HomeMy WebLinkAbout 013018 PSC minutesCouncil Public Safety Committee
January 30, 2018
MINUTES
Members present
Councilmember Dulce Gutierrez (chair)
Councilmember Kathy Coffey
Councilmember Carmen Mendez
Members of Public:
Tony Coursey
Joe Willis
James Turner
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m.
Staff:
Asst. City Mgr. Ana Cortez
Chief Dominic Rizzi, Police
Deputy Chief Pat Reid, Fire
Scott Schafer, Public Works
Prosecutor Cynthia Martinez, Legal
Terri Croft, Police
1. Approval of minutes of December 7, 2017
It was MOVED by Gutierrez and SECONDED by Coffey to approve the minutes as
presented. Motion PASSED unanimously.
2. New Business
2.a. Elect Committee Chair
Mendez MOVED to nominate Gutierrez as chair for 2018. Motion was SECONDED by
Coffey. Gutierrez accepted the nomination and motion was PASSED unanimously.
2.b. Determine 2018 meeting dates/times
The committee decided to keep the meetings scheduled on the 4t" Friday of the month
at 3:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room.
2.c. Governor's Yakima budget proviso
Cortez reported that staff is optimistic funding can be secured under the Governor's
supplemental budget request There was an understanding that the funding was
contingent upon utilizing the Denver model, however it has been determined that it not a
requirement. We can take elements from that model and adapt them to best suit our
needs.
Cortez introduced a draft of the Comprehensive Community Safety Plan for the City of
Yakima. In November the committee had requested a comprehensive status report
regarding gang violence, however in compiling the information, other areas of
community safety were identified that were relevant to the report. Cortez noted that the
report was still in draft form and input had not been received from all partners. She
summarized the report with an explanation of the current conditions, which would set a
baseline for determining future improvement; the National Citizen Survey, which noted
31% of residents indicated an overall feeling of safety — would like to see that increased
to 55-60% by 2025; neighborhood forums and the outcomes of those; the vision
statement; desired changes; programs and activities; and operational models. She
discussed the importance of incorporating the media evaluators, and capacity building
into the operational model.
Cortez asked the committee for approval to convene a meeting of the partners to
review, update, and finalize the report. The committee was appreciative for the report
and found the information to be excellent. They asked that the request for approval to
meet with partners be presented at the Thursday council briefing meeting, as they felt
all council members should be apprised of the report and included in the request.
Gutierrez asked if the report would be going directly to council after meeting with the
partners. Cortez stated the intent was to present to the full council at the end of
February or beginning of March after meeting with the partners. She advised she would
draft a cover memo for the Thursday briefing indicating the request for input. Coffey
suggested she include the timeline and desired outcomes, and that the intention is to
prepare a document that will be delivered to our legislators. Gutierrez also requested
input from Prosecutor Martinez. Coffey requested information on the cost and
availability to do an update to the 2015 National Citizen Survey. Cortez noted some
issues with the specific methodology used in the last survey and suggested possibly
redoing the survey, however it was determined that would make it difficult to compare
information between surveys.
2.d. Firefighter live fire burns
Reid advised of a state requirement for firefighters to train annually on a live fire burn.
The fire department is having difficulty scheduling these burns due to issues with the
Clean Air Authority. The fire department is requesting a letter from Council authorizing
them to work with the Clean Air Authority to accommodate this required training.
Mendez made a recommendation to send this issue to the full council for approval. She
noted that she would not be available to attend the February 8 Clean Air Authority
meeting but would ensure that her alternate, Councilmember Funk was aware of the
issue and could advocate on behalf of the fire department at that meeting. Coffey
concurred and Gutierrez inquired if there were any costs associated with the request.
Reid advised there were not.
It was MOVED by Mendez and SECONDED by Coffey to move the issue to the full
council under committee comments at the February 6 meeting. Motion PASSED
unanimously.
2 e 2018 FEMA SAFER grant
Reid requested on behalf the fire department authorization to solicit a grant for ballistic
protections for firefighters If authorized and the grant was received, the 25% required
to be paid by the City would be included in the fire department's 2019 budget allocation
and would not be an additional funding request.
Coffey felt it was important to move this safety issue forward as soon as possible.
Committee consensus was to forward the issue to the full Council at the February 6th
meeting.
2.f. Private Ambulance Dispatch Fees
Reid reported that the fire department and SunComm had previously requested a fee be
implemented for the private ambulance companies who are dispatched by SunComm.
