HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/31/2006 Adjourned Meeting 154
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED MEETING
AUGUST 31, 2006 — 7:00 P.M.
MORNING STAR CHURCH
510 North Naches Avenue
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender (after
8:25), Norm Johnson, Bill Lover, Neil McClure, and Susan Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais, Police Chief Granato, Finance and Budget
Director DeBord, and Deputy City Clerk Watkins
Absent: Micah Cawley (excused)
Mayor Edler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Informational public forum to introduce "Yakima's Safe Community Action
Plan" and proposed funding sources
A. Introduction
Mayor Edler gave opening statements and turned the meeting over to Police
Chief Granato.
B. Power Point presentation •
Chief Granato began the Power Point presentation that highlighted the need for
the additional police officers. He explained how and why the plan was
developed.
Rita DeBord, Director of Budget and Finance, presented the financial aspects of
the plan.
C. Public comment — questions /opinions
Robert Owen, 614 N. 3rd St., spoke against the plan and complained about
treatment he has received from the police in the past. He claimed that he feels
persecuted, as every time he brings a complaint to Council, there always seems
to be a negative after effect.
Greg Bohn, 709 N. Naches Ave., as a member of the Citizens Police Advisory
Council, applauds the police and. Council for this effort. He said he is aware that
this is a big problem and is happy to help fix it. He is grateful that the library
annexation money will be used for the plan and said that the Citizens Police
Advisory Committee supports the plan.
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Mendie Pugsley, 1301 W. Viola Ave, said sh doesn't support the plan because
she feels it is a federal problem and should be resolved through federal funding.
Duane Sandin, 304 Keys Road, asked if federal funds had been pursued. Chief
Granato answered yes. He also advised that the federal government has
significantly decreased grants due to the war and homeland security issues.
Mr. Sandin spoke about a number of issues, emphasizing that the problem is
related to the influx of illegal immigrants and the borders need to be secured. His
closing argument was for the City to use current funding resources instead of
asking the citizens for more money and to get rid of the illegal immigrants.
Miss Dee and husband, Donald Rome, 411 S. 2nd Street, commended Chief
Granato and the police department. They know there is a need for more officers
and will do everything they can to carry the message to the east side community.
She commented on the suggestion of getting federal money noting that if we
haven't been able to tap into those resources, we should not sit back and let our
community fall apart while we wait for it.
Betty Rohrich, 1423 Hamilton Avenue and a member of Grass Roots on Fire,
read a statement from someone in Phoenix whose view is:that. illegal immigration
has had a huge impact on Arizona and the United' States, describing a strong
connection between illegal immigration and increased crime. Her organization
wants to have illegal immigration controlled in the City of Yakima, the county, the
state, and the USA.
Douglas Chilson, 206 E. P Street, agreed that something needs to be done
about illegal immigration. He commended the police, agreed that the department
needs to be bumped up about 25% but is concerned about the cost of the
solutions. He feels the incarcerated criminals should be doing the job. He
recommended that the County jail be turned into a boot camp. He suggested the
old Yakima Mall be used for all city and county services instead of having them
scattered all over Yakima. He then spoke about the County jail issue and
recommended that, since it is now located on city property, the City should
manage it.
City Manager Zais described the impacts the voter - approved initiatives has had
on the City. Through the motor vehicle excise tax, local government lost $1.5
million. All of those dollars were dedicated for public safety. Yet, when
reductions were ordered, we did not cut police and fire by the entire amount. Out
of 34 positions that were eliminated, only 12 were from public safety. Mr. Chilson
then commented that he thinks the City needs to add more than 22 officers and
that we need a boot camp environment.
Chief Granato responded to Mr. Chilson's comments . noting that many of his
suggestions were not legal in the U.S. He said he is looking at a plan originated
by Chief Sanchez in Wapato for a work release program. Of the number of
people arrested since January 1 55% were Anglo and 35% Hispanic. It was
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almost a reflection of the racial composite of the community. Chief Granato
confirmed there is a drug trafficking problem in this region and there are things
that need to be done in Olympia to help us. Things such as drug interdiction.
We can't make stops on the highway like every other state can. Of those people
in jail, 80% are meth addicts, a drug that affects every race from every part of the
community, both rich and poor. Washington state is number 50 in the 50 states
for the number of officers per population.
Robbie Byrne, 109 Shamrock Drive, suggested there was inadequate
advertising for the meeting. She also spoke about the impact of a tax increase
on people who have a fixed income, although she appreciated the need.
Bill Dolsen, 213 Observation Drive, said he didn't expect anyone in the room to
solve the immigration problem. He has been involved in a community project on
crime for the last six to eight months. He stated the community would be hard
pressed to find a better chief of police then the one we have and we should be
thankful that we have him in Yakima. He spoke about the problem of recruiting
professional people to Yakima because of our reputation for crime. He endorsed
the plan.
• Mayor Edler gave the Council members an opportunity to speak
Council Member Whitman — Meth is made right here in our valley, not
elsewhere and brought here. She pointed out that federal grants are not a
permanent source of income but available for 3 -5 years and if we were to hire
officers using those funds, what would happen to them when the money goes
away. We have to find a way to help ourselves. She also clarified that the
estimated $3.60 a month is for a typical household with four people. If you are
an older couple or single and don't use natural gas, or a cell phone, it will be
•
quite a bit less.
Council Member McClure —This proposal is a Yakima proposal and is
necessary because our hands are so tied by state and federal government.
There are two indicators of crime - poverty and age. Our statistics show it is not
race. In our society, whites are just as poor as Hispanics. We want to solve this
problem but we require the tools.
Council Member Johnson — Advised that Senator Deccio and Representative
Skinner have twice tried to get a boot camp, but it has been turned down by the
Legislature both times. They also tried to redo the juvenile code but that was also
turned down by the Legislature. In response to the comments made pertaining to
illegal immigration, he reminded them that is not in our purview. He reiterated
the chief's statement that 55% of crime is committed by Anglos. Everyone who
lives in this country has a right to be treated in a law- abiding court.
Council Member Lover — Said he was the hardest sell because he didn't like the
funding package, but supports it. With regard to accountability in this proposal,
he said he will hold City Management accountable the same way voters hold the
Council accountable. The Council is very unhappy with the sentencing
guidelines in this state and will to go to Olympia to lobby for change.
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Council Member Bonlender — If we don't do something for ourselves to show
the Legislature that we are taking steps to reduce crime, they will not be
interested in obtaining funding for the issue. We have to do this for ourselves.
With the 1.5% utility tax increase, plus the other revenue streams, we will have a
proactive police force and crime will be reduced.
Mayor Edler — Police officers deter crime. We need more police officers in the
streets of Yakima and that is why this package is before the voters. Yes, the
problem is broader than that and there are groups looking into solving the
problem, but one of the best things we can do for ourselves is to make sure we
get more police officers on the streets of Yakima.
Mayor Edler thanked the people for attending and reminded them that the next
forum will be held Wednesday at the Harman Center at 7 pm.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
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CITY CLERK — iAVI % T r `
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City
Clerk's Office
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