HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/15/2011 04B2 Minutes 02-24-2011 Council Public Safety Committee •
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Counci(Pu6Cic Safe Committee
Council Chambers
City 5faOE
February 24, 2011 •
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MINUTES
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Council Members Present: Maureen Adkison, Bill Lover, Rick Ensey
Staff Present: Acting City Manager Michael Morales, Acting Police Chief Greg
Copeland, Lt. Mike Merryman, Acting Fire Chief Dave Willson, Director of
Finance Rita DeBord, Public Safety Communication Manager Wayne Wantland,
Acting Codes Manager Joe Caruso, Senior Asst. City Attorney Helen Harvey;
Prosecuting Attorney C. Martinez, YPAC Mike •Brown and Fire Administrative
Assistant Connie Mendoza
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Adkison at 9:00 a.m.
I. Yakima County 911 Letter
IP Wantland shared that there were two separate issues that needed to be
• discussed regarding 911.
1. Excise Tax — the Commissioners actions and the
• consequences of those actions.
2. The management/future of 911.
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Excise Tax
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Wantland provided a copy of a letter that was sent to the Commissioners in
October 2010 recommending the implementation of an increase in the County's .
911 excise tax as approved by. the State Legislature. The letter outlined the •
benefits of the increase and .how the additional revenue collected'would be used
to upgrade the ageing and outdated equipment and assist in creating the overall
goal of consolidating all the emergency communications. The Commissioners
chose not to approve the .20 cent increase which impacted the 911 budget
2011 by approximately $770,000 ($420,000 County revenue and $250,000 State
Service revenue). If the increase had been implemented, the monetary revenue.
is estimated to have been. 1.8 million verses 1.1 million currently being collected. •
• Wantland also explained that by not implementing the increase, Yakima County
911 also lost its States assistance. State assistance is for departments that use
all of their available resources and still need additional services. When the
Commissioners chose not to increase the tax, it sent the signal that no additional
State funding was needed.
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Wantland reviewed the budget presented to the Commissioners and explained
that as a result of their decision; they will have to dip into reserves to cover the
years operating expenses. After making modifications to the proposed 2011
budget by eliminating a couple of items, the cost to the reserves is estimated to
be $430,000. The Commissioners felt that having a reserve balance of 1.2 million
was excessive for 911 fund. However, the City of Yakima has been operating
the call center for 15 years and has been planning for the implementation of a
consolidated system which will require significant funding from the reserve
balance. Rita DeBoard stated that the City has been fiscally responsible by trying
to plan for the future.
Wantland explained that the City is responsible for Dispatch and the County is
only responsible for 911. The two are separated by funding but are both currently
being managed by the City.
Future of 911 /Management
Wantland explained that within the current system there is the Administrative
Board made up of elected and then there is an Operations Board that is made up
of area Chief's or their representatives. Wantland develops the annual 911
budget and gets approval by both boards and then it is authorized by the City
Manager and City Council. The administrative costs for the current set up are
shared but the 911 budget is truly defined and any extra budget remaining at the
end of a year has been rolled into the following year's budget.
The County recently sent the City Yakima y e ty of akima a letter expressing their intent to end
the current contract for 911 services with the City at the end of 2011 and move it
back to the County as a stand alone department. Wantland is unsure of what the
advantages of doing this would be since forming an independent center has
always been the ultimate goal. He is unclear on how the County's proposal will
help reach the ultimate goal. Dispatchers assist call takers when they are
overloaded and if the two are separated, we may have to increase staffing on
both sides.
Morales advised that legally the County can follow through with their proposal.
Lover asked if an independent center was formed would it have a Board set up
similar Fire Commissioners, would they be elected. Wantland stated that
appointees from jurisdictions involved would be on the board.
Morales advised that the County has requested an extension of the 911 contract
through the end of 2011. The Council will be asked to vote on it March 3 This
would be a good time for City of Yakima elected officials to have input by working
with the County's elected officials.
