HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 10/13/2015 Public Safety Committee Minutes
October 13, 2015
Item 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chairperson Les Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Item 2 - COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Council President Dana Ralph, Committee member Les Thomas and Councilmember
Bill Boyce were present. Committee Chair Jim Berrios had an excused absence.
Item 3 - Changes to the Agenda
None
Item 4 — Aporoval of meeting minutes dated September 8, 2015
Council President Ralph MOVED to approve the minutes of September 8,
2015. The motion was SECONDED by Councilmember Boyce and PASSED 3-
0.
Item 5 — Grant Update
Sara Wood, Research and Development Analyst, presented information regarding
the 2015 Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant for data driven approaches
to crime and traffic safety. The city was awarded $33,400 to implement a new
approach to crime and traffic safety. Police officers deploy traditional traffic
enforcement in areas of the city where repeated crimes occur. The grant was
written for the 108th and 208th, 256th and 104th and the downtown core area. Kent
is the only city on the west coast using this approach to crime and safety. Sara
indicated that they will use the 240th & 104th area as the control group of the study.
$10,000 has been set aside for community outreach. Sara provided information
regarding the correlation between crimes and driving offenses. A lot of crime is
committed by people in cars and basic traffic enforcement may deter crimes in
those areas. Funds were received October ist, officers will start enforcement in
November and the grant term ends September of 2016. Sara will follow up with the
committee regarding the results of the program.
Item 6. — Fifth Amendment to Corrections Facility Medical Services
Agreement — Recommend.
Diane McCuistion, Jail Commander, presented information regarding the Fifth
Amendment to Corrections Facility Medical Services Agreement extending the
contract for an additional five year term. The contract is for healthcare services for
inmates that are provided by Valley Medical Center. The contract originated in
2004. The new contract's changes to services and hours reduce the annual cost
from $459,904 to $344,340 plus a $60,000 administrative fee. Lifetime of 5 year
contract's overall savings will total $277,820. The city is required to provide
medical care for inmates while they are incarcerated. Council President Ralph
clarified that an inmates' private insurance is suspended during the time they are
incarcerated.
Page I 1
Councilmember Boyce MOVED to recommend Council authorize the Mayor
to approve a five year extension to the contract between the Kent
Correctional Facility and Valley Medical Center/Occupational Health
Services for inmate health care in the amount of $344,340 annually with
terms and conditions acceptable to the city attorney and police chief. The
motion was SECONDED by Council President Ralph and PASSED 3-0.
Item 7. — Police Chief's Update — Information Only
Chief Ken Thomas advised the committee regarding current events affecting the
police department:
A. Chief Thomas reminded everyone of the police community meeting on
Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at Panther Lake Elementary. Crime
statistics and crime data will be presented to the community. Additionally, the
Chief will present information regarding the department's efforts regarding gang
activity. Traffic Sergeant Mike Schanbacher will present information on the traffic
unit in addition to Commanders talking about crimes in their respective sectors.
B. Chief Thomas presented additional information regarding the data driven
approach to crime and traffic safety. The majority of crime studies show that a
higher police presence drives down the crime in those areas in addition to providing
a sense of safety for the residents in those areas.
C. Chief Thomas presented an update regarding racing. The police department
decided to implement a "heavy presence" vs. 'heavy enforcement" when dealing
with racers. Since the officers were not tied up with enforcement, they were able
to spend their time enforcing, the racers ended up leaving town. The Police
department is adapting their strategies.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. by Council Member Thomas.
Resp ctfully bmitt
wvt
Kim Komoto
Public Safety Committee Secretary
S:W9ugGy auks Ufre\CM mewgWenu Wmnnees\h9"a sxery Icmmnc^liou\aooegv.ntez.mc
Page 12
Public Safety Committee Minutes
October 13, 2015
Item 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chairperson Les Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Item 2 - COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Council President Dana Ralph, Committee member Les Thomas and Councilmember
Bill Boyce were present. Committee Chair Jim Berrios had an excused absence.
Item 3 - Changes to the Agenda
None
Item 4 — Aporoval of meeting minutes dated September 8, 2015
Council President Ralph MOVED to approve the minutes of September 8,
2015. The motion was SECONDED by Councilmember Boyce and PASSED 3-
0.
Item 5 — Grant Update
Sara Wood, Research and Development Analyst, presented information regarding
the 2015 Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant for data driven approaches
to crime and traffic safety. The city was awarded $33,400 to implement a new
approach to crime and traffic safety. Police officers deploy traditional traffic
enforcement in areas of the city where repeated crimes occur. The grant was
written for the 108th and 208th, 256th and 104th and the downtown core area. Kent
is the only city on the west coast using this approach to crime and safety. Sara
indicated that they will use the 240th & 104th area as the control group of the study.
$10,000 has been set aside for community outreach. Sara provided information
regarding the correlation between crimes and driving offenses. A lot of crime is
committed by people in cars and basic traffic enforcement may deter crimes in
those areas. Funds were received October ist, officers will start enforcement in
November and the grant term ends September of 2016. Sara will follow up with the
committee regarding the results of the program.
Item 6. — Fifth Amendment to Corrections Facility Medical Services
Agreement — Recommend.
Diane McCuistion, Jail Commander, presented information regarding the Fifth
Amendment to Corrections Facility Medical Services Agreement extending the
contract for an additional five year term. The contract is for healthcare services for
inmates that are provided by Valley Medical Center. The contract originated in
2004. The new contract's changes to services and hours reduce the annual cost
from $459,904 to $344,340 plus a $60,000 administrative fee. Lifetime of 5 year
contract's overall savings will total $277,820. The city is required to provide
medical care for inmates while they are incarcerated. Council President Ralph
clarified that an inmates' private insurance is suspended during the time they are
incarcerated.
Page I 1
Councilmember Boyce MOVED to recommend Council authorize the Mayor
to approve a five year extension to the contract between the Kent
Correctional Facility and Valley Medical Center/Occupational Health
Services for inmate health care in the amount of $344,340 annually with
terms and conditions acceptable to the city attorney and police chief. The
motion was SECONDED by Council President Ralph and PASSED 3-0.
Item 7. — Police Chief's Update — Information Only
Chief Ken Thomas advised the committee regarding current events affecting the
police department:
A. Chief Thomas reminded everyone of the police community meeting on
Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at Panther Lake Elementary. Crime
statistics and crime data will be presented to the community. Additionally, the
Chief will present information regarding the department's efforts regarding gang
activity. Traffic Sergeant Mike Schanbacher will present information on the traffic
unit in addition to Commanders talking about crimes in their respective sectors.
B. Chief Thomas presented additional information regarding the data driven
approach to crime and traffic safety. The majority of crime studies show that a
higher police presence drives down the crime in those areas in addition to providing
a sense of safety for the residents in those areas.
C. Chief Thomas presented an update regarding racing. The police department
decided to implement a "heavy presence" vs. 'heavy enforcement" when dealing
with racers. Since the officers were not tied up with enforcement, they were able
to spend their time enforcing, the racers ended up leaving town. The Police
department is adapting their strategies.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. by Council Member Thomas.
Resp ctfully bmitt
wvt
Kim Komoto
Public Safety Committee Secretary
S:W9ugGy auks Ufre\CM mewgWenu Wmnnees\h9"a sxery Icmmnc^liou\aooegv.ntez.mc
Page 12