Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenter questions new board appointment; members move to continue Richard as chair amid quorum questions
Summary
At the Community Police Board meeting a resident publicly objected to Josh’s recent appointment and asked whether accused officers could expect impartial hearings; the board moved to appoint Richard as chair, but members questioned whether a legal quorum was present and deferred procedural clarifications to city officials.
A resident, Zach Wyn, opened public comment by identifying himself and challenging a recent board appointment, saying he had sent documents to the board and asking whether an officer subject to a complaint would receive a fair hearing given perceived board bias.
"My name is Zach Wyn and I live downtown here. I initially objected to Josh's appointment to this board at the common council," Zach said, telling board members he had provided documents for their review and urging them to imagine an officer coming before the board.
Board members said they would read the materials and stressed the formal appointment process (mayoral appointment and council approval), expressed confidence in their ability to act professionally and said one of the board’s ongoing goals was to keep cooperative relationships with officers.
Later in the meeting a member moved to appoint Richard as the board chair, citing his seniority and leadership experience, and the motion was seconded. Members called for a vote; the tally was spoken aloud but immediately followed by questions about whether a legal quorum was present, and participants asked staff and the mayor’s office to clarify appointment and quorum rules under the city charter and code.
The board approved past meeting minutes by recorded 3–0 votes, but members agreed to seek legal advice about filling midterm vacancies and whether absences constituted formal resignations. The board also asked staff to check with the mayor regarding potentially open seats.
The board did not resolve the legal-quorum question at the meeting; members requested clarification from the mayor and city attorney and said they would put further procedural items on a future agenda.
