HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 09/20/1993 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 20, 1993
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Mann, Chair
Leona Orr
Jon Johnson
STAFF PRESENT: Tony McCarthy, Roger Lubovich, Dave Haenel,
Chief Crawford, Chief Angelo, Mary Berg,
Jed Aldridge, Ken Chatwin
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Jim Gauthier, Beverly Knight, Judy Cutter,
Cindy Hendricks, Dottie McDaniel, Debi Kepford,
Ike Ikerd, Barbara Chase, Coleman Chase,
Ron Knight, Patrice Davis, Kathy Madison,
Denise Katai, Patrick Heier, Chris Giannoulas,
Tina Hung, Patrick Fagan, Bruce Pierce,
Jim McDonald
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chairman Mann.
NOISE LEVELS NEAR BEST WESTERN CHOICE LODGE
Chief Crawford explained that this issue had come before the Committee about a month ago, but
was placed on the agenda tonight so that the Cafe Avanti could present its side of the issues
since they were not present at the first meeting. Jim Gauthier, Attorney for the Cafe Avanti,
noted some of the positive aspects of this business, and he explained that it supports over 20 jobs
in the community, brings income into the community, openly supports Project Lighthouse,
softball and teen sports, the Police Dare programs, the Police Guild, and the Chamber of
Commerce. He noted that several measures have been taken by the Cafe Avanti to resolve the
noise problems from the music, patrons, parking lot, and with neighboring business establish-
ments, and he urged the Committee to look at ways to make this business work and co-exist with
the other businesses rather than pass ordinances to eliminate it. Kathy Madison, General
Manager of the Best Western Choice Lodge, expressed that the problems are related to the after
hours from 2:00-4:00 a.m. because patrons are not winding down. She read two letters, one
from a customer who stayed at the Choice Lodge and one from a tour director who mentioned
that his clients will be sent to other places if the problems with the Cafe Avanti aren't resolved.
Cindy Hendricks, Property Manager of the Red Carpet Apartments, explained that they are
looking at losing about 15% of their business if the noise problems continue, and that
surrounding businesses are having to pay the price for the Cafe Avanti being in business as well.
She stressed that issues are noise, traffic, the type of clientele the Cafe Avand is attracting, and
the 2:00-4:00 a.m. operation which is another whole complete issue.
MEMORANDUM FROM MAYOR KELLEHER REGARDING NOISE ORDINANCE
Mann read the memorandum from the Mayor and questioned whether the ordinance applies to
people. Assistant City Attorney Haenel clarified that it does apply to people under
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KCC 9.02.036 3C. Mann requested the City Attorney's office to look into OSHA requirements
for ear protection for employees of the Caf6 Avanti and report back to the Committee.
CLOSING HOURS FOR ALCOHOL SERVING ESTABLISHMENTS - ORDINANCE
City Attorney Lubovich explained that an ordinance has been drafted which would require
business establishments to close their operations at 2:00 a.m. to coincide with not serving
alcohol after that time. Haenel clarified for Jim McDonald of the Washington State Liquor
Control Board that this ordinance would close the establishment for entertainment, dancing,
serving alcohol, and basically close the business at 2:00 a.m. Johnson noted that this is just a
discussion item tonight with possible action being taken at the next meeting. Orr expressed that
she does not feel the Council has the right or ability to control what type of businesses a
property owner allows in his complex, and that Council's job is not to run one business out-of-
business-at the request of another business. She further expressed that Council's responsibility
is to find ways to bring compatibility. Upon Orr's request, Mann suggested more time be taken
to evaluate the situation and hold this item over to the next meeting. Patty Davis, P.O. Box
C 19167,-Seattle, 99109, representing the Best Western, noted that she's been in contact with the
Washington State Liquor Control Board since February because of their frustrations and revenue
loss associated with the Caf6 Avanti. She urged the Committee to deal with these problems as
soon as possible and not allow them to continue much longer. Ike Ikerd, Washington State
Liquor Control Board, informed the Committee that he will be submitting a report to the Liquor
Control Board based upon the discussions tonight.
PUBLIC DANCE HALL ORDINANCE
Upon consensus of the Committee, Mann noted that this item will be postponed to the next
meeting. (Johnson stepped out of the room for a few minutes.)
DRUG-TRAFFIC LOITERING ORDINANCE
Assistant City Attorney Haenel explained that this ordinance was drafted at the request of
Councilmember Mann, and deals with how loitering conduct will be handled as well as drug-
trafficking. Chief Crawford noted that the Police Department is in support of this ordinance,
but enforcing it isn't as easy because the officers do not always see, when they are in the group,
the money changing hands or dope moving around. Upon Johnson's question, Crawford noted
that the ordinance would be a good tool, but is not the answer to everything. JOHNSON
MOVED to accept the drug-traffic loitering ordinance and send it on to the Council. Orr
seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
MUNICIPAL COURT REMODEL BID
City Attorney Lubovich explained the Mayor and Council President have authorized this item
to be processed in an expedited manner so that it can be�-sent on to Council tomorrow. He noted
that the Operations Committee only meets once a morith, but that they have agreed to let the
Public Safety Committee hear the matter and make a recommendation or decision on the bid to
be sent to Council. Lubovich noted that seven bids were received on September 10, 1993, with
the low bid of $105,735 from Mayer Construction Co., Inc. He explained that alternate bids
were also received for energy-efficient lighting, and that Mayer's bid came in at $2,600. ORR
MOVED approval of the low bid from Mayer Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of$105,735
plus $2,600 for the lighting. Johnson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
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y WEST HILL VEHICLE PARKING CONCERN
ADDED ITEM
Barbara Chase, 4028 S. 262nd Place, Kent, explained that she is concerned about the number
of vehicles, commercial and non-commercial, that one particular neighbor parks on both sides
of the street and they remain there for several weeks at a time. She explained that this situation
has been going on for years, and that it is unsightly, brings down the quality of the
neighborhood, and has safety factors which are a concern. She requested an ordinance be
proposed to limit the number of unused, non-commercial vehicles that a household may keep at
one time on and around the premises, as well as an ordinance that would limit the length of time
that any one unused, non-commercial vehicle may be parked on the street. Chief Crawford
requested time to have a Traffic Sergeant research this because he believes there are already
some statutes that address leaving vehicles on the streets (abandoned vehicles). He noted that
they would come back to the Committee with a way this situation can be handled according to
the statutes. It was the consensus of the Committee to have this item come back after research
has been completed by the Police Department.
1994 BUDGET PROPOSAL
Fire Chief Angelo explained some budget requests if additional revenue becomes available, and
noted that he would appreciate any and all support for the requests.
REVIEW OF PUBLIC SURVEY ON WEST HILL FIRE STATION
Chief Angelo noted this item can hold until the next meeting.
LEASE CONTRACT WITH VALLEY COM FOR CAMBRIDGE SITE
It was the consensus of the Committee to hold this item over to the next regular meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
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