Title
Approval of Recommended Appointments to the Community Policing Board
Recommended Action Committee Recommendation:
The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee recommend approving appointments to the Community Policing Board.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the four transitional appointments and three new board member appointments to the Community Policing Board as recommended by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee.
Report Issue:
Whether to approve the four transitional appointments and three new board member appointments to the Community Policing Board as recommended by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee.
Staff Contact:
Margo Morales, Community Engagement Program Specialist, Organizational Development and Performance, 360.753.8150
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
On July 9, 2024, the City Council approved the Social Justice and Equity Commission’s recommendations for community involvement in law enforcement, including the creation of a Community Policing Board. On March 4, 2025, the City Council approved updates to the Olympia Municipal Code (OMC) section governing the Community Member Representatives for Police Use of Force and establishing the Community Policing Board.
At the time of the establishment of the Community Policing Board there were four existing Community Member Representatives for Police Use of Force whose terms had not expired. Staff recognized the value in experienced, trained representatives being available to serve on an investigations team if needed and recommended that the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) provide opportunities for those members to transition to the new Board. All four Community Representatives expressed a desire for transitional appointments. At the August 27, 2025, regular meeting CLPS unanimously approved recommending the following Community Member Representatives for transitional appointments to the Board: Reiko Callner with a term ending March 31, 2028; Adan Espino with a term ending March 31, 2028; Elizabeth Drake with a term ending March 31, 2029; Sarah Nagy with a term ending March 31, 2029.
In May 2025, staff launched a recruitment process to fill three vacancies on the Board and received 25 applications from interested community members. CLPS interviewed seven applicants at their August 27, 2025, regular meeting. They unanimously approved recommending the following applicants to fill remaining board vacancies: Lisa Ostler with a term ending March 31, 2028; Robin Rosen-Evans with a term ending March 31, 2029; and Anita Kraft with a term ending March 31, 2029.
The new candidates' application materials are attached.
Climate Analysis:
This is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The board and commission recruitment process is an opportunity to reduce disparities in participation among marginalized communities in City of Olympia process and decisions.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Community members serve on Advisory Committees, like the Community Policing Board, to share their opinions and perspectives, study issues, and develop recommendations in a focused small group in order to provide judicious advice from a community member's perspective to the Olympia City Council. Community Policing Board members also provide an opportunity for community representatives to provide community perspectives to the Olympia Police Department’s Use of Force Review Boards and the Capital Metro Independent Investigations Team for incidents involving Olympia Police Department officers.
Financial Impact:
The 2025 adopted City operating budget included one full-time staff position funded through Proposition 1 Public Safety funding. The position serves as the City’s liaison to the Police Auditor and Community Policing Board. Additionally, to reduce barriers to community member participation, the City offers stipends of $25 per meeting attended to Advisory Committee members. Those members who certify as low income are eligible to receive stipends of $50 per meeting attended. Advisory Committee members may waive the stipend upon request.
Options:
1. Move to approve the four transitional appointments and three new board member appointments to the Community Policing Board as recommended by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee.
2. Approve transitional appointments and new board member appointments to the Community Policing Board with changes.
3. Do not approve the recommended appointments and send the issue back to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee.
Attachments:
Kraft Application and Resume
Rosen-Evans Application
Ostler Application and Resume