HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/1978 Adjourned Meeting 131_
ADJOURNED MEETING - NOVEMBER 20, 1978
The City Council scheduled for session on this date at 8:30 AM, met in
the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Yakima, Washington.
Council members present were Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Henry Beauchamp,
Lynn Buchanan, Don Hinman, Jack Sparling and Gordon Wonder.
This being the time scheduled for the 1979 budget review for the Police
Department, Chief Jack LaRue, gave the following report:
CRIME PREVENTION: The current On Guard Program is funded until July
31, 1979 by Federal Funds through a Law and Justice Grant. Chief LaRue
explained that $10,000 has been requested in the 1979 budget for the
remaining six months of 1979. Other Crime Prevention programs expected
to be continued in 1979 are: Radio- Watch; Operation ID; and State Crime
Watch. Chief LaRue stated that the City's crime rate has dropped 4% to
date in 1978 and 5% had been projected.
INVESTIGATION: Chief LaRue explained that Investigation includes the
Detective and Youth Bureaus, Record Bureau and Crime Prevention, which
consists of nine field commissioned officers, with one Captain and one
Lieutenant in supervisory capacities.
PREVENTATIVE PATROL:
Chief LaRue was asked by Councilman Sparling the number of officers needed
for an ideal Police Department. Chief LaRue stated that he would like
100 commissioned officers with a minimum of 90 officers. The Department
had a permanent complement of 80 officers in 1969 and 87 officers in
1970. There are currently 84 officers in 1978. Captain Harvey Qualley
stated that the Department is attempting to hire one minority male and
one woman per year in the Department as an affirmative action goal.
POLICE SUPPORT SERVICES: It has been agreed with the Washington State
Department of Labor and Industries that the current condition of the
pistol range in City Hall is not safe for use at this time for training
purposes and the appropriation to correct this has not been Included in
the 1979 budget. An extra $30,000 has been budgeted in 1979 for the
formerly CETA- funded Communications Specialists. Discussion followed
concerning the fact that the City Council would like to see the City of
Yakima and the County of Yakima share a communications center and records
bureau.
Capital Outlay: According to the Privacy of Information Act, the City
will need to address the expense of locked vaults in the near future,
but this is not budgeted in 1979.
ADMINISTRATION: The 1979 budget figure includes a projected increase in
the jail contract with the County of Yakima of approximately $45,000.
Councilman Nadine Lee present at 10:20 a.m.
This being the time for the 1979 Budget Review for the Fire Department,
Chief Ed Carroll, gave the following report:
FIRE PREVENTION /INVESTIGATION: Suppression force personnel is used for the
Fire Prevention Bureau and no change in this program is anticipated.
FIRE SUPPRESSION: Discussion followed concerning the possible closing
of one of the fire stations. Lieutenant Tom Fieldstead gave a detailed
report explaining the Public Technology, Inc. (PTI) computer printout.
The PTI was explained to include five (5) demand zones:
A. Over 50 people at all times and over $1 million in property
value.
B. Over 50 people part of the time and over $1 million in property
value.
C. Over 25 people part of the time and over $500,000 in property
value.
D. Residential area.
E. Unimproved area.
132
NOVEMBER 20, 1978
Based upon these demand zones, a response time was established for first
response:
A. ZONE Within three minutes
B. ZONE Within four minutes
C. ZONE Within five -seven minutes
D. - ZONE Eight minutes
E. ZONE Eight -Ten minutes
After further discussion, Actangc Manager Dick Zais asked Lieutenant
Fieldstead which station he felt could be closed, if It was necessary.
Fieldstead stated that tactically Station #4 would have the least effect
on the rest of the City. Chief Carroll explained to the Council that
the FAA requirements are that any City having certified flights must
have fire apparatus that can be on the runway within three (3) minutes.
Dick Zais asked Chief Carroll for his opinion on which station he would
consider closing if needed, according to the PTI Study. Chief Carroll
responded by indicating that either Station #4 or Station #5, as both
are on the outer perimeter of the City. However, Chief Carroll stated
that all stations are needed to meet all the A Zones as mentioned above.
There is a possibility that insurance rates for citizens will go up if
there is a change in the current structure of the Fire Department.
COMMUNICATIONS: The Alarm Center is currently based in a separate building
on the Station #2 site. Chief Carroll stated that he would like to
consolidate communication systems with City of Yakima Police Department
and Yakima County. Acting City Manager Zais indicated this would be a
high priority item to consider in 1979. Chief Carroll' indicated that a
capital outlay of $60,585 for Alarm Center equipment was necessary, but
not included in the 1979 budget.
STRUCTURES SAFETY /FIRE SAFETY: Councilman Wonder asked if it was necessary
for two Fire Marshals to work in'the Planning Department or if it was
possible to combine their inspections with the Code Administration /Inspection
Department. Chief Carroll explained that this is to assure that the
Uniform Fire Code is in force in new buildings.
Councilman Buchanan absent at 11:40 AM.
Chief Carroll stated that he would possibly approach the Council in 1979
to consider a purchase of equipment that would require two years for
delivery.
It was mentioned that payments were still being made on the purchase of
the old Fire Station #1. It was the general consensus of the Council
that the sale of the Fire Training Site, currently in the UDAG Project,
be considered.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting
was adjourned at the hour of 12:00 PM, to then meet at 6:30 PM on this
date, at City Council Chambers, City Hall, Yakima, Washington.
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