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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 11/13/2012 --00 � �••� KENT CITY OF KENT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2012 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Les Thomas, Dana Ralph, and Bill Boyce, Chair • The meeting was called to order by Councilmember Dana Ralph at 4:34 p.m. • Bill Boyce had an excused absence. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA From Committee. Councilmember Thomas MOVED and Councilmember Ralph SECONDED a Motion to remove Item 6, Ordinance amending KCC 9.38 - New Section "Failure to Respond," from the agenda. 1. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Thomas MOVED and Councilmember Ralph SECONDED a Motion to approve the October 9, 2012 minutes. Motion PASSED 3-0 including concurrence from Committee Chair Boyce. 2. Homeless Taskforce Report Planner Jason Johnson advised that after updating the Parks and Human Services Committee, he wanted to inform the public safety committee of the updated information and recommendations including great police participation on Kent Homeless Task Force. Johnson presented background: Kent Homeless Taskforce was created after community discussion regarding the use of a city building for a day/night shelter for the homeless in Kent. After big community discussion, including focus groups and input from residents, businesses, the faith community, and the police department, it was determined that a day/night shelter would not be an allowable use for the specific city building. Since there was so much conversation, council wanted the conversation/dialog to continue. The Taskforce was created and co-chaired by Human Services Commission President Oriana Pon and Jim Berrios of the Kent Chamber board. Meetings started in June so that recommendations could be presented by September. Council asked staff to work with the group in order to come up with a landscape assessment of the services available to the homeless in Kent. Johnson presented the landscape matrix of all services available to those experiencing homeless in Kent. The Taskforce looked at the services currently available for shelter, food, healthcare, hygiene, education, and connections to work. After working with the group, staff became aware of the wealth of services that were being provided by the faith community. Staff now has compiled a true landscape of services available and would like to work on communicating needs to the public, potentially via the Web. Staff has already updated resource materials that are targeted at the homeless in Kent. Johnson advised that the meetings centered on discussing the gap in services available for a 24- hour wrap-around shelter service. Current shelters for men are offered through churches, in partnership with Catholic Community Services. The group wanted to look at what a 24-hour model would look like. The group was able to come to a consensus on designs, but was not able to reach a consensus on the population it would serve, where it would be located, or how it would be funded. The main recommendation was to allow the group to continue to meet. The taskforce would end, but a steering committee would be created that would focus on the funding and sustainability pieces. The committee would look at other successful designs around the region and look at how it would work in Kent. The committee's first meeting was November 6, 2012. The committee is committed to continue dialog and staff will continue to make sure the committee meetings are held. Councilmember Ralph indicated that was good. Johnson indicated that the conversation that came from the initial focus groups surrounded around civility and public safety. The City will look at current civility laws and tools available to the police when in activities take place in public spaces. During research, it was found that there is a difference in civility activities that are allowed in city parks vs. metro property. Johnson advised that it was recommended that the group take a look at civility laws and make sure they are in place and say what the city wants them to say to ensure public safety. Councilmember Thomas asked if matrix is meant to be distributed to homeless. Johnson advised that it was for the use of the group. It was prepared to avoid duplication of efforts and has been used to update the City's resource materials. Would like to do more with matrix and may provide via web. Thomas discussed the HOPE fundraiser, the involvement of Pat Gray from United Methodist regarding the homeless, and also advised the police of a group that has come into city and is harassing homeless around library and water fountain area. Thomas wanted the police to know about group and that they may want to explore further. Johnson indicated conversation regarding civility came out of homeless taskforce, but was not meant to be directed at just the homeless population. Conversation was regarding public safety. Ralph asked if the Taskforce will be looking at what civility laws should look like, what they look like in other cities, and what they encompass. Johnson advised that the Taskforce will not be looking at civility laws and requested that it be internal work of the city. Johnson advised that the legal department and the police department have just begun working on looking at civility laws. Ralph indicated that she is curious about what is working in other places and what is not, and wanted to ensure that any civility laws are fair to all groups involved since it is being done in the spirit of service. 