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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/1988 Business Meeting 25.7 MARCH 8, 1988 BUSINESS MEETING 1. ROLL CALL , f - .- . The City Council met in session , on this date at .2:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, :Washington.. Mayor Pat Berndt, .presiding, . Council members Clarence -Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn :Carmichael, Jerry. Foy and Bernard Sims present on roll call. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, City Clerk Roberts and Department Assistant Barber also present. 2. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Doug Earp, First Love Ministries. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER , None ' 4. CONSENT AGENDA '. - Mayor Berndt referred to - the - items placed-on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. -It - the • general consensus of the that the minutes-of the meeting of March 1,. 1988 be removed the Consent Agenda. for clarification, as requested Eby Council member Buchanan.-The City Clerk . then read the Consent, Agenda items, including resolutions• and'ordinances by title. ..It- was MOVED by. Carmichael,. seconded , by - - Foy; that the Consent' Agenda, as read -, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll -.call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs, preceded by-:an asterisk ( *) indicate items- on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further ;discussion:) , , *5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS•OF FEBRUARY 2 & 23, 1988 and March 1, 1988. .The Council' minutes of February 2 and 23,• 1988 were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council•- members and no one present- .wishing ,to-- have said minutes read publicly. The Council, minutes.. of March - 1, 1988 was;' r' emoved ; from the Agenda for 'clarification,'at the'request of Council member. Buchanan. • 6. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mayor- - Berndt read a proclamation declaring March.6 -12, 1988 as "Week of Parents- and the Young Child." '.Mayor Berndt-presented the proclamation-to Carol :Forsberg;-who accepted - .the - proclamation and urged citizens to participate in their celebration activities. 7. PUBLIC- HEARING ON THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR ENGLEWOOD SCENIC . HOMESITES SEWER LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1043 (SEE ORDINANCE CONF'IRMING'ASSESSMENT ROLL) - - .- , This being the time set for a public hearing on the final assessment roll-for the Englewood Scenic .Homesites - Sewer LID - No:-1043, -and there being no one - present' wishing to speak, the , - Mayor:. closed the public hearing. Ordinance No. - .3086 . having been read by title, it was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded, by Foy, that the Ordinance be passed. Unanimously•carried.by roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 3086, AN ORDINANCE confirming the assessment roll . covering' Local Improvement' District -- No. 1043 as created and • established by Ordinance-No. 2984 of the. Ordinances of the City of Yakima. , - --8. PUBLIC- MEETING ON THE REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGARDING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK AAD /1 ' 258 MARCH 8, 1988 GRANT (CDBG) GRANTEE PERFORMANCE FOR 1987 AND HOUSING SERVICE /CDBG PROGRAM OVERVIEW Dixie Kracht, Block Grant Manager, commented the Block Grant Performance Report is before the Council for any comments and for • public input. There being no one present wishing to speak on the 1987 Community Development Block Grant Grantee Performance Report (GPR), it was MOVED by Foy, :seconded by Carmichael to accept the Grantee Performance Report and the City Manager be authorized to submit the report to the U. S. • Department of Housing and Urban Development. Unanimously carried by voice vote. . *9. SET DATE OF HEARING FOR APRIL 5, 1988 ON THE FINAL1ASSESSMENT ROLL • FOR THE "J" STREET SEWER LID NO. 1044 April 5, 1988 was set as the date of public hearing on the final ,assessment roll for the "J" Street Sewer Local'Improvement District No. 1044. 10. REPORT FROM VARIOUS COMMUNITY GROUPS /ORGANIZATIONS ON DRUG AWARENESS /ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS Yakima Police Chief Pleas Green stated he was gratified to see the citizens turn out for today's meeting. He assured the citizens the Police Department's primary objective is 'to: enforce drug trafficking laws. He reported that in 1967, crime began to - increase In Yakima and in 1970 the City joined the County to address the issue. He stated during the late 1970's 1980's, • the City received very•little manpower or financial' support from the State to enforce the drug problem. He further stated in 1985 the Drug Task Force was established and;Yakima had one of the first permanent •drug task force programs in the nation. Chief Green commented in 1987, there was an increase in the sale of narcotics on the streets in • Yakima and presented a chart showing ten year increments in crime from 1967 to 1987. He stated drug arrests in 1967 were 17, in 1977 it was 