1 | Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2020-36: A resolution of the Council of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona, adopting the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021. | ||||||
Mayor Evans thanked those who took the time to submit comments on the budget, she also thanked the staff members who read those comments into the record. She offered comments about representing all citizens of Flagstaff and the importance of hearing and considering all voices. She acknowledged the work of police officers and recognized their families. She acknowledged the difficulties faced by police officers when having to serve as social workers, substance abuse counselors, and mental health care providers. She also recognized the issues that exist around the country with some officers. Mayor Evans spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement. Right now, in America, Arizona, and Flagstaff the focus should be on the black lived experience and the lack of acknowledgement of the contributions of black people and the continued struggle with systemic racism. Flagstaff needs to stop and acknowledge and give credit to the black community. The City Council needs to fully back and support the proposal provided by the Southside Association and assist in having those conversations. Councilmember Aslan stated that he does not want to adjust the budget at this time. He does believe that there need to be conversations about the police budget, data collection and availability, and opportunities for adjustments. He requested the following FAIR item: To have a logistical discussion for launching a community dialogue that explores the black lived experience in Flagstaff and Arizona and he would like the city to partner with the Flagstaff Southside Community Association to lead the way. Councilmember Salas thanked everyone for their words and passion for the community. She fully supports the strategic framework for truth, justice, and reconciliation proposed by the black community and the Southside Community Association. She stated that the budget before the Council has evolved and developed to fulfill the goals identified by the Council. She added that the purpose of law enforcement in a free society is to promote public safety and uphold the rule of law so individual liberty can flourish. Without law enforcement anarchy, chaos and lawlessness will prevail. Promoting community policing and improving training will require resources and an enduring commitment from leadership at every level of government. There is a significant need to provide additional resources to social services, public housing, and education, but it should not come at the expense of police funding. Councilmember Odegaard thanked the community for all the comments received and for the staff who read those comments. Now is the time to engage the community in meaningful dialogue and action for social reform. He requested that more funding be allocated for police training and also requested funding to assist with the community discussions requested by the Southside Community Association. Vice Mayor Shimoni thanked the public for their engagement. He spoke about the CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Oregon and his desire to see a similar program implemented in Flagstaff. It is a mobile crisis program that provides assistance, free crisis response for homelessness, intoxication, mental health emergencies, and de-escalation. He believes that a similar program would cost about $1 Million and could potentially divert 20% of calls to the police. Councilmember Whelan also thanked the community for their comments. She supports a process to actively engage the community in meaningful dialogue and to take action for social justice reform. She would like to see funding directed to the Southside Community Association to engage in a community dialogue about the black lived experience. She would also like to see an increase in funding for training for the police department. Councilmember McCarthy indicated that many of the things they want and should do will take time and at this stage in the process it is not prudent to make significant changes in the budget. He is supportive of adding back the funding for training for the police department. He stated that the Flagstaff Police Department is an excellent department. He acknowledged that mistakes are made but those have always been addressed appropriately by leadership. He requested the following FAIR item: Presentation to Council by the police department on their policies and procedures regarding racial profiling, de-escalation training, use of force, rules on the various types of choke holds, how complaints of inappropriate actions are handled, and procedures to prevent hiring officers that took inappropriate actions in other police departments. Presentation should include recommendations regarding procedures recently evolving in other cities where other professionals (e.g., paramedics, counselors, etc.) respond to calls that do not involve possible violence and do not require an armed officer. Also, consideration of creating a Public Safety Commission. |
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Moved by Councilmember Charlie Odegaard, seconded by Councilmember Jamie Whelan to read Resolution No. 2020-36 by title only incorporating the discussion of Council regarding police training and funding for the southside neighborhood association community conversations. | |||||||
Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously | |||||||
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 | |||||||
Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Austin Aslan to adopt Resolution No. 2020-36. | |||||||
Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously | |||||||