HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 10/08/2013 KENT
„AS"JNora, CITY OF KENT
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
October 8, 2013
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Council President Dennis Higgins, Les Thomas. (Absent - Dana
Ralph - ill, Bill Boyce - out of town on work assignment). The meeting was called to order by
Council President Higgins at 5:31 p.m.
Changes to the Agenda:
Item number 8 was removed from the agenda. Council President Higgins approved the move.
1. Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Thomas MOVED and Council President Higgins SECONDED a Motion to
approve the September 10, 2013 minutes. Motion PASSED 3-0 with concurrence from
Council member Ralph.
2. Target Zero manager Grant and Memorandum of Understanding
Sara Wood, Public Education Specialist and King County Target Zero Manager presented
information on the Target Zero Manager Grant and Memorandum of Understanding. This is the
third year of the Target Zero Teams DUI enforcement project. This $26,336 grant will fund the
traffic unit and other officers in our department; overtime for the law enforcement liaison; and
an education outreach campaign.
Council President Higgins expressed concerns over potentially not receiving this grant in the
future. Sara Wood indicated that this grant is funded through the Washington Traffic
Commission who then allocates funds to the counties. Council President Higgins questioned if
the City will continue to receive these grant funds. Sara Wood indicated that the Washington
Legislature allocates monies for this program and she is waiting to see what is decided for the
next fiscal year.
After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED and Council President SECONDED a
Motion to recommend Council accept the Target Zero Teams Community Outreach
grant in an amount of $26,336.00 for funding the Target Zero Teams Enforcement,
media outreach, target zero teams manager, and law enforcement liaison overtime,
amend the budget, and authorize expenditure of the funds in accordance with the
grant terms acceptable to the police chief and city attorney. Motion PASSED 3-0, with
concurrence from Councilmember Ralph.
3. DOJ Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Award
Debra Leroy, Research and Development Analyst with the Kent Police Department, presented
information regarding the Department of Justice Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant. The City
has received this grant annually for over 10 years. This year's allocation maximum was $13,151
which funds 50% (28 vests) of new hire and replacements vests.
After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED and Council President Higgins
SECONDED a Motion to recommend Council accept the Bulletproof Vest Partnership FY
2013 grant in an amount of $13,151.46, amend the budget, and authorize expenditure
of the funds in accordance with the grant terms acceptable to the police chief and city
attorney. Motion PASSED 3-0 with concurrence from Councilmember Ralph.
Public Safety Committee Minutes
October 8, 2013 1
4. Kent Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant
Debra Leroy, Research and Development Analyst with the Kent Police Department, presented
information regarding the Kent Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant that funds Kent's
Drug Free Communities Grant.
The City received a no-cost extension for the Sth year on the City's Drug Free Communities
Grant. The City works to prevent youth from using any type of drug, alcohol, marijuana or
prescription drugs.
In the no-cost extension, the City had a previous unused balance from 2011 that the City had
deobligated. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advised that the
2011 funds were awarded to the City and are for their use. The total, including the carryover
from year four brings the total funds available for year five to $104,988. There is a $72,000
balance that needs to be spent by June 30, 2014, which will be used to support the Game of Life
and follow up projects in addition to supporting a town hall meeting. Additional youth activities
will also be supported with these grant funds. Although the City applied for and was denied the
6th year of the grant, the City, in conjunction with a consultant, is preparing a reapplication for
the 6tn year of the grant.
After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED and Council President Higgins
SECONDED a Motion that Council accept the Kent Drug Free Coalition grant from the
Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $104,988, amend the
budget and authorize expenditure of the funds in accordance with the grant terms
acceptable to the police chief and city attorney. Motion PASSED 3-0 with concurrence
from Councilmember Ralph.
S. Emergency Management Performance Grant Contract
Brian Felczak, Deputy Emergency Manager of Emergency Management, presented information
regarding the Emergency Management Performance Grant that is awarded through the
Department of Homeland Security. The Washington State Military Department, Emergency
Management Division, receives grant monies each year from the Department of Homeland
Security through the Emergency Management Performance Grant. A portion of this grant is
earmarked by the State to be passed through to local jurisdictions that have emergency
management programs to supplement their local emergency management operating budget in
an effort to enhance their emergency management programs. This is the eighth consecutive
year that the City has received this grant and has used it to protect against, militate against,
respond to, and recover from disasters.
Funds are used to support the maintenance of core and extension capabilities. Funds can be
used to purchase equipment, training, as well as communication and organization which allows
for the enhancement of capabilities beyond the core capabilities.
Council President Higgins asked about future funding. Brian Felczak indicated that this is a top
priority for the Emergency Management Performance Grant managers. Formulas may be
revised to increase funding to counties that may not have capabilities which would decrease
funding to larger cities.
Councilmember Thomas indicated that the 11th legislative district is missing from the grant
paperwork. Brian Felczak will make the change and provide an updated version of the grant
agreement.
