HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 11/08/2011 1
KENT
WASHINGTON '
CITY OF KENT
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
November 8, 2011
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Les Thomas, Dennis Higgins, and Ron Harmon, Chair
• The meeting was called to order by Chair Harmon at 5:01 PM.
• Chair Harmon called for additions or corrections to the agenda; there were none.
1. Approval of Minutes
D. Higgins moved to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2011 meeting.
The motion was seconded by L. Thomas and passed 3-0.
2. Amend Kent City Code 5.05 - Pawnbrokers Ordinance - ADOPT
Chief Prosecutor Tami Perdue explained the amendment will update the Kent City Code j
to be in conformance with current state law in regards to pawnbrokers in the city.
D. Higgins moved to recommend that the Public Safety Committee approve
the Ordinance amending Chapter 5.05 of the Kent City Code.
The motion was seconded by L. Thomas and passed 3-0.
3. Bulletproof Vest Program grant award - AUTHORIZE and Establish budget
Chief of Police Ken Thomas and Research and Development Analyst Debra LeRoy
explained the award provides fifty percent of new and replacement bulletproof
vest costs for police officers.
L. Thomas moved to authorize the Kent Police Department to accept the FY2011
Bureau of Justice Assistance Bulletproof Vest (BVP) grant in the amount of
$4,832.16 and establish the budget.
The motion was seconded by D. Higgins and passed 3-0.
4. Bureau of Justice Assistance grant - AUTHORIZE and Establish budget
Chief Thomas and Debra LeRoy explained the grant funding is designated for
correctional purposes only and will be utilized by the City of Kent Corrections Facility.
D. Higgins moved to authorize the Kent Police Department to accept the FY2011
Bureau of Justice Assistance grant in the amount of $9,975 and establish the
budget.
The motion was seconded by L. Thomas and passed 3-0.
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5. Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant - AUTHORIZE and Establish budget
Chief Thomas explained the grant will fund officer overtime for DUI and Seat Belt
enforcement patrols.
L. Thomas moved to authorize the Kent Police Department to accept the
Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant in an amount not to exceed
$8,500 and establish the budget.
The motion was seconded by D. Higgins and passed 3-0.
6. Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant - AUTHORIZE and Establish budget
Chief Thomas explained the additional grant will provide officer overtime funding to conduct
high visibility enforcement traffic safety emphasis patrols.
D. Higgins moved to recommend the Kent Police Department accept the additional
funds in the amount of $1,500 from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission
adjust the budget.
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The motion was seconded by L. Thomas and passed 3-0.
7. Public Safety Testing Subscriber Agreement — AUTHORIZE
Chief Thomas explained the renewal agreement is for entry level police and corrections
officers. PST provides advertising, processes applications and administers written
examinations and/or physical agility tests.
L. Thomas moved to recommend authorizing the Mayor to sign the Public Safety
Testing Subscriber Agreement.
The motion was seconded by D. Higgins and passed 3-0.
8. Police Department Updates — INFO ONLY
• Chief Thomas and Assistant Chief Jon Straus thanked Ron Harmon for his years of
service on this committee, for his support of the police department.and to the City of
Kent.
• Chief Thomas stated the Traffic Unit will be fully staffed by December 1st with the
addition of Officers Kelly VanAmburg and Kevin Bateman.
• Chief Straus provided an update on the City of Kent Corrections Facility.
• Chief Thomas stated a rape investigation led to the arrest of a 15 year-old male on 11/7.
• Chief Thomas provided an update on the formation of a gang task force which will go live j
on December 1st and will include members from Auburn, Renton, Kent, Port of Seattle j
and King County Metro Police agencies. A King County Prosecutor has also been
assigned to work with the task force on case development.
• Chief Thomas announced a Community Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 17.
at 7 PM at Totem Middle School, 26630 40t" Avenue South on Kent's West Hill. The
public is invited to attend and will be introduced to the command staff, receive an update
on current activities and have an opportunity to ask questions.
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• Chief Thomas noted that East Hill burglaries increased while much attention was focused
on the East Hill rape investigation. West Hill burglaries decreased over the past few
weeks. Chief encouraged citizens to call 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity.
• Chief Thomas explained the Department's recent restructure to change the title of the
Deputy Chief and Captain positions to Assistant Chief. In addition, the Lieutenant
position is now titled Commander. These title changes are consistent with other area
agencies.
• Chief Thomas stated Civil Service will be announcing a Commander position testing
process for a January promotion. He noted the department has been working short by
one commander for some time.
Les Thomas thanked Ron Harmon for his eight years of service on the Public Safety Committee.
Dennis Higgins also thanked Ron for his service to the City of Kent. Ron expressed that it's
been an honor and pleasure to serve on the Council and this committee.
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The meeting adjourned at 5:47 PM.
Jo T20m!on,
Public Safety Committee Secretary
Public Safety Committee Minutes 2
November 8, 2011