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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-11-21 Special MinutesNovember 21, 1974 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL 7:30 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS DISCUSSION M I N U T E S 4 13/ Tukwila Fire Dept. 444 Andover Park E. Councilwoman Davis called the meeting to consider the Police Department preliminary budget requests to order. GARDNER, STERLING, DAVIS, HARRIS, SAUL, JOHANSON Councilwoman Davis requested Police Chief John Sheets to explain manpower and vehicle use. Chief Sheets illustrated at the chalk board the shifts and desig- nated duties. He stated that a vehicle is a tool for the officer just as a shovel is a tool for the park crewman. He stated he is requesting additional men and vehicles based on more people coming to our area, more crime committed in our area and more people ask- ing for police services. He stated he based his re- quest on the same justification as for the request of 1973. In these two years, we have substantially in- creased the number of buildings and the amount of daytime population in the City. Councilwoman Davis asked at what times do the detectives work. Chief Sheets stated they work the day shift and that traffic and patrol work grave, day and swing shifts. He stated during the summer vacation months, he does not have adequate staff to work traffic detail. The ad- vantages of motorcycle patrol was explained. Chief Sheets stated the reason and justification for re- questing six additional men would be presented by Officer Tom Kilburg. Officer Kilburg stated he is currently studying man- power requirements and distribution at a university and had taken his formula from the National Associa- tion of Chiefs of Police; this formula for time spent on cases, etc. corresponds very closely with the facts he was able to gather from the Tukwila Police Depart- ment. He stated his statistics are based on the year 1973 since 1974 statistics are not complete with the two busiest months of the year are left. Regard- ing the patrol division, the services rendered are down for 1974 on the average due to the load of cases which is considerably more. Case report work does take time from his work on the street for the officer. He then explained the formula for arriving at a figure of required manpower. He stated the purpose of the routine patrol is to prevent crime and explain- ed the duties and daily routine of a patrol officer. He stated the formula indicates our Department needs 16 patrolmen. He stated the percentage of calls as follows: grave shift 26%; day shift 24.5%; swing shift 25.2%; foot patrol 24.3%. He stated the Department has taken 2,183 cases so far this year; 22% of those cases have been handled by the foot patrolmen. The required number of men per shift to meet the number of incidents is as follows: grave 4.30; day 4.05; swing 4.17; foot patrol 4.02 men. Officer Kilburg stated the National Association of Chiefs of Police suggested the ratio of one detective for every 60 select Part I crimes, and in Tukwila, these crimes are up this year. Chief Sheets stated that by going on these bare facts, the Tukwila Police Dept. should have a force of 30 men. He stated the facts do justify his request of 6 additional men and he felt the Council will consider this need. He stated he believed his men are doing a better job than any other city's department, but that his Depart- ment has had some real problems. The only way to solve these problems is to fund the Police Department adequately, and if you do not, you must realize that the crime will not stop. If we take the foot patrol TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING November 21, 1974 Page 2 DISCUSSION Cont. RECESS 9:00 P.M. 9:20 P.M. 1 13.2 out of Southcenter, it will not work. It is not any fairer to take those officers out of Southcenter than it is to take them out of the residential area both pay taxes and both need the protection and it is our obligation to them both under the Constitution. Councilman Sterling asked what would happen if the officers were taken out of Southcenter. Chief Sheets stated it would take more time to answer the calls on the scene at Southcenter; we must be at the scene to be able to handle the crime. Councilman Sterling suggested that Southcenter hire our officers during their off -duty hours. Chief Sheets stated he would have no control then. He asked if the residents pay for a neighborhood patrol. He stated it costs each resident approximately $10 per year for Police pro- tection by the Tukwila Police Department. Councilman Saul stated some residents of the McMicken Heights area have hired a residential patrol through a pri- vate firm at a cost of $3 per month. Councilman Sterling stated we have our police being paid for by the residents to patrol private property. He stated he felt this was illegal and wrong. Chief Sheets stated he could assure the Council this was not ille- gal. He stated all crime takes place on private pro- perty and we know that 24% of this crime takes place at Southcenter. He stated we can have more protection in the residential section by having someone down in the Mall. It will hurt the response time to every place else because you will be taking men off the street to answer the calls at Southcenter all the time. Chief Sheets stated if he had 24% of the calls at