January 19, 2023 PAB Meeting Summary

• A new case management/investigations report format has been created which is more comprehensive than the previous version and includes the status of all cases in the system. 
• The Safety Committee made a presentation to City Council. The need to avoid carrying over the budget balance for the Causewave contract (formerly Ad Council) into 2023 was discussed.  This contract supports community outreach activities.  Questions were asked concerning the status of investigations and hearings.  Cases are being assembled for Board review to consider the steps needed to move beyond the investigative phase.
• Cases are being recommended for closing at the February 2^nd meeting.  The Board was asked to review those in preparation for the meeting.
• Ms. Walker-Cowart attended a PAB Alliance meeting during which she fielded several questions and offered to attend more meetings in the future. The Alliance asked if any of their previous suggestions had been incorporated into PAB policy and practices. They also expressed interest in staff and team members' morale. 
• The policy team gave a presentation and is doing incredible work. They will be updating the Board on further progress.
• A hearing from legal staff on PAB’s disciplinary power may not be scheduled until spring or possibly the summer.
• Staff has been offered one-on-one talks with Ms. Walker-Cowart if desired. Ideas and suggestions are welcomed.

• Conversations have been held with City Council about the lack of PAB involvement in crafting the legislation they proposed that concerns PAB functions.  Changes to the process have been requested to allow PAB to be better informed in the future. In the meantime, Mr. Knox has been talking to staff about possible impacts. There are several interpretations of the legislation from different stakeholders that need to be reconciled.
• In October, PAB staff voted to unionize with Workers United and the Board members have supported this vote.  This vote still has not been recognized by the city, since there is a conflict as to whose purview this falls under – the mayor, administration or city council. City Council is arranging for new legal counsel to advise on the union recognition process. 
• City Council has still not appointed a new Board member to fill a vacancy that has existed for six months. The charter requires seats be filled within 90 days of the member’s resignation. This delay hinders progress on the work of the Board.

• Reverend Nickoloff announced that he is stepping down after three years on the Board and has sent his resignation letter to the City Council.  Danielle Tucker is resigning her Alliance seat effective January 31^st due to increasing commitments aside from the Board’s activities.  Both members are urging City Council to fill their seats quickly. This need was echoed by Chairperson Knox and other Board members, especially since three vacancies may make achieving quorua more problematic.