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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2005-09-26 Item 4A - Interlocal Agreement - Temporary Inmate Housing / Jail Services with City of Renton l.A Co U I�IL AGENDA Svivosis /CJ q s•. ...mss ITEM No. O f A Meettn,g Date Prepared by Mayor's review 1 Council review 10 09/26/05 Bb for KW 1 .4.<�G� (L tip 'w f I I I 1908 I I ITEM INFORMATION CAS NUMBER: 05-126 1 ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 09-26-05 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Proposed interlocal agreement with the City of Renton regarding the temporary housing of inmates awaiting transfer to Yakima County Jail. CATEGORY Discussion Motzon Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Heanng Other Mtg Date 09 -26 -05 Aftg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date SPONSOR Council Mayor Adm Svcs DCD Fznance Fire ®Courrt P&R Police PW SPONSOR'S City of Renton has notified Tukwila of their intent to terminate the existing Interlocal SUMMARY Agreement re: temporary housing of inmates awaiting transfer to Yakima County Jail. A newly proposed Interlocal Agreement has been received which covers temporary housing and allows for direct bookings and jail stays longer than 72 hours. Although the proposed daily rate is higher short -stay rate is eliminated), use of the Renton Jail as a transfer facility remains far more economical than transferring defendants directly to Yakima. REVIEWED BY COW Mtg CA &P Cmte F &S Cmte Transportation Cmte Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm. DATE: 09 -19 -05 RECOMMENDATIONS: SPoNsoR /ADMIN Review and approve the newly proposed Interlocal AG with Renton. COMMITTEE Same as sponsor. COST IMPACT t_ FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $varies see below Fund Source: 000.10.523.600.51.00 Comments Varies Renton ranges $600 $1700; and Yakima ranges between $17K to $42K per month MTG, DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 09 -26 -05 COW Discussion item. I MTG DATE ATTACHMENTS 09 -26 -05 MEMORANDUM TO FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE DATED SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 CORRESPONDENCE FROM P. BARTLEY TO D. HESKETT DATED 07 -07 -05 NEWLY PROPOSED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT MINUTES FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 I I INFORMATION MEMO To: From: Date: Subject: Finance and Safety Committee , ~ Kimberly A. Walden, Municipal Court Judge'-'! September 14,2005 Interlocal Agreement: Housing Inmates in Renton City Jail ISSUE: The City of Renton sent a notice of intent to tenninate our existmg Interlocal Agreement regarding the temporary housmg of mmates a\vaiting transfer to Yakima. They have proposed a new Interlocal that not only covers temporary housing, but also allows for direct bookings and f6r stays longer than 72 hours. The proposal includes a daily rate increase and the elimination of the $25 short stay fee. BACKGROUND: The current Interlocal Agreement for these serVIces was signed in January 2002. The following are its key terms: 1. $58.80 per day for inmates housed over 24hours; 2. $25.00 per mmate staying less than 24 hours~ 3. Would not allow stay exceeding 72 hours - simply a holding facility pending transfer to Yakima and not for general bookings. The following are the proposed lnterlocal's key terms: 1. $70.00 fixed daily rate; 2. Elimination of the $25.00 short stay fee; 3. Would allow for general bookings - warrants and new offenses; 4. No booking fee in addition to the day fee The following are the current King County Jail ("KCJ") rates: 1. $176.20 booking fee; 2. $92.28 daily rate. The following are the current Yakima County Jail ("YCJ") rates: \ 1. $59.04 daily rate; 2. No additional bookmg fee. New offenders and those arrested on warrants are currently booked mto KCJ and generally seen on video cOUli within 1 to 3 days. If the defendant remams 111 custody pre- trial or for a commitment longer than 5 days, we transfer them to the YCJ. If a defendant must serve a commitment shorter than 5 days, they serve it in KCJ. DISCUSSION: While the new proposed daily rate is significantly higher and the ShOli stay rate eliminated, this rate IS still much lower than KCrs rates. Frankly, we don't have a more economical alternative. The use of the Renton Jail as a transfer facility to YCJ is still far more economical than transfelTing defendants to YakIma ourselves or to resortmg to an excl usive use of KCJ. AddItionally, we may begin having defendants sentenced to less than 5 days in Jail serve the time in Renton Jail verses a commitment to KCJ This alone \viIl save a sIgmficant amount of money. Renton wIll also automatIcally screen defendants for electronic home monitoring (DUI's and convicted felons would not qualIfy) as an alternative to incarceration unless expressly prohibited by the court. The cost of home monitoring would be assessed to the defendant and not to Tuk\vila. In the future, our police department could explore booking new offenders into Renton Currently, the only advantage to booking into KCJ is the use of the video studio that invanably results in much fewer physical transports. All offenders booked mto Renton would require physical transportation to court. RECOMMENDATION: Send to COW - Regular Meetmg for approval attachments: Letter from City of Renton Proposed lnterlocal Agreement CITY OF RENTON Kathy Keolker- Wheeler, Mayor Police Department - Garry C. Anderson, Chief dVationaf4; c/kudiid d/g=y FilED July 7, 2005 i7"r;; r... r= IV- r- ;- · .