Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations

Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations Minutes June 8, 2023 – 5:30 P.M. In-person at Peoria Police Department’s Training Room (600 SW Adams St., Peoria) The Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations met at the Peoria Police Department’s Training Room on Thursday, June 8, 2023, with proper notice posted. Chair Burch called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Burch, Echevarria, Farrell, Lang, Petersen, Richardson, Schaidle, and Smith. Absent: Allen, Boone, Burnside, DeGood, Fosburgh, Jackson, King, Talavera, and Wilson. Guests: Deeb. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Schaidle motioned to approve the May 11, 2023, minutes; seconded by Vice-Chair Lang. Motion carried. MEETING Chair Burch opened the floor for nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair. Chief Echevarria asked who the current Vice-Chair was; Chief nominated current Vice-Chair Lang for another term. Seconded by Member Petersen. Nomination passed. Vice-Chair Lang nominated current Chair Burch for another term; seconded by Chief Echevarria. Nomination passed. Chair Burch opened the floor for discussion regarding moving the monthly meetings to the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:00PM. This would begin in July. Vice-Chair Lang reached out to several community agencies to discuss having the meeting at their location. Several required payment and others had no availability. Due to scheduling issues, the July meeting will be at the Peoria Police Department’s Training Room. Vice-Chair Lang shared that when she asked locations if the committee would be able to have a rotating meeting schedule in their space, they all declined. They said that it would have to be a set schedule. Member Petersen asked about the libraries; Vice-Chair Lang said that Lincoln Branch Library is a possibility. Chair Burch reiterated the importance of having a quorum since the committee is asking an outside agency for a meeting space. Member Petersen asked if quorum has been an issue; Vice-Chair explained that several meetings over the last year have been cancelled due to lack of quorum. Asst. City Manager (ACM) Richardson brought up that 17 members is a large committee; she suggested visiting the idea of reducing the number of members. Chief recommended reaching out to members to confirm that they would like to still be apart of the committee. Member Petersen introduced the idea of not filling vacancies as member’s terms expire. The process for proposing decreasing the number of members was discussed. ACM Richardson discussed that legal would have to advise. Member Farrell brought up her concern that there may be other committed people who are interested in representing. Member Petersen said that since these are nominated seats by the mayor that this may be a conversation to have with her. ACM Richardson discussed the importance of having a work plan and how members fit into that plan. Chair Burch discussed that the committee has reviewed its purpose in previous meetings. Member Petersen discussed that part of community relations involves complaints. Chair Burch shared that there are not many complaints being forwarded to the committee. ACM Richardson recommended having a committee retreat to have a facilitated conversation of what the committee’s focus is and to help members get on the same page. Member Farrell agreed and added that it should be an annual retreat. Chair Burch discussed that the last time there was a retreat only a couple members attended. Chief Echevarria shared a draft of ideas that he believed the group could take ideas from. Member Petersen suggested using the monthly meeting time to discuss goals; Member Farrell again reiterated the idea of a Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations Minutes June 8, 2023 - 5:30 P.M. retreat. Chief Echevarria suggested going point by point through the city’s ordinance. Chair Burch charged members to bring their goals to the next meeting. GENERAL POLICE UPDATE Due to time constraints, the police update was not discussed. CITIZEN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE – none ADJOURNMENT – Member Petersen motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Chief Echevarria. Meeting adjourned at 7:03 PM. _____________________________ Lee Lang, Vice-Chair _____________________________ Shalandra Burch, Chair _____________________________ Eric Echevarria, member