CCMIN06162020 - Laserfiche WebLink

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 30. Presentation of a Proclamation declaring June as LGBTQ Pride Month Councilmember Brown read the proclamation, which was presented to Donalyn Harris, President, PFLAG Tri-Valley who thanked City Council and provided brief remarks about the organization 31. Presentation of a proclamation declaring June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month Councilmember Brown read the proclamation which was presented to Supervisor Stephanie Marsili, Alameda County Adult Protection Services and Inspector Guillermo Alcaraz, Alameda County District Attorney's Office, who thanked City Council and provided brief remarks about Elder Abuse. 32. Public Comment Jocelyn Combs thanked City Council for continuing Item 29 and looks forward to public discussion. She encouraged City Council to continue to adopt policies as outlined in the#8cantwait campaign as only two have been adopted in Pleasanton. She requested clarification to determine if either the City Council or the City Manager oversee the Police Department encouraged more transparency and oversight of the Police Department. Nick Gonella requested City Council consider investigating dispatching more civilian representatives during emergency responses. Councilmember Testa requested staff address the #8cantwait campaign. Mayor Nelson Fialho commented the City's goal is to be transparent and improve the way policing is performed in Pleasanton and looks forward to community discussion on the item. He noted four basic components include listening, discussion, education, and implementation of policing policies. Police Chief Swing provided a brief overview of his professional background. Said he was honored to be a part of the recent peaceful protest which stressed the importance of the issue to the community. He noted a key part of fair and impartial policing is to provide policing services equally, without bias, for all; and recently made the decision to suspend Pleasanton's Crowd Restraint Policy which was important for the community at this time. He advised a training plan is being developed to include de-escalation and fair and impartial policing. Gale Naylor commented she looks forward to community forums regarding policing and encouraged Council to table any police funding decisions until residents have had an opportunity to weigh in. John Bauer addressed Council regarding the treatment of his son Jacob Bauer who was suffering from mental issues and substance abuse. He contacted the Pleasanton Police Department asking for compassion and assistance should they encounter Jacob. He noted on August 1, 2018, Pleasanton Police Department failed to de-escalate the situation and used excessive force on his son who died because of the incident. He encouraged the Police Department to change their training tactics and hold those accountable for use of excessive force. Heather Truro thanked Councilmember Brown, City Manager Fialho, and Police Chief Swing for acknowledging the public outcry for police reform. She thanked Council for providing a public forum to discuss police reform and encouraged Council to arrange these public forums during the next few weeks. And for Council to remove any police budget items from the agenda until they can be discussed publicly. Valerie Arkin encouraged Council to make the police policy discussion a townhall format to allow more input from the community. City Council Minutes Page 5 of 14 June 16,2020