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Home My WebLink About09/15/2009 04B Minutes 07-30-2009 Council Public Safety Committee eT� I- • 0 Council Public Safety Committee CED Conference Room City Hall July 30, 2009 MINUTES Council Members Present: Maureen Adkison, Dave Edler and Sonia Rodriguez Staff Present: City Manager Dick Zais, Assistant City Manager Dave Zabel!, Fire Chief Charlie Hines, Police Chief Sam Granato, Deputy Police Chief Kelly Rosenow, Police Captain Jeff Schneider, Police Officer Jamie Gonzalez, City Attorney Jeff Cutter, Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez, Judge Kelly Olwell, Archie Matthews - ONDS, Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson, Jack Maras — Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health, Police Administrative Assistant Terri Greer Others present: Jack Maras, Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health The meeting was called to order by Adkison at 3 :37 p.m. 0 I. Graffiti Enforcement updates Cynthia Martinez updated the committee on prosecution options that had previously been discussed. The only recommendation she had made previously was for mandatory minimum penalties for graffiti in school zones, however, she does not recommend that change at this time due to staff reductions and the impact the change would have on jail housing costs. It was asked if infractions could be issued in some of these cases, which would reduce jail costs and generate some revenue. Martinez advised that state crimes cannot be decriminalized, only local ordinances: This would mean that the only graffiti - related crime that could be decriminalized would be possession of graffiti implements. Edler advised he had sent a copy of the Yakima ordinance regarding graffiti implements to the mayor of Selah but had not sent one to the mayor of Union Gap. He had not done any additional follow up. He advised he would bring the issue forward again at the September Valley Mayors' meeting. Mathews advised that ONDS has been working with the Juvenile Justice Center to have juveniles serve their court- ordered community service by painting out graffiti. The committee asked Judge Olwell if it was possible for the courts to grant more community service when sentencing. Olwell advised that as elected officials, the court is a separate branch of government. The governing body can make recommendations ii to the court, but only recommendations and not mandates. Granato updated the committee on the installation of graffiti camera and Officer Gonzalez provided a demonstration of the cameras. II. Policies and Procedures Guidelines for Incarceration An overview of the City's contracts with outside jails was given. Granato advised that many times suspects are arrested on minor offenses when they are known to have committed more serious crimes, thus preventing them from committing serious crimes while they are incarcerated on the lesser crimes. The Police Department books at our own jail and the lower valley contract jails whenever possible in order to reduce costs. The capacity of the City Jail is 78 people, and our average daily population throughout all jails is 198. Rodriguez stated it would be beneficial to expand the City Jail. One recommendation to reduce jail costs would be to stop booking on traffic offenses except for DUI. There would be an anticipated increase in the crime rate due to not having criminals in jail for these smaller offenses. The CIT diversion program was discussed as another possible way to reduce jail costs. It was MOVED by Edler and SECONDED by Rodriguez to recommend to the full council to approve the $132,000 request for funding by CWCMH for the CIT diversion program. Motion PASSED unanimously. Schneider advised that it is not only booking fees that are affecting jail budgets, but also 11 the costs for incarceration after sentencing. It is possible to stop charging /booking subjects with both misdemeanor and felony charges, but this would 'shift work to the Prosecutors Office to track the status of these cases and follow up with the felony charges at a later date. Rosenbw added that booking is not just new misdemeanor charges, but there are also bookings on warrants. There is no misdemeanor work release program at this time. O th er options to explore are a GPS based Electronic Home Monitoring system for people that do not have landline telephones, day detention, and inmate work crews. Olwell advised that the courts would consider other detention options. Discussion moved to work crew issues, such as supervision of inmate workers. If they are to be supervised by parks employees, there would need to be training of the employees in inmate supervision. Wilkenson expressed concern over parks staff supervising inmates even with training. Other issues to consider in a work crew program are screening of inmate workers, contract issues of employees supervising inmates, and continuity of supervision. Additionally, if inmate workers are injured while working, the City is responsible for their medical treatment. The finalization of the public defender contract to have defenders present at arraignments should have an immediate impact on jail costs. Due to the hour, Edler asked for recommendations of what could be moved to the next 41) meeting. It was requested that a list of reasonable cost cutting methods be provided to • Chairperson Adkison at the next meeting that could then be forwarded to the full Council. Indigent defense attorney contract will be on the August 18 council agenda. The CIT funding recommendation will also be sent to the full council with the committee's recommendation for approval. Ill. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:10. ( /6 '/ X Maureen Adkison Public Safety Committee Minutes prepared by Terri Greer • 410