HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/2010 04A Draft Minutes 06-08-2010 Listening Session - YPAL CenterYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
LISTENING SESSION
JUNE 8, 2010
YAKIMA POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE CENTER
6:00 P.M. — LISTENING SESSION
1. Roll Call
4/ A
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 for 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
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 Iighting..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.
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JUNE 8, 2010
Council Member Adkison mentioned the benefit of a resource officer that was
mo. ving 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
ATTEST:
DATE
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