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Home My WebLink AboutTC Min 2020-08-27 ' TOWN COUNCIL �� SPECIAL & I2�GULAR M��TING � MINUTCS Consistent with Executive Orders No. N-25-20 a��d N-29-20 from the Executive Department of the State of Califiornia and the County Public Healtl� Department's May ]8, 2020 Shelter in Place Order, councilmen�bers attended tl�is meeti��g by telecoi�fierei�ce. Members of the publie were i��vited t�o participate in the meeting by live-streamii�<i the meetinb on the "I,own's website and � submittinb comments to commcntsia�to��noftiburon.or�r to be included in the public record for the meeting. SPI�CIAL MLETING —6:30 P.M. ' CALL TO ORD�R AND ROLL CALL � PRESENT (Town of Tib�u�on): Co�n�ciimember Ryai�. Councilmember Welner, Vice �� Mayor Thier, Mayor Fredericl<s � ABSENT (Town of Tiburon): Councilmei��ber Kulilc PRESENT (City of Belvedere): Councilmcmber Mcnuliife, Cou��cilmembe►-McCaslcill, Councilmember Willcinso��, Vice Mayor Campbell, Mayor 1<emn itzer EX OFFICIO: Tiburon To��i� Mana<,�er Greg Chanis, Belvede�-e City Mana��?er Craig Middletoi�, Tibu�•on Tow» Attorney � Benjamii� Stocl<. Belvedere City Attorney Ei��ily � Longfiellow. Tiburon 'To��n Cle�-I<Lea Stefani VIRTUAL TOWN HALL - CONIMUNITY FORUM The Town Council of Tiburon and Cit� Council of'Bel��eder•e will conduct a special Virtual Town Hall-Community Forum. Staff��ill p►•o��ide a brief upclate on aetions talcen subsequent to an incident involving police of�tice►-s from Tiburon and Belvedere and the owners of Yema, a Black-owned business in do��ntown 'Tiburon. The meeting will then provicie an opportunity for members of'the communih� to coinment and provide �� constructive ideas as part of an effort to clevelop actionable steps that allow us to learn � from this expe�•ience and crcate a communit�� that is more inclusive, equitable and ��elcomin; to all. l Mayor Fredericl<s enco�u�aged speal<ers to com��ent and bring ideas for a to-do list oi� the topics of structural racism, racial injustice, equity. inclusion. diversit��, and white privilege. Mayor Kemnitizer shared the same sentii��ent. ; Page 1 qf 7 Io1i�n Council R�Ir��t.rtes #16-2020 :�zr,�'at.s�t 2", 20�'0 Membei-s of both Councils expressed bratitude for the opport�mity to hear fi�o�� the commu»ity � � tonight, particularly for Yema I<halif and Hawi A�vasl�'s ei�forts t�o come forward and speal<. Tiburo�� I�owi� Manabei-Chanis reported on the To�vn's action since the incident occurred, and said he had authorized a�� independent investigation by the law offices of Amy Oppenl�ei��ei•. Both Town Manager Chanis a��d Belvedere Giry Mana<rei- Middletoi� coi�firmed that members ol� the Tibw-o�� Yolice and Belvedere Police would not be present at tonight's forum dlie to tl�ei�• involvement in the i��vestibation. Mayor Predericics i�1t�-oduced ►-eside��t ai�d mod�rator Noah Gritfin. en�imei•ating his cducational and professional acco»�plislunents, exte��sive bacl<ground in positive civil rights activity, a��d applauded his local civic involvement. Mr. Griffin introd�iced the first speal<ers of the evei�ing: Ye��a store owners and Tiburon residents Yema Khalif a��d Hawi Awash. Yema Khalif said he enjoyed living and owning a business ii� the Tib�iron coi��munity, but said he had had nebative experiences with both the "T�iburon and Belvedere police departmei�ts. He spol<e of nu��erous occasio��s in which he was followed. questioned, o�- his presence i�� Tiburon was suspected for no appai•ent reason. He hoped the community would �u�derstand the context of the incident and said his expei-iences are noi ones white people ar-e exposed to. He expressed his desire to have mutual respect between people of color and law enforcement. and his hope that tonigl�t's discussion