3. Bulletproof Vest Partnership FY 2012 Grant Award Assistant Chief Pat Lowery advised that the award is for new and replacement vests. The calculation of the benefit of the award is based on the number of officers we have in consideration of a 5 year rotational cycle for the best life. Total replacement costs for this year $12,035.68, city was awarded $6,017.84, approximately 50%. The City has participated in this program since 1999 and has received total grant funding of $155,000 to offset costs of vests and ensure that officers are wearing the best possible vests. Thomas indicated that this appears to be an annual grant and purchases approximately 13 vests. Lowery advised that costs vary year to year due to changes in manufacturing and standards which continue to develop lighter weight vests with same ballistic capabilities. Ralph requested estimate on price of vests. Lowery indicated the approximate cost per vest is $800. After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED to recommend that Council authorize the Kent Police Department to accept the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Fiscal Year 2012 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in the amount of $5,696.32, amend the budget and authorize expenditure of the funds in accordance with the grant terms, with terms and conditions acceptable to the Police Chief and City Attorney. Councilmember Ralph SECONDED and the Motion PASSED 3-0 including concurrence of Committee Chair Boyce. 4. State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Assistant Chief Pat Lowery advised that this grant reimburses for housing of criminal aliens for three days over one-year period. The Kent Police Department submitted a detailed record of criminal aliens including booking and releasing dates. Any grant award must be allocated to be Public Safety Committee Minutes November 13, 2012 2 used for correctional operations. Assistant Chief Strauss and Commander McCuistion determined that the best use for the $3,731.00 award would be to purchase five portable radios. There would be a radio for each of the corrections officers working in the jail. Having a radio for each officer will increase communication capability as well as officer safety. The total cost is estimated at $4,200.00 with the balance being picked up through budget. After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED to recommend that Council authorize the Kent Police Department to accept the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Fiscal Year 2012 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in the amount of $3,731.00, amend the budget and authorize expenditure of the funds in accordance with the grant terms, with terms and conditions acceptable to the Police Chief and City Attorney. Councilmember Ralph SECONDED and the Motion PASSED 3-0 including concurrence of Committee Chair Boyce. S. Department of Licensing and City of Kent Driver and Plate Search — Interagency Agreement Assistant Chief Pat Lowery advised that the agency Agreement with the Washington State Department of Licensing allows the Kent Police Department to operate and conduct vehicle license, vehicle VIN, and other vehicle pertinent identifying information searches through the Department of Licensing website. After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED to recommend that Council authorizer the Kent Police Department to enter into a driver and plate search interagency agreement between the State of Washington Department of Licensing and the City, with terms and conditions acceptable to the Police Chief and City Attorney. Councilmember Ralph SECONDED and the Motion PASSED 3-0 with concurrence of Committee Chair Boyce. 6. REMOVED FROM AGENDA 7. Kent School District and Kent Police Department School Resource Officer Agreement. Assistant Chief Pat Lowery advised this Agreement is between the Kent School District and City of Kent Police Department. The Kent Police Department recognizes the value of having officers onsite in both high schools and middle schools of City. The Kent School District recognizes the value in having a regular presence as well as the ability of officers to serve as mentors and guiders of students at both campuses. The Kent School District agrees to provide 60% of salaries and benefits for two officers currently assigned as resource officers for both Kent Meridian and Kentridge high schools. The City agrees to pay the remaining 40%. Thomas pointed out the Lowery indicated Kentridge, but the documents indicate Kent Meridian and Meridian Middle school. Lowery indicated that they serve feeder middle schools, but primary appointments are to high schools. Kentridge's feeder is Meridian middle school. There are two officers, each is assigned to a high school and feeder middles school so that officers can become aware of certain children at the middle school level that are more prone to receiving attention at the high school level and would have history and be able to use tactics or strategies used to best help that child stay in school and stay on track. Ralph asked how long program has been in place. Lowery indicated that this is the 4th year, and that it is a hybrid of program of a traditional law enforcement based-program. Office Buck oversaw the original program which focused on the public safety needs of all schools within the city limits to include primary schools. This current program focuses on building relations between officers and students to mentor and better identify problems before problems occur on campus. The program allows a better line of communication with staff, teachers, and Public Safety Committee Minutes November 13, 2012 3 administration. The program produces better results in high schools where the program is currently focused. There is discussion to expand program to the other two high schools. Ralph indicated that she has heard only good things about the program from parents, teachers, and the school district, and thanked the police department. Thomas also indicated that it is good program. After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED to recommend that Council authorize the Kent Police Departmewn6t to enter into an Agreement with the Kent School District for a School Resource Officer in the amount of $162,000.00, with terms and conditions acceptable to the Police Chief and City Attorney. Councilmember Ralph SECONDED and the Motion PASSED 3-0 including concurrence of Committee Chair Boyce. Adiournment Councilmember Ralph adjourned the meeting at 4:58 p.m. Kim A. Komoto Public Safety Committee Secretary Public Safety Committee Minutes November 13, 2012 4