Public Safety Committee Minutes
October 8, 2013 2
After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED and Council President Higgins
SECONDED a Motion to recommend the Mayor accept the 2013 Emergency
Management Performance Grant from the State of Washington Military Department,
Emergency Management Division, in the amount of $108,112, authorize amending the
budget and authorize execution of any related documents, subject to final terms and
conditions acceptable to the city attorney and emergency manager. Motion PASSED 3-
0 with concurrence from Councilmember Ralph.
6. Law Enforcement Mutual Aid & Mobilization Interlocal Agreement
Pat Fitzpatrick, Acting City Attorney, presented information on the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid
and Mobilization Interlocal Agreement. Pat Fitzpatrick indicated that the Interlocal Agreement
(ILA) in the committee packet is incorrect and he provided copies of the Interlocal Agreement
that is currently in effect. The parties to this ILA include agencies within the Puget Sound area
for mutual cooperation when responding to an emergency event.
The City currently has this type of agreement with every city in the State of Washington. This
ILA establishes protocol of how assistance is to occur. The current ILA is expiring and needs to
be resigned.
Discussion will take place at a Chief's meeting that may make minor changes to the Agreement,
mainly to the names of the parties signing the Interlocal Agreement.
After deliberating, Councilmember Thomas MOVED and Council President Higgins
SECONDED a Motion to recommend the Mayor sign an Interlocal cooperative
agreement between numerous law enforcement agencies to provide law enforcement
mutual aid and mobilization between the numerous participating agencies, subject to
terms acceptable to the police chief and city attorney. Motion PASSED 3-0 with
concurrence from Councilmember Ralph.
7. School Sneed Zone Traffic Safety Camera Program — Information Only
Pat Fitzpatrick provided an update on the School Speed Zone Traffic Safety Camera Program.
Due to issues with the contractor's inability to get plans in on time for permits, the program will
be delayed. As of today, the signs are up at Sunrise elementary and Neely-Obrien, so people
are now on notice that school speed zone camera photo enforcement is coming. These are
school speed zone cameras, not red light cameras, which will be operating at two elementary
schools in Kent during the period of time that children will be travelling to and from school.
The purpose of these cameras is to improve traffic safety and slow traffic down in high
pedestrian areas.
The delay in this program was due to the inability to tap into a power source at Sunrise
elementary. Permits and construction should start soon. Automated Traffic Solutions assured
Pat that the system will be operable on November 18th, A warning period will begin on
November 18th. Beginning on January 6, 2014, the first day of school after the winter break,
citations will start being issued.
Public education will include press releases and the Kent School District will help inform parents
of the program.
Council President Higgins asked about City's plan for public relations. Pat advised that Michelle
Wilmot, Communications/Public Affairs Manager is planning three public relations outreach
notices in addition to creating a webpage for this program.
Public Safety Committee Minutes
October 8, 2013 3
Councilmember Thomas reiterated that these are not red light cameras; they are school zone
traffic safety cameras.
8. Police Chief Update
Chief Ken Thomas informed the committee that if the City did not continue to receive Target
Zero grant funding, that the City would find a way to fund the program since it is a matter of
public safety to keep impaired drivers off the roadway.
The Kent Police Department is one of five jurisdictions in the State that will participate in a pilot
program that monitors repeat DUI offenders. Chief Thomas and Assistant Chief Padilla have
indicated that the extra work for staff will be minimal compared to the benefits of keeping our
community safe. The Cities of Kent and Centralia, and the Counties of Spokane, Chelan, and
Thurston are the participating agencies.
Chief Thomas indicated that Debra Leroy, Research and Development Analyst, is retiring and
Sara Wood, currently the Community Education Specialist (CES) with the police department will
replace Debra. Recruitment is currently in the process for filling the soon-to-be vacant CES
position.
Council President Higgins and Councilmember Thomas thanked Debra Leroy and indicated they
appreciated their interactions with her and all of the contributions she has made to the police
department. Chief Thomas also indicated that the funding that Debra has secured for the
department has been amazing.
Commander Diane McCuistion and Administrative Assistant Jill Fuller presented information on
the medical billing process at the jail. Jill explained the process that is in place for verifying all
aspects of the medical bills received for medical services provided to inmates. Jill Fuller has
created a review process for the medical billing that has saved the City a tremendous amount of
money.
The City contracts with Interplan, a discount medical billing service. The City enters all of the
medical information into Interplan and then Interplan discounts the bill. Interplan receives 25%
of the savings realized. Over the last three years there has been a total savings of $21,000 of
which Interplan received $5,200, so the total savings for the City was $15,000. For the years
2011 through 2013, Jill has saved the City $156,872; 2012 $69,400; and for 2013, year-to-date
$17,600, due to her declining to pay the random bills for inmates that were either never in
custody, or released prior to the services provide.
Council President Higgins was pleased that the savings to the Kent Residents can be used for
other productive uses.
Commander McCuistion presented information on the Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant for the
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. Funds can be used when the City is holding an INS
inmate. The total grant for the year is $3,890 and will be used for disaster preparedness
training for corrections. The training will be in cooperation with corrections, the fire department,
the police department, and facilities. This is the third year the City has received this grant.
Adiournment
Council President Higgins adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
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Kim A. Komoto
Public Safety Committee Minutes
October 8, 2013 4