HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 01/10/2012 ` 1
KENT
CITY OF KENT
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
January 10, 2012
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Les Thomas, Dana Ralph, and Bill Boyce, Chair
• The meeting was called to order by Chair Boyce at 5,01 PM
• Chair Boyce called for changes or additions to the agenda. Chair Boyce added one
discussion item.
1. Approval of Minutes
L. Thomas moved to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2011 meeting.
The motion was seconded by D. Ralph and passed 3-0.
2. Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant — ACCEPT and Establish budget
Chief of Police Ken Thomas and Research and Development Analyst Debra LeRoy explained
the funds will be used to purchase one school zone flashing light assembly for Park Orchard
Elementary School.
D. Ralph moved to recommend that City Council accept the Washington Traffic
Safety Commission grant in the amount of $7,500 and establish the budget.
The motion was seconded by L. Thomas and passed 3-0.
3. Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority grant — ACCEPT and Amend the
budget.
Chief Thomas and Debra LeRoy explained the additional funds will be used by the PATROL
Task Force in its effort to combat auto theft and associated crimes. The grant award is
effective January 1, 2012 and expires June 30, 2013.
L. Thomas moved to recommend that Council authorize the Kent Police
Department to accept the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority grant on
Behalf of the PATROL Task Force in an amount not to exceed $55,000 and amend
the budget.
The motion was seconded by D. Ralph and passed 3-0.
4. Police Department Updates — INFO ONLY
• Chief Thomas acknowledged and thanked Debra LeRoy for her grant research,
development, writing and processing for the Kent Police Department over many years.
• Assistant Chief Mike Painter will be retiring from his position on January 315S, after nearly
32 years with the Department. Mike will be taking a position with Washington
Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs in Lacey, WA on February 1st. Chief thanked AC
Painter for his leadership and the legacy he leaves at Kent PD. Mike thanked the City of
Kent for the opportunity to work here, stating it has been a very good place to work.
• Commander Pat Lowery was introduced and will be promoted to Assistant Chief effective
February l't, replacing Mike Painter. Pat's duties will include the Investigations Division,
various task forces and Public Information Officer.
• Commander Tracey Gurr will become the Detective Commander effective February I", as
well as the Kent School District liaison.
• Assistant Chief Jon Straus will now manage the budget process, as well as the city's jail
facility, Records, Evidence, Recruitment, Training departments and other administrative
staff. AC Straus has worked with AC Painter over the past year on the department's
budget. He stated lateral and entry level police officer testing and oral boards will
continue to work to attract a strong diverse pool of applicants.
• As the Assistant Chief over the Patrol Division, Randy Bourne's primary mission is to keep
the community safe and keep officers safe in order to do their Jobs for the community.
AC Bourne congratulated the new committee members and welcomed them to ask
questions at any time or to do a ride-along.
Chief stated the recruiting officer is working diligently to find qualified and diverse
applicants to staff the open police officer positions.
• Detective Wayne Himple will retire in February after over 30 years with the Department.
• Detective Sgt Brian Jones will retire in March after over 35 years with the Department.
• Retirements will result in promotions and lateral moves to fill positions.
• The gang task force is comprised of detectives from Auburn, Renton, Kent, Port of
Seattle, Department of Homeland Security and King County Metro Police. Kent PD
Commander Rafael Padilla will oversee the task force.
• Chief will present his Public Safety Report, including several department awards, at the
City Council meeting on January 17tn.
Discussion item:
Chair Boyce proposed changing the start time for future Public Safety Committee meetings. The
other committee members agreed on 4:30 PM as the new start time effective with next month's
meeting on February 14th.
The meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM.
]PThomon,
Public Safety Committee Secretary
Public Safety Committee Minutes 2
January 10, 2012