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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 08/02/1993 0 0 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 2, 1993 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Mann Leona Orr Jon Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Chief Crawford Chief Angelo Roger Lubovich Dave Haenel Tony McCarthy Ken Chatwin MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Bill Doolittle Numerous unidentified citizens The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Mann. BEST WESTERN CHOICE LODGE - PARKING RIGHTS INFRINGEMENT Kathy Madison, Manager of the Best Western Choice Lodge at 24415 Russell Road, outlined the problems they have been experiencing for the last four months with the Cafe Avanti as follows: 1) noise from loud music; 2) parking; 3) security; 4) lost revenue; 5) guests unable to sleep and having to be moved in the middle of the night; 6) fights in the parking lot resulting in injured patrons of the night club; 7) littering; 8) urinating in the parking lot; 9) drug deals taking place on the golf course; 10) car thefts; 11) car alarms going off all night long, and; 12) cars cruising around the parking lot. She noted that the Police and Fire Departments have responded to numerous calls and that multi-meetings have taken place with Bruce Pierce, Cafe Avand Manager, to help come up with solutions to the problems. Mann explained that the noise ordinance, which deals with noise levels, gives the Police Officers a tool to deal with these types of problems, but Chief Crawford noted that noise ordinances do not usually hold up in court as well as disorderly conduct. He explained that the Police Department has been working very hard for a solution because the Best Western does have a legitimate complaint, but that Mr. Pierce has also been very cooperative in changing things that have been requested. He noted that the real problem seems to be location with competing and conflicting interests all blended together in one area with the Best Western, the Mobile Home Park, and the Red Carpet Apartments being a quieter environment. Upon Mann's concern, City Attorney Lubovich explained that revisions to the noise ordinance are being considered to make it more clear as to what the Police Department will do and respond to as well as what the Building Official will be responsible for doing and responding to. He noted that there are two very distinct and different types of enforcement which they are working on to clarify. Upon Johnson's question, Assistant City Attorney Haenel noted that something could be adopted into the Kent City Code regulating the hours of business for all nightclub establishments, if the Council so chooses. Crawford noted that the Washington State Liquor Control Board regulates that the Cafe Avanti can sell liquor between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., and that the Mayor is on record as not contesting the hours of operation as long as the laws are being adhered to. Orr expressed that the Cafe Avanti is a legitimate business and that the only thing the City can do is limit the hours of operation which will not solve the problems, but if they are in violation of the noise ordinance something should be done. Mann requested that a Building Official measure the level of noise at the Cafe Avanti and document it so the Committee can determine what amount of noise they are dealing with. Mann also requested that this issue be continued to the next meeting with Mr. Pierce being invited to attend and address the problems. Fire Chief Angelo explained that the City does have the equipment necessary to do a noise level study but that he would have to find someone trained in operating the equipment. Haenel noted that these issues are in the Code Book, but that enforcement needs to be more clearly defined. POLICE RANGE SOUNDPROOFING PROPOSAL Ken Chatwin, Risk Manager, explained that a noise level study was done and that the noise level could not be reduced below the 85 decimal level even with the very best hearing aids, earplugs and earmuffs. He noted that some type of noise absorption needs to be done and that an outside consultant recommends insulating the ceiling around the doors, lining the walls around the shooting stations, putting in movable walls to accommodate angle shooting, and placing extra glass in the control room area to take care of the dead air space. Chatwin clarified that the request is for financing to sound proof the shooting range from the Public Safety Bond Issue. McCarthy noted that.there is approximately $74,000 in the fund and that$20,000 could be used for this project. JOHNSON MOVED approval to use $20,000 out of the Public Safety Bond Issue for soundproofing the Police Shooting Range. Orr seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Orr commented that this should have been dofie right at the beginning, BRIEFING ON VILLAGE GREEN FIRE Chief Angelo noted that fire calls have gone up by 5% from 1986 to 1993 with the same number of fire units available. He explained that the Fire Department is being pressed more and more by the environment, by society, and by situations and alarms, but that they will do as much as possible with what they have without risk to the firefighters. Angelo noted that the Kent Fire Department was recently awarded the State-Wide Emergency Medical Services Provider-of-the- Year Award which demonstrates a good attitude of giving everything and doing their best. He then briefed the Committee on the Village Green Apartments fire and showed a video of the incident. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.