REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 07/07/2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
FROM: City Manager's Office
SUBJECT: Police attendance at Planning & Housing and Parks & Recreation Commission meetings.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report seeks direction on whether, as a matter of policy, the City Council wishes to have police present at Planning & Housing and Parks & Recreation Commission meetings.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
That the City Council continue its practice of police attending regular City Council Meetings and Study Sessions, and that Police attendance at Commission meetings occur only when special circumstances warrant, as determined on a case-by-case basis.
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BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The preferred level of building security in city hall's across the country varies considerably and is driven mainly by local circumstances, resources, and need. The current practice of the City of Corona is to have one or more police officers present at regular City Council meetings and Study Sessions only.
As a result of an uncivil verbal exchange in the City Hall parking lot following a Parks and Commission Meeting between a Commission member and resident in early June, Council Member Daddario has requested a police presence at Planning & Housing and Parks & Recreation Commission meetings going forward. The Planning and Housing Commission meets twice a month, while the Parks and Recreation Commission meets once per month at 6 p.m. at Corona City Hall.
Two options are presented for Council consideration:
1. Option 1: No regular police presence at Planning & Housing and Parks & Recreation Commission meetings except under special circumstances. This reflects the current practice of the City. Commission meetings are attended by police officers only on an as-needed basis when a heavily attended meeting is expected due to a controversial issue. The cost is approximately $266 per meeting and is covered by an officer working overtime. No record...
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