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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/1990 Adjourned Meeting 151 • OCTOBER 16, 1990 CITY OF'YAKIMA, WASHINGTON ADJOURNED MEETING - 1. rROLL CALL The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 A:M. in the - Veranda Room, Towne Plaza; Mayor•Pat Berndt, ' presiding, . Council members Clarence Barnett,. Lynne Buchanan, George :Pechtel Skip Semon and Bernard Sims, Council member `Henry Beauchamp absent. City staff members., present were - City 'Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager Stouder, Police Chief Green, Attorney Vanek, Prosecuting Attorney Bounds, and City . Clerk Roberts: - .- •- .- -- • 2.' INFORMAL,DISCUSSION'OF'FUNDING FOR•LAW AND JUSTICE - ISSUES City Manager Zais the purpose this meeting is to brief the Council on the status of the law and justice_rfunding issue, • since the defeat of the ballot issue.: There is still a need for a facility. He reported that last 'Thursday, he, John Hanson and Council member: Pechtel went to Everett to testify before the City /County: Task Force who were discussing funding', with an emphasis on law'and'justice.' • They. talked about the City's needs and what happened with the election and possibie funding. He said it was clear that those people need an education on what funding resources are available to thunicipalities. They asked why • the City did.not just "bond " without considering the fact the City has to amortize this -debt. They were unaware Yakima does not have the 0..1% local tax option. He does not believe this body will make'any recommendations until they are through this process, which • takes the next twelve months. We should attend all their meetings. The ti,- co- dhairs`for this Committee are Mary Margaret- Haugen and - Iry -Newhouse, however Mr.' Newhouse. did not attend• this meeting. There was discussion - that:perhaps there could -be a reallocation of the funds' distributed from - the - State to the counties that have a - higher 'need funding law and justice programs. City Manager Zais reported that Yakima County is considering constructing a modular jail, using $2.4 million from the State and about $.5 million from the Federal Marshall's Office to' help fund this project. He said the City wants a minimum security facility with space for police and legal personnel, plus some court room. The modular_jail does not provide space for needs, nor does it have a kitchen; and, it's on a site that may have limited use. The $2.4 million the. County received addresses the overcrowding of their_ jail, it does not meet the City's needs on our backlog. The City will address this'need again before the Legislature, but we would have to find money to maintain a new facility. Council members discussed the failure of the anti -crime tax ballot issue and strategies for future funding of law_and justice needs. Council recognized that the citizens are unwilling to pay for anything that appears to be unnecessary. The public was not educated about the law and justice needs of the City, nor were the Legislators totally aware of the funding restrictions the City -1- 1 5 2 ADJOURNED MEETING - OCTOBER 16, 1990 faced or the extent7 ,the'law: and justice problems. Council members talked Ut: working "with`' Newhouse and other cities in the Valley3'to`. get ' St'ate'';funding. Council member Barnett offered to schedule a meeting with Senator Newhouse. Council member Barnett questioned the accuracy of'the figures in the memo from the County regarding the modular jail proposal cost estimates, particularly thedaiiy• cost per prisoner. If the daily cost - per, prisoner is -less than it is in the existing: jail, then perhaps :the cost 'to the City would - be-reduced.:- Mayor Berndt disagreed, commenting that the County had the City's -$650,000' annual fee - . into their budget:: The County.will'still have the on- going maintenance - andioperating.costs - for the existing jail. Council discussed various poss ibilities of financing. it's own jail, even if reduced in size so it would be affordable, but built so it could be expanded in the future. Bob Bounds stated that building a jail is not the answer, there are other problems.. The • Legal.. Office is not located in the same building as the Police Department, and that. is creating communication problems." The modular' jail will require that prisoners be escorted to the' courtrooms across the street from the jail: Children are growing.up respect for the law; they know they don't to jail a first offense. The citizens don' t know• the true cost of putting someone through the justice system. : He educated. Council on his workday'during which he ' judges whether a case should go to based upon the individual involved, and-the evidence-presented to him. A lot of court time could be saved in drunk driving .cases if •a video of the individual is obtained during the booking procedure. The modular jail does not have video equipment in its plans. (Council Sims and • Barnett absent after 8:40 A.M.): Council members discussed the possibility of- holding town hall neetings'to'talk tocitizens about law and justice' issues. Assistant City Manager Stouder suggested that' the information would be -•better received if it was given to local PTA's or at church meetings,' (Council member Semon absent after 9.:00 A.M.; Council - member Buchanan absent after 9:02 • A.M.) - Council.: members discussed going -to small groups in the community to-discuss'this issue and perhaps utilizing YCTV. This would be,a long term on the part-of Council and staff. 3. .ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:15 A.M. - i:. L•' READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: x4/q CO °- " I flu!' _ R DATE Air / 1' -.- 9 - r; COUNCI - i:ER - DATE ATTEST: - ••CITY CLERK . -. MAYOR o _ , r _ -• - -2-