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Home My WebLink About092619 PSC minutesCouncil Public Safety Committee 2nd Floor Conference Room City Hall September 26, 2019 3:00 p.m. Members: Staff: Others: Councilmember Gutiérrez Councilmember Cousens Councilmember White (alt) Cynthia Martinez, Interim City Manager Matthew Murray, Police Chief Aaron Markham, Fire Chief Scott Schafer, Interim Assist. City Manager Jeffrey Schaap, Assistant City Attorney Evelyn Barron, Admin Assistant Javier Garcia Tony Coursey Executive Minutes With a quorum present, Gutierrez called the meeting to order at approximately 3:00 p.m. 1. August 22, 2019 minutes The minutes were MOVED by Gutierrez and SECONDED by White to accept the minutes. The minutes were approved unanimously. 2. Department reports a. Fire Department i. Fire Department monthly report Markham reviewed the monthly inspections provided by the Fire Department. 44 more incidents reported, good intent calls increased that were cancelled in route, unfounded smoke in the area, steam or gas mistaken for smoke were a few examples mentioned. Overall fires have been lower in the area. b. Police Department i. District Officer Report Murray reported 1248 contacts have been initiated YTD from the memo and 258 outreach opportunities. YPD has been at the fair interacting with the community. Gutierrez mentioned a good social media presence from the Yakima Police Department.. ii. Force Readiness Report Murray reported that this report will be presented on a monthly presence. Approximately five are pending for the academy, non- deployable. 119 officers are deployable and Murray is working on recruiting staff. The recruiting efforts will be brought up during the budget process. Recruiter has been sent to agencies who have been successful in lateral recruiting. (Is there a contract they sign before leaving the police department?) Pressure to have more academy classes from legislature. Murray briefed council on the BLEA process from hire to academy. White asked about retirees, city and council has done a good job of making employees feel valued. c. Legal i. Shopping Cart Ordinance Schaap is working with various departments and meet to provide an update with options at the October committee meeting. Changes to simplify this process. Working on a reasonable timeframe to incorporate council’s recommendations and considering the clean city initiative. d. Audience Participation i. Garcia Safety concern NE Yakima/Lincoln/9th Street. Round about accidents in the area and a danger to kids dropped off. Lack of crosswalks, signs, 30 MPH. There is a truck route that amplifies traffic. Gutierrez mentioned traffic is not notified that this area is a neighborhood. Requesting flashing sign moved. Gutierrez is requesting acting city manager following up with concerned resident and public works/acting assistant city manager on this topic. Joe will have feedback on this issue. e. Public Works i. Safe Routes to Schools Desgrosellier reported for Schafer and visited Hoover Elementary— they are considering one-way streets to address traffic concerns. YSD has been asked for information to put on mapping. West Valley School District – requesting walking routes and provided mapping. The City of Yakima is waiting on information from YSD on mapping for school routes. f. Code Administration i. Habitual Chronic Nuisance Ordinance Bronson reported there are limitations to this ordinance on what the city can and cannot do. Drug/prostitution occurrences is an example of nuisances. Explaining the process of what can be done at these properties. This will be a standing item and an update will be produced at the next council committee meeting. Discussed process to prove chronic nuisance properties in court. Council is requesting examples of crimes to modify the list. Fire hazards, graffiti, were examples provided. g. Communications i. RapidSOS Coughenour reported SunComm is planning to deploy RapidSOS software that will utilize other resources when dispatchers run out of options. This is a web-based, free system. An example is Uber has “shield” option that will provide a map of the enabler. Gina introduced a legislature that accommodates special needs individuals that ties into this system and alerts law enforcement/dispatch of special needs. Staff training is complete on this system. h. Emergency Management i. Emergency plan sent to the state and approved. This is on the Yakima County Emergency Management website and will be sent to council as a resolution for approval. 3. New Business a. Gutierrez – Next project: police road cuts across the street from UGM. Desgrosellier advised that this project is underway. Council asked about right-of-way on this roadway and emphasis on Oak Street. Council requesting what they can do to ensure the timely accomplishments of these projects. Desgrosellier advised the second phase to begin in the spring. Unknown bonding and election outcome to continue construction phase. TBD funding discussions. b. Gutierrez – Jeannette Martinez inquiry – Nob Hill (3rd/10th ave) kids crossing and is concerned for their safety. Cynthia Martinez to follow up with resident. Council will be brainstorming ideas. c. White - Naches/Oak Street – will be discussed at the October 1 meeting. Will remain as a standing item. 4. Other business a. Discussions with the Yakima School District Public Safety discussions with YSD – Martinez had discussions with superintendent Trevor Greene on safety with the Yakima School District and they are cooperating. 5. Recap of future agenda items • Fire Dept. Update • YPD District Officer Report • Force Readiness Report • Habitual Chronic Nuisance Properties • Public Works Safe Routes to Schools • Shopping Carts Ordinance 6. Audience participation None 7. Items for council committee report 8. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 4:11 p.m. Dulce Gutiérrez, Chair