HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/2008 04A Draft Minutes 09-30-2008 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session'/ *A
• YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED MEETING /STUDY SESSION
SEPTEMBER 30, 20081- 8:00 - 9:30 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - YAKIMA CITY HALL
1. Roll Call,
Present:
Council: Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Council Members Kathy
Coffey, Rick Ensey, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover and Neil McClure
Staff: City Manager Zais, Assistant City Attorney Harvey, Police Chief Granato,
and City Clerk Moore
Absent: Mayor Edler
2. Yakima Police Athletic League
Chief Granato gave a brief history of the Police Athletic League (PAL) program in
Yakima. The main goal of the PAL program is for law enforcement officers to work
with lids to give them alternatives to getting into trouble.
• Ed Shoenbach, YPAL Chair, submitted an annual report with statistics on activities
provided. He spoke about the program being a community advantage, a service to
children and how it reaches out to the most vulnerable population in Yakima. PAL
allows them to take a different path and also focuses on education. If they aren't
doing well in school, they are provided tutoring before they are allowed to participate
*in recreational activities.
A number of YPAL participants came forward and spoke about their participation and
what the program has meant to them. They were all passionate about their specific
activity, e.g.' boxing and wrestling, and the sincerity of staff. They also related how
the program has protected them from getting involved in gangs.
Devin Schlotman, YPAL wrestling coach, described the wrestling program and how
quickly it continues to grow.. He spoke about traveling to out -of -town tournaments
and how proud the kids are to, not only represent YPAL, but also the Yakima Police
Department. He expects that they could potentially double in size and need to
determine how to handle the demand. There is tremendous parent involvement on
the trips for tournaments; they become a family event
Chief Granato mentioned that he had a goal to start a little league on the east side of
Yakima. He mentioned that YPAL is a community -based program, eligible for.CDBG
funds if Council would like to expand the building. The Kids coached at YPAL are
given skills to compete in high school. One element adding to school drop out rates
in Yakima is that kids today cannot afford to compete. The costs can be prohibitive.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
STUDY SESSION — YPAL
Discussion covered the interaction between YPD, the non profit board, and the facility •
and how to obtain sustainable funding. Chief Granato explained that YPD staff is
responsible for the day -to -day operation; but fiduciary responsibility now belongs with
the board of directors who contract with EPIC to handle finances and reporting. The
board does not have any supervisory responsibility but they do set policy and raise
funds. A portion of the police budget goes into staffing the operation. The primary
funding source is donations (United Way), as well as Justice Assisted Grant (JAG)
money. He said they have also received grants from Legends Casino and donations
from the community. They haven't applied for larger grants, but Mr. Shoenbach
hopes to look into the Bill and Melinda Gates programs. It is difficult to make YPAL
self- sustainable.
Council Member Coffey asked if they were partnering with the Southeast Community
Center, especially since they are growing out of their facility. Chief Granato said he
has spoken with Ester Huey, but the biggest problem is that they do not have the
staff to expand to the SECC. He described outreach with various schools. The Vice
Principal of Barge/Lincoln is on the Board of Directors and may hold a PTA meeting
at YPAL to show families what is available. As much as possible, they want to be
within walking distance of the kids served. They have discussed the idea of PAL
being a drop-off area from school until the parents can pick them up. This would
offer protection and diversion during the riskiest time period for the kids. But they
cannot duplicate.what they have at PAL at SECC because of the limited staffing.
They would like to see an expansion of the PAL program throughout Yakima Valley,
with other cities starting programs. Council Member Coffey commented that it seems
a natural goal to have two city -owned facilities working together and she encouraged
them to continue discussions to see if something could be worked out.
Staffing hours were discussed and it was noted that police staff also do
neighborhood watches, presentations to community groups, etc. PAL is part of the
community services provided. Chief Granato suggested said it would be very helpful
to have a full -time director who could help with fund raising by going to speak with
groups. City Manager Zais pointed out that the sublease with the Yakima School
District is a revenue stream. They would like to see the ongoing revenue source
transition to a contract with YPAL rather than with the Farm Workers clinic.-
Council Member Ensey asked for clarification on whether YPAL is a program in YPD
or is its own entity in which YPD participates. Chief Granato said he believes it was
originally a YPD program sanctioned by Council and, in the past, two Council
members attended the meetings. They would like to see Council participation again.
Mr. Shoenbach emphasized that police presence is very much needed for the
success of YPAL. Chief Granato said that a public/private partnership gives them
non - profit status making them eligible to apply for grants. The City can give money
for capital improvements and YPAL would contract with the City for the operation.
City Manager Zais advised that there is a contract prepared by the Legal Department
in the Council material. He also noted that the contract with Farm Workers will be
ending this month. Council Member Lover asked to have an organization chart
created and submitted to Council showing how everything interlinks. Assistant Mayor
Cawley suggested the need of a business plan. Council Member Coffey noted that it
is the responsibility of the YPAL Board to create a plan and bring it back to the
Council for approval. When she suggested there also be a staff liaison rather than
2
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
STUDY SESSION — YPAL
just a Council liaison City Manager Zais advised that Assistant City Manager Zabell
was given that assignment.
Council Member Cawley commented that he would like to see the City put more
outside agency funding into this program.
3. Audience comments
No one came forward to speak.
City Manager Zais introduced Joel Pearson of Wells Fargo Insurance Services to
discuss insurance recommendations. Helen Harvey, Assistant City Attorney,
summarized that the commercial general liability could be doubled for an additional
$1,000. With regard to auto liability, they can get higher limits but we don't know yet
what the cost would be. She said that transporting kids to functions is probably the
City's largest exposure. She advised that one option would be to transport them in
city -owned vehicles to get better coverage under CIAW. That would require
transferring PAL's vehicles to the City fleet. They would then fall under the $100,000
deductible.
4. Adjoumment
ENSEY MOVED AND JOHNSON SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion carried
• by unanimous voice vote; Edler absent. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 a.m.
•
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
MICAH CAWLEY, ASSISTANT MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Deputy Clerk Watkins. A DVD of this meeting is available in the City Clerks Office