~vt:! C:!J AUG 2 5 2005 JUl' 1 5 2twt, '.,J~..) City of Tukwila Darlene Heskett, Court Administrator 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 ~n'l~~0~ ~+}; (:--., Tukwila Municipal Court Dear Ms. Heskett: In accordance with the CIty ofTukwila'~ Interlocal Wlth the City of Renton for temporary housmg of mmates prior to transfer to Yalama, SectIon 8, you are hereby notIfied of the City of Renton's mtent to tennmate the Interlocal on October 1, 2005. The enclosed Interlocal for Housmg of Inmates IS replacing the existmg Interlocal. There are several reasons for the changes in the Interlocal Agreement. Thosereasons include, changmg the Renton Jail from a "transfer location" for multiple junsdictIons to Yala.ma Jail, to a Jail that allows general boolangs for agencies. The new Interlocal a1so clanfies Renton's role when holdmg outside agency mmates and estabhshes a fixed daily rate of $70. TIns increase IS a result of the addITIonal habihty exposUre attributed to handling more inmates from multiple JunsdICTIOns. The Interlocal also ehmmates the $25 short stay fee. The labor costs attributed to processmg inmates for transfer or release reqUIres the elumnatlOn oft111s fee, However, because of the size of our facilIty, we must 111mt bookmg activitIes to South Kmg County agencies and remmd junsdictIons ofthe requirement to contact us to venfy that we hav~ available space prior to transportmg inmates to Renton. For those Jurisdictions not m our geographical area, the CIty ofIssaquah also has bed space available in theIr facihty. If you are interested in utihzing IssaqUah Jail you should contact Steve Cozart directly, at (425) 837-3222 or stevec@c1.issaquah.wa.us. or Roger Enders at (425) 837-3207 01' rogere@ci.1ssaquah.wa.us. '- . New msurance premmlTIS necessItate a rate adjustment to take effect m the 4th quarter of2005 rather than waItmg untll 2006: I recogniZe that mid-year budget adjustments are dIfficult. If you wIsh to continue to utihze the Renton Jail for boola.~gs or for transfer of inmates to Yabma, you will need to complete the enclosed Interlocal and return two sIgned copies for executIOn by the CIty of Renton and your current proof of insurance. Ekctromc copIes are also available upon request. Please feel tree to contact me at (425) 430-7565 if you have any addITIonal questions. Smcere1y, GARRY C. ANDERSON CHIEF OF POLICE ') 131-. ( r-, . ;. ..J.....Y ' /" JJ~vLU}7\ V .VL i J.A (J Penny BartleyYv1anager Staff and Auxiliary Services DiVIsions Enclosure 1055 South Grady Way - Renton, Washington 98055 * This paper contains 50% recycled material, 30% post consumer ~ AHEAD OF THE CURVE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF RENTON, \V ASHINGTON AND THE CITY OF ,... ~w I i ~ , WASHINGTON, FOR THE HOUSING OF INMATES IN THE RENTON CITY JAIL This agreement, between the City of Renton, a municipal corporation of the State of Washington (hereinafter "Renton") and the City ofT... "10,\,+ a municipal corporation ofthe State of Washington (hereinafter "City"). WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, Pursuant to RCW 70.48.190, Renton is authorized by law to have charge and custody of the Renton Jail inmates; and WHEREAS, RCW 70.48.090, authorizes cities and counties to enter into interlocal agreements for the provision of jail services; and WHEREAS, RCW 39.34.080 and other Washington law, authorizes any public agency to contract with any other county or city to perfonn any governmental service, activity or undertaking which each contracting county or city is authorized by law to perfonn; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to designate the Renton Jail as a place of confinement for the incarceration of one or more inmates lawfully committed to its custody; and WHEREAS, the governing bodies of each ofthe parties hereto have detennined to enter into this Agreement as authorized and provided for by RCW 39.34,080, RCW 70.48.090 and other Washington law, as may be amended, NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration ofthe above and foregoing recitals, the payments to be made, the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable considerations, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. GOVERNING LAW The parties hereto agree that, except where expressly otherwise provided, the laws and administrative rules and regulations of the State of Washington shall govern in any matter relating to inmate confinement pursuant to this Agreement. 