153, and' in 1987uit was 408. He stated illegal drug trafficking is extremely profitable; it is difficult to penetrate drug operations, and informants are used. He stated time, money, and personnel are needed to obtairi enough information to enforce laws. Chief Green reported the Police Department working with the public and 'a recent study indicated in major cities,'75 percent of the people arrested for assault, grand larceny and burglary were on drugs.' He explained 'the crime rate impacts the quality of life, and additional tools are needed, such as seizure of autos, reviewing guidelines, help with overloaded courts and jails, additional educational programs, and resources. Chief Green stressed the drug issue is not only a law enforcement problem, it is a community problem. Cal Riemcke, Coordinator of the Yakima School 'District's Drug Awareness Program stated in 1985 their committee contacted the Hazelden Foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota to implement, a study program. He stated! in 1987, they entered into a contract with A J Consultants, Inc. in Yakima, to conduct chemical use assessments on students in the Yakima District. He stated the Seniors. in Yakima's high schools are in line with the national average in the use of drugs. Mr. Riemcke presented a poster to the City on the Student Assistance For Everyone (SAFE) program. Debra Laudis, A J Consultants, Inc., Chemical Health Counselor for the Yakima School District, spoke regarding the assessment process. She commented since 1987, 62 students were sent for in- patient treatment at a cost of $7,000 to $10,000.per•person. She stated they have 52 kids. involved in a support group in the secondary schools and over 40 kids are waiting to become involved. • Suzanne' McDaniel,- Assistant Principal at Eisenhower •High School, was present 'to explain the SAFE program at Eisenhower. She explained instead of suspending a student they can•be given the option of an in -house stay or going to their support group. She stated the SAFE program has encouraged students to 'see their AAD /2 MARCH 8; 1988 259• • • counselors,. and parents networking and - supporting other . • • . parents. _ Karen Garrison, Assistant Principal of Davis High School stated several teachers camprise , a voluntary core group in the SAFE team, ytrained to help identify'drug and - alcohol problems. She explained the 'training program for these volunteers and spoke about what core teaml member would do in this program. stated the core teams advise which•students should see A J Consultants .and their goal is to have over 80•percent:of staff have drug -free schools. 'Janeen Grimes,c :Assistants Principal of Franklin- Middle.. School, stated • the middle schools : have - -a core team and, ' all the • middle schools, have referred 17'children'.to A J Consultants. She stated all the middle.schools are contributing by taking kids to a drug awareness' workshop in May. She 'reported that 177 children at Franklin are...involved in support group :. Al Tinsley, Counselor for•Fthe Alternative Schools Youth Services • Center Program at':'Madison School, stated he-works withr14 programs • on'_ 9. school campuses. He stated they , are about • to"receive extra , funds and - 95 percent • of the' staff .will be. in-the core team; training•:by the - ehd� of . ,the• year.: He: commented - there . ,is very • little or no for inpatient treatment. for mostr'.of the clientele. Mr: 'Tinsley expressed• concern that• zcommunity was :having-this problem with :drugs. Dr. Warren Dean Starr, Superintendent of Yakima School District No. 7, stated the School District has been very active since 1986, revising the-District's policy on use sand' sale' of'. chemicals - directing it towards treatment• rather than Punishment. He stated - the :School•District is +willing to—enter—•a community- wide ' with. the • City and 1the• County, as soon as - possible . Dr Starr stressed the need for 1) an interlocal agreement between law enforcement .the City- and- • the County; 2) an • adolescent family crisis center . -half-way house;. 3) 'maintenance of all prevention and intervention programs during the sumner•months; 4) enforce , a community program regarding selling drugs and alcohol to minors; and -5.) organize - a community awareness , program to address the problem .on - drugs; and • a .task force with a coordinator . - Bill Hopkins, who works forithe Employment Security Department Youth Employment Service, presented a poster• ;to - the City, "_Count Me In" - "Youth 2000 ". He stated they are looking at a County -wide forum for'•communities on Saturday, March 26; 1988 from 8:30 a.m. until - 4:00 p.m. at the Yakima - - Valley. College regarding drug abuse. • He: stated he - .is - also present at today's meeting as :a :parent and he .feels need r to" take a r ' look i at • themselves: He - stated he is looking at Youth as a beginning and stated he brought brochures on this program with him. .;Lydia Warehime; Action Against •Drugs • Group, commented more • treatment '.centers' are needed . She informed everyone they are all involved in the .problem through taxes and 'insurance. She stated we !need funding for the : Department, treatment centers; and stricter law enforcement and pun'ishment.. - • Natalie Novick, Director of Omni Clinic, announced she had just • . received , notice - the ' Washington - State- Department • of . Social and Health Services had approved - their•application :for funds-to open an adolescent treatment center. Harry: Barth,; President t . the: Yakima Valley? - Council On - Alcoholisrn,.stated together we can clean up.this'problem;.we can't depend on outside help. c • . .Mr. - Pierre Brown, Director - ofr, Sundown M Ranch -Treatment Center, explained their Center is .a - fee for services center - with no grants provided.