Councilman Sterling's house, he would post one of his officers at the house. Councilman Sterling stated he could see Chief Sheet's point, but where do we stop? MOVED BY DAVIS TO RECESS. Councilwoman Davis called the meeting back to order with all Council Members present as previously listed. Discussion continued regarding the percentage of the total budget devoted to the Police Department. Chief Sheets stated the Police and Fire Departments are the bread and butter expenses of the City. It is the ob- ligation of the City Council to match the taxes paid to the City with the services rendered by the City, and to do this in an efficient manner. He stated we are spending less out of the general fund for Police than other Washington cities. Mr. Lee Alsager stated it is the feeling of the mer- chants that the Tukwila Police Department is a good one and is greatly appreciated. He stated as part of a written statement provided by the merchants that they support Chief Sheets' efforts to employ more men. A copy of this statement is on file in the City Clerks office. Councilman Johanson asked if Southcenter employs a security force. Mr. Alsager replied yes, for the purpose of parking patrol and as guards. They do not have the authority of arrest. Councilman Johanson asked if the security force has been reduced as a result of having two Tukwila officers on the mall. Mr. Alsager replied no, that he has increased the force by two men this year. Mr. Alsager is mana- ger at the Southcenter Shopping Center office. Councilman Saul stated he felt the officers should patrol the mall just as the Seattle Police Department patrols downtown on the street down the center of the mall and not in the stores unless answering a call. Chief Sheets stated this is the procedure now. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING November 21, 1974 Page 3 DISCUSSION Cont. 933 Councilman Gardner stated he felt by having the two officers at Southcenter was a service to Tukwila and not just to Southcenter. He stated he had received a lot of new information tonight that he will be consid- ering. Mr. Charles Baker, Tukwila Industrial Council, stated that the Industrial Council represents, directly or indirectly, about 95% of the businesses. He reviewed the history of Washington cities obtaining the 1/2-cent sales tax revenue by an act of the State Legislature. He stated that the City of Tukwila may be third high- est in sales tax revenue this year. This revenue can only be generated by additional people coming into Tukwila. He stated there are figures to indicate how many people are coming into Southcenter Shopping Cen- ter by auto counts and thereby determining how much is spent per customer. When this kind of volume, millions of persons, is attracted, you must also expect that a certain percent of these people come for the single purpose of committing crime. We are sitting on more dollars worth of materials and inventory here in Tukwila than any other community. He stated he is very concerned about the economy and the amount of unemployment. He stated that those who are unemployed will be coming to the areas where the things that they want will be found and they will be coming to Tukwila. He stated that only the Police Department can provide the protection. He stated the Tukwila Industrial Council is totally dependent on the Police force and feel it is the best in the area. He stated that each year retail sales are growing and more square feet of building space is being built. Mr. John Nicholls, Sea -First Bank Manager, commended Chief Sheets and his staff for a tremendous job of providing law enforcement and in preparing his re- quest for the budget. He stated he hoped the Depart- ment would get additional men, that the request would appear to be the minimum additional necessary. Mr. Tom Bernard, representing Cabot, Cabot Forbes, stated that since the beginning of their development in the spring of 1973 and through 1975, over 400 jobs will be created. The number of people working here relates to the amount of police protection necessary. Councilwoman Davis stated she would like to move from the Department discussion to the matter of the Chief's salary. Chief Sheets stated his sargeants are now making more money than he is. He stated this is un- fair when the matter of who is responsible is consider- ed. He asked the Council to allow him at least as much. He stated he felt he should get loo more than the lieutenant will be paid. Chief Sheets continued with an explanation of the duties and responsibilities he performs as Chief of Police. Councilwoman Davis stated the Members of the Council could not give the Chief any answer tonight, but they would consider the whole picture of salaries. Chief Sheets stated he knew the Council would study the matter and be fair with him. Councilwoman Harris asked if Chief Sheets is requesting a lieutenant. Chief Sheets replied yes, it is a new position for his Department. Councilman Sterling stated the position has always been provided by the Civil Service Commission, but it has never be- fore been filled. Mayor Todd, from the audience, stated the position will then be adopted by the Budget Ordinance. Councilwoman Harris stated the Budget Ord- inance is not the proper document to use to create new TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING November 21, 1974 Page 4 DISCUSSION Cont. 9 34 positions