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Home My WebLink About1999-06-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL June 14, 1999 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers City Hall COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Council President Dave Fenton called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Council President Dave Fenton; Councilmembers Joe Duffle, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Steve Mullet, and Pamela Linder. Excused absence: Councilmember Joan Hernandez. OFFICIALS: John Rants, Mayor; Steve Lancaster, Director of Community Development; Bob Noe, City Attorney; Alan Doerschel, Finance Director; Keith Haines, Police Chief; Evelyn Boykan, Human Services Coordinator; Nora Gierloff, Associate Planner; and Lucy Lauterbach, Council Analyst. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Crime Free Futures —Suzie Bridges Weber Tukwila Police Chief Keith Haines, referring to a request from Council, introduced Ms. Suzie Bridges Weber, Program Supervisor, to provide an update on the Crime Free Futures program. Chief Haines stated the program is a model which depicts how Tukwila works with other agencies within King County. The Police Department is working closely with the school district, public health nurses, probation, parents, and troubled youth. He said evidence shows the program is making a difference in the lives of those involved. Additionally, Chief Haines suggests the program keeps first and second time offenders from a lifetime of crime. Noting her experience with the Tukwila School District, Ms. Weber has a good perspective on troubled youth and the number of children not attending school in King County. A main issue is truancy. Ms. Weber described truancy as being a symptom of other problems. It is often difficult for the community to deal with troubled youth in the way of support for the family. Community intervention is about relationships developed with children and their families, support, and communication. Ms. Weber stated once children have entered the criminal justice system, they are on a direct route for increased criminal activities. Consequently, the program also looks at low -level offenders (felony offenses not involving a violent act). These offenders tend to be more receptive for intervention and support. Currently, 12 children in Tukwila are involved with the program. Seven of the twelve are back in school; and, two of the seven are back at home after living on the streets. They have improved their attendance and academic achievement and committed no additional crimes. City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 June 14, 1999 Families currently involved in the program are reportedly doing well, with most being long -time Tukwila residents. Ms. Weber indicated many parents express a desire to maintain contact with the program until the youth reaches 18 or graduates from school. Indicating this is a pilot program for the Cities of Tukwila and Renton, Ms. Weber expressed a desire for the King County Council to utilize the program countywide and continue its funding as they have with the Stay in School project since 1995. Ms. Weber responded to questions from the Council and indicated how funding was first established for the program (received federal funding through the Juvenile Justice Accountability Block Grant). Funding from the cities of Tukwila and Renton, to King County, have been allocated to the Crime Free Futures program. In the long term, the program would evaluate where the community investment would be. Staff is initiating a case management data program to enable reporting on the effectiveness of specific elements of the program and the program as a whole. Eight -five percent (85 of youths in detention have been previously suspended or expelled from school; with most of them having truancy issues. Early intervention elements of the program will make a significant difference. Ms. Weber said the project's current annual budget is $160,000 for both Tukwila and Renton. Staffing includes two half -time public health nurses, two case managers, minimal funding for evaluators and part of her salary. Services received are negotiated with each agency and a number of gift certificates were secured for the youths as incentive gifts. The program has approximately 28 students at this point with a target number of 40. CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: No comments. REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Rants reported that a member of the SoDo industrial business community in South Seattle visited him recently to determine if the City of Tukwila would be interested in siting the Sound Transit rail maintenance yard in exchange for routing transit to Southcenter. Next, he noted the Part 150 Study kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, June 17. In addition, Mr. Rants stated the North Highline Fire District recently sent a letter to Chief Haines on mutual aid partnering and thanking the Fire Department for their assistance. City of Tukwila City Council of whole Meeting Minutes b. City Council Page 3 of 4 June 14, 1999 Councilmember Duffle reported his recent attendance at the annual training of the Washington National Guard in Yakima and invited any Councilmember who may wish to attend next year. Council President Fenton attended the June 10 Lodging Tax Advisory Board meeting. Katherine Kertzman, new Tourism and Marketing Manager will lead the Board and promote the inclusion of key industry members to insure the success of the program. She has also developed some advertising for major newspapers and tourism trade publications. Councilmember Mullet is unable to attend the Part 150 Study kickoff. He recently attended a Community Affairs and Parks Committee and reviewed that agenda. One item in particular included the recent gambling moratorium. He suggested looking at and possibly renewing the moratorium. Community Development Director Steve Lancaster said the next meeting available to conduct a public hearing is July 6. This would allow the Council to consider the public testimony and decide at that meeting or issue a decision on July 19, 1999. The current moratorium expires on August 1, 1999. Councilmember Carter asked if the public hearing would disrupt the special presentation by Adam Smith and the Bergstrom Final Plat approval on July 6. Mr. Lancaster said he did not anticipate a lengthy public hearing. Ms. Carter then requested staff document the reasons for extending the moratorium. Councilmember Mullet said the Committee also discussed the firing range issue and another meeting is scheduled on June 15 to discuss the issue. He anticipates an agreeable solution. Councilmember Carter attended the Suburban Cities meeting on June 9. On June 15, she will attend a SCATBd meeting. That agenda will include the TEA -21 funding process and a presentation by Sound Transit. On June 17, she will attend the Southwest King County Vision 2000 meeting at the Highline Community College. Councilmember Haggerton also attended the June 9 Suburban Cities meeting hosted by Mercer Island. The business meeting covered representation and voting rights of the organization. He then thanked the Police Department for publishing a map of police districts comprised of City employee teams assigned to specific districts. Mr. Haggerton indicated he still receives complaints about the lack of visibility of police patrols within neighborhoods. He commented that some citizens believe the police department devotes too much time and attention to Tukwila International Boulevard. Councilmember Linder noted the dramatic decline of crime along Tukwila International Boulevard and referred to a handout which included crime statistics, by area, along the Boulevard in May. Lisa Mills was the recipient of the Highway 99 Action Committee June award. City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Meeting Minutes Ms. Linder invited and reminded everyone a volunteer trash and litter crew will convene Saturday, June 12 at 9:00 a.m., at the 7 -11 Store on Tukwila International Boulevard. Finally, Ms. Linder noted she, too, attended the Human Service Roundtable and is scheduled to attend the Resolutions Committee meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Council President Fenton adjourned to an Executive Session on pending litigation at 8:45 p.m. David Fenton, Council Pres nt Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk For Valerie Gow, Recording Secretary Date Minutes Signed: 7 /99 Page 4 of 4 June 14, 1999