HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2010-001 Ahtanum View Corrections Center - Value RecognitionRESOLUTION NO. R-2010-01
A RESOLUTION Requesting that The Honorable Christine 0. Gregoire, Govemor of the
State of Washington, and the State Legislature recognize the social and
economic value of the Ahtanum View Corrections Center to the Yakima
Valley, and prevent the closure of the facility.
WHEREAS, Ahtanum View Corrections Center (AVCC), the first correctional facility of its
kind in Washington State, houses the aged, medically challenged and disabled offenders who
are not able to program at larger correctional facilities; and
WHEREAS, AVCC is la 130 bed facility is co -located with the Ahtanum View Work
Release on approximately 7.5 acres in Yakima; and
WHEREAS, the Work Release Center has been part of the Yakima Community for over
25 years, and the Minimum Security Prison Facility opened its doors to staff and offenders in
July 1997.
WHEREAS, this minimum custody facility focuses on offenders becoming independent
and self-sufficient so they can be law abiding and productive when transitioned to the
community; and
WHEREAS, AVCC provides education services to the offenders, including Adult Basic
Education and Information Technology classes directed primarily for its special needs
population; and
WHEREAS, many of AVCC's offenders have special needs and are introduced to
community resources such as: Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Social
and Health Services, Veterans Administration, etc.; and
WHEREAS, the movement of offenders from AVCC to the Monroe Correctional Complex
will not afford them the same level of personal care that is required of this type of offender and
will leave them vulnerable and subject to prey by predatory offenders; and
WHEREAS, this increased risk to the safety of the offender may also leave the state
vulnerable to litigation by offenders and their families; and
WHEREAS, AVCC employs up to 84 Yakima area residents with an economic impact of
$4,000,000;
WHEREAS, maintaining the presence of state facilities and institutions is an economic
development priority for the City of Yakima; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima approaches economic development on an inclusive,
comprehensive basis which involves public, private and community-based efforts to achieve and
sustain investment in the City; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The Yakima City Council recognizes the social and economic impact of the Ahtanum View
Corrections Center to the Yakima Valley, and respectfully requests that The Honorable Christine
0. Gregoire, Govemor of the State of Washington, and the Washington State Legislature
consider this impact and prevent the closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center..
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 5th day of January, 2010.
Micah Cawley,
ATTEST:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. H
For Meeting of: January 5, 2010
ITEM TITLE: Resolution of support for the Ahtanum View Corrections Center.
SUBMITTED BY: Richard A. Zais, City Manager
CONTACT: Michael Morales, 575-3533
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
On December 1, 2009, Mr. David Niles made a brief presentation to the City Council and
requested that the city take a position to support keeping the Ahtanum View Corrections Center
open. Faced with a projected budget shortfall, the state Legislature had directed the state's
Office of Financial Management to hire a consultant to create a plan to cut 1,580 beds at the
state's prisons, 235 beds at juvenile -rehabilitation facilities and 250 beds in Developmental
Disabilities Division facilities. That plan was released in late 2009 and calls for the closure of
Ahtanum View, in addition to a number of other institutions around the state.
Per council's request, attached is a resolution requesting that the Governor and State
Legislature consider Ahtanum View's impact on Yakima, and prevent its closure.
Resolution X Ordinance Contract _Other
Approval for Submittal:
STAFF RECOM M ENDATION: Staff recommends adoption
BOARD RECOMMENDATiON: City Council requested a Resolution
COUNCIL ACTION: