Ferguson City Council recognizes the importance of a process for public input from the citizens of Ferguson. Therefore, the City Council is seeking public input regarding a proposed agreement between the City and the Department of Justice.
Over a seven-month period from July 2015 through January 2016, representatives from the City of Ferguson, including three members of the City Council, the City Manager, the City Attorney, and its outside counsel, entered into hard fought and good faith negotiations with the Department of Justice regarding a proposed agreement which is being made available to the public for review and comment. As in all negotiations, neither side received everything that they requested, and both sides made concessions in order to reach an agreement. The City representatives worked very hard to reach an agreement with the Department of Justice and this proposed agreement represents the best agreement that the City’s representatives were able to obtain for the citizens of Ferguson. This agreement, if approved, avoids the time and cost of litigation and allows the City to continue its focus to ensure constitutional policing and court practices, and thus provides these benefits to the citizens of Ferguson.
Before the entire City Council makes its final decision and votes on the proposed agreement, the City Council will accept public comments. Comments may be submitted in writing at any time prior to February 9, 2016, and may be directed to the attention of the City Clerk at City Hall. In addition, the City Council will accept public comments in person on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, February 6, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. Those who have questions are urged to submit questions in writing in advance; priority will be given to responding to those questions submitted in writing in advance.
The meetings on February 2 and February 9 will be held at Ferguson City Hall. The meeting on February 6 will be held at the Ferguson Community Center.
The bill to take action on the proposed agreement will be introduced and read for the first time at the meeting on February 2. The bill will be read for a second time and voted on at the City Council meeting on February 9, 2016.
A copy of the proposed agreement may be found below.