the presentation including:
- Though 12.5 million is documented for people forcibly brought to America, it is only an estimate which doesn't account for slave trade activity that was not recorded.
- The presentation triggered thoughts of policing, “Who was it protecting?, What is the value placed on it? Why is it important to revisit?”
- How were these events on the timeline selected? Significant events, such as the Cedar Street Incident, Sophia King shooting were not included.
- It was indicated that the timeline is an iterative and evolving document.
Before the presentation began TF Member Alicia Torres indicated that there are some housekeeping items that she would like addressed, including community accessibility to Zoom for TF meetings as well as Facebook as a useful tool to connect to the public, providing the task force additional information about the RPS survey being used as a tool to gather public feedback in Council district RPS community conversations and other engagement platforms, and would like the group to understand the reimagining & decoupling funding of $7.1M.
Agenda Planning for Future Meetings
TF Member Kathy Mitchell proposed there is a working group for 911 calls that do not require law enforcement and a presentation for the City moving 911 out of APD. It was also asked for a progress on the work surrounding mental health.
Co-Chair Paula Rojas indicated that would be good to have discussion on values and themes, which will establish a compass to work from, and that there could be a work group.
Co-Chair Farah Muscadin indicated that there could be a parallel approach to the work the Task Force and work groups are doing.
TF Member Chris Harris indicated potentially creating two working groups that would work offline. TF Member Chris Shorter proposed a working group that would focus on park patrol. TF Member Cary Roberts inquired about how the TF can weave community involvement into the conversation. TF Member Dawn Handley indicated emailing ideas about various work groups would be helpful.