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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2020 09 21 City Commission Workshop MinutesCITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES ► DAY, S E PT E B E R 21, 2020 AT 6:30 P CITY HALL - COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Charles Lacey called the Workshop Meeting of Monday, September 21, 2020 of the City Commission to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor Charles Lacey, present Deputy Mayor Ted Johnson, present Commissioner Jean Hovey, present Commissioner Kevin Cannon, present Commissioner TiAnna Hale, present Commissioner Geoff Kendrick, present City Manager Shawn Boyle, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, present Assistant to the City Clerk Tristin Motter, present A moment of silence was held, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was adopted without changes. Invitees who were present: Chris Deisler, Chief of Police Casey Howard, IT and Administrative Services Director Christopher Schmidt, Community Development Director Rabbi Maurice Kaprow Scott Marshall Treva Marshall Father John Bluett Michael Radka Buddy Balagia James Evans Octavius "Ocky" Clark PUBLIC INPUT Assistant to the City Clerk Tristin Motter read an email received from Ms. Jennifer Gonzalez, 277 Mockingbird Lane, Winter Springs, Florida related to comments, questions and concerns regarding Resolution 2020-19. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Community Dialogue Regarding City Policies & Practices Mayor Lacey started by giving a brief overview on what would be discussed during the Workshop. City Manager Shawn Boyle then explained what the City wanted to achieve during the Workshop. All invitees then briefly introduced themselves and provided brief backgrounds. Coach Ocky Clark spoke about the Winter Springs School Resource Officers that assisted the students in the school at one time stating, "They knew the kids because they were part of the community." The City's Resource Officers were replaced by Seminole County Sheriffs Office Deputies. Coach Clark additionally commented on how diverse the student body is. Mr. Scott Marshall relayed his current feelings and fear of encounters with law enforcement. However, with regard to Mr. Marshall's current feelings he also relayed that the Winter Springs's law enforcement has been very professional towards him in every encounter. Mrs. Treva Marshall also shared her feelings, experiences, and interactions regarding her family and law enforcement. Mrs. Marshall shared her support for Chief Deisler and suggested dialog take place between the African - American Community and law enforcement as a starting point for improvement. Following, City Manager Shawn Boyle asked the group, "What setting is best for people to - tell us what we can improve on?" Elaborating, Manager Boyle asked for opinions on holding smaller focus groups or less formal dialogue groups. Mrs. Marshall agreed more informal and smaller groups could help with getting people to be comfortable with sharing and giving opinions. Father John Bluett echoed the support for law enforcement. Father Bluett then asked Chief Deisler about the choke holds that have been seen in the media saying, "is any of that happening here? - What are your guidelines for police in terms of behavior in tough situations like that?" Chief Deisler responded by stating, "Our policy restricts choke holds or strangle holds unless an officer is justified in using deadly force." Mr. Buddy Balagia gave a recommendation of visiting the nearby parks and showing support for the Community. Chief Deisler noted that the City has done similar events before such as a pop-up ice cream truck event held at the park. Next, Mr. James Evans shared a story of when he witnessed firsthand racial profiling from an officer and expressed how it changed him. Mr. Evans then spoke about City events such as "Coffee with Cop" and asked "how do we get minorities to those events? - We can always reach out to the community, but how do you get the community to reach back?" Commissioner Geoff Kendrick encouraged engaging the community naturally, in the schools, on the playgrounds. Providing an example, Commissioner Kendrick spoke about the recent "First Responders Lunch -in" noting police, firefighters, and EMTs were brought into the schools to interact and engage with the students. Commissioner Kendrick also wanted to make known the "Chain of Command" and accountability structure the City has in place stating that the citizens are closer to the Police Chief in the chain of command than other cities. Commissioner TiAnna Hale expressed her thoughts, fears, and beliefs on discrimination and how she believes the City's police force is just and understanding. Continuing, Commissioner Kevin Cannon suggested having more family opportunities for outings or social events for the City's middle and high school students. "Get engagement of the young people then we will also get the engagement of the parents" Commissioner Cannon stated. Mr. Michael Radka spoke next giving his background and understanding of inequality. Mr. Radka echoed others when saying that the City is in an unusual situation; an unusual situation where the right decisions and actions are being made. He encouraged consistency, to do what we know is right, and expanding discussion and dialog of inequality out. Mr. Radka gave recognition and applause to the City for holding these "crucial conversations" then asked "What action are going to betaken? - How can we [citizens] help you in these efforts?" Commissioner Jean Hovey answered a previous question related to why the Resource officers were switched from Winter Spring's Police to Seminole County Sheriff's Office noting it was a discussion made by the School Board. Rabbi Maurice Kaprow recounted his past experiences and expressed his fears of discrimination. Rabbi Kaprow relayed though he does not experience fear in Winter Springs due to the City being warm and welcoming. "If we want to make people more at ease it's a communal effect, it's a family effect, it's all of us working together." Mrs. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs Village, Winter Springs, Florida gave a suggestion of holding something similar to the 2030 visioning session as well as potentially having officer mentors in the schools. Mrs. Sheila Benton, 474 Cedarwood Court, Winter Springs, Florida commented on the lack of representation for the disabled at the meeting. Manager Boyle then redirected the discussion to focus on the process of hiring and discharging employees. Chief Deisler echoed the City's zero tolerance of rule breaking for officers. Continuing, Chief Deisler gave a brief overview of how an officer gets hired with the City. Chief Deisler then addressed a question regarding body cameras stating currently the City does not have them. Manager Boyle noted it is a topic that will be investigated in the future. Manager Boyle readdressed the chain of command for the employees of the city commenting they are not afraid to ask questions and bring up concerns which in turn helps the City and its response time. Mr. Matt Benton, 474 Cedarwood Court, Winter Springs, Florida shared an experience from an acquaintance and explained how his perspective would have differed if the situation had happened to him. He encouraged those types of conversations to allow differences in perspectives to be found. Deputy Mayor Johnson commented and gave his opinion on School Resource Officers during his time in the school system and then suggested having the Winter Springs Police Department set up a booth at City events. Additional comments and commendation were given for the passage of Resolution 2020-19. City Manager Boyle said extensive notes had been taken and that more events similar to this workshop would likely take place to continue to hear from residents. Concluding, Manager Boyle thanked everyone in attendance for their participation and their respectful exchange throughout the night. Mayor Lacey opened "Public Input." No one spoke. Mayor Lacey closed "Public Input." ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lacey adjourned the Workshop Meeting at 8:56 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: TRISTIN MOTTER ASSISTANT TO TH E CITY CLERK APPROVED: DEPUI �4A "OR TED JOHNSON NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the October 12, 2020 City Commission Regular Meeting.