will lead to positive cha��ge. Hawi Awash said she and Mr. Khalif value love, gratitude and respect She said people of color � ai-e often expected to prove they are not a suspect or a threat without probable cause. She said she feared for Mr. Khalif's life while l�e spol:e to the oftice�-, who held his hand on his gun. She recommended the Towi� a»d City consider commui�ity-based policinb, in ��vhich officers inti-od��ce themselves to business ow��ers ai�d residei�ts a��d police fi-om a fou��dation of protection, service, and commlu�ity, rather than force and authority. Ms. Awash also �-ecommended police ofticers have an��ual bacl<�ro�md checl:s, lil<e those in the medical pf-ofessions, so officers are l�eld to a high standard. She ei�coin-a;ed trainii�b progra»�s that emphasize `u��learninb' interi�al biases. and recommended several resources to educate o�� uncoi�scious bias. She hoped the Co�mcil would encourage i��eaninbful change ai�d would consider a tasl< force specific to both this issue and a <�reater problem of systemic racisn� in �� 1�U1'011. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS �I'evia Bari�es said her feelii�bs of being safe in 'Tiburon had been jeopardized and spol<e about white privilege of not having ro be concerned about theii� sai�ety whei� di-iving a�-o�u1d town oi� interactinb with policc. She hoped the ui�conscious bias of local police ofl�ic�rs wo��ld be uncovered and the law firm hired undei-stood constitutional law. Amber Allen-Pierson stressed the urgency of white An�ericans to have empathy foi�the pai�� and Pcr��e 2 oJ�7 Tol�i�n Counci111�Iii�zries #I6-2020 :9zr<,zrs�1 2i, 20?0 . � _ __ . _ . . _ . _ _ . . � fear of Blacl:Americans. She believed the small size oi�"I�ibui-on did not merit a Police � � Department budget of its size and questioned Tibw�on Police�s hiri�lg practices. Sl�e called foc the removal of the Policc Chief. Debra Bogaards remarlced on the coura�e of Yema and Ha�vi to tall< abo�it their experience and inspirc change. She spol<c i�� favor of an investi��ation but hoped it ��ould not talce focus away fi-om fixii�b the problem. She provided resources to revcal bi�ses. Pari Cholcsi believed there was a lacl< of accoimtability i�� the leade��ship. He recomi��ei�ded psycholobical profiling and bias training for ail police ol-ticers. He said the Police budget should � be reallocatcd to other services. � Joe Kinb expressed sympathy to Yema and Hawi but said he did not� see a racist coi��i��ent made. � Mare I,oupe said he shared Ye��a's experiences with the police ai�d recalled stories i�� w}�ich he had been confronted a��d detained by police. 1-�e recoi�imended officers �-eceive bias training and � � bacl<gi•ound checl<s and subbested greater diversity o�� the police f�orce. Amy H. said police policies are not beinb enforced eq�iitably and urged an investigatio�� i��to the �reater issue beyond this one incide��t. She said Tiburon shouid st�rive to attract� and emb�•ace citizens lil<e Ye»�a ai�d Hawi. She ►•ecommei�ded bias/empathy training, ii�cl�iding de-escalation tecl�niques, and commu��ity polici��g. Robert Wilson believed bias ti•ai��ing would be lost on an officer with dee��ly root�d ►•acist beliefs ai�d candidates should be better vett�ed before hiring. ]-le believed Tibul-on had less need for militarized law enfoeceu�ent a��d more need for social services. Natale Servii7o believed police officers sho��ld �et to I<now business owners, and employees, so they feel more protected. He said officers should be morc con��ected to the co��munity and less authoritarian. Melanie Hamburber said the incident was i��sensitive_ demeaning. and ins�-iltinb. She str-essed the need to have more voices of color in positions of po�ver to sho�v a more equitable