The Ypsilanti Police Advisory Commission reviewed proposed changes to its advisory-commission ordinance on Sept. 25 and voted to forward its recommended edits to City Council.

Commissioners discussed three main changes raised during the meeting: adding City Council to several provisions as an entity that the commission may consult and advise, changing order of recipients in a provision to list City Council before the city manager, and removing language that set a maximum number of terms for commission members.

Commissioner Mohammed proposed inserting the words "to City Council" in section references and asked that the commission be explicitly listed as a stakeholder used in conversations about police-department matters. Commissioners discussed the proposal and potential effects of removing term limits. "Council was looking to remove those limits from most of the boards and commissions," a commissioner said, asking the group for input on whether to remove term limits from the Ypsilanti Police Advisory Commission ordinance.

Commissioner Perry raised a separate point about meeting locations and asked whether the ordinance required the commission to hold meetings in a particular space. Staff clarified that the ordinance does not prohibit holding meetings in alternative locations and that the commission has latitude to move meetings if they make arrangements for recording and access.

After discussion, a commissioner moved that the commission send the updated recommendations, corrections and additions to City Council; a second was recorded and the motion passed with an "Aye" vote from those present. The clerk will transmit the commission’s recommendations to council as a communication; commissioners were told City Council likely will not need to take immediate action but will consider the information as it updates its documents.

The meeting also included administrative items and announcements: commissioners asked staff to publicize a Ward 3 vacancy on the commission and noted community outreach activities and local events.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to accept the agenda as written — Passed (recorded voice votes: "Aye").
- Motion to accept meeting minutes from Aug. 28 as written — Passed (recorded voice votes: "Aye").
- Motion to send updated ordinance recommendations/corrections/additions to City Council (transmit as communication) — Passed (recorded voice votes: "Aye").
- Motion to adjourn — Passed (recorded voice votes: "Aye").