HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/05/2011 04B Minutes 06-15-2011 Council Public Safety Committee 410
Couuci(Pu6Cu Safety Committee
June 15,2011
MINUTES
Council Members Present: Kathy Coffey, Bill Lover and Maureen Atkison
Staff Present: City Manager Dick Zais, Assistant City Manager Michael Morales, Interim
Police Chief Greg Copeland, Police Captain Jeff Schneider, Police Lieutenant Mike
Merryman, Acting Fire Chief Dave Willson, Prosecuting Attorney Cynthia Martinez,
Assistant City Attorney Jeffrey Schaap, Financial Services Officer Tara Lewis, and
Police Administrative Assistant Terri Croft.
Others Present: Steve Magallan, Magallan Consu
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Coffey at 3 p.m.
I. Jail Cost Update
An expenditure report for jail costs for 2011 was included in the information packet.
0 Schneider briefed the committee that costs are increasing primarily due to more
prisoner days, but there is some medical expense driving the increase as well. We are
at maximum inmate capacity at the County Jail and Wapato Jail. The contract with the
Sunnyside Jail has just been completed.
II. Tiered- Response Dispatch
Willson advised that he reviewed calls for a two -month period when tiered response
was in effect, and that there 160 incidents that were or had the potential to become life
threatening illnesses, that needed the emergency response but did not receive it.
Willson discontinued the program at that time.
The committee is satisfied with the discontinuation of the tiered response program and
returning to the previous model of emergency medical dispatch and response.
III. Gang Free Initiative
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Merryman gave a brief history of the GFI and advised the Public Safety Committee that
the GFI Committee is on track of Phase 2 of the national gang model. Magallan added
that the Steering Committee is now shifting from planning to implementation.
Implementation is slated for Fall. Lover expressed he would like to see an candidate
identified for the GFI Coordinator position before Magallan's consultancy contract is
completed. Zais stated that the funding for the consultant is budgeted in the contingency
0 fund, and there is $75,000 budgeted in the Police budget for the coordinator position. It
is not expected that the full $75,000 will be expended in 2011, and funds will be carried
forward into the 2012 budget.
Willson further advised there would be some resolutions brought before Council to
authorize the County Commissioners to run an EMS levy and the Council's
endorsement of the levy. The County must have permission to run a levy in cities with
more than 50,000 population. The current levy sunsets in 2012. The City of Yakima
currently receives $1.135 million for . medical services and funding of 8 fire fighter
positions, and some Information Systems and Communications support. Coffey moved
to forward to the full Council with a recommendation from the committee for approval.
The motion passed unanimously.
IV. Sentencing Timelines
This issue had already been before the full council and was removed from the PSC
agenda.
V. Proposed Legislation update of YMC 6.48
Schaap advised this legislation would repeal the municipal code on obstruction and
replace it with the RCW. This is part housekeeping and part new material.. Committee
voted have the item placed on the 7/5/11 council agenda with support of the committee.
VI. Police Department Staffing
Copeland advised the committee that Police is looking to rejoin the City Narcotics Unit
with the DEA Task Force. He also recommended reducing the Crime. and Intelligence
Analyst Supervisor position to a Crime and Intelligence Analyst, and to wait until 2012. to
look to fill the position. With the new Spillman RMS, there is not a lot of data for an
analyst to work with at this time. The department will be down 7 officer positions at the
end of June. The City Jail is currently down 2 corrections officers and will be down a 3rd
in the near future as one military reservist has been called to overseas duty. Human
Resources has conducted a lateral corrections officer test.
Zais advised that the Department has also applied for an additional 3 COPS grant
officer positions.
VII. Old Business
The committee discussed the progress of the lighting project.
VIII. Other Business
Schneider advised the Police department had applied for a JAG grant and is fairly
certain we will receive it, however, it is small grant. Morales advised that recruiting firms
are being reviewed for selection of the permanent fire and police chiefs.
Recommendations for the recruiting firm will be brought to the council in July.
Recruitment is expected to last 4 -6 months and cost about $30,000.
Meeting Adjournment
Th- meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
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Kathy Coffey I I
Public Safety Committee Chair
Minutes prepared by Terri Croft
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