representation Of t�le C0111t11U111ty. Conor I=lahei-ty said Yema a��cl Hawi arc the I<ii�d of people Tib�n�on �-vant� to have— I<ind, � successi-ul, ai�d e��ba�ed with the com�nunity. I-le said the comm�inity needs to listei� to people who have different e�periences than then�selves to clevelop empathy and understandinb. BTyan Kemnitzer reco��mended a bool< to helE� white people undei-stand racis�r�. He offered to donate several copies to the Town and Police so statf could read it. Ly��i� Feinerman believed Police should be present at toni«ht�s meetinb t�o hear comm�n�ity feedbacl<. She said Tiburoi� is mostly white and spol<e of her expe�-iei�ces ii� havinb fi-iends of coloi- visit �ut �feelii�� lilce she must escort them out of to��n so they would not be pulled over. She agreed with reallocating police funding to��ard other services. Page 3 of 7 � � To»�i� Coimcil Mli��a�tes #16-2(IZU �lugusi _'%. 2l)20 � Logan Grime thanlced Yei��a ai�d Hawi foi-t�heir bravery. Hc told a story ot�Serbeant Blasi's involveme��t in the death of his father. 1-]e said the "I�o��n should review his record and retlect on what I<i»d of person it wants on its police force. Doug Zesiger said school curriculu�� sho��ld incl��de better lessons on racisi�� and slavery in A��erican histoiy, stressing t�he i�eed to educate yo�ith on the mistal<es ofthe past. ]-le �-ecommended al1 review their own personal biases. Kyle Alexandra said racism is systemic in Tiburo��, and this incident is not new or isolated. He called for an investigation ofthe officer's bacl<ground ��d hi�-in�. Peter Brool<s expressed sorrow at Yema's experience ai�d said it ��as abs�u�d t�o �fiu�d the police to act in this way. � Richard Finlc said he wo�ild lil<e to see more diversity in Tiburon and 6elvedere. He a�reed that bias t�•aining wo��ld not weed out deeply rooted racist belief�s and spol<e in fiavor ofi community polici��b by spending less time ii� cars and more time `��all:ing thc beat`. Eva said racis�� can be exhibited without any comment but can be an �ii�equal applicatio�� of � policii�g based on someo»e's race. She shared personal experiei�ccs of racism in Tib�u-on and asked the Town to do self=reflection on ��ace and incquality. Phillip Nieman shared personal experiences of racial protilinb of his biracial childre��. He believed Tiburon has a problem with white privile�e. He i-ecomn�ei�ded the discussion start with � the top leadership and i��plored the Town to put a stop to this police cond�ict. Marlc Monterastelli believed the incident was represei�tative of�•acial pro�ling. He believed tl�at for the Town to apologize and dismiss this i��cident as a misunderstanciing would be to perpetuate and approve the behavior. Etai� said membei•s oFtlle Council i-a�� i�or oftice to n�al<e a clii'fer-ence in the lives of residents, and now is the time to do that. He stressed the need to recognize inherei�t bias and bave exa�nples of white privilege. He felt the ofiicers should be held accountable for violating the 4`�' amendment. Tanisha Austin said a lacl< of understanding of why this incident was racist due to people seeinb it from a position of white privilebe, and from a positioi� of ncver h��vin�� l�ad these experie��ces eve�y day. Sl�e said racisi�� was `racial pcejudice plus power�. � Molly Horan su;;ested a comm��nity citizen's oversight commit�tee and for the coi�imunity to � have input in the hiring of the next I'olice Chiei�. She spol<e in support of coi��i��u��ity polieing and coi��mended Logan Grime for his bravery ii� speal<ii�g about his father's death. Colin O`Brien recoi��mended the officers involved tal<e implicit bias training to understand why their behavior i�� this ineidei�t �vas �vrong. I-le enco�n-a��ed the Town t�o promote education � progran�s about racism. Puge 4 of�7 � 7�orr�� C'ozmcil Mi��zNes #16-2020 .9zr�gl�.i�t 2%, 202U � ICerry Pierson spol<e about Tiburon`s lon� history ofexclusion and told a sto�y oi�racist statues � that used to stand along Mai�� Street. He said Tibui•on has a bad reputation for being racist. He supported reallocating Police funds and encouraged changing out the cntire Police Department. Lisa [3ennet spol<e of pe�-sonal experienccs of�her brother-ii�-la�-v. ��ho had been follo��ed and questioned by police about his residency many ti��es. She asl<ed the Council to examine wl�y E31ac1< people do ��ot feel safe in Tiburon, the ��eaning o�i�public safetv. and if Tib�u-on Police is providin� that service. Gayle Bur�ns expi-essed concern that local police are not holdin�� white people in the coi��mu»ity accountable for their behavior and does not teach kids the right values. Bryant S. supported Hawi's recommendations to the Council and called on residei�ts to recogi�ize thei�-ow�� role in perpet��ating racist calls to the Police. Blair Parlce�-expressed disbeliefthat local police officers clid not ki�o�� the owi�ers ofthis busii�ess. I�3e believed racism was present and questioned the type of training requirecl to be a police ofiticer. Harifa Baporia said the Council needed to review this incident in the context of what is happening nationally and in Yema's local experiei�ce in to��m. and it is now eveiyone's i-esponsibility to review police conduct. � Davina Adjani expressed anger tl�at Lo;an Grime was li�nited ii� telling his sto�y about his father's death. She recommended the officers be investibated for bias. She feared what the outcome of this incident could have been if the white neighbor had i�ot intervei�ed. Alai� Reid shared personal experiences of police sinblin�� hin� out for not lool<in�;� lil<e other residents ii� Tiburon. He said the Police Department ��eeds to mal:e changes soon because the nation is now watchinb Tiburon as an eaample of how those ��itl� ��hite privilege i»ai�age this. Anh S. recomi��ended ��al<ing cha��bes in the department before labor contract negotiations in � � 2021, establishn�ent of a citizen ove�•sight committee_ implement policies that police n�isconduct settlements be paid from the Police budget rather thai� the General Fund. citizen com��laint � reform, reallocation of Police fiu�dii�b to a social services division_ de-escalation traini��g, and consideration of the C�HOOTS mocieL �� Cheryl Caspi recounted personal experience ofi harassm�nt by a "Tiburon police officer. which �� caused her to move out of Tib�n-on. She would lilce to see the department tal<e actioi� to eradicate � this behavior. ��, Angelo Capozzi felt the ii�cident could have been avoided if�I�iburon police were more engaged ' witl� reside��ts and store owners ai�d had e»gabed in coi��munity poli�in<� rather than ti�om a � stance of authority. ' Hilary Heave�� said Yema ai�d Hawi had approached the situatio�� ith «race, and said it is hard Pc�ge S qf 7 To1i�� Coza�crlllli��utes #�16-2020 � Az�gusi 2', 70?0 � � to understand ho�� the ofticers could not have la�own them. She implored tl�e Police Depai-tment t�o mal<e cha��<,es. Karen I-Iarciestv said the people wron��eci in this incident, Yema and Hawi, had shown the ��ost ei��patl�y. She exp�-essed co��cei-n over hiri��g practices and recom»�ended antiracism resources. Yanai Perl-y eapi-essed embarrassi��ent, sadi�ess, and an�ei-over his I�ometown's treatment of people ofcolor. He reqiiested Police f�inding be reallocated and i��sisted o�� transparency in the ongoii�g exei-cise of i�eform. Yasmine McGrane was ii�spired by Yema ai�d Hawi and sha►•ed her•expel-ience of beii�b checiced on by a police ofticer ii� her store while working late, and noted her experience