HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/2008 04B Minutes 05-07-2008 Council Public Safety Committee ttilif4a*W - ** . tAtio t4 •
CouncOE'1 u6& Safety Committee
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City graft
May 7, 2008
MINUTES
Council Members Present: Norm Johnson, Bill Lover, David Edler
Staff Present: City Manager Dick Zais, Assistant City Manager Dave Zabell,
Police Captain Jeff Schneider, Police Lieutenant Gary Belles, Police Lieutenant
Tom Foley, Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez, Deputy Fire Chief Dave
Willson, Deputy Fire Chief Bob Steward, Finance Director Rita Anson, Acting
Code Administration Manager Joe Caruso, Community & Economic
Development Deputy Director Michael Morales, Chief Examiner Carol Maples,
Police Administrative Assistant Terri Greer
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnson at 2:02 p.m.
Mayor Edler began the meeting by clarifying his comments about the police
command staff as reported in the Yakima Herald Republic. He advised he was
misquoted and has the highest respect for the members of the police command
staff.
I. Status of Grants /Congressional Earmarks
Lt. Foley updated the committee on the status of the GREAT grant. The City was
initially at risk of losing this grant for 2009 due to a technical error in transmission
of the grant application. However, the application has been forwarded to the
peer review process as though the transmission problem had not happened.
From past experience, he expects that a final decision will come in late fall.
Michael Morales advised the committee that the City is waiting for the invitation
to apply to receive the federal earmark funds. He presented a form that he would
like the committee to have anyone applying for the funds to complete so that the
City has an objective and uniform method to evaluate the applicants. He advised
that the Bureau of Justice Assistance gives latitude on how the funds are
dispersed as long as it meets the legislative intent of the earmark. City Manager
Zais advised that should the GREAT grant not be approved, it could be backfilled
by the Byrne grant funds. Mayor Edler expressed his concern that the Citizens
for Safe Communities were being cut out of the loop for funding opportunities for
their Meth -lied program based on the legislative intent. Michael advised that BJA
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would have to approve any media before they would release funds, but
community education as a follow up to the emphasis patrols should be
acceptable.
It was MOVED by Edler and SECONDED by Lover to approve the RFP format
presented by Michael Morales for requests from the federal earmarked funds.
Motion PASSED unanimously.
II. Gang Ordinance •
Cynthia Martinez advised she has been trying to connect with Mark Kunkler of
Sunnyside to review the necessary revisions to the gang ordinance. She does
have a meeting set with him for Monday, May 12. Councilman Lover expressed
the need for.both cities to be on the same page when working on our gang
ordinances. Cynthia advised that there is no new information from the state.
City Manager Zais asked if the current ordinance should be amended or
repealed. Cynthia advised it might be easiest to repeal the current ordinance
and reissue it. Chairman Johnson advised he would prefer a new ordinance if
there are major revisions necessary to the current ordinance.
III. Cruising Ordinance
4110 Legislation was given to the committee that would approve June 21 as the only
cruising date for the summer of 2008.
After discussion of past problems with cruise nights, it was MOVED by Edler to
forward the legislation to the full council with the committee's recommendation,
provided that the hours of the event were changed to 6:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.
Motion was SECONDED by Lover. Motion PASSED unanimously.
IV. Court Rules
Cynthia Martinez advised the committee the AWC has issued an action alert on
proposed rule changes for courts of limited jurisdictions, of which the Yakima
Municipal Court is one. The rules changes would have fiscal impacts on the
courts, namely in that it would require having a public defender available at all
arraignments. She advised that the comment period had elapsed, but there had
been discussion of extending the comment period. Mayor Edler asked her to
research if comments were still being taken, and if so, to draft a letter for his
signature regarding the impact this would have on our city.
V. EMS Levy
Deputy Chief Willson advised that Chief Hines had polled the fire chiefs in the
valley and most of them advised they would not seek to . increase their EMS levy
as the City of Yakima is considering doing, primarily due to lack of need for the
fire districts. Mayor Edler advised that the members of the valley mayors group
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were surprised by the fire chiefs' responses, although they recognize that the fire
districts don't have the same needs as the City of Yakima. He would like to see
the City continue with an individual EMS levy. Chairman Johnson suggested that
the issue be explored further when Chief Hines returns.
Councilman Lover asked if there was any relief provided by inter -local
agreements, to which there is some, but not enough to address the capital and
operational needs of the City. Chairman Johnson felt that an in depth discussion
(possibly as study session) should be conducted as the current system serves
the fire districts well but not the City fire department.
It was MOVED by Mayor Edler and SECONDED by Councilman Lover to engage
the stakeholders and full council in a shift away from the county -wide EMS levy
_ to a City EMS levy. Motion PASSED unanimously.
VI. Funding Alternatives for Fire Department Ladder Truck
City Manager Zais gave background on this budgeted policy issue from 2007-
2008 to purchase a new ladder truck. It was discovered that REET 1 funds could
not be used to purchase equipment or apparatus, but could be used for facilities.
The purchase of the ladder truck has not been made at this point. It is
recommended that $100,000 of non -REET capital funds reserves and $150,000
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of general fund be re- directed to the purchase of the ladder truck. This leaves a
$750,000 deficit. The city was planning to issue bonds for the work done to the
station at 72n Avenue. As this would be an appropriate use of REET funds, the
REET money could be used for the debt service on the facilities and the bond
could cover the apparatus.
