Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations met May 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations met at the Peoria Police Department’s Training Room and remotely via Zoom, with proper notice posted. Chair Zagardo called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

ROLL CALL - Present: Allen, Boone, Burch, Burnside, Echevarria, King, Lang, Parks (arrived at 6:08pm), Schaidle, Wilson (arrived at 5:45pm), and Zagardo. Absent: Evans, Galvan, Hargrave-Murry, Jackson, and Sierra.

WELCOME

On April 29, 2022, the Governor signed a new Disaster Proclamation extending the statewide declaration through Saturday May 28, 2022. With the signing of this new disaster proclamation, public meetings may continue to be held remotely, subject to the requirements of Public Act 101-0640. Commissions and committees may still hold their meeting in person if they choose to, provided they have a quorum.

1. Standard 48-hour notice, except for an emergency meeting, to all member of the public body, posted at the meeting location, on the public body’s website and provided to any news media that has requested notice.

a. The notice/agenda must include the remote access information on it and the agenda must state if in-person attendance is allowed at any remote/hybrid meeting. This is a change from meetings where individuals needed to contact the City for the call-in number/zoom link/password, etc.

2. During the meeting, participating members must be verified and must be able to hear one another, as well as hear all discussion and testimony.

3. During open meetings, members of the public who are present at the meeting location of the public body must be able to hear all discussion, testimony and votes of the members of the body.

4. If attendance at the regular meeting location is not feasible due to the disaster, alternative arrangements must be made and notice of the meeting must include the arrangements that will provide live public access to hear all the parts of the open meeting (phone number or link to Zoom, Teams, Go To Meeting, etc.)

5. At least one member of the public body, the chief legal counsel or the chief administrative officer must be physically present at the meeting location, unless it is not feasible due to the disaster (other member of the public body may attend in person or remotely).

6. All votes must be by roll call, identifying each member and recording their vote on each issue.

7. Standard minutes of all meetings must be kept, approved and made available for public review as usual; and

8. A verbatim audio or video recording of all meeting must be made and available to the public for review. These recordings are public records and must be maintained per OMA.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chair Zagardo motioned to amend the 4/14 meeting minutes (adding a sentence regarding rotating meeting locations); Member King seconded. Motion passed. Councilman Allen motioned to approve the 4/14 as amended; seconded by Member Burnside. Motion passed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Chair Zagardo opened the floor for discussion regarding the June meeting location. Councilman Allen motioned to meet at the Police Department’s training room in June (hybrid format); seconded by Member Lang. Motion passed. Chair Zagardo opened the floor for nominations for new officers (Chair and Vice Chair). Chanel Hargrave-Murry was nominated for Chair (by Member King). Shalandra Burch was nominated for Chair (by Councilman Allen and Member Lang). Lee Lang was nominated for Vice-Chair (by Councilman Allen, Member Schaidle, Chief Boone). Members discussed that Chair nominees could also be considered for Vice-Chair if they were interested. Member Lang expressed that the group should leave sub committees discussion on unfinished business until Member Hargrave-Murry is in attendance since it was her idea. Chair Zagardo updated the group on HB4736 roundtable discussion plans. Chief reminded the group that this was legislation that started in Peoria.

NEW BUSINESS - none

GENERAL POLICE UPDATE – will be discussed at the next meeting.

CITIZEN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE

Ramzi Kilani discussed a situation that led to a complaint being filed. It happened at a school playground which involved his son. He described the situation as follows. His son, along with some other children, was playing with the playground’s stones, one of which hit another adult. The adult cussed out his son and grabbed his son through the playground to where some mothers (including his wife) were standing. The mothers then asked what was going on and the man then proceeded to curse at them. The police were called. Ramzi talked to the same officer and expressed that he wanted to press charges. They went to the station and found that the case was inactive. After this, he filed a complaint. He also received a letter from Lt. Deeb stating that the case was being handled by another Lieutenant. Ramzi also obtained a video from the school. He is concerned that the report doesn’t include what happened to his son and wife and that the case is inactive. Ramzi also wanted to know the status of the video. Lt. Deeb apologized for the lag due to his being out of the office in training. He also explained that this type of complaint would go to the shift supervisor who he spoke to personally about the incident. He assured him that it is being looked into.

ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CAUSE

Chanel Hargrave-Murry received an award tonight. Councilman Allen expressed his excitement for upcoming road projects. Member King congratulated the officers who received awards at the recent Police Awards Luncheon and was impressed at the amount of de-escalation officers used. Pastor Parks also discussed the positive impact the Police Walk and Talks were having on Thursday nights. Member Lang also discussed her positive experience in being involved in the Walk and Talks. She also discussed how she would like a pamphlet that she could be able to hand out to help stir up interest.

ADJOURNMENT – Member King moved to adjourn; seconded by Member Lang. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

http://www.peoriagov.org/content/uploads/2020/03/May-2022-Minutes_1654523382_add.pdf