PORT ANGELES — After weeks of debate, the Port Angeles City Council has voted to diversify the Public Safety Advisory Board.
The council voted 4-1 Tuesday to adopt an ordinance changing the composition of the all-white committee to include two tribal representatives and someone who has experienced, or worked with someone who has experienced, homelessness or a chemical use disorder.
The approved measure also imposes term limits and prohibits city staff from serving on the 12-member volunteer board that serves as a liaison between the city police and fire departments and the community.
Council members Mike French, LaTrisha Suggs, Deputy Mayor Navarra Carr and Mayor Kate Dexter voted to approve the ordinance Tuesday.
“There are very few decisions we’re going to make that everyone will agree with,” Dexter in the virtual meeting.
Council member Brendan Meyer voted no. Meyer has said he would favor decommissioning the Public Safety Advisory Board.
“While I’m going to vote against this motion, I do want to say that I do appreciate the people who are moved by both George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s murders, and countless others,” said Meyer, who could not be reached for further comment Wednesday.
The approved ordinance did not include a recommendation from an online petition submitted by Carolyn Wilcox to give the Public Safety Advisory Board powers to investigate complaints against city police and other staff.
Council member Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin recused himself because he is married to Wilcox.
Council member Charlie McCaughan was excused for a planned medical procedure.
Eighteen of 22 speakers who testified or left voicemails that were played during the meeting said they supported more diversity on the Public Safety Advisory Board.
The council had previously debated the Public Safety Advisory Board ordinance Aug. 4 and Sept. 1.
“Thank you for continuing to fight for social justice despite the formation of an opposition to these minor changes to the Public Safety Advisory Board,” Wilcox said during a public comment period Tuesday.
“The opposition has been throwing around the word racism to describe anyone who brings up the social construct of race,” Wilcox added.
“The name calling is a response to not having a substantive argument. The opposition is, in fact, asking you to not do your jobs, to stop governing, and to not take this measure to the logical conclusion of a vote.”
Susan Rodman said she created an online petition to uphold the current Public Safety Advisory Board.
“I do not believe that you have accurately represented your constituents by moving forward without listening to their voice,” Rodman told the City Council.
Rodman said the council’s virtual meetings, which began in March under Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order for COVID-19, had been “rife with Zoom complications.”
“I don’t believe that it is equitable or fair to the people of the city that their voice is being heard simply by calling in, whereas before we would be entering meetings and having our voice heard and would be seen in numbers,” Rodman said.
French and other council members said the virtual meeting format had encouraged public participation.
“We had a considerable amount of public comment and I really appreciate that, on both sides,” French said of the Public Safety Advisory Board ordinance.
“It is not certainly the best-case scenario, but I think that, in many ways, going to an online format has actually increased the amount of accessibility for some of our citizens.”
Alan Barnard, chairman of the Port Angeles Public Safety Advisory Board, said the committee provides a “sounding board” for the city police and fire chiefs.
“We advise only and in no way have oversight or management responsibility with these departments,” said Barnard, who has served on the board for “at least” 15 years.
“We do not, and have never, micromanaged in any way.
“We do not take up causes independent of those presented by both chiefs, and do not get involved in political or activist agendas, as that is clearly beyond our mandate,” Barnard added.
Barnard’s voicemail was cut off after two minutes.
When reached by cell phone Wednesday, Barnard said he stood by his public remarks and would continue to serve on the Public Safety Advisory Board.
Suggs last month amended the proposal for the Public Safety Advisory Board to include two enrolled tribal representatives rather than one.
“Diversification of our boards can only lead to positive steps in allowing people to have a voice and bringing them to the table to help find solutions or make recommendations,” Suggs said.
Carr said she was encouraged by the amount of public participation on the Public Safety Advisory Board ordinance.
“There are lot of avenues for being able to talk to constituents, and one of the ways I miss the most is on the street, or in a restaurant, or grabbing a drink at the bar,” Carr said of COVID-19 restrictions.
“Those are ways that I sincerely miss being able to connect with people. But I will also say that it is a huge barrier to have to attend City Council meetings in person, and listening to how many people called and left us messages was simply incredible.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
