05/23/2022 - Minutes r
Public Safety Advisory Board Meeting
May 23, 2022-5:00pm-7:00pm
Meeting Minutes
5:00-5:05 Welcome,Centering Exercise, Roll Call
- Call to Order 5 p.m.
- Chair Patty Lofgren led opening of meeting by reading the purpose and mission of PSAB.
- She then read the Centering& Breathing exercise.
- Facilitator Kim Marshall conducted roll call.
Name Role Present?
Jimmy Brown Community Representative
Thurman (Lee) Landers Community representative
Patty Lofgren Community representative
Justin Low Community representative
Danny Rauda Community representative
Valerie Sasaki Community representative
Shaun Stuhldryer Community representative
Jeff Mott Alternate: Community representative Non-Voting Member X
Jamey McDonald Police Chief/Designee
Nick Nunn Tigard Police Officers'Association (TPOA)
Shelby Rihala City Attorney X
Michael O'Brien Municipal Court Judge X
Emilio Calderon Tigard Youth City Councilor
Liz Newton Tigard City Councilor X
John Trinh Licensed Mental Health Professional
Elise Butera Pres. of Tigard HS Black Student Union (BSU)/Designee
Nick Jarmer Alternate: Community representative Non-Voting Member
5:05-5:20 Public Comment —
Chair Patty Lofgren noted the rules of public comment.
Community members are encouraged to submit future comments by emailing Management Analyst,
Alex Richardson at: alex.richardson@tigard-or.gov
5:20-6:45 Community Navigator Discussion
Facilitator Marshall facilitated the discussion of the Community Navigator role and shared the questions:
1. How would you ideally see the Community Navigator operating in the city?
2.Tigard did not fund the Community Navigator position for FY 2023. What would you like to see the
city do to bridge the gap identified by the PSAB as the request is considered for future years. Could
existing roles in the city or partnerships in the community assist in the meantime?
3. How can the Community Navigator be presented to communities who distrust or have had prior
negative experiences with city government?
She asked for any additional questions to consider for discussion—none were given.
Board Member Jimmy Brown commented to clarify that the funding did not come through for the
Community Navigator position for this fiscal year. Facilitator Marshall confirmed that is correct. He then
asked what were the questions and/or dialog from City Council related to the position?Councilor Liz
Newton explained that the plan is to evaluate with the understanding that it would take a few months,
with no current clarity. It might come back in the first or second quarter supplemental budget.
Brown asked who presented this position to the budget, and Councilor Newton explained that this was
part of the package presented by the City Manager's Office but Councilor Newton did comment on it in
Budget meetings.
The groups then went into two breakout rooms for 35 minutes.
Board Co-Chair Jeff Mott reported out from his group:
To answer the first question:The Tigard population is growing and is no longer a bedroom community.
Mix of people dealing with government from civic-minded to someone who just wants to be left
alone...a community navigator can serve that broad mix of people. Can connect with if you have a
concern with any city function, parks, etc., not just PD. Help to navigate you through the processes of
city.They would speak the language of government and could help translate, could be filter before the
staff members go to a public hearing or otherwise receive information to help make a policy decision. In
other words, communication would go both ways and the city would also be helped by community
member input, not just the community member.This position could also show how city personnel are
being received.Advocacy another big part.The Navigator would have a community member first
attitude,try to avoid bias, work toward solving issues, advantage of being set apart from a specific
department.
Councilor Newton—Navigator could go to team members, for example letting them know, "we have an
issue with the community, we have some barriers in terms of access", or "they're new to this, don't
understand process, let's try to help this community member."They could serve as a liaison.
In response to the second question: In lieu of a standalone person—existing City employees could each
take a part, or have a rotation where one person does some duties for a dedicated amount of time.
Would be up to the city,they know best how to do that. Two things they would need: influence and
credibility with existing city employees. Also–a solid knowledge of department responsibilities and
processes,for example volunteers from an existing board if it was people from the community filling
role instead of employees.
Finally: how can this be presented to people who distrust the government?City Management should
acknowledge that city departments/processes have been and can still be a challenge to navigate.They
should attempt to be transparent and inclusive to the community at large and focus on community
advocacy to community members. Also do relationship building;go out to community and do outreach
to spread the word, eg. Summerfield, Farmer's Market.
