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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15-2000I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Sue Singer called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM Members present: Chair Sue Singer, Vice Chair Rich Wagner, Councilmember Trish Borden. Others present included: Mayor Chuck Booth, A/Chief Russ Vandver, Fire Marshal Dave Smith, Chief Jim Kelly, Plan. Dir. Paul Krauss, Cmdr. Mike Hirman, Support Serv. Mgr. David O'Dea, Attorney Mike Reynolds, Parks Dir. Dick Deal, Citizen Linda Ruben, and Secretary Jeanne Herald II. CONSENT: R~iallllillLhlO~Tt~l: A/Chief Vandver asked for approval of Resolution No. 3221, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, authorizing the donation of self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA's) and related equipment declared surplus property and no longer in working condition to the City of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Chief Vandver explained that this resolution was regarding the self contained breathing apparatus that the Fire D6partment replaced last year. A number of the Department's SCBA's were not in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association standards or the State Respiratory Protection Act. However, the SCBA's still work but are not legal for use in this country and cannot be sold for use in the U.S. so the Fire Depathnent would like to donate them to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Councilmember Borden made a motion to recommend approval of Resolution No. 3221. Chair Singer seconded the motion. IlL INFORMATION/DISCUSSION Fireworks Incident Statistics/Update-Fire Marshal Dave Smith/Chief Jim Kelly: FM Dave Smith provided a copy of the "Ten Year Fireworks Injury" statistics and a copy of a chart on the precipitation statistics for a ten year period from 1990 to 1999. He also provided an eight page hand-out, page 1 put together by the Washington State Patrol(WSP) Fire Protection Bureau indicating fireworks which may be lawfully purchased, possessed, or discharged by the public from noon, June 28 through noon, July 6~h. Items marked with (*) are legal in the City of Auburn. Page 1 also indicated fireworks, which are unlawful to purchase, possess, or discharge at any time. Fire Marshal Smith discussed the injury incidents, which over the past ten years have been rather insignificant. The majority of incidents involved brash fires and nuisance type incidents. Chief Kelly stated that the Police statistics only go back three years and that he would provide those at the next meeting. Municipal Services Committee Meeting 1 May 15, 2000 The subject of a total ban was discussed in length. It was the general consensus of the Committee, however that it would be very difficult to accomplish an "All-out Ban". However, the County and various surrounding jurisdictions are working on it. Discussion ensued. In order to accomplish a total ban, the ordinance is actually implemented one year after it is passed. There was some confusion regarding the ban. Chief Kelly stated that his original intent was to basically attempt to make it less confusing for the police officer in the field regarding what to enfome, i.e. city, state or federal law. On Federal-Land,it's much more liberal then the City ordinance. The State level is more restrictive statewide and the City is even more restrictive on what can actually be possessed and discharged in the city. However, a city ordinance for a ban could not be enforced on Tribal Land. Vice Chair Wagner suggested discussing the possession issue and to resume discussion on the "Ban" issue until the Police Depa,tment has provided their statistics and focus on what might be done this fireworks season. He asked that City Attorney Reynolds or Ausman give their advice on the issue. Discussion ensued. Vice Chair Wagner concluded that the ban shguld be dismissed for this .year and simply concentrate on what can be done this season. Chief Kelly conehided that he felt the City ought to take a look at what could be crafted. It is worth looking at flora an operational point of view and certainly is worth pursuing. The Tribe is interested, the Committee is interested and the Police Depa~huent is interested in looking for a possible solution because it is a very complicated issue. Commander Mike Hirman explained that what the State Statute does is, it authorizes a few more devices to be able to be taken offofthe In~lian Reservation. That in his opinion makes it more complicated for the officers. Councilman Wagner explained that the intent is to make all of the devices legal to transport but illegal to detonate which should make enforcement easier. The perplexity of"intent" was further discussed. Chief Kelly reiterated that his intent for bringing this forWard was to remove the confusion that exists for the street officer in the field being asked to enforce the City Ordinance that's basically not enforceable without creating a war. Obviously this issue could not be resolved at this meeting and