HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/07/2017 05A Minutes 12-01-2016 Council Public Safety CommitteeBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 5.A.
For Meeting of: February 7, 2017
ITEM TITLE: Accept Council Public Safety Committee minutes of December 1,
2016
SUBMITTED BY: Terri Croft, Police Administrative Assistant
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
See attached minutes
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
APPROVED FORcllv�
SUBMITTAL: ~City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Accept minutes
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
Public Safety Committee approved minutes on 1/26/17.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Public Safety Committee minutes 12-1-16 1130/2017 Coxer Memo
Council Public Safety Committee
December 1, 2016
MINUTES
Members:
Councilmember Carmen Mendez (chair)
Councilmember Kathy Coffey
Councilmember Dulce Gutierrez
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m.
Staff:
City Manager Cliff Moore
Chief Dominic Rizzi, Police
Deputy Chief Ted VanderHouwen, Fire
Scott Schafer, Public Works
Cynthia Martinez, Prosecutor
Helen Harvey, Legal
Brett Sheffield, Engineering
Brad Coughenour, SunComm
Terri Croft, Police
• Approval of minutes of November 3, 2016
Gutierrez noted that Brook Goosman was missing from the attendance list. It was
MOVED by Gutierrez to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2016 meeting with the
addition of Goosman to the attendance list. Motion was SECONDED by Coffey. Motion
PASSED unanimously.
• Domestic Violence Presentation
Martinez gave an introduction to domestic violence, noting that "domestic violence" is a
descriptor of a crime and not a crime in and of itself. Domestic violence can be
attached to many different relationships. The police department approach to domestic
violence crimes is to have all domestic violence crimes investigated by specially trained
investigators. The legal department approach is to follow the charging and prosecution
recommendations of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. Prosecution
is declined in only 20% of DV crimes, and it was noted that prosecution is often
hampered by uncooperative victims. Although the legal and judicial system try to get
treatment for first time offenders, treatment is expensive and lengthy, and is not usually
covered by insurance. 85-90% of DV defendants require public defenders. Those that
do make it through the treatment program have good reports and it does reduce
recidivism. Yakima County has a victim -witness program, and the City receives funding
through a pass-through grant to fund YWCA advocacy programs. Municipal Court has
additional powers in DV cases. They may order 5 year probation, surrender of
weapons, and issue restraining orders. The method of case assignment in the legal
department allows for continuity and for the prosecutors to remain aware of issues and
offenders in the community.
Abigail Mott of the YWCA gave a report on YWCA DV program. The YWCA has been
in its current location since 2009 and has operated a DV shelter since 1978. The have
a 24 hour shelter with priority given to victims of partner crimes. They do serve male
victims as well as female victims, but finding housing for male victims is more difficult.
The average stay at the temporary shelter is 5 weeks, and then victims can move into
transitional housing, which is a 24 month subsidized housing program. The YWCA
primarily serves as victim advocates and work in a non -controlling manner. They do not
offer chemical dependency treatment, anger management, or sexual assault programs.
They have partner agencies that they refer those issues to. They offer a mobile
advocacy program that offers outreach and education. The do offer a prevention
outreach program to school aged children at the Henry Beauchamp Community Center.
They are not currently in the school system but are trying to find an avenue to introduce
DV prevention in schools. Abigail stated that the YWCA considers domestic violence to
be a public health crisis.
Gutierrez asked what the training opportunities were for prosecutors. Martinez advised
they attend the domestic violence symposium once a year, and also participate in the
Community Crisis Response Team. Gutierrez also asked about uncooperative victims,
noting that Seattle prosecutes DV cases without victim cooperation and asked how
Yakima could do the same. Martinez advised we used to prosecute even without a
cooperating witness. Prosecutors previously relied on "excited utterances", however,
there are limitations on what constitutes an excited utterance. Officers have victims
complete a Smith affidavit, which can be utilized in the prosecution. Gutierrez asked if
we have ever had in-house victim advocates and what the cost would be. Martinez
advised we had not, and the cost would be 1 full time employee. Gutierrez inquired if
judges order other treatment to offenders. Martinez advised that they do, and will
sometimes want to see one treatment completed before beginning another treatment
type or program.
Coffey wrapped up the topic by stating this was an educational process for the
committee members and she would like to see the dialog on the topic continue. She
recommended continuing on a path of prevention, education, and public service
announcements.
It was MOVED by Gutierrez and SECONDED by Coffey to keep the item on the January
agenda for further discussion. Motion PASSED unanimously.