2. DURATION This Agreement shall be effective the date of execution and continue through December 31,2005. This contract shall automatically renew for one-year periods unless either Renton or the City, provide notice oftennination as provided in Section 3 of this Agreement. 3. TERMlNATION (a) By either party. This Agreement may be tenninated by written notice from either party to the other party delivered by regular mail to the contact person identified herein, provided that termination shall become effective sixty (60) calendar days after receipt of such notice. Notice will be presumed received 3 working days after the notice is posted in the mail. Within said sixty (60) days, The City agrees to remove its inmates(s) from the Renton Jail. Interlocal Agreement For the Housing of Inmates in the Renton City Jail- page 1 of7 H:PDADMIN:SS/CNTRACTS/JAIL (b) In the event oftennination ofthis Agreement for any reason, the City shall compensate Renton for inmates housed by the Renton Jail after notice oftennination until the City retakes its inmates in the same manner and at the same rates as if this agreement had not been tenninated. 4. MAILING ADDRESSES All notices, reports, and correspondence to the respective parties ofthis Agreement shall be sent to the following: City of Renton: Chief of Police Renton Police Department 1055 South Grady Way Renton, Washington 98055 Contact: Penny Bartley, Jail Manager City of Mayor/City Manager Print Name: Contact: Print Name and Title: 5. COMPENSATION (a) Rates. Renton agrees to accept and house City inmates at the rate of$70,OO per day in 2005. The parties agree that Renton shall not charge a separate booking fee in addition to such rate. (b) Minimum Dailv Rate. The City agrees that the daily rate will be consistent with the daily rate charged by Yakima County plus any additional charges that Renton may assess based upon total correctional and insurance costs. ( c) Billing and Payment. Renton agrees to provide the City with an itemized bill listing all names of inmates who are housed, the number of days housed (including date of booking and date of releases), and the dollar amount due for each. Renton agrees to provide said bill by the 30th of each following month. The City agrees to make payment to Renton within 30 days of receipt of such bill for the amount billed for the previous calendar month. 6. SERVICES PROVIDED (a) Renton agrees to provide jail services and alternative incarceration programs for gross misdemeanor/misdemeanor inmates for those offenses that have been committed by adults within the City. (b) City inmates will automatically be screened for Home Detention unless expressly prohibited by the sentencing court. (c) Inmates will be billed directly for Home Detention services and the City will not be obligated to pay Home Detention fees, Interlocal Agreement For the Housing of Inmates in the Renton City Jail - page 2 of 7 H:PDADMIN:SS/CNTRACTSIJAIL 7. RESPONSIBLIILTY FOR OFFENDER'S CUSTODY It shall be the responsibility of Renton to confine the inmate or inmates; to provide treatment, including the furnishing of subsistence and all necessary medical and hospital services and supplies; to provide for inmates' physical needs; to retain them in said custody; to supervise them; to maintain proper discipline and control; to make certain that they receive no special privileges and that the sentence and orders of the committing court in the State are faithfully executed; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to require Renton, or any of its agents, to provide treatment, facilIties or programs for any inmates confined pursuant to this Agreement, which it does not provide for similar inmates not confined pursuant to this Agreement. 8. RIGHT TO REFUSAL (a) Renton shall have the right to refuse to accept any inmate ITom the City when, in the opinion of Renton, its inmate population is at capacity or so near capacity that there is a substantial risk that, through usual operation of the jail, the reasonable operational capacity lImits ofthe jail might be reached or exceeded. (b) Renton shall further have the right to refuse to accept any inmate ITom the City who, in the judgment of Renton, has a current illness or injury which may adversely affect the operations of the Renton Jail, has history of serious medical problems, presents a substantial risk of escape, or presents a substantial risk of injury to other persons or property, 9. HOUSING DECISIONS ill order to manage its jail population, Renton reserves the right to decide where City's inmate(s) will be housed. ill the event that City's inmate is transferred to any county jail facility, City's obligation to pay the daily rate to Renton will cease and the City's obligation to pay the daily rate to holding county will be governed by City's contract with that county. 