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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/06/2010 04A Draft Minutes 06-08-2010 Listening Session - Yakima Police Athletic League CenterYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL LISTENING SESSION JUNE 8, 2010 YAKIMA POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE CENTER 6:00 P.M. — LISTENING SESSION 1. Roll Call z-1,A 3 Present: Council: Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Assistant Mayor Kathy Coffey, Council Members Adkison, Dave Ettl and Bill Lover Staff: City Manager Zais and City Clerk Kloster Absent: Council Members Edler and Ensey 2. Listening Session -- Audience Participation The following citizens addressed the Council: (Comments are summarized) Brad Tidrick — Regarding the gang problem, he requested installation of graffiti cameras; enforcement of the noise ordinance, specifically relating to loud automobile music; elimination of automobile tinted windows for police officer safety. Rick de Villa — Retired from the City of Everett, he suggested Council take the total quality management approach and talk about expectations for the Gang- free Initiative. We need to support the police department to get the job done. He wants to contribute to the community and offered his help. Ken Hargrove — Concerning the gang shootings, he stated the community needs to team up with the Council and. the police department. There needs to be more education about gangs and need to seek funding, #ar.rehabilitation. , Churches are offering their help and need to work on a spiritual -based program. Pastor Dave — Encouraged installation of cameras in the. neighborhoods. Encourage parents to communicate more with their kids and become more involved in their lives to give them a sense of hope and love. Ed Shoenbach Current president of YPAL. He stated when Council reduces funding for YPAL, it cripples the overall goal and services YPAL provides to at -risk youth and their families to keep them from joining gangs. Robert Owen — Stated he has heard many times from Council that written communication is encouraged. He has delivered written communication numerous times and has only received one response from Transit. He feels if he complains to the police, they profile him. His garbage pick up has been missed nine times. Silvana Valdez - Mendozo - (submitted written comments) Recommends using public radio to communicate with the Hispanic community. Encourages open JUNE 8, 2010 U dialogue between the Council and its citizens. Believes education is the most important part of dealing with the gang problem. Eva Valdivia — City needs to address neighborhood beautification in the east Yakima area. If citizens took pride in their area, it would take care of some of the issues. Latinos want to work together, but the way they are.received makes a big difference in how they will participate. Their involvement is based on how trust is. built. There is much fear among the neighborhoods and they don't want to get involved because of retaliation from gangs. They have complained, but with no response, they gave up. K.C. Webber — He is part of a Block Watch program and sees apathy in the neighborhoods when trying to get people involved. He has promoted joining block watch groups to help neighbors and encourages citizens to report noises and suspicious situations. Rebecca Withrow — Her nephew was killed at a party by gang members. We have to change the mentality of witnesses who will not talk to the authorities. We need outside resources to help us; tougher sentencing laws and stop making deals with felons. Council needs to show the community they mean business in order to gain trust and involvement. She suggested involving the mental health agencies in the Gang -free initiative process. Sonya Rodriguez — Council needs to connect with the community and listen to them; it's about the people you're serving and how you reach out to them is very important; it is necessary to engage the local schools and the residents who are experiencing the problems. Trellis Trent — Yakima's police officers are some of the best in the state and do a good job, but they are going to get overrun by gangs because the situation is getting worse. He supports what Arizona is doing and believes Washington has become a sanctuary state. We need to take care of the people who are here legally. Questions and Answers / Further comments Rebecca Withrow — we need more street lights since most gang activity takes place after dark. Assistant Mayor Coffey responded there is funding in the Office of Neighborhood Development budget that can be used for the Gang -free Initiative that will include lighting. Council Member Ettl added the Season of Service group is also helping with lighting. Christina Playo — Questioned what the Council was considering as long -term solutions. Assistant Mayor Coffey said the Council would be talking to legislators about a long -term fix, Ms. Playo asked about plans for cleaning up the northeast area. Assistant Mayor Coffey answered there is a plan to clean up a four -block area that is similar to a program that worked in Harlem. U JUNE 8, 2010 Council Member Adkison mentioned the benefit of a resource officer that was moving into the community and believes this officer could build trust with families and make a big difference. Asked the citizens to work with him. Council Member Lover stated he favors suppression and the Block Watch program in fighting the gang problem. Gang intimidation results in people not willing to talk to provide information to the police. Mayor Cawley introduced the City's Block Watch coordinator, Juan Romo who gave his contact information and encouraged people to call him if they were interested in starting a block watch program. 3. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. to June 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Southeast Community Center for a Special Council Listening Meeting READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY COUNCIL MEMBER DATE COUNCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK MICAH CAWLEY, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deborah Kloster, City Clerk. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 3'