HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety Committee - 02/14/2017Public Safety Committee February 14, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
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Date: February 14, 2017
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Place: Chambers East
Attending: Dana Ralph, Les Thomas, and Jim Berrios, Chair
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Changes to the Agenda
Item #7 was added, the Chief’s Report – Information Only.
4. Approval of Minutes dated November 8, 2016
L. Thomas moved to approve the Public Safety Committee minutes dated
November 8, 2016. D. Ralph seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
5. School Zone Traffic Safety Camera Program Fund Expenditures -
Information Only
Chief Thomas provided an update on how funds will be used from the program
for criminal justice-related purposes. The approximate expendable funds are
$479,200, to cover the cost of:
$57,000 - installing substation security upgrades (three locations total),
$50,400 - purchasing unmanned aerial vehicles (two with associated
software, hardware, and training),
$106,000 - purchasing a 3D crime scene scanner,
$85,000 - technology updates (photo identification app and software
patches),
$60,800 - establishing and implementing the department marketing and
communication plan,
$20,000 - purchasing portable surveillance equipment (two mobile
cameras), and
$100,000 - setting aside funds for City Administration/City Council
emergent needs (committee members asked to be updated if/when this
amount is ever needed to be used.)
The Department will seek approval to use these excess funds at the March 7,
2017 Operations Committee meeting and will also be on the consent calendar
for the Council meeting that same evening.
Public Safety Committee February 14, 2017
Minutes Kent, Washington
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6. Temporary Limited Term Position – Information Only
Chief’s next briefing was to inform members to a change in an existing position
to the Traffic School Program. The current temporary variable hour position
assists with administrative support tasks such as scheduling of classes,
processing traffic school applications, background checks and public customer
support. The Department would like to expand the traffic school services with
additional classes to increase accessibility to Kent residents, and contract with
surrounding municipalities that do not offer the program. This expansion would
be a trial project for the next two to three years and the program would be
monitored by Police Administration to determine if the increase in classes
offered results in increased demand for participation.
This work is designated as AFSCME (union) work and the current collective
bargaining agreement does not allow the City to maintain this position in its
current structure. The City is requesting the establishment of this new position
to both meet the community need for the Program and address union
concerns.
The Department will seek approval for the TLT position at the March 7, 2017
Operations Committee meeting and will also be on the consent calendar for the
Council meeting that same evening.
7. Chief’s Report – Information Only
Chief’s final report is in regards to two items, they are:
School Zone Traffic Safety Cameras – there were 935 tickets processed
through the court in January 2017, an increase from January 2016 when
there were 841 tickets.
Gun related crimes – the City has seen an uptick in related crimes
between 2015 to present. Compared to other cities between Seattle and
Tacoma, Kent is mid to low range for gun related crimes. Actual
numbers will be brought to a future Council meeting.
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m. by J. Berrios.
J. Hays
Jennifer Hays
Public Safety Committee Secretary
February 14, 2017