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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/2008 04B Minutes 06-04-2008 Council Public Safety Committee CouncilPu6Czc Safety Committee Council Cfiam6ers City7faQ. June 4, 2008 MINUTES Council Members Present: Norm Johnson, Bill Lover and David Edler Staff Present: City Manager Dick Zais, Assistant City Manager Dave Zabell, Police Captain Jeff Schneider, Police Lieutenant Gary Belles, Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez, Police Administrative Assistant Terri Greer The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnson at 2:08 p.m. I. Gang Ordinance Martinez presented the revised draft of the City of Yakima gang ordinance. She addressed the issue of parental responsibility and advised that this section of the Grandview ordinance had been declared unconstitutional; therefore, it was decided to leave parental responsibility out of the Yakima ordinance. It can be added at a later date if approved. It was MOVED by Edler and SECONDED by Lover to move the ordinance to the full council for consideration. The motion PASSED unanimously. Lover clarified that his request for Martinez to consult with Mark Kunkler on the ordinance was a desire for the legislation to be standardized throughout the county. Zais advised this would be on the next Council agenda. He updated the Committee on civil gang injunctions being removed from the state bill; however, cities may already have the authority to serve a civil injunction. City Legal staff is researching this possibility. II. Court Rules Martinez reported that the rules revision process is on hold. There were objections from many organizations, municipalities, and defense and public defender associations. • III. Police Recruitment Update • Schneider advised there are currently five police officer vacancies and no • additional retirements projected for the year. There are two applicants for police officer currently undergoing background investigations. IV. Deputy Police Chief. Recruitment Update Zabell reported that after the preliminary review of the applications, there are seven applicants continuing the process. A selection committee of senior law enforcement personnel and community members has been convened and will interview the candidates on June 24. Final interviews will be scheduled with the top candidates after the selection committee process. We anticipate having the position filled by August 1. Zais advised this is a civil service exempt position and that a department the size of YPD can have up to six exempt positions. It was also determined that police lieutenants are eligible for union status, although the status of captain positions has not yet been determined. V. Crime Statistics Belles provided an update on the crime statistics for the year, currently at a 19% reduction in crime. He updated the Committee on the North 1 Street emphasis patrols that began S the week before. The first night resulted in five misdemeanor and one felony arrests. The next two nights were prostitution e mphasis resulting in 23 arrests, mostly for prostitution. Edler asked if there were any statistics that addressed how much crime was related to methamphetamine. Belles advised there were no hard statistics. VI. Alternate Vehicles for Police Due to the increase in fuel costs, the police department is researching other options including more fuel efficient cars. There are limited options in the patrol fleet, so any changes would be made in the unmarked fleet. There is currently no budget available to purchase any new vehicles this year and there is no expectation of any federal or state assistance with fuel costs or to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles. Zais advised that the fleet transition would likely take place over several years. Other options are to add more motorcycles to the fleet. Council is likely to see a mid -year appropriation for fuel costs. Johnson asked Schneider to send the Committee's best wishes to Officer Henning. 1110 To ics VII. Off-Agenda p Zais advised the Committee that there would be an update GO Bond issue on the council agenda. The GO Bonds are slated to cover transit and transportation, street, and the fire ladder truck. Also on the next council agenda is the architectural service agreement with LCA Architects to perform the feasibility study of the Westside substation for the police department. This will be followed up with an appropriation of funds. Staff is not ready to proceed with the study of the jail expansion at this time. Zabell, Granato and police staff are finalizing a response on the LEMAP report. This report will be presented to the Public Safety Committee in a dedicated meeting, most likely in July or August. . City Attorney Paolella is leaving to accept a position with the. Eastern Washington Growth Management Board. Additionally, Assistant City Attorney Mabee will be leaving on maternity leave in the near future. Zais will be meeting with Legal staff to discuss the transition and acting assignment. Recruitment for a new city attorney will begin immediately. XIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 2:39. The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 2, 2008 in the Council Chambers. Ad No Joh , •' Public Sa +- y Committee Chair Minutes prepared by Terri Greer