-,He the -key to adolescent treatment • is assessment and ten percent of the population at Sundown is adolescent. He stated the only adolescent treatment center in this County is for AAD /3 260 MARCH 8, 1988 • females •and'it is a center. He , explained they have been planning a study for an adolescent program and he feels everyone should work together. • Jane•Gutting, Curriculum Consultant for the ESD 105 Drug Prevention Cooperative, stated she has been working in adolescent..health care for 15 years. She stated she works with,. 25 districts that are funded by federal and state dollars, however, the Federal Government is now requiring the community to commit to this program before they will grant money. She wanted everyone to know they are doing some good things working with this problem. Sharon Crothers, works for :Epic (Enterprise .For• Progress' In The Community), a Head Start program, and representative' for the Chamber of Commerce Task Force; read the. Chamber of. Commerce mission statement which was to "Seek out •information on present • . drug and alcohol enforcement and _rehabilitation programs:in the Yakima area;, to determine - the impact of law enforcement, the legal system, and the impact on the economy, as a whole, from drug use, and finalize these findings-'in .a report for the Board of Directors for recommended action by the Chamber." She stated the Task Force has been meeting for three or four months to see what type of programs:are available for.use in the 'City and County. She stated the Task. Force is• interested in the impact insurance rates, if they are increasing; and how, people are dealing with those increases. She reported. information will be. given to the Chamber Board by the end of March, for review and development of a recommendation. She stated other communities are willing to work with Yakima. • Bernal Baca, Counselor for Yakima Valley Community College, stated the Hispanic in this community-do not want to be left out of this task force: He further stated the Hispanic community proposes the media stop inferring the drug busts involve only.Hispanic.people. Alex Santillanes was present representing a group of parents in the migrant programs. They are concerned and asked Chief -Green to provide more information regarding what they can d�. in assisting the Police Department in this drug problem. Mr. Santilleves stated they want to be part of the task force. He stated they spoke with the Hispanic community and feel there is a need to look what the youth are doing, educate the Hispanic parents, the community, continue program into the summer months, and have more treatment centers. - Bob Bounds, Yakima City Prosecutor, stated he felt the _community is not giving the Police Department the proper supporti.it needs. He _explained the law has three processes; 1) -- detection, 2)• apprehension, and 3) judicial. He stated -there is a need to form guidelines for the Police Department. • Mike Schuler, The Aspirations Institute, reported in 1981 a study showed alcohol is used four times as often as drugs. He stated we need to teach children to say ' "No ". Be. the Taproot Theater Company, Inc. has two plays, "Say No Max" and "I Am The Brother Of Dragons" to present, if anyone is interested. He further.stated.he came to today's meeting to try to secure help for funds to present these plays in our community. Dave Schneider, the Coordinator of the DWI Safety Belt Program, was present as a representative of the the Yakima Conference of Governments (YCOG) Office. He explained the YCOG is a non - profit governmental entity which services all the towns in the valley. He announced "Drug .and Alcohol Awareness Week" is March 20 -26, 1988. Mr. Schneider stated he:believed the law enforcement in this area has been outstanding. He stated there is a need for a vision, a long -term commitment, coordination of all levels of society, secure funding, uniting the entire valley, to be aggressive legislatively, and continue the iexisting 'program. He stated they will look forward to working with Council on this - problem. AAD /4 MARCH 8, 1988 261 Barney Smith, President of. the-Yakima-Lions Club;• - stated they would like, to bring' ; together schools, parents, and • the communities to work. together. He handed out. - pamphlets• "Lions- Quest " - "Skills for ,Adolescence "•saying their purpose is positive-approach to drug , .. education. Alyce (requested last name be withheld), District =Representative for the Al -Anon Family Group Program, explained their's is a . • spiritual- She stated they find-there are many dual addictions,;:: alcohol &_ drug dependency. -She,.