• Ambulance Dispatch Fees
Coughenour reported that a discrepancy was found in billing of agencies that SunComm
supports in dispatch services. SunComm charges outside fire, police, and emergency
service providers for services, however, does not charge private ambulance companies.
Coughenour opened discussion if the ambulance companies should be charged for this
service. He worked with the legal department to draft an agreement, which was
presented to both private ambulance companies. Tony Miller, EMS Manager for
Yakima County, expressed concerns that the ambulance companies decline to respond
to calls for service if they are charged. David Lynde of American Medical Response
stated that the ambulance companies pay fees for AVL, CAD, interfaces, etc., and have
over $2 million annually in uncompensated services throughout Central Washington.
Additional fees would require they evaluate their ability to respond to all calls. He
requested the fees not be implemented.
It was noted that the state of Washington requires 1 ambulance county -wide, and that
the Yakima Fire Department is not licensed for patient transport. Gutierrez inquired if
other cities were in a similar situation. Coughenour advised that Lewis County was the
only other agency with a written dispatch contract with private ambulance companies.
Coughenour also noted that the City charges fire districts for dispatch service, so it
makes sense to charge the ambulance companies for the same service. Lynde stated
that the contract created a $26,000 impact on their company, and they have almost no
ability to collect on many charges. He also expressed concern with the impact of future
cost increases if the fees were now mandated. Areas of compromise should be
identified, for example, not charging the ambulance company if the patient refuses
transport. There was discussion of gifting of public funds/services issues. Mendez
suggested the topic be added to the quarterly County EMS meeting.
It was MOVED by Coffey and SECONDED by Gutierrez to send the issue to full council
for discussion on the December 13 meeting. Motion PASSED.
• Proposed Update to YMC 6.45.015 Disclosing Intimate Images
Goosman advised the proposed revision to the municipal code to adopt the RCW
regarding disclosing intimate images without consent of the subject of the image.
It was MOVED by Gutierrez and SECONDED by Coffey to move the issue on to the full
council. Motion PASSED unanimously.
Old Business
• Collision Report
Sheffield provided a response to the inquiry of how many collisions had occurred at 40th
Avenue/Chestnut, 16th Avenue/Chestnut, and Lincoln/Custer in the past 2 years.
• YPAL Contract Discussion
Shoenbach introduced Joe Willis, the new executive director of YPAL. YPAL had
provided additional information on the objectives, programs, and deliverables for the
contract discussion. Some suggested or planned programs were a GED program,
nutrition courses for adults, advocacy programs, violence prevention projects, and
bringing an alcohol/drug counselor in one day per week. YPAL envisions utilizing the
building more to provide weekend programs and establishing outreach to the
neighborhood. Gutierrez noted that the informal recommendations had been
incorporated into the draft agreement. She stated that it should be expressly stated that
space needs to be made available for other agencies/partners. Willis advised that they
have met with architects for reconfiguration and are developing phases for needed
changes. Shoenbach noted the importance of maintaining the safety of the children in
the facility when choosing partners. Mendez added that any partners using the facility
need to be in line with the mission of YPAL. Gutierrez asked to have coordination with
the facility and Miller Park, and to find a way for the community to have access to
restrooms without disrupting the activities at the facility. Shoenbach advised this had
been taken into consideration and a separate entrance for restrooms is planned.
Priority schools are still being determined. Shoenbach noted that YPAL does currently
have a relationship with Stanton Academy. Gutierrez inquired if domestic violence
prevention programming or aggression replacement programs could be implemented.
Partnerships with the YWCA and Farmworkers Clinic can be established to make
referrals for these types of programs.
Coffey asked about the number of program participants from outside of Yakima.
Gutierrez recommended an increased fee for out of area participants. Coffey suggested
that issue be addressed before the contract was finalized. Gutierrez recommended a
$40 fee. Shoenbach stated he would take that to the YPAL board.
Coffey inquired if the agreement met state requirements for grants, namely making sure
evidence -based curriculums were included in the contract. She also noted that the
contract needed to chance written notices from the Chief of Police to the City Manager.
There was additional discussion to add the number of hours the facility would be open.
It was MOVED by Mendez and SECONDED by Coffey to move the contract to the full
council for approval. Motion PASSED unanimously.
It was MOVED by Coffey and SECONDED by Mendez to adjourn to the January 26,
2017 meeting. Motion PASSED unanimously.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:54 p.m.
Approved: