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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 10/18/1993 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 18, 1993 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Mann, Chair Leona Orr Jon Johnson (was an hour late) STAFF PRESENT: Tony McCarthy, Roger Lubovich, Dave Haenel, Chief Crawford, Chief Angelo, Mary Berg, Chuck Miller, May Miller, Ron Forest MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Bruce Pierce, Chris Giannoulas, Jean Parietti, Ron Knight, Ike Ikerd, Ron Kehl, Lynne Norris, Patrick Heier The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Mann. REPORT ON WEST HILL PARKING CONCERNS Chief Crawford updated the Committee on a complaint received by Mrs. Chase regarding parking problems with commercial and non-commercial vehicles in the 262nd Place area of West Hill. He explained that a parking officer has been sent to that location almost daily to observe the situation, two citations have been given, the owner has been informed of the rules and laws of the City, and Mrs. Chase has been kept informed. He noted also that Mrs. Chase has been instructed to call 9-1-1 if this occurs during the weekend and that the Police will respond. Crawford stated that the Police Department will have to be more consistent and just keep hammering away until the individual gets the message because he's been talked to before. REVIEW OF PUBLIC SURVEY ON THE WEST HILL FIRE STATION Fire Chief Angelo explained and reviewed the findings of a public survey which was conducted concerning the old West Hill Fire Station property and what should be done with it. He noted that enough interest has been shown to proceed with some type of park setting in that neighborhood, but that a tot lot would probably not be used as much. He noted that if Council chooses to do anything other than build a tot lot, they would have, to amend the original agreement with the City of Seattle. He recommended that the property be surplused and the original agreement with the City of Seattle be done even though it will not satisfy everyone. Mann and Orr expressed that they felt this issue should go to the full Council, but Orr requested that a ball park figure be given for demolition, what it would cost to develop a regular park and what it would cost to develop a tot lot park. Assistant City Attorney Haenel clarified that the agreement between the City of Kent and the City of Seattle is a settlement agreement from a lawsuit which controls and the City is bound by that agreement unless the Council agrees to go back and renegotiate the agreement. ORR MOVED that this item be sent to the full Council on 11/16/93 under other business, the property be surplused, and that the original agreement be honored. Mann seconded. Johnson concurs and the motion carried 3-0. It was later agreed to put this item under Consent Calendar rather than Other Business. 1 r BIDS FOR GENERATOR SYSTEM Chief Angelo explained that the 1993 CIP approved the purchase and installation of an emergency generator for Fire Station 74 which will power up the majority of the complex because it is basically electrical, and that during windstorms and disasters it will be totally self- operational. ORR MOVED to recommend the acceptance of the low bid for the emergency generator for Fire Station 74. Mann seconded. Angelo advised that Johnson concurs and the motion carried 3-0. KENT/VALLEY COM LEASE AGREEMENT Chief Angelo explained that Valley Com now owns the building where the antenna is for the 800 MHz radio and MDT system which the City sold to them, but that the tower and building sit on the City of Kent Water Utility property. He noted that it would be appropriate to have a lease agreement whereby the City of Kent could be reimbursed for use of that land until it is determined no longer useful to the Valley Com consortium. ORR MOVED for approval of the Valley Com contract and authorization for the Mayor to sign the contract. Mann seconded. Johnson concurs and the motion carried 3-0. FIRE DEPARTMENT RESTRUCTURE-CIVIL SERVICE Ron Forest, Chair of the Civil Service Commission, explained that they were asked by the Firefighters Union Local 1747 to investigate the restructuring of the Fire Department. He noted that the investigation included the Chief Administrative Officer, the Fire Union, the Fire Department Administration, and himself. He noted that the conclusion was for the Fire Department to stay with 3 Assistant Fire Chiefs to oversee: 1) the Fire Prevention Unit; 2) the Training; and 3) the Fire Support and Administration. Upon Mann's question, McCarthy addressed the organization changes, impacts and analysis. Forest explained that the Civil Service Commission felt that even though there are a few in the training division, it has the whole department and community to train and educate in fire prevention. He noted that the Commission felt that it was a very important part of the Fire Department and should remain with 3 Assistant Fire Chiefs rather than just 2 because it covers and mans several places outside of the City limits as well. Chief Angelo submitted a