Loading...
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. • 155 ADJOURNED MEETING — SCAP AUGUST 31, 2006 — MORNING STAR CHURCH 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 2 156 ADJOURNED MEETING — SCAP AUGUST 31, 2006 — MORNING STAR CHURCH 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. 3 157 ADJOURNED MEETING — SCAP AUGUST 31, 2006 — MORNING STAR CHURCH 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. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY U v 1. 2 - COU ' IL - EMBr ' -DATE 1 / 6 Oa? COUNCIL M MBER DATE ATTEST: 42-berWL-61,0TTLQ..— / �' /1/1/ 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 1 4 •