10. RETAKING OF INMATES Upon request ITom Renton, the City shall, at its expense, retake any City's inmate within twelve (12) hours after receipt of such request. ill the event the confinement of any City inmate is terminated for any reason, the City, shall, at its expense, retake such inmate ITom Renton. 11. COpy OF ARREST WARRANT OR CITATION AND BAIL SCHEDULE City law enforcement officers placing City misdemeants charged inmates in the Renton Jail shall, in every instance, first furnish an arrest warrant or citation to the Renton Jail upon booking of an inmate. City is also responsible for providing Renton Jail with a complete bail schedule no later than January 1 of each year. 12. TRANSPORTATION (a) The City's inmates incarcerated in Renton pursuant to this Agreement shall be transported to Renton by and at the expense of the City and shall be returned, if necessary, to the City by City personnel and at the City's expense. Renton is not responsible for transportation of the City's inmates under this Agreement and shall be reimbursed by the City for any actual expense incurred in transport of an inmate if, in fact, transportation of an inmate by Renton becomes necessary. (b) The daily rate for housing shall include an amount necessary to provide one Metro bus pass to inmates upon release to provide transportation to a location oftheir choice, within the county. Interlocal Agreement For the Housing of Inmates in the Renton City Jail- page 3 of7 H:PDADMIN:SS/CNTRACTS/JAIL 13. RECORDS AND REPORTS: (a) The City shall forward to Renton before or at the time of delivery of each inmate a copy of all inmate records pertaining to the inmate's present incarceration at other correctional facilities. If additional infonnation is requested regarding a particular inmate, the parties shall mutually cooperate to provide any additional infonnation. (b) Renton shall keep all necessary and pertinent records concerning such inmates incarcerated in Renton Jail. During an inmate's confinement in Renton, the City shall upon request, be entitled to receive and be furnished with copies of any report or record associated with said inmates ( s) incarceration, as may be permitted by law, 14. MEDICAL TREATMENT (a) Inmates rrom the City shall receive such medical, psychiatric and dental treatment as may be necessary to safeguard their health while housed in the Renton Jail. Renton shall provide or arrange for the provision of such medical, psychiatric and dental services. Except for routine minor medical services, which includes those health care services routinely delivered at normal cost by Renton staff, contracted physicians, or nursing staff and delivered within the facility, the City shall pay directly or reimburse Renton for all costs associated with the delivery of any additional medical services including prescriptions, diagnostic testing, emergency and/or major medical service provided to City inmates. (b) An adequate record of all such services shall be kept by Renton in accordance with HIP AA regulations for the City's review at its request. Any medical or dental services of major consequence shall be reported to the City as soon as time pennits. (c) Should medical or dental services require hospitalization, the City agrees to compensate Renton dollar for dollar any amount expended or cost incurred in providing the same; provided that, except in emergencies, the City will be notified by contacting at prior to the inmate's transfer to a hospital and nothing herein shall preclude the City rrom retaking the ill or injured inmate. The City is responsible for providing security during any period of hospitalization. 15. DISCIPLINE Renton shall have physical control over and power to exercise disciplinary authority over all inmates of the City. However, nothing contained herein shall be construed to authorize or permit the imposition of any type of discipline prohibited by the laws of the State of Washington. 16. REMOVAL FROM THE JAIL An inmate rrom the City legally confined in Renton shall not be removed thererrom by any person except: (a) When requested by the City Police Department. (b) By order of the City court in those matters in which it has jurisdiction, or upon order of the King County District Court or the King County Superior Court in those matters in which said courts have jurisdiction. ( c) For appearance in the court in which a City inmate is charged. (d) In compliance with a Writ of Habeas Corpus. (e) For interviews by the City Attorney or member of the City Police Department. (f) If the prisoner has served his sentence, or the charge pending against said inmate has been dismissed, or bailor other recognizance has been posted as required by the courts. Interlocall\greernent For the Housing of Inmates in the Renton City Jail- page 4 of? H:PDADMIN:SS/CNTRACTS/JAIL (g) For other scheduled court appearances, including those for which they are not being held. 17. ESCAPES: In the event any City inmate shall escape from Renton's custody, Renton will use all reasonable means to recapture the inmate. The escape shall be reported immediately to the City. Renton shall have the primary responsibility for and authority to direct the pursuit and retaking ofthe inmate or inmates within its own jurisdiction, Any cost in connection therewith shall be chargeable to and borne by Renton, however, Renton shall not be required to expend unreasonable amounts to pursue escaped inmates beyond their jurisdiction. 