Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Meeting Minutes June 18, 2020 <br />7. Consider approval of Resolution 2020-138R, urging the United States Congress to adopt <br />Criminal Justice Reform Legislation requiring local law enforcement agencies to report all <br />deaths of citizens while in police custody to the United States Department of Justice; <br />requiring the department to independently review and investigate each custodial death <br />reported by a local law enforcement agency to determine if the unnecessary or improper <br />use of force was a cause of death and expose patterns of discriminatory treatment; <br />prohibiting the United States Government from supplying local law enforcement agencies <br />with military hardware, vehicles, or weaponry for use against United States Citizens <br />A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mihalkanin, seconded by Council <br />Member Baker, to approve Resolution 2020-138R. <br />Mayor Hughson asked about Part 1 (C) that prohibits the United States <br />military from transferring, selling, or donating military hardware, vehicles, or <br />weapons to local law enforcement agencies for use against civilians. She noted <br />that just because a vehicle was built for the military doesn't mean it always has <br />to be used for military purposes. She inquired about one of our vehicles that <br />we used to rescue school children and employees in the 2015 flood. Bob Klett, <br />Interim Police Chief stated that we have a policy in place that the (Caiman) <br />military vehicle that the Police Department has is only used for flooding or <br />rescue. <br />Discussion was held on this topic, but consensus is to keep this statement, as it <br />specifically states the transfer, selling, or donating of military hardware or <br />vehicles is prohibited to be used by local law enforcement agencies for use <br />against civilians. <br />Council Member Baker appreciates the intent and direction and just wants to <br />know if the goal is that this will be the first of many to assist with criminal <br />justice reform. Dr. Mihalkanin stated this is the first action we would take and <br />if there is consensus from Council we would like to add more in the future to <br />address criminal justice reform. <br />Mayor Hughson asked if this is approved, to whom are we sending this. Dr. <br />Mihalkanin would like to send this to the entire Texas Congressional <br />Delegation. Council agreed. <br />Chase Stapp, Director of Public Safety, stated that one of this first requests he <br />said one of his first requests to the Council was to allow the department to <br />repaint this vehicle. They take it to outreach events and wanted people to see it <br />in the community and not see it as a threat. It was used for many positive <br />things within our community. <br />City of San Marcos page 12 <br />