Minutes of Southwestern College March 11 Meeting Regarding Blackwater

Southwestern College (2009-04-01)

This Page: https://copswiki.org/Common/M764
Media Link: http://www.swccd.edu/Pdfs/Merged_4-15-09_GB_Agenda_with_Enclosures%281%29.pdf
More Info: Blackwater, Blackwater Otay, Private Mercenaries

(EXCERPTED FROM MEETING MINUTES, See page 25 of the linked PDF file.)

Public comments regarding Item #12 were held at this time. The following individuals spoke in opposition to the Memorandum of Understanding with Blackwater: Ray Lutz, Monte Johnson, Gabriel Orendain, Michele Krug, Veronica Lavarello

Allan Garret, spoke in support of the MOU with Blackwater.

12. RECONSIDERATION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH BLACKWATER LODGE AND TRAINING CENTER, INC. (ENCLOSURE)

(Chopra)

Action: Motion to renegotiate MOU

S. Diaz Student Advisory Vote	Aye
M. Aguilar	Aye
M Dominguez	Aye
Roesch	Aye
Salcido	Aye
Valladolid	No

The Board will discuss and reconsider the following agenda item which was approved at the January 28, 2009 Regular Board meeting:

Approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) No. M4039.09 with Blackwater Lodge and Training Center, Inc., to establish an agreement for facilities use to fulfill firearms training requirements for the Police Academy, for the period January 29, 2009 to December 31, 2013, inclusive, at no cost to the District.

Valladolid motioned to rescind the agreement with Blackwater, seconded by Diaz. The Board discussed the item. Aguilar suggested that the MOU be amended to include 1) amend termination clause 2) amend confidentiality clause 3) eliminate arbitration clause 4) make California law the applicable law 5) eliminate cause of SWC facilities 6) eliminate clause for reimbursement for Xe. Board Member Valladolid stated that she regrets voting for it in January and asked that the Board Members rescind the item. Dominguez indicated that it was difficult to find firing ranges in the county and stressed the importance of doing what is best for the students. Aguilar entered a substitution motion to direct staff to renegotiate the MOU and respond to the six items as minimum amendments and accept use of facility under supervision of Southwestern College staff, seconded by Dominguez. Salcido and Diaz expressed that they felt torn. After discussion the Board voted 4-1 with Valladolid voting no.

The Board recessed at 8:08 p.m. and reconvened at 8:16 pm.