At the time, the discussions were tabled with the intention of the stakeholders
reconvening for further discussions. The ambulance companies were asked to provide
a counter proposal to the fee recommendation. Several months later, the county fire
commissioners issued a letter determining that the private ambulance companies
should not be responsible for any financial contributions to the operation. He noted that
the county fire commissioners have no governance over SunComm operations. He
requested that the issue be brought back to the full council for consideration.
Gutierrez noted that the issue was voted down by the full council. Coffey stated that
she had been in support of the fee previously and still supports the fee. Mendez also
continues to support the fee imposition. Gutierrez asked Rizzi what his stance was.
Rizzi supports the fee imposition, as the full cost is currently being born by the cities.
It was MOVED by Coffey and SECONDED by Mendez to move the issue back to the full
council for consideration. Motion PASSED
3. Old Business
3.a. Forum planning
Gutierrez advised a 6th forum is currently being planned after discussion with the full
council permitted an extension into the current year. Looking to hold forums at Lewis &
Clark Middle School and McClure Elementary, and there is a request from
Councilmember Funk for one in her district. The committee is looking for direction as to
how many more months the forums should continue, what the end point should be so
the information gathered at the forums can be summarized to implement, and additional
dates so outreach can start. Mendez advised she would coordinate dates with
Gutierrez after the meeting, as both the current requests are in her district. Coffey
requested that the dates be selected prior to the Thursday council briefing. It was
agreed to select dates and put the item on the council briefing agenda so consent could
be obtained from the other council members to proceed. Cortez advised she would e-
mail the council members to get any additional requests for forums.
3.b. Domestic Violence
Martinez reported that Legal staff had applied for a technical assistance grant through
the American Prosecutors Association to start diversion programs to address domestic
violence crimes. The programs would incorporate moral recognition therapy programs
and give Yakima the opportunity to try something new to address domestic violence.
She advised Seattle is trying a 6 week moral recognition therapy program. There would
also be possibility of victim treatments through the YWCA and another partner.
Coffey discussed the legislative possibilities that were shared with our legislators before
they went into session. Coffey urged the committee members to press the legislative
committee to meet early and get this item before our legislators. Mendez is on the
legislative committee and feels the committee can be more proactive and identify
legislators who will sponsor a bill.
Coffey requested that legislative action be placed as a sub topic under domestic
violence for future Public Safety Committee meetings.
Gutierrez would like to look into getting the 6 week treatment program in Yakima, as
well as getting healthcare to cover the treatment. She would also like to look into
enhanced sentencing.
4. Other Business
4.a. Fire Operations 101 training
Mendez asked Reid if the fire department would be providing the fire ops 101 training
for council. Reid advised this would be discussed with the city manager and that the fire
department would like to offer it on an annual basis. They are currently looking for a
Saturday in the spring to hold one.
4.b. Juvenile Justice Partnership Council update
Gutierrez briefed the committee on the first quarter Juvenile Justice Partnership Council
meeting at Green Hills School. The council is working with youths who have been in the
criminal justice system. There have been efforts to raise the age for juvenile
rehabilitation limits from 21 to 25 to provide additional support. She reported that there
are a lot of Yakima youths housed at Green Hills. They expressed concern to her for
their release back to Yakima due to the inability to get away from their gang ties.
Gutierrez offered to share the information provided to the council members to anyone
who would like to review it.
4 c Dispute Resolution Center
Gutierrez reported that the group is working through de-escalation and communications
skills with differing persons. There are many community partners participating in this
process, providing many different perspectives.
4.d. March joint meeting with Yakima School District
The joint meeting of the Yakima City Council and Yakima School District is scheduled
for March. It was suggested that the committee should discuss potential agenda items
and `asks" of the school district at the February Public Safety Committee. Mendez
would like to see a willingness from the school district to keep the schools open after
school hours and plan to make that happen.
Coffey suggested that our issues be sent forward to the council briefing to add to the
council meeting agenda. She also suggested the Street by Streets report be distributed
to council members to use as a prototype.
5. Information items
No information items.
6. Recap of Future Agenda Items
• Speaking points for joint school district meeting
• Report on costs to update/redo community survey
• Domestic Violence legislation
• Public forum planning
7. Audience Participation
James Turner spoke about his efforts to have a speed bump or traffic calming measure
installed in the area Cornell and S 7th Avenue. He has been working with Scott Schafer
from Public Works and will continue to take all necessary steps as he is directed.
Schafer noted that Public Works would be presenting a revision of the traffic calming
measure process to the February Public Safety Committee meeting.
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:43 a.m.
Approved: