HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/2017 07 Audience Participation Distributed at the r�
Meeting'�A�) 7
Comments to the Yakima City Council
Revised at 4 30 p.m
From David Powell
April 18, 2017
• I am David Powell and have lived in Yakima for over 20 years.
• Thank you Madam Mayor and City Council Members for the opportunity to
make public comments.
• Even when I do not agree with your decisions, I respect all of you and
appreciated your work for the City of Yakima. I understand it is a lot of work.
9 1 have heard a lot of things about a motion that passed at the April 4th City
Council meeting. I have tried to inform myself about the facts. I listened to
the video of that part of the meeting and I have had a conversation with Holly
Cousens.
9 I testified for a "Welcoming City Ordinance" February 7th
• But, I have listened to the apprehension expressed by my neighbors about
the designation of a "Sanctuary" or "Welcoming" city and understand their
concerns. So. I concur with dropping discussion of either designation.
0 I support a safety ordinance that explicitly states the role of the City Police in
cooperating with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• I do not know exactly what the motion "terminating consideration of an
inclusive policing policy ordinance" means. There is a lot misunderstanding
in the community
• I have heard from an attorney that WA state law requires police to provide a
list of individuals they are holding to ICE but have now read that RCW
10 70140 does not apply to City jails.
Y I have heard from an attorney that the City Police have stopped the policy of
transporting individuals to ICE but I've been told that has never happened.
• I have heard from an attorney that City Police hold individuals ICE is
interested in an additional 48 hours but I've been told release paperwork
sometimes goes over the exact release time but it is minutes and hours not
days. The City attorney is investigating if that is a 4th Amendment violation.
• I propose a City Ordinance that puts existing City Police policy in
writing: "the City Jail shall not collect any more data on anyone than is
necessary for the purpose of incarceration" and "the City Police shall
release individuals as soon as possible when their incarcerated time is
completed" Having an explicit ordinance should address concerns of
the citizens.
• I request a meeting with Police Chief Rizzi, so I have first hand
information about my concerns and the ability to help dispel rumors. I
would like to bring an attorney with me. Please help arrange this meeting.
• Thank you.