The mayor is on his way! There's still time to call in. Unknown person is talking about their dog-sitter and a husky mutt. "Whoever is talking we're about to start our meeting." https://twitter.com/mplsclerk/status/1283094882979123204

Mayor Frey: "No, neither the chief nor myself, neither of us were involved in the crafting or deliberation of the language for the proposed charter amendment."

Frey's criticism: It's unclear if we will have police. Charter amendment language says "may" have law enforcement division. And says charter amendment creates situation with 14 bosses. Changing reporting structure doesn't change culture.

Frey: right now when things go wrong there are clearly two people to hold responsible. If 14 different people are responsible, being able to provide clear direction will be impossible. Leads to "one big finger pointing contest."

Chief Arradondo echoing 14 bosses criticism: "I could see the potential for either some wards wanting more attention and others not perhaps getting the amount of service they need." Sees the benefit to current reporting structure.

Frey: barriers have been collective bargaining process with MPD union, state law requiring mandatory arbitration overturning discipline. It needs to be changed. Shifting reporting structure does not lead to culture shift.

Arradondo: culture change is the hardest part of the work I've been engaged in. Policy, training, hiring. Replacing departing officers with best, brightest, empathetic public servants doesn't happen overnight.

Frey: Minneapolis is the first city in the nation to ban warrior style training, both on and off duty. You'll recall the pushback from the union and Bob Kroll. "There are a number of policy reforms that are coming forward... We just released a very significant one today."

Frey promises "consistent drumbeat" of policy proposals. "Culture eats policy for breakfast."

(the phrase "culture eats policy for breakfast" seems like a bad way to punctuate your consistent drumbeat of policy proposals.)

Mayor Frey touting the fact that Chief Arradondo interviews each recruit personally. (Two of those recent recruits can be seen on video in their first week on the job as a training officer murdered George Floyd.)

Frey talking about non-police co-responders on emotionally disturbed person 911 calls: "If we're talking about safety beyond policing... I'm very supportive. And I think we can go that way without a charter change."

Not sure how to fit this into my news #analysis but Chief Arradondo just mistook an 89 year old white commissioner for a 75 year old white commissioner.

Commissioner Perry reminding us of the Chief's call last summer for 400 more cops.

Arradondo: "it was taking into account many different factors... including our population growth." It's more than just the response, it's the investigation piece.

Perry: Can you make the changes you want while staying within what the charter says is the minimum number of officers?

Arradondo: There are many who think those 880 (or 730 minimum in charter) are all police officers. Only 500 or so are out responding to calls. We need to wait for 911 study. There's an uptick in violent crime right now. 730 is "not adequate."

Frey: "Yes we would be able to make these reforms without having a charter amendment." The key is making sure situations are safe for co-responders. "Doing the hard work doesn't require a charter amendment... sadly that has not happened yet."

Chief Arradondo says it's a mandate that when someone calls 911 that an officer responds. (I don't think all his officers have taken that mandate to heart.)

Mayor and Chief are done. A research consultant is here to pitch his services as part of a group called "Voices Up."

"What might we bring to the city to help solve and heal?"

(Why is this happening at the charter commission?)

I'm listening to a slide show over the phone. Technologies and methodologies. Leveraging, shaping, sharing, learning. EJ is going to take us through the rest of this slide.

Maybe recent news coverage has convinced these guys the charter commission is a government with a budget to blow on consultants?

Consultant: "It's vital for democracy and a city to have these connections between residents and elected officials... I don't know that we've heard from all the voices..."

They want to do a poll on whether we should put this to a vote!

Makes me question why I devoted my life to Charter Commission Work Group Tuesdays. Whoever set this agenda has no respect for my time.

Commissioner Barry Clegg suggesting a subcommittee of the work group to continue this discussion.

Consultant: "we care too much, we took too much time."