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technology within the taser will sense which connection is best and not overload the suspect with charge. Mayor Thorne opened public comment. Jack Balch expressed his support of the PPD's recommendations and encouraged City Council to approve the AXON contract. John Bauer expressed concerns that even AXON's virtual reality training cannot properly prepare officers for a real-life situation and tasers should not be used due to a small historical success count. He encouraged the body camera and taser votes to be taken separately. Mayor Thorne closed public comment. Councilmember Narum commented the role of City Council should be to set policies based on best practices and supply employees with the best equipment to perform their jobs. She praised the improved technology in the new body cameras and thinks they should be pursued. She was encouraged to learn just how often the simple threat of a taser will de-escalate a situation. She believes the department will be more productive with the electronic evidence storage system. She moved to approve the contract which was seconded by Councilmember Brown. Councilmember Brown thanked Captain Cox and City staff for preparing the presentation since she felt a discussion of tasers and body cameras was missing from the previous use of force discussion. She is pleased the City will be improving its equipment in a way to both make officers safe and generate additional evidence in the event of an inquiry. Councilmember Testa expressed support for the motion stressing the importance of improving the equipment, particularly the outdated tasers. She expressed concern about some of the aspects of the policy supporting the equipment including the consequences for not following PPD Policy 309.5.4 regarding multiple taser strikes. She requested an amendment asking for a review of the policy. Councilmember Narum declined to add the amendment to her motion because it would become convoluted. Councilmember Brown declined to withdraw her second noting there have been many discussions on policy and she is not willing to open this one for micromanagement. Councilmember Narum declares her motion stands for not wanting to micromanage adding that body camera policy had been reviewed at the time of their purchase in 2015. Councilmember Testa called for a substitute motion to support the staff recommendations but require a review of policies. Councilmember Narum attested the 2015 discussion was about body camera policy and not taser policy. The substitute motion failed for lack of a second. Councilmember Pentin expressed his belief the current City Council is ready to serve as the oversight committee for the PPD. He views the purchase as one which will improve the PPD's capabilities with current inadequate equipment and help mitigate potential negative impacts from the human element. Mayor Thorne expressed his support of the new equipment and noted it would be a dramatic improvement the City could not afford to pass. MOTION: It was m/s by Narum/Brown to approve authorization of City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. In the total amount of $1,498,970 for a comprehensive service package for body worn cameras, conducted energy devices and electronic evidence storage. Motion passed by the following vote: City Council Minutes Page 6 of 8 October 6, 2020