HomeMy WebLinkAbout111518 PSC minutesCouncil Public Safety Committee
2nd Floor Conference Room
City Hall
November 15, 2018
3:00 p.m.
Members: Staff: Others:
Councilmember Gutierrez Cliff Moore, City Manager Luz Bazan Gutierrez
Councilmember White (alt) Jay Seely, Police Captain Nick Sloan
Aaron Markham, Fire Chief
Joe Caruso, Code Administration Manager
Brett Sheffield, Chief Engineer
Cynthia Martinez, City Prosecutor
Chad Stephens, Police Lieutenant
Hallie Meyers, Police Recruiting Officer
Terri Croft, Police
Executive Minutes
Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
1. September 27, 2018 minutes
It was MOVED by White and SECONDED by Gutierrez to accept the minutes as
presented. The minutes were approved unanimously.
2. Department reports
a. Fire Department
i. September fire activity report
Markham provided a monthly report of calls for service and fire
inspections. Gutierrez inquired if the rate of 200 fire inspections per
month was typical. Markham advised it was. There was further
discussion regarding who conducts fire inspections for Union Gap,
with Markham reporting that our staff conducts those as part of the
contract with Union Gap.
White inquired about arson investigators. Markham advised that he
has an investigator available on each shift that can make preliminary
determinations, but no longer has anyone who can conduct the in-
depth investigations, as that person retired. There was discussion
regarding how arson investigations are conducted, including Yakima
Police Detectives conducting any criminal investigations. Markham's
goal is to have continuing education for his employees to get a
certified inspector. Gutierrez expressed her concerns with the
progress of arson investigations, understanding the lack of evidence
and FTE to conduct the investigation. She asked if all resources had
been exhausted to reduce arson. Seely advised that patrols can be
restructured with the proper analysis of arson crimes. Gutierrez
asked if the cost to certify an investigator is within the current budget
or would it be over? Markham advised that the training and
association memberships are free, but there is an expense in
proctoring the certification test. Gutierrez requested that the arson
topic remain a standing item on the committee agenda.
b. Police Department
i. Community Policing Report
Seely reported that the department plans to implement permanent
beat assignments in January. These assignments will last for one
year, with an expectation that the officer will get to know his/her beat,
the problem areas, and engage the community. The officer will be
expected to attend community events and programs. There was
discussion regarding how to let the community know who their beat
officers were and engage with them. The committee requested
Interim Chief Jones present this issue to the full council in December
or January. Gutierrez asked if the school district could communicate
the opportunities for interaction with the beat officers. Moore advised
he would add this to his letter to the school district regarding Safe
Routes to Schools. Seely noted that officers have been interacting
with students by having breakfast or lunch with them.
ii. Designated Crisis Responder program
Stephens provided a short history of the DCR program and its
funding through the Trueblood grant. DCRs ride with the officer on
patrol and are able to conduct evaluations of people in crisis in the
field rather than officers having to wait for a DCR response. The
program is helping with deferrals. Stephens added that
Comprehensive Health Care had provided de-escalation training to
all YPD officers. The committee would like to see ways for this
program to continue after the Trueblood funding ends.
iii. Police Recruiting
Meyers reported she had been assigned to the recruiting position
since April and has been traveling the state and adjoining states,
attending general and military career fairs. White inquired about non-
traditional options such as volunteers or security firms. Seely
advised that there is high liability in these options.
c. Legal
i. DV Response survey
ii. Martinez presented the comparison between the City of Yakima
response to the model response. There is some grant funding
available, however we do not currently receive funding. Martinez will
look at grant funding if it is decided to move to a Community Crisis
Response Team format. Martinez advised that most of the elements
are already in place in our area, they are just not coordinated. There
was discussion about having the domestic violence advocate function
as the coordinator for the CCRT. Gutierrez would like to present the
inventory to the full council but would like to focus some of the points.
The item will remain on the agenda for the December meeting to
discuss ideas to overlap coordination and advocacy, what agencies
would be invited to participate, and support and direction for the
CCRT.
d. Public Works
i. Safe Routes to Schools
Sheffield presented the Safe Routes to Schools report. He advised
staff is reviewing the school districts concerns and is working to turn
them into actionable goals. The committee inquired if the school
district had surveyed the families. Sheffield advised there was some
surveying that needed to be done as part of the grant application,
and Moore stated he would include that in his letter to the school
district. The committee would like to see the program not just focus
on sidewalks, but incorporating other safety measures. White would
like to see the projects prioritized by the current "danger" level of the
area.
3. New Business
None
4. Other business
a. 1st Street curb cuts
Gutierrez asked if the curb cuts for police vehicles on N. 1st Street had been
completed. Sheffield advised they were being incorporated into Phase 2.
5. Recap of future agenda items
Arson investigations
Domestic Violence survey
Continuing discussion of Public Safety Forums
The two topics proposed by Councilmember Funk, Public Safety Leadership
and Drivers on Yakima School District property, were to be moved to the
December meeting. After discussion, the committee members present did
not want to continue discussion on these matters. Moore noted that the
Public Safety Leadership topic was proposed by Councilmember Funk at
the June 19th full council meeting and died for lack of a second. It was
MOVED by Gutierrez and SECONDED by White to remove these two items
from the December agenda. Motion PASSED unanimously.
6. Audience participation
Nick Sloan spoke of the importance of the fire department public education
captain position and asked for the council to reconsider eliminating the
position.
7. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
Dulce Gutierrez; Chair