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Title:
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Consideration of a Citizen Petition
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Title
Consideration of a Citizen Petition
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Mr. Kim Baker at the Dec. 14, 2022, Formal City Council meeting (Attachment A).
Report
Summary
At the Dec. 14, 2022, City Council Formal Meeting, Mr. Kim Baker submitted a citizen petition that included six items. Upon review by the Law Department, items one through five were determined to not qualify as a citizen petition as they do not fall within the purview of the City Council. A list of the requests is provided below and was addressed in a staff report to City Council in the Jan. 19, 2023 General Information packet.
1. Request Council to have the City Manager's Office investigate if Police Chief Michael Sullivan and former Police Officer Patrick Sullivan are related.
2. Request Council to answer this question - Why was Lieutenant Scott Smith of the Tempe Police Department meeting with Officer Patrick Sullivan on Dec. 18, 2011 and how did he know his name?
3. Request Council to answer this question - Why did Officer Patrick Sullivan abruptly resign after he filed formal charges of harassment and intimidation against him?
4. Request Council to answer this question - Why was Officer Pendergrass named as the harassing officer?
5. Request Council to answer this question - Why does the City Attorney admonish citizens before Citizen Comment, but on Oct. 12, 2022, Councilman DiCiccio referred to me as an “idiot”?
Upon review by the Law Department, item six was determined to qualify as a citizen petition because it is an action within the purview of the City Council and is listed below.
6. Request Council to recommend both the Council and citizens be given the same admonishment.
Options for Council Action:
Accept the petition, requesting the City Attorney to remind everyone who speaks during a public meeting to be respectful, and that civil discourse benefits the greater good.
Deny the petition.
Other direction to staff related to civil discourse during public meetings.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Law Department.