HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety Committee - 11/12/2014 Public Safety Committee Minutes
November 12, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Councilmember Jim Berrios called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmember Jim Berrios, Council President Dana Ralph and Councilmember Les
Thomas were present.
Changes to the Agenda:
Chief Thomas indicated the Item #2 would be information only.
Item 1 - Approval of meeting minutes dated October 14, 2014
Councilmember Thomas MOVED to approve the minutes of October 14,
2014. The motion was SECONDED by Council President Ralph and PASSED
3-0.
Item 2 - Consultant Services Agreement - TrueBearing, LLC - Information
Only
Sara Wood, Research and Development Analyst, presented information regarding
the contract with True Bearing, LLC. True Bearing, LLC, will evaluate the work done
by the Kent Drug Free Coalition, including the Kent Police Youth Boards and Youth
Board Conference to ensure compliance with grant requirements. This contract will
expire in June of 2015.
Item 3 - Consultant Services Agreement - New Connections - Information
Only
Sara Wood, Research and Development Analyst, presented information regarding
the contract with New Connections. New Connections provides re-entry and life
skills training and pre-employment training for inmates set to be released from the
Kent correctional facility.
Item 4 Emergency Management Performance Grant - 2014 - Recommend
Dominic Marzano, Emergency Management and Division Chief, presented
information regarding the emergency management performance grant received
from the Washington Military Department/Emergency Management Division and the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Pass through grant from the state to local
jurisdictions. City is required to monitor the Regional Fire Authority as a
subrecipient of the grant funds. Grant funds distributed to cities are being reduced
over the next few years. Dominic indicated that the reduction in grant funds will
not detrimentally affect the emergency management program.
Council President Ralph MOVED to recommend Council authorize the Mayor
to accept and sign the Emergency Management Performance Grant from
the Washington Military Department/Emergency Management Division and
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in the amount of $93,525.00,
sign all necessary grant documents, amend the budget, and authorize
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expenditure of the funds in accordance with final grant terms and
conditions acceptable to the city attorney. The motion was SECONDED by
Councilmember Thomas and PASSED 3-0.
Item S. Ordinance Amending KCC 9.02 entitled "'Criminal Code" -
Recommend
Assistant City Attorney, Tammy White, presented information regarding the
Ordinance amending chapter 9.02 of the Kent City Code that adopts by reference
into the Kent City Code, new laws that are enacted by the Legislature during its
prior legislative session. Tammy explained coercion of involuntary servitude, the
new civil infraction related to the illegal sales of products containing the drug
dextromethorphan to individuals under 18 years of age, updates to new crimes
related to aquatic animal species, in addition to making other housekeeping
changes.
Councilmember requested Tammy to research and let the committee know how the
legislature intends to enforce the new law regarding dextromethorphan and the
enforcement of the new law.
Councilmember Thomas MOVED to recommend Council adopt an ordinance
amending Chapter 9.03 of the Kent City Code, entitled "Criminal Code," to
adopt by reference infractions and misdemeanor crimes established within
the Revised Code of Washington by the state Legislature during its 2014
session for application and enforcement in the City of Kent, to make other
housekeeping amendments, and to adopt Class C felony crimes that may
be used as a basis to support the crime of criminal attempt or criminal
conspiracy, subject to final approval of the Police Chief and City Attorney.
The motion was SECONDED by Council President Ralph and PASSED 3-0.
Item 7. Police Chief's Update
Chief Ken Thomas advised the committee that he has three updates: Fireworks,
School Zone Traffic Safety Camera Program and the Community Task Force on the
use of force.
A. Fireworks
Assistant Chief Kammerzell provided documentation regarding fireworks and the
school zone traffic safety camera program. Assistant Chief Kammerzell reviewed
and provided updates on questions regarding fireworks that were asked at the
October meeting including providing information regarding whether a surrounding
jurisdiction enacted legislation regarding fireworks regulations by a vote of the
people. Chief Thomas provided information regarding the cost to put the issue of
fireworks to a vote of the people. Further discussion regarding whether to move
forward with a vote of the people or if council wishes to adopt regulations was
tabled and may be presented at a Council workshop. Councilmember Berrios
provided a recap of why the committee has been researching and analyzing
firework regulations in Kent and surrounding jurisdictions. Councilmember tabled
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this issue for a future City Council workshop. Chief Thomas recognized the good
work that Assistant Chief Kammerzell did in researching the issue of fireworks.
Chief Thomas discussed his concerns over the unrealistic expectations that may be
imposed on the police department.
B. School Zone Traffic Safety Camera Program
Chief Thomas reviewed the information Assistant Chief Kammerzell provided to the
committee regarding the update on the School Zone Traffic Safety Camera program
detailing the number of tickets issued from January, 2014 through October, 2014.
The increase from September to October concerned the committee members. Chief
Thomas explained that new students and parents need to be educated regarding
the speed zones.
Chief Thomas provided information detailing the funds received and the costs to
administer the school zone traffic safety program.
Chief Thomas provided the recommendation to expend school zone traffic safety
camera funds on one-time expenditures, i.e., patrol vehicles, forensic investigation
hardware in addition to maintaining reserve school zone traffic safety camera funds.
Chief Thomas provided additional details regarding the plan to use school zone
traffic safety funds rather than general funds in an effort to free up general funds
for additional staffing needs.
Councilmember Berrios requested parameters in spending school zone traffic safety
camera funds. Chief Thomas read the Kent City Code provision regarding the use
of funds.
Councilmember Berrios and Chief Thomas discussed whether or not funds could be
used for a capital facility.
Chief Thomas indicated that he will be speaking with American Traffic Solutions, the
vendor for the school zone traffic safety camera program regarding acquiring and
reviewing data on the speed of vehicles in all school zones for use to determine
whether or not to expand the program into additional schools.
C. Community Task Force — Use of Force
Chief Thomas provided information on the completion of the police department's
first series of community meetings regarding the department's community task
force meetings. Chief Thomas indicated his pleasure with the task force meetings
and with the feedback received from community members. Councilmember Berrios
expressed his appreciation of the information presented during the committee
meetings and the professionalism that the police department showed during the
meetings.
Chief Thomas indicated that the department will be having the Department of
Justice conduct classes on fair and impartial policing in the Spring of 2015, to help
with police and community relations.
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The meeting was adjourned at 5:23 p.m. by Councilmember Berrios.
Respectfully s bmitte ,
Kim Komoto _
Public Safety Committee Secretary
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