Board Member Emilion Calderon reported back for his group. Idea of how they should function—office
or kiosk at City Hall that people can go into. Good number of people who like in-person interactions and
that can be more accessible.The person should be bilingual in Spanish.The person should be at city
events so community members can come up to them. But also go out to other places like Muslim
Educational Trust.They would be helpful as a centralized help person like if someone doesn't know
where to go first, or even what departments exist or who to contact.
How to bridge the gap--community members could fill in—but they wouldn't know specifics of city
operations is a drawback. Rotating people from different departments is another approach. But how
much they would know about all the other departments?To address how to approach communities
who distrust the government—importance of a bilingual staff person, having multicultural training or
background, being culturally competent and having specific training for groups like veterans. Making
sure that they present themself as a member of the community rather than a city spokesperson.
Facilitator Marshall then asked for additional feedback--similarities,things that stuck out, things to add?
Board Member Brown: in process of talking about creating a navigator position, we recognized that our
preference is to have a navigator inside the city structure that isn't tied to one department but can
navigate throughout. But if we don't have funding right now, city management should evaluate the
possibility that individuals within each department function as a team. Give city management a chance
to review the activities they undertake, determine should there be a board, or should there be a specific
position. Preferred to be a position, but what could it look like? Important to note the conversations
leading up to recommendation. Commander McDonald for example had said that it was his role to
function as a navigator by helping folks come through and deal with department issues. Plus,the
Professional Standards Sergeant also could be a navigator role. But, discussion went beyond the Police
Department to look at other departments.
Councilor Newton read from the FY 2022-2023 Budget document: "Additionally, the Public Safety
Advisory Board Recommended a Community Navigator position to "assist community members in
navigating the government systems of Tigard and fostering trust through meaningful conversation." Due
to timing of the request for inclusion in the FY 2023 budget, it is recommended that the team formally
evaluate the request during the first part of FY 2023 and return to the City Council."
This could be returned to in the first part of FY2023 and brought before City Council.The position could
be filled by the end of the 2023 calendar year.
Board Member Shaun Stuhldryer said that as this rolls out, thought would need to be put into what this
position can help with and not help with.There are a lot of rules and regulations governing what
government officials are able to do. Councilor Newton agreed.
6:45-6:55 Opportunity to Discuss Current Events and How They Affect Tigard
Chair Lofgren asked for current events to discuss.
Councilor Newton added something post-talk about mental health issues and advocating at State level
from the last PSAB meeting on May 9. Before every legislative session, Council evaluates their priorities
before the legislative term. Suggestion to the PSAB to look at what's upcoming in area of mental health
and ask the City Council makes that a priority to put on Council's advocacy calendar.
Board Member Trinh said there was a National Alliance on Mental Health walk that happened in
Portland to help with awareness and support of the organization. If people want to donate, you can visit
the webpage—there is an affiliation in Washington County.
Board Member Brown mentioned that he accepted the news of Councilor Newton not running for
reelection with incredible sadness. She has been one of the most transparent, caring, inclusive City
Council members he has met in his life. He noted the value she has brought to the group. Councilor
Newton responded with thanks and mentioned it was not an easy decision to make.
Board Member Stuhldryer mentioned the tragic accident in Beaverton and then a young girl died in a
separate incident. We're a Public Safety Advisory Board and it's not fair to not talk about. It's important
to keep our eye on the ball on what our policy does, and the livability in our community.
Facilitator Marshall plugged the survey that was sent out and asked people to fill it out.
6:55-7:00 Wrap-up and Next Steps
Staff person Alex Richardson shared that City Council will be receiving the final PSAB wrap-up report on
August 2 from Chair Lofgren and Co-Chair Mott. She also shared that there are two upcoming events
that are partnership with the Tigard-Tualatin School District: Pride Parade &Celebration on June 12, and
Juneteenth on June 18.
Councilor Newton suggested Alex double-check the August 2 date as that is National Night Out.
Chair Lofgren asked if there was a motion to end the meeting.
Board Member Trinh made the motion. Board Member Calderon seconded it.
With no opposition or further questions, the meeting was adjourned.