Council reconsiders reorganization of boards, keeps Public Safety Review Committee after amendment

The Common Council voted to reconsider — and then to amend — an ordinance package reorganizing city boards, commissions and committees and ultimately retained the Public Safety Review Committee (PSRC) after debate.

Alder Wehelia moved to reconsider the previously decided item so specific committee provisions could be revisited. The motion to reconsider passed on a roll call (16 ayes, 2 noes). The council then considered motions on the item; Alder Rommel moved an amendment to strike the section that would have repealed the PSRC (effectively restoring PSRC), arguing the committee provides a venue for alder engagement on public-safety policy. Alder Wehelia explained the reconsideration sought time to revisit committee missions and effectiveness.

The amendment to retain the PSRC passed on a roll call (14 ayes, 4 noes). The ordinance package was then adopted as amended by the Council Executive Committee (CCEC) and the amendment to retain PSRC; Alder Tishler recorded a 'no' on final recording, and the clerk was asked to record the final tally. The council discussed the role of PSRC relative to other public-safety oversight bodies, and proponents said keeping PSRC ensures alder-level review of policy and budget items that might not otherwise have alder representation.

Council members emphasized the need to define committee mission and to provide staff support in order to avoid quorum and activity problems that had limited PSRC in recent cycles. The adopted amendment will keep PSRC in place while council members and staff review its charge and performance.