Deputy Chief Stewart updated the committee on the status of the equipment
purchase. A committee has been formed and has identified 4 manufacturers and
seen some examples of the equipment. It will take approximately 6 -8 weeks to
design the apparatus and then approximately 11 -12 months to build after the bid
has been awarded. The committee is working to utilize all available plans and
information to reduce the amount of time to get the apparatus built.
Councilman Lover asked if there is any way that preference could be given to
Yakima County fire departments when the old ladder truck is surplussed. Deputy
Chief Stewart advised that there is not a lot of need for that type of equipment in
the rural /county areas.
Finance Director DeBord advised that they are about 3 months out from issuing
bonds, so the projected revenue is a best - estimate given the current market and
information. It is possible that more revenue could be available when the bonds
are issued.
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It was MOVED by Edier and SECONDED by Lover to recommend the financing
strategy as proposed to the full council. Motion PASSED unanimously.
VII. Recruitment Update
Chief Examiner Maples provided an updated of tests related to public safety
positions. Public Safety Testing has conducted 12 police officer tests since the
beginning of the year and 16 names have been certified over to the police
department. There are currently 4 police officer vacancies and there will be one
additional vacancy at the end of May. Corrections officer testing was conducted
and 8 people have passed the written and physical agility tests and will move on
to oral boards. There is currently one vacancy in the city jail. There were 12'
applications for Deputy Chief and the screening process has begun on those
applications. Crime and Intelligence Supervisor is under recruitment.
There was a written firefighter test at the end of April. 44 applicants will be
• moving on to the oral boards.
Captain Schneider briefed the committee on the police background process and
advised that approximately 1/3 of the applicants who are on the register would
not pass the background process. Additionally, we lose a good number of
applicants when they take the pre- academy physical ability test, as several
months can pass between them taking the test to get on the list and the test to
get into the academy. When that happens, we lose not only the applicant but the
academy slot.
VIII. Status Report on RFQ for Police Substation /Jail Expansion
Lt. Belles provided an update from the selection committee. Two companies
were reviewed, DLR who designed the current city jail and LCA. LCA works in
conjunction with Rocky Mountain Corrections, who advises how to staff the jail,
how to maximize functionality, how to present to the community and the best
practices to save money. LCA was selected for the project. During the selection
process, the City and County entered into discussions about possibly building a
joint facility with a cost effective design. City Manager Zais stated he would like
Lt. Belles to contact the other police agencies to assess their interest in a cost-
effective jail
The selection committee recommends to the Public Safety Committee to proceed
with a design and feasibility_study on the west side substation immediately and
wait on the study for the jail until the talks with the County are concluded.
It was MOVED by Edler and SECONDED by Lover to proceed with a
professional services agreement on the west side station only and wait on the
agreement for the jail. Motion PASSED unanimously.
City Manager Zais advised that the money for this project has been earmarked
by not budgeted and they will bring the legislation back to the committee when • • ,
costs are available. Mayor Edler inquired how much time we wanted to allow for
the conversation with the County. City Manager Zais estimated -it would take
about 30 days.
IX. West Valley Junior High Letter to Parents
Chairman Johnson brought to the committee a letter that had been sent to the
parents of West Valley Junior High parents after a recent threat at the school.
Captain Schneider provided a report on the calls for service to the West Valley
Junior High and Middle School, advising that the schools are the #1 call
generators for district 9. There is one officer assigned to district 9, so a good
deal of time is spent dealing with the school issues. Capt. Schneider advised
that a meeting is scheduled for the following week with the West Valley School
Superintendent to discuss options.
It was MOVED by Lover and SECONDED by Edler for staff to encourage WVSD
to get an SRO. Motion PASSED unanimously.
X. Mercy Letter (off agenda)
Chairman Johnson gave a letter to Captain Schneider from Dale Carpenter of
Mercy Enterprises regarding placing explorers or reserve officers at intersections 411
to monitor red light violators. Capt. Schneider will review with Chief Granato.
XI. Pro - Active Unit Status
Captain Schneider updated the committee on the activities of the Pro Active
Enforcement Unit. Chairman Johnson commended the unit for their work and the
department in whole for the reduction in crime.
XII. Parking on Front Yards
This issue was brought before the full council at the meeting the previous night
by a citizen that lives in the area of 17 Ave /Bonnie Doone., Although the
committee understands the ordinance does infringe on some personal rights of
property owners, the intent was to clean up the city. Mayor Edler stated he
would like to leave the current ordinance as is. Councilman Lover does not feel
the ordinance is clear and feels it encourages pollution (stormwater runoff from
paving yards). He would like to see the legislation amended to something that
addresses the problem without encouraging people to pave their front yard.
Mayor Edler asked if there were any limits from a code enforcement perspective.
Joe Caruso advised there is a limit on what percentage of a property can be
impervious surface. He further advised that since the ordinance has been
adopted, there have been 228 complaints but no citations issued.
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It was MOVED by Edler and SECONDED by Johnson to leave the ordinance as
it is. Motion PASSED 2 -1 with Lover dissenting.
Councilman Lover did not feel the issue as brought forth to the full council had
been addressed. The citizen can request a hearing for his particular issue.
XIII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:26. The next meeting will be Wednesday, June
4, 20088 "n the C • • .11 C _ mbers.
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Norm Joh :on
Public Saf.- Committee Chair
Minutes prepared by Terri Greer
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