But even the meeting itself comes with its own behind-the-scenes drama, with concerns now bubbling up that City Council members may be reluctant to let the commission play a significant role in impending reform of police oversight procedures.
As the meeting came near, the council moved to rebrand the commission town hall as a joint meeting governed by both bodies.
Veteran Councilman Dave Golonski said he suggested the change because all five council members hoped to attend, and he feared not doing so might lead to a violation of the state's open-meeting law, which requires formal announcements and procedures when a council majority gathers on city business.
City Atty. Dennis Barlow agreed it's better to be safe than sorry.
Yet there are those close to the issue, including some police commissioners, who've privately expressed worry that the move might also constitute an attempt to hijack control of the meeting.
Councilman David Gordon, who more often than not plays Oscar to Golonski's Felix, said he also opposed the council annexation of the town hall as a possible threat to the commission's independence in conducting the meeting.
Concerns about a potential power struggle simmer because tonight's discussion pertains not only to the sweeping internal reforms being carried out by interim Police Chief Scott LaChasse, but also to the role of the Police Commission in the future structure of police oversight.
As it turns out, it's iffy whether the council really had to join in running the meeting to allow its members to participate.