or titles or departments or divisions of departments. It is customary to request them in the Preliminary Budget, but if they are approved by the legislative body it requests the City Attorney to prepare proper ordinances authorizing the creation of whatever the request. Mayor Todd stated this is very likely correct and stated we may have a lot of housekeeping to catch up on. He stated that the De- partment heads know they are making less than those of other cities and was surprised they had asked for as little a salary increase as they did. He stated that the City may lose some good people if the salar- ies are not provided, and if they are not, we may spend more in the long run on less qualified people. Officer Dave Desmul stated he felt the Chief should be paid a higher salary commensurate with his abili- ties. Officer Dave Dorman stated that it was the policy of his former employer to pay the manager of the estab- lishment 10% more than the highest -paid man working under that manager. He stated he felt Chief Sheets was certainly entitled to 10% more. Mr. Ed Robinson, Tukwila News Register and citizen, stated it was embarrassing for the Chief to have to plead to the Council before the public regarding his salary, that this type of discussion should be private, He stated Chief Sheets deserves the salary without having to do this. Councilman Sterling agreed, stat- ing where salaries are concerned he has always felt the budget should be closed discussions. He stated perhaps the Council should discuss the position of lieutenant, that his salary may be set too high. Councilwoman Harris asked if the lieutenant's position would be filled based on the anticipated personnel. Chief Sheets replied yes, and continued to explain the duties of that position and the need for an admin- istrative assistant to the Chief. Mayor Todd asked if there would be an increase in revenue from fines and forfeitures with additional Police officers. Chief Sheets replied yes, that the revenue this year was greater than expected but the work done there was usually reflected in overtime. He stated the revenue was not one of his considerations in requesting the additional officers. Councilwoman Harris stated the Council should come to a decision on the new person- nel since the lieutenant's position is based on this. Mr. Ed Bauch asked if there is a priority assigned to the new officers being requested. Chief Sheets stated they are in order: officer for investigation, patrol officer, third foot patrol officer, sargeant for the foot patrol division, lieutenant, and traffic officer. Councilman Gardner asked if this request for addition- al personnel was based on the anticipation of annexa- tion. Chief Sheets replied no, that his request was based on the justifications of his request for 1973 when these men were also requested and denied except for one new officer. Mr. Ed Bauch requested the Council to review the request for Police vehicles in Non Departmental since he would be on vacation next week. Chief Sheets stated his Department now has 8 vehicles. The 1973 patrol car should be replaced in February, 1975. The 1974 patrol car should be replaced in October, 1975. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING November 21, 1974 Page 5 DISCUSSION Cont. Committee of the Whole preliminary budget meetings ADJOURNMENT 11:50 P.M. 935 The second 1974 patrol car should also be replaced in October, 1975. The 1971 model used by the Chief and sargeants should be replaced in February, 1975. The 1972 patrol car and the traffic car are being replaced this year. The 1970 and 1973 detective cars will need replacing in 1976 and we have the two motorcycles for traffic. Chief Sheets stated he is requesting four vehicles for replacement and one additional patrol car and one additional detective car for a total re- quest of six new vehicles. Officer Joe Mathews stated the information on when to replace the vehicles we now drive was based on the projections of the City mechanic. The addition of new patrol and detective vehicles is based on the addition of new personnel. Councilman Sterling stated he would like to hold off on any decisions until the Council can meet again to discuss these budgets. Mayor Todd suggested the Coun- cil meet during the day in the Council Chambers since there are only three days next week to contact staff due to Thanksgiving and the week following will begin the public hearings on the budget. Councilwoman Harris stated she would like everyone to understand that the Council is not being arbitrary in making any budget cuts, but will be doing so to move money for worthwhile projects for the citizens to meet their requests. Discussion continued at length regarding the wisdom and necessity of foot patrolmen at Southcenter Mall. The latest monthly report of crime was reviewed. MOVED BY DAVIS, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEET AT 9:00 A.M. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1974 AT TUKWILA CITY HALL IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO REVIEW THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET AND THAT THE MEETING BE RECESSED TO 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1974 AND TO 9:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1974 AS NECESS- ARY. CARRIED. The Special Meeting of the City Council was adjourned. a&&-t.,:., 7 Doris Phelps, Deputy City Clerk