HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/2010 04B Minutes 06-16-2010 Council Public Safety Committee Council Public Safety Committee
• CED Conference Room
City Hall
June 16,2010
MINUTES
Council Committee Members Present: Maureen Adkison, Kathy Coffey and Bill Lover
Staff present: Dick Zais, Sam Granato, Mike Merryman, Charlie Hines, Cynthia
Martinez, Michael Morales, Chris Waarvick, Terri Croft.
Coffey called the meeting to order at 3:04.
I. Gang Free Initiative Update
Merryman advised the list of steering committee applicants had been reviewed and was
ready to be presented to the full council upon approval by the committee. Youth
representatives and representatives from the faith community are still needed.
Merryman continues to meet with the County to collaborate on their program.
Merryman also advised that while the GFI steering committee is being set up, it's long
term function should be evaluated. In the long term, the committee may morph into a
private commission, which should be considered during the committee formation
41) process.
There has been some discussion as to changing the name of the Gang Free Initiative to
not include the word "gang" as to not have such a negative connotation. The steering
committee should be free to select a name as well as create their mission statement.
The steering committee should also have a chair to run meeting and Coffey expressed
her interest in serving in that capacity. Lover advised that he thought the decision
should go through the Council, as there are some council members that are feeling they
are not being informed of the activities of the GFI.
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It was MOVED by Adkison to submit the list of potential steering committee members to
the full council with Coffey as chairperson of the steering committee, with a
recommendation from the committee for approval of the list. Motion PASSED
unanimously and the item will be placed on the July 6 council agenda.
Morales advised that the RFQ had been completed for the GFI coordinator position and
was ready to be posted. The committee decided it should . be left open until July 13 or
until the position is filled.
Some maps were presented that overlaid homes that ONDS is currently assisting senior
citizens in rehabilitating with the emphasis patrol areas. This overlay is being used to
identify quality of life issues such as street lights, weedy lots, etc. This is not being used
to provide new services, but to provide a better distribution of service and coordination
of efforts. Waarvick advised that this would be used to identify neighborhoods that are
in need of street lighting, however funding needs to be identified and other council
committees must also review and approve the projects.
II: Block Watch update
Foley provided a report on the Block Watch program. The program continues to move
forward and generate new interest. The Block Watch Coordinator, Juan Romo, has been
doing a lot of outreach work. There are 106 potential block watch neighborhoods
identified.
III. EMS Levy Update
Hines provided an update on the County EMS levy. The current proposal is to renew the
level at $.25 for 10 years. There are multiple jurisdictions involved, working on the
timeline to propose the ballot measure. They want to market the ballot measure far
enough in advance in case the measure fails. There is no firm date set but Hines will
update the committee when the date is finalized.
Hines also added that there were three back -to -back fires in the city today, and that the
mutual aid system worked as it was supposed to. He also noted that one of the engines
broke down while enroute to a brush fire, delaying the response time.
IV. Safe Streets Task Force
Granato advised the committee that a meeting had been held with the US Attorney's
office the previous week and a core group of Federal agencies is moving forward with a 0
SSTF in Yakima. Locations are being evaluated for housing the task force. Funding for
the task force will depend on the partner agency (Yakima Sheriff's Office, Yakima Police,
Sunnyside Police, etc.) allocation of resources.
V. Police Monthly Report
The updated monthly report was submitted. It was noted that the report runs about one
month behind. There was a spike in homicides, however, the emphasis patrols were
started at that time and the department is now experiencing a drop in crime. Traffic
units are also working a traffic enforcement emphasis funded through the state Traffic
Safety Commission.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
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Public Safety Committ-e
Minutes prepared by Terri Croft