Duties and functions of the Citizen Review Board:
(a) The Bexley Citizen Review Board shall provide citizen review and input into inquiries and complaints directed at City employees which have been reviewed internally and in which case the internal decision the complainant wishes to appeal, in order to ensure full transparency and accountability of the City's responsiveness to such complaints.
(b) In the event that a complainant appeals the findings of the initial response from the relevant department, the Mayor will request a review and investigation of the case by the Bexley Citizen Review Board. Upon completion of an investigation, the Board shall make recommendations to the Mayor regarding resolution of the complaint and, where warranted by the facts, may make recommendations pertaining to discipline.
(c) The appropriate department(s) shall make available its records relating to any matter under investigation, review, or evaluation by the Board, subject to the restrictions of applicable federal and state law.
(d) The Board shall have the authority to request the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, photographs, audio recordings, electronic files, and other tangible evidence relating to any matter under investigation, review, or evaluation by the Board, subject to the restrictions of applicable federal and state law.
(e) With the approval of the City Attorney or the City Attorney's designee, the Board shall have the authority to request that a subpoena be issued to compel the attendance of a key witness or the production of any documents, photographs, audio recordings, electronic files or other tangible evidence relating to any matter under investigation, review, or evaluation by the Board in accordance with relevant provisions of this Section, subject to the restrictions of applicable federal and state and, for city employee members of a bargaining unit, the terms of any collective bargaining agreement.
(f) The Board must work cooperatively to arrive at a report that receives unanimous approval from the Board, however, unanimity is not required. If the Board is not able to reach unanimous consent, then each member may provide an individual report on their findings to the Mayor.
(g) The Mayor will review the appeal, alongside the findings of the Bexley Citizen Review Board, and provide a written response to the appeal. The Mayor's response, as well as the written report of the Bexley Citizen Review Board, shall be provided to the complainant and/or the complaint liaison and be published on the City of Bexley website.
(h) Subject to the approval of Council, the Citizen Review Board shall make rules providing for additional Board procedures and processes as they deem necessary.
(Ord. 38-20. Passed 10-13-20.)