HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety Committee - 11/08/2016CITY OF KENT
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
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Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 8, 2016 Kent City Hall,
3:30 p.m. Council Chambers East
Kent, Washington
Committee Members Present: Dana Ralph, Les Thomas, and Jim Berrios, Chair.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Jim Berrios at 3:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call
3. Changes to the Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda.
4. Approval of Minutes dated October 11, 2016
L. Thomas moved to approve the Public Safety Committee minutes dated October
11, 2016. D. Ralph seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
5. Fiscal Year 2016 Bureau Justice Assistance Grant - Recommend
Research and Development Analyst Sara Wood made a request to accept the fiscal
year award of $127,887 from the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to fund the Valley
Narcotics Enforcement Team’s (VNET) office manager position. Current VNET office
manager, Joanne Moen, is a City of Kent employee and 100 percent of her salary
and benefits are paid for by the grant funds on a reimbursement basis. A portion of
the grant goes to the King County Prosecuting Office and assigned detectives to
VNET.
The City of Auburn is the fiscal agent for VNET and Kent is a sub-recipient of the
grant. Since Kent is a sub-recipient of JAG funds, it is required to complete the sub-
recipient application materials in order to confirm compliance with the grant’s terms
and conditions.
L. Thomas moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to accept the Fiscal
Year 2016 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant through the State of
Washington Department of Commerce in the amount of $127,887, ratify and
authorize the Mayor’s signing of all necessary documents, amend the budget, and
authorize expenditure of the funds in accordance with grant terms and conditions
acceptable to the Police Chief and City Attorney. D. Ralph seconded the motion,
which passed 3-0.
Public Safety Committee Minutes
November 8, 2016
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6. Grant Update – Information Only
Ms. Wood informed members on the status of the current grant awards for the Kent
Police Department in the amount of $733,033. Funding agencies include: Office of
National Drug Control Policy Drug Free Communities Grant ($125,000); Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services of America ($47,115); State Farm Insurance
($39,000); State Criminal Alien Assistance Program ($20,243); Washington Traffic
Safety Commission ($20,700); 2013, 2014 and 2015 Justice Assistant Grants
($155,630 total); 2016 WTSC Data Driven Approaches to Crime/Traffic Safety
($36,000); King County Sheriff’s Office ($38,064); 2016 – 2017 WTSC Target Zero
Manager Grant ($62,000); 2016 WA Parks/Recreation Boat Grant ($13,394); 2016
– 2017 WA Impaired Drivers Advisory Council Grant ($48,000); and the 2016 –
2017 JAG Grant for Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team ($127,887).
Committee members noted that the list of agencies is impressive and there’s a
significant amount of good work being done in the community through these
available grants.
7. Graffiti Update – Information Only
Police Investigations Commander Mike O’Reilly, Parks and Recreation Interim
Director Garin Lee, and Public Works Environmental Conservation Supervisor Kelly
Peterson provided updates to their individual department’s graffiti removal
communication and action protocols. Below are highlighted, similar and differing,
protocols that were provided:
Communications:
911 call is made and an Officer responds (Police)
Graffiti Hotline (Police)
Staff locates graffiti during their shifts (all departments)
Web QA (all departments)
Resident phone calls, email, and postal mail (all departments)
Other city department referrals
Action:
Evaluate the problem, determine responsibility, a timeline for completion,
any challenges, involve Code Enforcement if needed, file criminal charges,
and advise the reporting party (all departments)
Coordinate clean-up efforts with residential and commercial properties
(Police)
Coordinate clean-up efforts for traffic signs, retaining walls, pavements and
sidewalks, bridge surfaces, street light poles, and traffic light poles and
cabinets (Public Works)
Coordinate clean-up efforts for signs, skate parks, playgrounds,
concrete/asphalt, picnic tables, garbage cans, fences, restrooms/stage,
trees/shrubs (Parks)
Complete the job and follow-up with reporting party (all departments)
Public Safety Committee Minutes
November 8, 2016
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Public Education Trainer Stacy Judd added information about a page being created
on the City’s new website that residents will be able to report graffiti; find
department contact information; and find a list of frequently asked questions.
Kent resident Michael Rosendale commented that for reasons of economic
development and property values, graffiti should be cleaned up sooner rather than
later. Mr. Rosendale mentioned a graffiti video that can be found on YouTube and
invited anyone to call to speak with him regarding this subject.
8. Red Light Cameras – Information Only
Police Chief Ken Thomas revisited a previous request to add red-light cameras in
five high collision intersections around the City. There are two primary goals to
implement this program, they are:
Reduce red light violations and collisions at designated intersections, and
Generate revenue to aid in the purchase and placement of traffic calming
devices throughout the City.
An informational report was provided by Sgt. Schanbacher. Members noted that
although the report had a lot of national and local detail it still left contradicting
feelings over the use of red-light cameras. Some of those contradicting feelings
include:
The number of total collision rates in the five intersections of interest do not
represent running a red-light only,
As a result, could have an increase in rear-end collisions,
The cost of equipment versus revenue generated, and
Keeping the City welcoming to residents and visitors.
After discussion, it was decided this item would not be forwarded to full Council.
9. Police Chief’s Update - Information Only
Chief Thomas reported there were 1175 school zone traffic safety camera
infractions filed in October. This number is down from the September report.
10. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. by J. Berrios.
J. Hays
Jennifer Hays
Public Safety Committee Secretary