-stated. -there are Alateen .groups available for children. She presented .a -handout, "A1 -Anon Family -Treatment- ,Tool In Alcoholism" and-,stated literature and - presentations are available. 1 Doug Earp, founder of First Love Ministries, was present to testify there is a need to recognize God in the community. (Beauchamp absent after 4:25 p.m.) Mr. Earp stated First Love,- Ministries tries to introduce our youth to God, and works with - people who have been through treatment and are in recovery. Steve Director of-'the Yakima , County-Division of Community . Services; .stated the.ir.r, Office has=_ made commitments provide • services for -the :.County and City: He asked the .City to join in . • - working with them: -r, , Terry. Antles,_Probate and Parole for the State - :Department-• of Corrections, stated -the citizens- must be willing to pay for what they .want,- namely;..ar :to rthe' .drug. problems. ,He feels,we need to the- dealers•and users-.. the streets and rehabilitate, -,them in order r - .make. any progress. •He. also stated there is a need to take this problem to the coinnunity: -.. Diana McLachlan,.a concerned citizen, was present to explain the :problem as a parent whose ,child was - involved with drugs. She wanted to.- knowwhat happens to children:-who have been-on-drugs when they go back to school and the children who are selling drugs. She explained children do not need money to try drugs the first time, as it is given to them free. - She stated a hit of cocaine is now s.v .the. price of' a. „school lunch. She -asked- asked everyone to support Cal .Riemcke and the'SchoolDistrict.. Council member Foy agreed with Mrs. McLachlan and stated there will -'be :many expectations of this City Council. He asked the City - COMeil"to listen to - the heart of the community and asked everyone present to give witness at their churches on what they heard at today's meeting. Council member, Barnett commented this,Council -worked hard _to get t the legislators to pass the One -Party Consent Bill, which would help, but it was defeated. Council member Carmichael - expressed. concern regarding the apparent lack of a program for parents coping with children in drugs. She stated there is a need to look at drugs and alcohol in terms of a complete program. She suggested having a.meeting in the Yakima Convention Center in the future to meet with the community. Council member Foy stated Dave Eyles, Coordinator for Yakima Community TV, taped most of today's session and suggested it be aired on YCTV. He suggested a lead -in be included asking for support from the community and to keep the awareness level very high. Council member Barnett stated the DWI /Seat Belt Coordinator . receives money from the State; and perhaps that position could be analyzed on how it could be more effective in being a person who could assist in this community -wide task force and help in the administrative staff work. City Manager Zais stated the concept of an action based committee • is desirable. We need an understanding of how long a task force would be in operation; is it a standing task force? Or, will it AAD /5 262 MARCH 8, 1988 • have a - deadline to report back to all the parties involved? If Council wants to set some parameters or a time frame, you would want some'action steps and recommendation to come out of that. He suggested one way to accomplish thatis•to sit down with some staff and Council members and outline what the task force composition might include and what are the specific assignments that task force should address. Following discussion', it was the general consensus 'of'the Council to forma drug task force; the members to be Mayor Berndt, Council members Carmichael and Foy, Steve' Hill`, 'Cal Riemcke and Police Chief Green'. Mayor Berndt commented' she hopes to bring back a report on their activities in a couple of weeks. 11. OTHER BUSINESS . None. Information Items: • Items of information supplied to Council were: Memo from Chief of Police regarding Narcotics' Enforcement Update. 3/4/88; Transit Operations Report for January 1988; Transit Operations Report for December 1987; Memo from Interim Wellness Committee regarding City of Yakima Wellness Program. 3/4/88; Memo from Fred Stouder, Assistant City Manager, regarding meeting with the Department of Ecology staff on February 17, 1988 regarding Wastewater Treatment Plant CIP Financing;' Minutes of the January '27, 1988 Yakima Air Terminal Board meeting; and Article from the February 16, 1988 The New York Times, "We Are Losing The War On Drugs." • 12. ADJOURNMENT . • • t x , It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Foy, that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 5:00 p.m. Unanimously carried'by voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE B' / C.U vI L MEMB''`' DATE ATTEST: - CO, CI R �/C AAT y ,s4 At: KAREN S.'ROBERTS','CITY CLERK, CMC PATRICIA A. B�DT MAY R O MINUTES PREPARED BY iSciAtoc_. IRENE R. BARBER, DEPT. ASSISTANT • • AAD /6 • •