was completely different. She felt that Ye�na was treated as a suspect because he is Black. She also recon�mended resources. Evon Riedei� asked. ii� a comi��ui�ity the small size of"T'iburon with so few sl�ops, how the police could i�ot 1<i�ow t�he�owner of that store. Chelsea laleggio asl<ed the Council to lool< at this incident through the lens of a Blacl< pe��son who has endured thii�gs t�hat� white people have not. She said white people need to ui�derstand the fear of constantly being followed and suspected because of only the color of their sl<in. Chelsea Waite asl<ed why a white ma��'s ii�terference was what it took for the police to leave; why Tiburon ��ould hire someone with a histoiy of violence, and requested the Police Department review policies and address the root of the behavior. Karla B. felt it was inappropriate foi-the Police Department to not be present and shared perso��al experience of being racially protiled in Tiburon. She wo��ld lil<e to see the cominw�ity be more welcominb of divei�sity and to admit there is ai� issue of racism. Felicia Gaston said she is worlcing to establish a Mar•it� County Citizen Ove►-si�ht Review to ii�clude local la�-v cnforcement agc��cies and encouraged Tibur-on and Belvedere to be a part of it. Marcia McGovern and shared personal eYperience of racist behavior in Belvedere, including her witness ofi treatment of Blacl< mei� by police offiicers. She said she has raised the issue seve�-al times and not seen any chan�c. She said she �-�ould also lil.e to see a change in attitude by the residents to�n�ard nei<�hbors ol�color. Alexia Salazar-Biagini su�Y��ested white residents ��se their white privile;e to pi•essure chan�e ii� police behavior by tal<ing video of ei�cow�ters with law enforcement. Dr. Ruben Kali-a noted the lacl< ofdiversity in "Tibu�•on and Belvedere and would like to see tl�at change. He asl:ed evei•yo��e to coi�sider the context of what is happening natio��ally ai�d to be more aware and willii�� to make chanbes. l�athleen Defever spol<e about the i�ormalization of dismissal of constitutional pi-ii�cip(es in Pa,��e 6 0��7 Tol�i�� Coi�i�cil,1�i��zrle.s #,f1<-2020 Aug�i.�•l �%, 2020 � � • polici��. She said shc had �vit��essed aggressive attitudes of police and felt there is a systei��ic problem with police training. She spol<e in favor of community policing. Denise Wan�-I<line asl:ed abo�it the ex�ectation of tl�e investigation and ihe timefi-ai��e for it to be concluded. Lala Luciano said the oftice��s should have I<nown to handle the situatio�� the way they did. She wa��ted the police to be held more accou��table 1�0�� their behavior. Several items of�vritten correspondenec ��ere received during the meeting and read into the reeord fi�om Caroline Talbott. i��Iadcleine Ballard. Marl< Niatchinson. Paul Mourani. John Madden, Francesca Madden. �Taissa Cherry, a��d I�arina Nielsen. Mayor Fredericics thanl<ed Noah Gritt7n for i��odei-ating, the speal<ei-s, aud Yema and I-Iawi for sharin« their experience so the communit}� can leai-n fi•om it. Mayor Kemnitzer also expressed ��ratittlde to Yema and Ela��i for their clariry ofvision and said the recommenclations made tonight �-vill start tlie pi�ocess of improvement. Mayor Fredericl<s tha��l<ed the Co�u�cils for meeti��b so c�uickly. Councih��ember Wel»er foiu�d the comments informative and felt enerbized to deal with the issues the con�munity brought forwar�d. Vice Mayor Thier thanl<ed the community for theii- bl-ave►-y and input. ADJOUI2NM�NT Mayor Fredericics adjourned tl�e ��eeting at 10:30 p.m. � �__. a� , .` , `� �`��'�``�° c_ ` : .�--f� ��°""-f � ALICE FREDERICI<S, MAYOR� ATTCST: ��,��f,:a;, '� '--�,�� LEA S`��I�OWN CLERI< � Pu��e 7 qf 7 Toi�rrl Coin�lcil Rli�rrrtes t!16-2020 17zrgarsl ?�, 2020 