letter to the Committee stating his position on this issue. He noted that to have only 2 Assistant Fire Chiefs does compromise his ability for firefighter safety and the safety of the public. Upon Mann's question, Lubovich explained that the only tool the Council has as far as this position is concerned is through the budget process, and the adoption of the budget package to include the reinstatement of this position which is proposed to be eliminated. He noted that it can be done by resolution. Upon Orr's question, Lubovich clarified that the Civil Service Commission's drafted resolution could be adopted by the Council or that another resolution could be prepared for adoption. He explained that everything has to be done through the budget process. ORR MOVED to recommend adoption of the resolution from the Civil Service Commission and, if necessary, draft a resolution to present to the Council in support of the Fire Department's Assistant Chief position. She clarified that this position should be included in the budget. Mann seconded. Johnson concurs and the motion carried 3-0. JOHNSON ARRIVED AT THE MEETING APPROX. AT 6:30 P.M. 2 NOISE ISSUES/CAFE AVANTI - COMMITTEE DISCUSSION Orr explained that she visited the Cafe Avanti very late in the evening on one occasion and found very little noise to create any problems. She expressed that Bruce Pierce, owner of Cafe Avanti, has addressed many of the concerns, and that the issue is more between the businesses located in that complex and the management rather than the City closing one business in favor of another. Mann stated that the other side needs to be examined as well because there are others losing business because of the Cafe Avanti, and that Council's responsibility is to represent the people in the community and to speak on their behalf. Johnson noted that he agrees with Orr because he visited the establishment on three occasions and found no excessive noise other than traffic. He noted that another possible solution would be to incorporate something into the zoning code dealing with conditional uses which go before the Hearing Examiner. JOHNSON MOVED that different zoning issues relating to location and what conditional uses are required for adult entertainment clubs and teen clubs be sent to the Planning Commission for further review. Orr seconded and the motion carried 3-0. PUBLIC DANCE HALL AND CLOSING HOURS FOR ALCOHOL SERVING ESTABLISHMENTS ORDINANCES After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to have the Planning Commission review these two ordinances at the same time as they review the zoning issues concerning entertainment clubs in general. EXTENSION OF FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT Captain Chuck Miller explained that he had received a letter from the Consolidated Food Management, who has the current contract with the Corrections Facility to provide food for the inmates, requesting an extension of the contract for another year (through 1994). He noted that the current contract allows for the City to extend the contract, if so desired. He recommended that the contract be extended because it would cost more to change. JOHNSON MOVED to approve the extension of the current contract with Consolidated Food Management through 1994. Orr seconded and the motion carried 3-0. CITY OF SEATTLE CAR ALARM ORDINANCE/OSHA REGULATIONS ADDED BY ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY HAENEL Haenel explained that he is reporting back to the Committee regarding car alarms and OSHA regulations at the request of Councilman Mann. He distributed a copy of the City of Seattle's car alarm ordinance and compared it with the new noise ordinance that the City of Kent recently passed. He stated that the new ordinance is sufficient and does adequately address the auto alarms rather than to pass a new ordinance covering this issue. He also noted that OSHA regulations concerning noise inside nightclubs and various establishments are covered by Federal Codes and that in the regulations are standards for noise within an area, the different measurements that can be taken, who can be contacted to come in and measure the noise, and the different remedial avenues that are available to violating organizations. He explained that if measurements of noise levels were taken inside the Cafe Avanti, for example, and they were found to be in violation then they would have to take remedial steps to correct the problem whether it means to turn down the music to conform to the standards or provide protective ' earwear. He stated that it would be up to the owners of the Cafe Avanti to decide which step to take. Upon Orr's question, Haenel clarified that it would just include employees not the patrons because the patrons pay and voluntarily subject themselves to this noise and that is their 3 r choice. Upon Mann's concern, Haenel explained that the City could request the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries to come in and conduct such an investigation, make a report, and get together with the owners to see what can be done. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. 4