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A motion was made by Lover to take the recommend approving the extension of
the 911 contract for 2011 to the full Council, seconded by Ensey. Motion passed
3 -0.
Morales stated a response letter needs to be sent to the County. Wantland will
request additional information.
II. Update on Gang Free Initiative
Lt. Merryman shared that they are working on finalizing . and implementing the
strategy for the City's GFI. They have been working with GFI consultant Steve
Magallan and reported that phase 1 and 2 of the plan have been accomplished.
The Steering Committee has scheduled a second retreat for March 19 Sub-
committees are becoming more active.
Intervention Committee - is developing a referral system in conjunction
with the Yakima Police Department.
Prevention Committee - continuing to focus on community meetings.
Suppression Committee — Developing a list of resources available.
Lt. Merryman also stated that the OJJDP is accepting applications for a $750,000
grant that will be spread over three years. The deadline to apply for, the grant is
• March 11, 2011. Steve Magallan has developed a draft budget of 1.4 million.
Ensey asked if Council could see the details of the budget draft. Magallan stated
that a draft copy could be provided.
Lover asked if they were considering asking for contributions from other sources
to assist in the funding. Lt. Merryman said that is up in the air at this point but
that all options are on the table and will be discussed as they continue on
through the process.
Steve Magallan was introduced and provided and overview of the phases that
have been completed so far. Mr. Magallan reviewed the 1 quarter consultant
activity report and will be finalized and presented ant the next GFI. Steering
Committee meeting.
Some of the 'highlights that he reported were:
• The organization of the GFI and how it relates to the City of Yakima and
the Council
• Timeline was established •
• Vision and Mission Statements were drafted and are soon to be adopted.
• Outcomes of the strategic planning process
• Identify and form partnerships with service providers in the area
• Assessment of resources available
• Identify the most effective partnerships
• Looking a funding opportunities
• Determine target youth to be served
Ensey asked what determines the effectiveness. What's working and what's
not?
Magallan advised that they will be able to report that information to the Council.
Lover asked if and how intimidation was measured since it isn't reported most of
the time.
Magallan advised that they would use a series of surveys perhaps to measure
the feeling of safety, etc.
III. Update on Regional Fire Authority
Acting Chief Willson explained where he was in studying the possibility of forming
a RFA. He explained that the concept was initially started as coffee table talk a
couple of years ago'. Recently, Mayor Cawley was approached by Mayor Lemon
and an exploratory meeting was held with Fire Chiefs and some of the other
elected representatives. Chief Willson has requested a Study Session Council to
confirm commitment to the study and would like representation from the Council
to be a part of the study group that is being formed. The first study group meeting .
is scheduled for Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 6:00pm.
Ensey feels that the full council should vote on if there should even be a study
group because Mayor Cawley doesn't have the authority to give his approval
alone.
Acting City Manager Morales advised that Chief Willson had already requested t o
be placed on the agenda for a Council Study Session so that he could educate
the council on the process and what it involves. Chief Willson shared that at this
point it is only a study to gather information to form a recommendation as to
whether it will be beneficial to the City. That recommendation will be presented
to the Council as well and if approved then a Planning Committee will be formed.
The process is specifically outlined in the RCW's.
Lover would like to have a one hour study session scheduled to discuss this
issue with the full council. Tuesdays seem to work well even if it isn't right before
the business meeting. Lover will attend the March 3 meeting in the interim.
IV. Information Items:
Police Monthly Report
i Acting Chief Copeland provided a copy of the year -end 2010 report and
highlighted some of the statistics. Jail cost reductions have made a significant
impact on the budget. Prosecuting Attorney C. Martinez stated that by having
the defense attorney at arraignments has been instrumental in these savings.
She also stated that they have increased the use of electronic home monitoring
which is also a cost savings to the City Jail budget.
V. Meeting Adjournment
The m- -ting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
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Mau -en Adkison
Public Safety Committee Chair
Minutes prepared by Connie Mendoza
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