From:
Cam Gordon
Date:
May 23 22:26 UTC
Short link
Here is some information about the three issues before the Minneapolis City
Council that I want you to be aware of:
1. Free Speech and the RNC:
I continue to oppose the notice and plan approval process for public
assemblies, being brought forward by Council Member Ostrow. I believe that
most protest groups will not participate in a process that says they must
provide notice, and I fear that lack of plan approval will become a pretext for
unnecessary conflicts between groups and counterproductive involvement of law
enforcement during this summers Republican National Convention and beyond. My
concern only grew larger last week when it became clear that the intention was
to make a permanent policy change rather than just something for use during the
convention as the original name of the resolution indicated.
My concerns also include the fact that there is no way for a person or group to
appeal a decision if their plan is not approved. Additionally, if one group
has a plan approved, that will effectively keep any other group or individual
who is not part of their assembly from using the sidewalk or engaging in
protest activities of their own in that location. I am also concerned that we
will then be left with a sidewalk closure permit that doesnt even require the
person getting the permit to have the consent of the residents or businesses on
that street who rely on those sidewalks for their normal activities. The
potential negative, even if unintended, consequences this could have on
commerce, labor activities and future protests and rallies far outweigh any
potential benefit in my opinion.
Here is the specific part, as amended, of the Ostrow/Remington resolution I
object most strongly to:
That any person or group planning on holding a public assembly of greater that
50 persons in a location or in a manner that will prevent other pedestrians
from using the sidewalks and crosswalks must provide notice of the assembly to
City staff and obtain plan approval if the person or group wishes to obtain
priority over those person or groups who have failed to register.
Here is a link to the last available version of Ostrows proposal:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080516/docs/Voluntary-Registration-Resl.pdf
And here is an alternative (in tow parts) that I have drafted:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080606/Docs/Gordon-Voluntary-Registration-Resl.pdf
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080606/Docs/Police-Policy-During-RNC-Resl.pdf
This matter will come before the Council on Friday for final approval morning
June 6 the regularly a scheduled meeting of the City Council.
2. Lurking and Loitering.
I am moving forward with an effort to repeal the unjust and antiquated
Minneapolis lurking ordinance. This ordinance disproportionately impacts
homeless persons, people of color, and the poor. I believe that we must
redirect precious law enforcement resources to behaviors that actually harm
someone, and laws that carry meaningful consequences. To accomplish this
repeal effort, I will also be adding more behaviors to the loitering ordinance,
making it cover crimes related to vandalism and theft. This whole package came
before the Public Service and Regulatory Services Committee on May 21st and the
Public Hearing will resume at its next meeting on June 11.
You can see the specific ordinance amendments here:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080606/Docs/Lurking-Loitering-Ordn.pdf
And get more details on my reasoning behind repealing the lurking ordinance
here:
http://secondward.blogspot.com/search?q=lurking
3. Pre-employment Drug Testing
The Human Resources Department has brought forward a proposal to conduct
pre-employment drug testing for all City employees. I was the only Executive
Committee member to oppose this idea.
You can read more about it here
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2008-meetings/20080516/Exec20080507Agenda.asp#TopOfPage
This issue will come before the Ways and Means Committee on June 2. At its last
meeting the committee asked staff to provide information outlining risk
management: a) quantifying liability exposure; insurability issues; asset
preservation; as well as a history of these issues; b) a survey of policies in
other cities and counties; and c) a legal analysis that would address negligent
hiring, noting sensitive and non-sensitive positions.