HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/05/2011 04B-4 Minutes 03-06-2011 Council Public Safety Committee • Counci(Pu6Cic Safety Committee
March 16, 2011
MINUTES
Council Members Present: Kathy Coffey and Rick Ensey
Staff Present: Acting Police Chief Greg Copeland, Capt. Jeff Schneider, Lt. Mike
Merryman, Acting Fire Chief Dave Willson, Prosecuting Attorney Cynthia Martinez,
Public Works Director Chris Waarvick, Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson,
and Police Administrative Assistant Terri Croft.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Coffey at 3 p.m.
I. Update on Gang Free Initiative
Merryman gave an update on the last GFI Committee meeting. He noted a grant has
been successfully submitted to the Department of Juvenile Justice and he expects to
have a response in late summer. Merryman also mentioned a student survey would be
conducted with junior high and high school students as part of the community
® assessment. He stated, as of the end of February, the GFI consultant contract is
approximately 40% complete and the billings have consumed about 36% of the total
$75,000 contract dollar amount originally budgeted. This indicates we are on pace with
the time line and budget. Discussion ensued regarding how the student surveys would
be distributed and utilized and Merryman responded that they will be distributed through
Student Resource Offices that teach GREAT classes. There are approximately 350
students taking the classes and they will complete the survey in lieu of a lesson on a
chosen class day. Steve Magallan will have the results tabulated.
II. 2010 Jail Report
Schneider reported 2010 was a good year for jail contracts with approximately $2.5
million budgeted and finishing under $1.7 million for a savings of over $860,000. He
stated this is due in large part to having a public defender at arraignment. However, the
January report is indicating an increasing trend in the jail population, which increases
costs. Copeland mentioned medical costs are becoming more of an issue. As an
example, they recently dodged a bullet with one inmate needing a medical procedure
costing about $50,000. If the City had to cover the inmate's procedure, we would also
have incurred costs for police overtime while guarding the subject. Fortunately, the
hospital decided the surgery could wait. This is an example of how one prisoner can
significantly drive up the medical costs.
III. Yakima County Department of Corrections contract change
Schneider reported the City was recently notified by Yakima County Department of
Corrections that beginning the first of next month they are changing their calculations for
incarceration rates for all cities in the county. They will begin charging for the last day of
incarceration, which they previously did not. This may potentially cost the City an
additional $5,000 - $7,000 per month. Coffey asked if we could negotiate a half -day
charge. Unfortunately, they will charge a full day no matter how long the person is in
custody on their final day. Copeland met with Ed Campbell of DOC on this issue and
Mr. Campbell stated it was a mistake that they hadn't been charged those days in the
past. Schneider mentioned they have explored other possibilities, such as Benton
County, which is slightly less expensive but has many logistical problems which could
drive up costs.
IV. Update on Work Crew proposal
Martinez gave a brief background on this topic. The idea was raised on utilizing City of
Yakima defendants for work crews. This evolved into expanding the use of volunteers,
which fall into two distinct categories: 1) inmates – if they worked on a crew they would
get credit for jail or fines or 2) volunteers or people ordered to complete community
service. ONDS handles volunteers and people ordered to do community service on a
regular basis and they are covered by insurance. When it comes to work crew
(defendants), we do not have a program set up and this could become cost prohibitive
when it comes to insurance. Additionally, the Court does not allow the defendants to
work off fines at this time. Members of the Public Safety Committee decided to bring
the matter to the full Council for a discussion.
V. Enforcing RCW 9A.44.193
Waarvick and Copeland recommended that letters be sent to covered Level II and Level
III sex offenders advising them to stay away from City pools and parks. Members of the
Public Safety Committee decided to bring the matter to the full Council for a decision.
VI. Gang Legislative Update
Martinez provided a brief update regarding the difficulties HB 1126 —the gang
prevention bill —is currently undergoing.
VII. Meeting Adjournment
Th- meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
.1it..I`!i_ �� %1 s..
Kathy Coffey
Public Safety Committee Chair