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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSC Minutes 6-30-16 approvedCouncil Public Safety Committee June 30, 2016 Members- Councilmember Kathy Coffey (chair) Councilmember Dulce Gutierrez Councilmember Carmen Mendez The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. Staff: Chief Dominic Rizzi, Police Chief Bob Stewart, Fire Acting City Attorney Mark Kunkler, Legal Scott Schafer, Public Works Joe Rosenlund, Public Works Joe Brown, Police Terri Croft, Police The committee members reviewed the minutes of the May 26, 2016 meeting. It was MOVED by Mendez and SECONDED by Gutierrez to approve the minutes of the May 26, 2016 meeting. Motion PASSED unanimously. • Homeless encampment Coffey opened discussion regarding moving the homeless encampment on Chestnut Avenue to the parking lot at 3rd Street and Walnut Street. Reasons cited for moving the encampment from the current location were the increasing violence surrounding the encampment, providing relief to the surrounding neighborhood, and the ability of the police department to better patrol the proposed 3rd St/Walnut location. Rizzi provided reasons why the 3rd St/Walnut location would not be feasible and would impact police operations. There was continued discussion of other possible city -owned locations, including a location on Fair Avenue near the freeway on ramp. It was MOVED by Gutierrez and SECONDED by Mendez to ask the full council for a special session within the next week to address moving the encampment, with a recommendation from the Public Safety Committee to move to the Fair Avenue location. Motion PASSED unanimously. It was MOVED by Gutierrez and SECONDED by Mendez that the Police and Street Departments conduct a basic traffic safety assessment of the Fair Avenue location prior to the special session. Motion PASSED unanimously. Maxine Carter of Yakima spoke against relocating the encampment to the Fair Avenue location. Jodi York of Yakima spoke against relocating the encampment to the Fair Avenue location. It was MOVED by Mendez to have an assessment conducted on the 3rd St/Walnut location. Motion died for lack of second. It was MOVED by Coffey to bring back the report by Joan Davenport of the pros/cons of each potential location for reconsideration at the special meeting. Motion was SECONDED by Mendez. Motion PASSED unanimously. • Pit Bull Ordinance Coffey addressed those present at the meeting that the pit bull issue is fully off the full council agenda, however the Public Safety Committee would like to discuss the issue further in committee. She would like the issue to be presented at the July 28, 2016 Public Safety Committee meeting. She offered the audience members the opportunity to speak regarding the issue after the remaining agenda items. • Lighting Update Joe Brown reviewed the report on crime statistics in areas where lighting had been installed. He noted that lighting has the most positive effect on perception of safety. Coffey asked what the next step would be to fight the negative perception. Brown advised that a more in-depth study could be conducted, and Rizzi added that the type of crime to be addressed must be specifically identified. Schafer advised he had a budget initiative for 2017 that would be brought to the committee at the July meeting. Gutierrez requested the discussion be continued at the July meeting. • YPAL The committee noted that Ed Shoenbach from YPAL was present and advised they did not have any questions of him. • Audience participation Jodi York spoke in favor lifting the ban on pit bulls. Cassie Frail spoke in favor of lifting the ban on pit bulls. Maxine Carter spoke in favor of lifting the ban on pit bulls. Audience members expressed their desire to continue the discussion and get the issue back before the full council. Kunkler noted that the ordinance had been modified to allow pit bulls as service animals with certain requirements on microchipping, fencing, and muzzling. It was MOVED by Mendez to have the pit bull ordinance reviewed at the next Public Safety Committee meeting for further discussion. Coffey SECONDED the motion and requested Kunkler provide the materials previously submitted to Council. Motion PASSED unanimously. It was MOVED by Coffey and SECONDED by Mendez to adjourn to the July 28, 2016 meeting. Motion PASSED unanimously. Approved: