02-23-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 23, 2015 and racist comments been true, we would have seen this investigation conducted by the FBI take a completely different turn. In fact, the release document that Capitan Boykins signed in order to receive his settlement states: "The parties (City of South Bend, Boykins and police officers) agree that neither (of the parties) is aware of any evidence of illegal activity by the Wiretap plaintiffs or any evidence that reveals that the wiretap plaintiffs used any racist word against Boykins" I find myself in the unique position of being the sole city employee left in this ongoing battle with you. An atmosphere of hostility continues for me every day this matter remains unresolved. Former Division Chief Steve Richmond and former Detective Bureau Capitan Brian Young have retired. Both incredible police officers and dedicated to serving the people of South Bend. Their loss as city employees is. tragic as is the loss of our first African American Police Chief. None of this should have happened. The wounds for all of us our families are real and cannot begin to heal until this is resolved. I am asking this body to stop pursuing efforts that continue to prolong this drama with no apparent end in sight. The politics and personal agenda of some both elected and in the private sector are damaging for all the people of South Bend and its reputation as a whole. We will not stop fighting! As long as this prolonged effort to continue this litigation and waste more and more tax payer dollars is pursed by this elected body, we will resist. We arrive to work every day sworn to uphold and protect the rights of all citizens and we swear to protect those very same rights that inherently belong to us as well. Thank you for your time. David Wells Jessie Davis, Po Box 10205, 46680, South Bend, Indiana, stated the Council and the citizens want to know on the tapes and will not rest until there heard. Davis also states his turning in a privilege of the floor form to the City Clerk for the Council and would like for them to look into the status of the Roos patio issue that went to a special prosecutor almost two months ago. At that time it was reported in the media that the prosecutor would give an update on this in the weeks coming, yet no one has heard anything. Rev Greg Brown, 1258 Diamond, South Bend, Indiana, states it was listed in Newsweek that we are a dying City but we aren't in fact a dying City we're a lying City. Brown states something has to be done about the release of the tapes and if we don't wake them up then we'll shake them up. Rev Mario Sims, 608 So St. Joseph St, South Bend, Indiana, states is here tonight in the capacity as a spokesperson for people for better government. Sims then ask for additional time. President, Tim Scott entertained the motion made by Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. to grant petitioner an additional three minutes councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion, the motion carries. Mr. Sims goes on to state that he respects law enforcement, however the facts are the facts and what was said tonight is not the truth. A report from FOX news states that Karen DePaepe got paid the most money in the wiring tapping settlement. Most would ask why Karen DePaepe get paid the most money cause in her notice of the tort claim prepared by her attorney it states that high - ranking officers engaged in misconduct, racial slander and criminal acts. Karen DePaepe's listening was in the scope of her assigned job duties. Sims goes on to state that none of the discussion had anything to do with the officers job duties but they engaged in these practices while on duty is where the real problem comes in. Mrs. DePaepe's settlement does not detract her statements she has already disclosure what was on the tapes misconduct, offensive racial slander and criminal acts which is part of the public record. The mayor paid her in a settlement and no discovery was ever done, settlements require discovery. Chief Boykins and Karen DePaepe has not been prosecuted because that would require their defensive attorney's to listen to the tapes. This is a shell game, why would the officers sue Councilmember Henry Davis and allege slander and then come here today and say seal the tapes that doesn't make any sense at all. After paying almost (1) million dollars of taxpayer dollars we still don't know if we have high - ranking officers who are committing crimes /criminal offenses such as covering up murders etc.