18. DEATH OF AN INMATE: (a) In the event of the death of a City inmate, Renton shall notify the King County Medial Examiner. The City shall receive copies of any records made at or in connection with such notification. (b) Renton shall immediately notify the City of the death of a City inmate, furnish infonnation as requested and follow the instructions ofthe City with regard to the disposition of the body. The body shall be released to the Medical Examiner. All expenses relative to any necessary preparation of the body and shipment charges shall be paid by the City. With the City's consent, Renton may arrange for burial and all matters related or incidental thereto, and all such expenses shall be paid by the City. The provisions of this paragraph shall govern only the relations between or among the parties hereto and shall not affect the responsibility or liability of any relative or other person for the disposition of the deceased or any expenses connected therewith. (c) The City shall receive a certified copy of the death certificate for any of its inmates who have died while in Renton custody. 19. DISPUTE BETWEEN CITY AND RENTON Should a dispute arise as to the levels of compensation between the City and Renton, such dispute shall be progressively resolved in the following manner: 1) Through negotiations between the City and Renton's respective contacts; 2) Through negotiations between the Mayors; or 3) In the event that the City and Renton do not reach agreement within 90 days of commencing negotiations, the matter will be submitted to binding arbitration. Renton and the City may mutually agree to extend the negotiation period. Ifthe City and Renton cannot agree upon the selection of an impartial arbitrator within fourteen (14) days of a written request for arbitration by either of the parties, the arbitrator shall be selected as provided in the King County Local Rules for Mandatory Arbitration Rules by a judge of the Superior Court of King County. The arbitration shall be conducted pursuant to the King County Local Rules for Mandatory Arbitration Rules. 20. INSURANCE (a) Each party agrees to provide the other with evidence of insurance coverage, in the fonn of a certificate of insurance from a solvent insurance provider and/or a letter confinning coverage from a solvent insurance pool, which is sufficient to address the insurance and indemnification obligation set forth in the Agreement; InterlocalJ\greernent For the Housing of Inmates in the Renton City Jail- page 5 of7 H:PDADMfN:SS/CNTRACTS/JAIL (b) Each party shall obtain and maintain coverage in minimum liability limits of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and two million dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate for its liability exposures, including comprehensive general liability, errors and omissions, auto liability and police professional liability, The insurance polIcy shall provide coverage for those events that occur during the term ofthe policy, despite when the claim is made. 21. HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFICATION Renton will assume the liability for the custody and care of the City's inmates once they have been delivered to Renton and the City's officer has left the "sally port." Renton shall defend, indemnify and hold the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers harmless from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including reasonable attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except for injuries and damages caused by the sole negligence of the City. Should a court of competent jurisdiction determine that this Agreement is subject to RCW 4.24.115, then, in the event ofliability for damages arising out of bodily injury to persons or damages to property caused by or resulting from the concurrent negligence of Renton and the City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers, Renton's liability hereunder shall be only to the extent of Renton's negligence. It is further specifically and expressly understood that the indemnification provided herein constitutes Renton's waiver of immunity under Industrial Insurance, Title 51 RCW, solely for the purpose of this indemnification. This waiver has been mutually negotiated by the parties. The provisions of this section shall survive the expiration or termination oftms Agreement. 22. