Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/2010 04B Minutes 02-17-2010 Council Public Safety Committee 0 - Council Public Safety Comm CED Conference Room City Hall February 17, 2010 . MINUTES - Council Committee Members Present: Maureen Adkison, Kathy. Coffey and Bill Lover Other Council Members Present: Dave Ettl Staff present: Dick Zais, Sam Granato, Greg Copeland, Gary Jones, Michael Morales, Terri Croft, Cynthia Martinez, Randy Beehler, Kelly Rosenow, Bronson Faul. Others: Bill Kroske Coffey called the meeting to order at 3:00. I. Red Light Camera 0 Mr. Kroske of American Traffic Solutions gave a presentation on red light violation photo enforcement and answered questions regarding the technology and statistics. Later in the meeting, the committee was advised that there is no current legislation pending regarding the elimination of red light photo enforcement. Adkison advised she would like to see the differences in accident rates currently in relation to 3 -4 years ago when the issue.was first studied. Police Department staff will provide that information to the committee. Lover advised he wants to know what the impact would be on the legal /court systems and to have a proposed appeal process in order to make a decision regarding the issue. Granato advised he is in support of the program, especially the school zone enforcement option of. it. Coffey stated that the safety aspect of the program needs to be emphasized to the public. Coffey requested additional research and recommendations from Legal and Engineering, and then have it presented to the full council. Lover advised he would like the remaining council members to see the presentation and also receive . public input. This could be done as a study session and public hearing. 11. Review Purpose of Committee Coffey asked for clarification of this issue. Zais advised this came from the Council retreat, that all committees were being asked to review their purpose to determine if the committee is still viable, if it could be eliminated or combined with another committee. Coffey asked if there was any written purpose or mission statement for the committee, • which there is not. Zais advised the Public Safety Committee was one of the first Council committees created, and it was created to increase dialog with public safety officials, review and study major policy issues and initiatives, and provide that detailed analysis to the full Council. It was determined that the Public Safety Committee is a viable committee and it is important to continue it. Coffee would like to see a mission or vision statement developed for the committee. III. EMS Levy Fire Chief Hines was not able to attend the meeting, but forwarded a memo to the committee updating the status of the EMS Levy. He has not received any additional information from the EMS Board. IV. Gang Free Initiative A County -wide gang unit has been proposed to address at -risk youth and family elements of the gang issues. The County side program needs to be seamless between communities, but also needs to be on the proper scale for our city. There is no timeline for the launch of the countywide project at this point. A County Gang Commission has been formed to act as a clearinghouse for ideas and to promote consistency between communities, but not to serve as a funding agency. Lt. Merryman will act as a Iiason between the City of Yakima and the County Gang Commission. Coffey stated that the Gang Free. Initiative as proposed by Sonia Rodriguez should be implemented, and that the City of Yakima is unique in our gang issues as compared to other smaller communities in the County. She advised we need to initiate our own program whether it is the same as the County's or not. The focus of the committee should be implementation of a program within our own City and not to continue discussing various options without action. Granato stated that the Police Department has effective enforcement programs in the Gang Enforcement Team and the Violent Crimes Task Force, but there is a limit to what. Police can do alone. In order to provide prevention and intervention programs, we need the assistance of other divisions such as Parks and Recreation to create before and after school programs. Other community partners . have not been brought into the plan as of this time. Coffey advised that the OJJPD plan needs to be drawn down to the Yakima level and implemented. Goals and benchmarks for the City need to be drawn up and then specific tasks need to be identified within the benchmarks. Staff needs to recommend goals and start an outline or template of the plan. This report will come from the committee to the full Council. V. Yakima School District/School Resource Officers At the previous committee meeting, Superintendent Elaine Beraza requested that the City cost share the salaries /benefits for the four School Resource Officers. She requested the City contribute 25% of the salary and benefits, and staff was tasked with identifying funding to accomplish this. Although the City is experiencing jail cost reductions, it is not known at this time if the actual reductions will hit the projected levels. There is one general fund police officer position vacant that can be held vacant through the 3 quarter of 2010 to cover the 25% portion for the School Resources Officers. The committee voted unanimously in support and forward that recommendation to the full committee. • 0 VI. Police Substation Police staff have continued to explore options for a west side substation. Staff and several committee members toured the Ahtanum View Correctional Facility, which is being vacated by the State. The State Work Release program will move into the main Ahtanum View facility, but the Work Release area may become available for use as a substation. It was recommended that a tour of the work release.facility be arranged. A substation out west is necessary and it should be planned to be a fully staffed substation in the future. Ettl advised that the Transportation Committee is looking to build a new transit facility and there is a possibility a substation could be included in that. VII. Other Items An update was given on the Crime Free Rental Housing program. Chief Granato presented a report comparing the 2008 and 2009 crime statistics. The implementation of the emphasis patrols resulted in a reduction in crime for the summer months. Arrest rates are down, however, the emphasis patrols target the most prolific criminals and put them in jail. They are also serving longer sentences once in jail, which again reduces the crime rate. The Police Department is developing a monthly report for Council that will include crime 41) statistics as well as other information regarding the Department activities. VIII. Future Committee Agenda Items Committee members reviewed their list of assignments and identified the following to be retained: • Committee assignments • Inmate Work Crews • Regional Fire "Authority • EMS Levy • Fire Apparatus needs and funding • Code /Fire Inspection realignment • Nuisance Issues • Jail Cost Reductions 0 . The committee requested that a matrix of issues be developed and they be removed from the list as they are completed. It was moved by Lover to accept this list of assignments. III Motion passed unanimously. The m eting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m. . . Katy offey i \ Public Safety ommittee V, Minutes prepared by Terri Croft • 10 •