Restorative Justice
Mediation &
Cons ideration of
Facilitated Dis cus s ions
Update From Rules Committee
&
Direction Requested
September 8, 2026
Background and City Council Direction
January 5, 2026:
• Council considered public release of
investigation report responding to complaint by
Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen.
• Council directed scheduling of a restorative
justice mediation agenda item.
April 6, 2026:
• Council discussed and referred the matter to
the Rules Committee to consider incorporation
of restorative justice mediation into the Internal
Discipline Policy (Title A1, Chapter 13,
Administrative Code).
September 8, 2026
Rules Committee Review
April 22, 2026:
• Committee’s first review
• Continued for additional research
⚬ What is restorative justice?
⚬ What would incorporation into Internal Discipline
Policy look like?
June 24, 2026:
• Committee reviewed again
⚬ Facilitated discussion mechanisms to help resolve
disagreements
• Referred the matter back to the City Council for:
⚬ An update from Rules Committee
⚬ Further direction on whether scope should shift
from restorative justice to facilitated discussion
mechanisms
September 8, 2026
Recommended Action
It is recommended that the City Council direct the Rules Committee's next steps with one of the following:
• Option 1: Authorize the Rules Committee to work with a new scope to revise City Council Member Handbook to include facilitated discussion mechanisms to help resolve disagreements.
• Option 2: Limit further Committee work to the existing scope of restorative justice mediation within the Internal Discipline Policy only.
• Option 3: Conclude Committee consideration with no further action on this matter.
September 8, 2026