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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 08/16/1993 a PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 16, 1993 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Mann, Chair Leona Orr Jon Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Tony McCarthy, Roger Lubovich, Dave Haenel, Chief Angelo, Dennis Byerly, Chuck Miller, Jed Aldridge, May Miller, Jim Bennett MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Jean Parietti, Don Patrick The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Mann. 1994 MANPOWER REQUEST Captain Byerly noted that the staffing request is for 6 additional patrol officers, 2 correction officers, and 2 record specialists. He explained that after double-bunking began at the corrections facility an evaluation was made to determine whether more staff would be necessary and that additional staff is being requested now. Captain Miller noted that 2 record specialist positions were eliminated during the 1991 freeze and that another employee is being reassigned to an accounting services technician position which makes it impossible to have seven days a week coverage resulting in no coverage for four hours during the graveyard shift. He explained that by NCIC standards (National Crime Computer System) all requests for condemnations on stolen property, vehicles, and warrants must be responded to within ten minutes. He further explained that after three such incidences the Chief would receive a sanction and the possibility of losing access to the national computer system. Orr expressed her support but requested the opportunity to look at the whole picture during the budget process in order to prioritize requests before making a decision on this matter. Johnson concurred with Orr. ACCEPTANCE OF THE WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION GRANT FOR DRINKING DRIVER TASK FORCE Captain C.E. Miller explained that this is a continuing grant in which the City of Kent has been involved with for several years, but that the funding level provided by the State has been reduced by 25%. He noted that the conditions are the same and that matching funds are required by the cities. JOHNSON MOVED to accept the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Grant and have it placed on the September 7, 1993 Council meeting under Consent Calendar. Orr seconded and the motion carried 3-0. CORRECTIONS FACILITY SHAKE DOWN Captain Miller explained that a complete shakedown of the facility was ordered after some information was received through the Narcotics Division regarding the smuggling of narcotics into the facility. He noted that a change in procedures may be forthcoming to do shakedowns on a more regular basis in the future. REPORT ON MINI PUMPERS Chief Angelo explained that part of the target issues was to evaluate the possible replacement methods for fire apparatus, including midi and mini pumpers. He noted that the pumpers do not meet the requirements necessary to serve an urban area in structural firefighting and a multi- demand environment because they carry only limited amounts of water, have limited pumping capabilities, and have limited hose capabilities. He stressed that flexibility and adaptability demands are no longer a matter of choice, but must be there in order to preserve life. Angelo noted that the pumpers could be retained but would have to be run along side a larger apparatus in order to be an effective unit, and that they are not designed to be the prime attack units because of their limited response time. Chief Aldridge explained the pictures on the display board, and showed certain structure fires. Chief Angelo recommended that the mini and midi pumpers be used as support units only, and informed the Committee that he will proceed with exploring fiscal options and alternatives for a replacement program. NOISE COMPLAINT ADDED ITEM Don Patrick, 8420 S. 266th St., Kent, explained that he has been involved with an ongoing violation to the noise ordinance by the Henry Bacon Co. He noted that a letter was sent to the Building Department/Code Enforcement Section inquiring as to how the ordinance is enforced. He provided a copy of a letter from Seattle-King County Department of Public Health giving the noise reading levels, and also a letter from the City of Kent, Bob Hutchinson/Building Official, to the Henry Bacon Co. regarding the violations. Upon Mann's question, McCarthy explained that the City Attorney and Building Official have been working on procedures for the enforcement of the codes, but because of low staffing levels it has been difficult to follow through with the violations. Upon Patrick's comment, Mann noted that the noise ordinance specifically states that construction related noises cannot begin before 7:00 a.m. and he requested that something be done to alleviate this problem. Lubovich noted that the next two items on the agenda propose to deal with this type of issue. Johnson suggested that ordinances dealing with the enforcement of the codes be recommended to Council as soon as possible, and that the different department problems be worked out as well so that something can be done. At 6:55 p.m., Orr noted that she needs to leave the meeting, but indicated that she does support the next items. She requested that Jim Bennett fill in for her. PANHANDLING ORDINANCE Assistant City Attorney Haenel explained that the panhandling ordinance(pedestrian interference) has been drafted to help counteract aggressive beggars. City Attorney Lubovich noted that the panhandling issue will be added to the disorderly conduct section of the Kent City Code as well as to the public nuisances section so that there is no confusion over responsibilities by different City departments. He clarified that the Police Department will deal with the disorderly conduct section of the Kent City Code and that the noise control section will be the responsibility of the Office of Development Services. Haenel explained the changes in the proposed ordinance, and Lubovich noted for Mann that language could be added to the construction related section of the Code to help deal with the Henry Bacon issue. He suggested the following addition, "so as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of owners or possessors of real property," to make it clear that commercial, manufacturing or construction related noises between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7 a.m, which interfere with residential use of the property 0 would be a misdemeanor. BENNETT MOVED for the acceptance of the pedestrian interference (panhandling) and disorderly conduct ordinance, with modifications as discussed. Johnson seconded and the motion carried 3-0. BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE Lubovich explained that a civil violations and abatement ordinance was recently adopted by the Council to help enforce the new public nuisances, junk vehicles, and weeds and vegetation ordinances. He noted that this ordinance regarding the Building, Housing, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes is drafted to use the same civil violations and. abatement ordinance for enforcement. He explained the steps for enforcement and noted that all violations will be processed in the same, consistent, standardized manner so there are no questions about how to deal with them. JOHNSON MOVED to accept the Building Code Enforcement Ordinance. Bennett seconded and the motion carried 3-0. CODE ENFORCEMENT PLAN Lubovich distributed a copy of a code enforcement plan dealing with violations that he and Bob Hutchinson, Office of Development Services, had been working on for some time. He explained that the idea was to have a*central source for receiving and tracking all complaints with the Fire, Public Works, Planning, and Building departments receiving the brunt of the complaints. He noted that Ron Spang is in the process of developing a computer program modeled off the permit program put together for the Office of Development Services. He explained the steps involved in this process and noted that the main thing is just to get compliance. Mann commended Lubovich and Hutchinson for their work on this procedure. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.