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR In providing services under this contract, Renton is an independent contractor and neither it, nor its officers, officials, agents or employees are employees of the City for any purpose, including responsibility for any federal or state tax, industrial insurance, or Social Security liability. Neither shall the provision of services under this agreement give rise to any claim or career service or civil service rights, which may accrue to an employee of the City under any applicable law, rule or regulation. 23. PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION The tenns ofthis Agreement do not contemplate the acquisition of any property. However, in the event any property is acquired for the performance ofthis contract, upon termination of this contract said property will be sold and the proceeds will remain with Renton. 24. SEVERABILITY Should any provision of this Agreement be determined to be unenforceable by a court oflaw, such provision shall be severed from the remainder ofthe Agreement, and such action shall not affect the enforceability ofthe remaining provisions herein. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the above and forgoing Agreement has been executed in duplicate by the parties hereto and made effective on the day and year first above written: Interlocal Agreement For the Housing of Inmates in the Renton City Jail- page 6 of7 H:PDADMIN:SS/CNTRACTS/JAIL Date: Date: Mayor Kathy Keolker- Wheeler Mayor City of City of Renton Attest: Attest: City Clerk/Treasurer Bonnie Walton City Clerk/Treasurer Approved as to legal form: Approved as to legal form: p~~ City Attorney City of ~ ~-(...;JCc- Lawrence Warren City Attorney City of Renton Interlocal Agreement For the Housing of Inmates in the Renton City Jail- page 7 of? H:PDADMIN:SS/CNTRACTS/JAIL Finance and Safety Committee September 19, 2005 Present. Dennis Robertson, Chair; Pam Carter, Dave Fenton Kevm Fuhrer, KIm MartinI, Rhonda Berry, Jim Morrow, DJ Baskm, Lucy Lauterbach; citizen Dave Larson * 1. Interlocal Agreement with Renton regardin2 Jail Tukwila has used Renton's Jail as a holding facilIty for prisoners being transferred to Yakima. The current interlocal sIgned in 2002 is expinng, and a new interlocal is being recommended. New fees are part of the new agreement. Although they are higher than current fees, they are still lower than the King County J ail fees. Many of the prisoners TukWila sends to the Renton j all are there for a short stay before being transferred to Yakima, and the current $25 short stay fee will be elIminated. KIm said, as we don't have much of a choice when we jail people, Renton is still a good option. A five-day stay for a Dill charge at a King County jail would cost $700; at the Renton jail it would be $350. Tenns in the interlocal are the same as in the previous agreement. Renton does allow some home detention, but Kim would need to approve it for each prisoner for whom it was proposed. Des Moines has already signed the new interlocal agreement. Recommend interlocal agreement to CO'V. 2. Emergency lVlanagement Plans Jim Morrow talked about the emergency plan he has compiled. It is a very detailed plan with nine different planning assumptIOns bmlt mto it. Command and control are set up to coordinate plans. Police and Fire already use Incident Command System for managing emergencies, and that IS bmlt into this plan also. Jim is the Emergency Director, and he has plans for activating the heads ofDCD, Finance, PolIce and FIfe in an emergency as needed. Jim encouraged Council to take NIIvIS (National Incident Management System) training: Dave said he had already taken it and it was excellent. Dennis posed the questIOn "what if an earthquake struck on the Saturday after Thanksgiving when the Mall was full of 40,000 shoppers?" Addmg to this scenario would be flooding. Most shoppers could not leave because of traffic Jams and broken bridges and roads, Jim said he has devised evacuation routes for some emergencies. However, ifthere were no outside help because of the regional effects of an earthquake the City could have tens of thousands hungry, frantic, and possibly injured or ill persons to care for. Jim said the Red Cross could help with housing. Using apartments ill the City as well as schools and churches would be part of the solutIOn. However, many people would have to care for themselves. Getting education to people is key to teaching them how to react in an emergency. NeIghborhoods could be taught through the CitIzen Emergency Response Team (CERT). Rhonda suggested the CIty may want to send a letter to each busmess m TukwIla letting them know they would be on their own m an emergency, and urging them to prepare for taking care of their employees and any shoppers m their business place. Conmlittee members thought that seemed like a good idea. Pam suggested some of the infonnation Jim has needs to be sent out to citizens and businesses so they have an idea of how to deal wIth emergencIes.