HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/19/2018 Study Session1
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
June 19, 2018
City Hall -- Council Chambers
4 p.m. -- MINUTES
1 Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Council Members
Holly Cousens, Kay Funk, Brad Hill and Jason White
Staff: City Manager Moore, Assistant City Manager Cortez and City Clerk Claar Tee
Absent: Council Member Mendez (excused)
2. Discussion regarding next steps on Governor's Gang Proviso
City Manager Moore reported on his correspondence with Sonja Hallum, Senior Policy
Advisor for Governor Jay I nslee, regarding the Governor's Gang Proviso. In her email, she
states that the idea behind the proviso was to support coordination of services and strategic
planning aligned with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
Comprehensive Gang Model, in order to create a model for a sustainable long-term
approach to addressing gang and gun violence.
Assistant City Manager Cortez noted Ms. Hallum stated this is a new and different approach
rather than funding of specific programs, and this pilot seemed like an excellent opportunity to
build on the work already initiated in Yakima by adding the coordination and planning functions
based on research and best practices, which are found in the OJJ DP Comprehensive Gang
Model. Ms. Cortez elaborated on possible next steps.
City Manager Moore noted the proviso is to establish a framework for an approach to
reducing gun and gang violence that can be sustainable. The City has been doing many
positive things; however, what is missing is a collaborative coordinated approach among
multiple entities to move forward in the same direction in order to obtain larger dollar grants.
Assistant Mayor Gutierrez stated she would like the City to be the lead agency
and believes the Governor's office was clear, that the City has flexibility to find a model that
works for Washington. She would like the City to utilize a Police Department Community
Relations staff person to work on this project instead of hiring or contracting with someone
new. Mayor Coffey stated they learned many mistakes with the Gang Free Initiative and
would hate to see the City make the same mistakes. Council Member White shared his
concerns about the Denver model.
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After further Council discussion,
MOTION: Funk moved and Gutierrez seconded that the City of Yakima act as the
lead agency for the Governor's Proviso funding. MOTION: White moved
and Cousens seconded to amend the motion that no proviso dollars will be used for
staffing. The motion to amend failed by a 5-1 vote, Coffey, Cousens, Funk, Gutierrez and
Hill voting no, Mendez absent. The motion carried by a 4-2 vote, White and Coffey voting no,
Mendez absent.
Assistant City Manager Cortez stated as the lead agency the City would be responsible for
following the OJJ DP's definition of lead agency best practices to address community gang
problems which includes, among other things: providing secure location to house client intake
information, consent forms and intervention plans; tracking activities of the partnering
agencies; coordinating the activities and meetings of the intervention team and the steering
committee; providing an administrative framework for hiring staff if necessary; and
administering funds and grant contracts as directed by the steering committee.
After Council discussion, City Manager Moore reiterated that the funding cannot be used for
direct services and clarified that the City will be the lead agency; staff will research whether
there is an employee able to take the lead role on this issue; create a steering committee
utilizing the OJJDP best practices to include elected officials from the City; and, have current
or former gang members involved in the conversation. Council Member Hill stated he prefers
the City hire a contractor. Assistant Mayor Gutierrez asked when the Council will discuss this
issue again. City Manager Moore noted this will be added to the July 10, 2018, Council
meeting for follow-up discussion.
3. Public comment (allow 15 minutes)
Wally Endicott, non-resident, stated they bring a cultural framework by using science and
research on hope and one of the ways to do that is finding people who have an interest,
chose a culture and that every adult believes in every child.
Sandra Aguilar, City resident, stated she read the 2025 plan and believes the issue of gangs
is a public health problem and symptoms are people without living wages and the high cost of
housing.
Stacy Kellogg, Director of Social Services for People for People, reported they provide 211
services and were involved as a 211 connector with the Gang Free Initiative. She stated
when media campaigns were conducted, the 211 services were utilized much more and
noted 211 services are statewide.
Joe Willis, Executive Director of the Yakima Police Athletic League (YPAL), stated gangs
are typically multi -generational and it can be very difficult to reach older gang members. He
reported this is a big issue with many partnerships needed and everyone needs to be on the
same page.
Bishop Patrick Milton, City resident, stated he would like to be considered for the
potential position and described his gang prevention method using music.
Susan Martin and Minerva Pardo with West Valley School District, stated they represent a
group called Risk to Resiliency and that everyone must have a sense of safety, connections
and belonging or they will find it somewhere, including gangs. Ms. Prado talked about
protective factors as prevention.
Brenda Sanders, with West Valley School District, stated sometimes we forget to bring the
key people to the table and we will need to get the gang members involved and find out how
they got there and what can be done to help.
4. Adjournment
MOTION: Gutierrez moved to adjourn to a City Council Business Meeting today,
June 19, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers. The motion carried
by unanimous vote, Mendez absent. The meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m. 7 -
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