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MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE June 28, 2021 City Hall Auditorium Present: Councilmembers Neff, Bullock& Litten Also Present: Councilmembers Kepple & Shachner, Mayor George, Chief Kaucheck, Director Dillinger, & Deputy Clerk Lascu taking minutes. Call to Order: 6:00 p.m. Approval of the minutes of the May 24, 2021 Public Safety Committee. Chairwoman Neff made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Litten to approve the minutes. All members present in favor(Bullock absent for vote). Motion passed. Communication from the Anti-Racism Task Force regarding the formation of an Intersectional Safety Taskforce. (Referred to Public Safety 6/21/21) Councilmember Kepple gave an overview of the communication, reiterating that residents are concerned about rising crime and noted how addressing mental health needs and environmental design can be used to prevent crime. She stated that the intersectional safety group would be designed to bring together safety services to look at these methods in a holistic way. Angelina Steiner—2261 Northland Ave. —Ms. Steiner stated she co-authored the communication with Kathleen Newsome based on feedback they received from the group. She noted that the Anti-Racism Taskforce supported the formation of an intersectional safety group. She also expressed taskforce concerns such as sustainability of funding towards the group's initiatives, structural imbalance between the community and the Lakewood Police Department in regard to committee recommendations, and regular communication. The Anti-Racism Taskforce would like to be involved in the selection of members to the intersectional safety group. Chairwoman Neff stated that she saw the intersectional safety group's goal as to support the police department. She added that Council can work with the group on its sustainability. Councilmember Litten stated that while we are all waiting on final American Rescue Plan (ARP) guidance, he had heard that the president is adding public safety as an approved use of ARP funds, and inquired whether the city looked into this use. Mayor George indicated that the administration is exploring potential uses on gun safety. Mayor George noted that taskforces typically aren't funded entities. Ms. Steiner clarified that the taskforce hoped to have whatever action items that result from it are sustained.