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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/24/1990 Business Meeting 472 APRIL 24, 199.0 ADJOURNED MEETING APRIL 24, 1990 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON JOINT MEETING WITH YAKIMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO DISCUSS LAW AND JUSTICE ISSUES On April 24, 1990, the City Council and County Commissioners met at 8:30 A.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington to discuss the Law and Justice issue. Council members present were Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Clarence Barnett, George Pechtel, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims. Council member Henry Beauchamp present at. 8:45 A.M. Council member Lynn Buchanan absent and excused. City Manager Zais, Police Chief Green, City Clerk Roberts and Clerk Givens also present. County Commissioners present were Chuck Klarich, Graham Tollefson and Alex Deccio. Mayor Berndt welcomed the County Commissioners, and thanked them for coming to the meeting. She explained that the City wished to review where they stand on the Law and Justice issue, and the joint law enforcement facility. City Manager Zais gave an update on the City's views on the issues. He said the Governor is seriously interested in calling a Special Session of the Legislature for the debate and decisions which need to be made on the Law and Justice package, which may be scheduled for early June. Senator Brock Adams' office has been very active in the support of additional Federal emergency assistance to local governments, focusing on the need in Yakima. Mr. Adams recently introduced legislation in the Congress and Senate, entitled the .Drug Emergency Area Act of 1990. If this Bill is not considered there is only '$50 Million of aid that would be provided td cities' throughout •the United States, except for the high intensity areas" which - have been - targeted as New York, Los Angles, Houston, Miami and the Southwest Border. This Bill adds an additional $300 Million of new aid to hardest hit areas. There is also major changes in how this money would be distributed. Now we must apply to the State for any money that comes from the Federal level, however, this Bill would change that and allow municipalities to apply for, and receive, direct assistance from the Federal Government. It provides funds to both State and local governments and increases Federal agents in the area. It provides the training and operational support that the City needs but, does not provide any capital assistance funding. There is a parallel Federal funding concerning establishing twelve to fifteen minimum security prisons, nationwide, with one being in the Northwest, perhaps in this area. That opens the possibility of being able to contract out rooms for jail space and being able to secure Federal funding for this. Regarding the Adams Bill, the City and County officials have been asked to testify at any Senate or House Hearing that may be held on this issue. Senator Gorton has also signed as a bipartisan expression of support in the Senate, and is working with Congressman Sid Morrison's office to see that measures be introduced in the House. Mayor Berndt stated that the City Council and police officers have been receiving a lot of pressure from citizens concerning the crimes in the City. She discussed charts and figures regarding the crime rate in the City, which is much larger than the County figures. Police Chief Green discussed the charts comparing Yakima's crime per 1000 to Detroit, Los Angles, New York City, Houston, Washington D.C. and Miami. Yakima is at the top of all these cities, as well as the 10 largest Washington State cities. The City of Yakima has a very intense problem with no sign of letup. The problem cannot be ignored. Adequate facilities are critical in being able to operate efficiently. APRIL 24, 1990 47 ADJOURNED MEETING Mayor Berndt passed out assessments of the City's needs. She stated the purpose of today's meeting is to get direction from Council members and staff as to where and how to meet the City's .needs. A joint law enforcement facility with the County would be a big help in reaching the goals of both the City and County in helping to control crime. Chief Green stated that in 1969, there was a projection done indicating that the existing facilities would not meet the City's need by 1980, and urged consolidation of City and County facilities. The 1979 study recommended the the 911 Emergency number and the consolidations; this has been recommended for the past 20 years. The Mayor stated she feels a joint City and County law enforcement facility is still a number one priority, to be able to enforce law and order. She asked for the County's and Council's opinions. Council member Semon stated he felt it was time for action and that the County and City should form a "partnership" in this and start doing something. If that isn't possible then move on and do whatever is necessary. He asked if the County has interest in continuing with this joint facility. County Commissioner Tollefson stated that the County does not have the money to operate the facilities they already have, therefore, they feel it is premature to even think about building a new one, without further financial aid. He feels their first .priority is to get the Sheriff's Office relocated out of the Courthouse. He doesn't feel Yakima's .. drug problem is that much more serious than the.rest of the County. He said the'- State Legislators answer is to issue bonds, but the County cannot afford to repay the bonds. Council member Semon continued to ask if the County was still committed to the joint facility. County Commissioner Klarich's answer was, "Yes, they still needed a facility, but no, it was not number one priority ". Mr. Semon stated he felt if the City voters had a chance to vote on a bond issue to help curb the crime problems that they would be willing. County Commissioner Alex Deccio stated from his observations, he was afraid it would take the pressure off the legislators if, out of frustration, the City tried to solve the problems on their own. He feels the cities and counties have to stick together. The $3 Billion in surplus funds of the State were discussed. Mr. Deccio feels that we should be able to use this money before trying to raise more revenue Mayor Berndt commented that the Legislators consistently want to know first, what the cities and counties have . done to help themselves. It was the consensus of the County Commissioners that the main resource in dealing with the Legislators is patience, and that it often takes more than one session to get anything done. Council member Pechtel asked the County about the $2.4 Million that the Governor signed for the County for building a new jail. The County feels they cannot even use the money because they do not have the staffing. Mr. Deccio stated the Bill gives a false impression to the public because the money cannot be used the way the situation is at the present. The consensus of the City is that they cannot wait five years for the jail space. The consensus of the County is that they cannot support a joint building venture with the City until they are financially stable in terms of being able to operate their Law and Justice System. Mr. Klarich stated the public in general does not understand how tax money is spent. The public does not understand that this money comes from a different source and has to be spent accordingly. Mr. Klarich stated that Yakima County's total revenue from property tax and sales tax is a total of $12 Million and $15 Million is spent for Law and Justice. The difference is financed through fees, fines and interest earned. Mr. Deccio stated that the State should be able to finance the City and County Law and Justice programs out of the revenue which they AAD /2 474 APRIL 24, 1990 ADJOURNED MEETING already have, which is over $1 Billion excess. He asked for a combined effort to send letters to the Legislators, Governor, •leaders, etc. requesting a Special Session prior to the first of July, based on the additional money available. It should be made clear that this money be used only for crime and drugs at the local level. Mr. Sims suggested that it would be best to have a combined City and County plan to present to the legislators. City Manager Zais stated that the City of Yakima Maintenance and Operations cost is a minimum of $1.5 Million annually. The County contends that they cannot participate in any sort of joint building venture until they are sure they have enough money on their own for operating expenses. The maintenance and operation money must be there before anything else is considered. Mr. Zais stated he felt if the City and County could co- operate and get the SunDome built, they should be able to do the same with this joint law enforcement facility. Following additional discussion on various possibilities for funding, the meeting was dismissed at 9:55 A.M. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: t,;, ‘ g , • a /5/g/ OU ;\ IL MEMBER DATE ,l(_/W / 10/ OU M E ER DATE ATTEST: q 85-6-e---)1 a-11"-c-- (] (,14d/I- C II ITY CLERK MAYOR Minutes prepared by Lois Harris - Givens 1 AAD /3