Committee will continue to work on it. Jail Incarceration Alternatives; Chief Kelly passed out a memo regarding "Survey of Inmate Housing Availability" that was prepared by Support Services Mgr. David O'Dea. Manager O'Dea was present to answer any questions. A very comprehensive survey of county and municipal jails was conducted to determine if there was bed space available for Auburn to use as an alternative to the bed space that Auburn is currently using in the King County Facilities. There are alternatives available with Issaquah, Enumclaw and Municipal Services Committee Meeting 2 May 15, 2000 Yakima County. Unfortunately, the majority of counties surveyed have no space available. One of the most promising is Yakima County and there is an upcoming meeting with Yakima County Corrections Manager to discuss the use of their facility. Enumclaw is being utilized when there is space available at substantial savings. Also, Auburn is working with Issaquah to see what sort of bed space would be available from them. As far as altematives to incarceration, the Electronic Home Monitoring is improving in it's frequency and Manager O'Dea passed out a graph illustrating its use. The Police Dept. is currently building the program and Council approved a full-time employee to manage that. They're currently in the Iraining phases. In the interim there is someone on board on a contract basis. There is about a $10,000 to $12,000 a month savings between what is being paid to the County and what it cost to do home arrest. It certainly is a program that Auburn intends to continue to ~xpand and increase the use of as possible. Another alternative to incarceration that the Police DepalOanent is also working on is an "Adult Day Care Program", for non violent people that maybe could be assigned to an appropriate community program such as litter pick up, or vehicle washing, etc. However, it is very early in its development and supervision has to be provided. A Correctional Officer cannot be taken out of the jail to supervise the program; consequently the Police Department will be working with other departments within the City to develop a Supervision Program for the Adult Day Care Program. (Adult Day Care Program is not ultimately what the program will be called but will be given an official title later). Discussion ensued. Golf Course: Parks Director Dick Deal discussed the subject of the water that is used for irrigating the Golf Course. Irrigation has been done as few as 17 days a year and as many as 110 depending on the weather. He explained that when the old 9 hole Green River Golf and Country Club was purchased, at the same time the City received the water rights to a 45 acre foot draw out of the Green River. When this portion of the course was developed an A~?tesian well was drilled and an additional 800 feet a year were acquired at that time. This line failed and over the years, the Golf Course staff has diverted this use and taken it from the Artesian well. It was not an authorized transfer of rights. Staff is looking into using city water for the golf course. Options are being explored to save water. More research is being done and Mr. Deal hopes to have more information by next meeting. The water situation at the Golf Course is somewhat critical at this time and staffis moving quickly to resolve the matter. Kevin Van is coming up with a plan as to how the City can plumb into the water system to take advantage of City water as quickly and effectively as possible. Follow-up on Parking Ordinance: Chief Kelly passed out a copy of the current City Ordinance regarding parking on Main Street. The Parks Department has taken care of Municipal Services Committee Meeting 3 May 15, 2000 pruning the trees and shrubs. He is still working with other city departments to get the lighting situation resolved. He is attempting to work with Metro to get their lighting fixed and also another plan is to take away the sheds for the bus stop and turn it into a "sign only". Chief Kelly has also spoken with the Street Department and there is some flexibility should policy makers decide they would like to change the City Ordinance to come up with a creative, different approach to parking on Main Street. They could work around a schedule in order to keep the streets clean and they do not need a moratorium on parking Monday through Friday. Discussion ensued. Vice Chair Wagner stated that it was the consensus of the Committee from the previous meeting that they would like to see a schedule and that's the direction thqy'd like to go. Chief Kelly referred to modifying the current City Parking Ordinance 36.330 to reflect something different. Chief Kelly will meet with the Legal Department and bring it forward to the next meeting. He will also meet with Public Works to come up with a schedule and recommendation for a modification and will bring it forward to the next meeting. Guest Linda Ruben commented on the schedule. IV. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 Submitted by: Secretary Municipal Services Commattee Meeting 4 May 15, 2000