Commissioners press staff to expand outreach for independent-auditor and attorney solicitations; ad hoc committee formed

Commissioners used the May 14 meeting to press staff on how the city publicized solicitations for two key roles tied to police oversight: the independent police auditor (IPA) and the assigned attorney.

City staff told the commission the IPA RFP was posted April 28 with proposals due May 22, and that the assigned attorney RFQ was sent directly to approximately 40 law firms rather than being posted publicly on the city website. "We sent it to firms that we knew were gonna meet the qualifications, 40 of them," the staff representative said, adding that four responses to the assigned-attorney RFQ had been received.

Several commissioners and public speakers said not posting the RFQ more broadly reduced transparency and limited fair access. One commissioner urged that the RFQ be reposted to the city website and other outlets so interested parties would not have to call to obtain the materials. Mayor Wood and members of the public also recommended posting RFQ materials to the POAC website as an FYI for transparency.

To move the IPA procurement forward, the commission nominated and approved three commissioners to an ad hoc subcommittee that will review responses to the IPA RFP and report back with recommendations. The resolution authorizing a three-member ad hoc was amended and passed by roll call vote with all members present.

Staff and commissioners discussed timing, the need for broad outreach to professional and civil-rights organizations, and the budget constraints associated with hiring independent counsel or auditors. Commissioners also discussed procedural clarity around the city attorney's role and the ordinance language describing appointment of the assigned attorney.

The ad hoc committee will meet to review responses and bring recommendations to the commission for subsequent action.