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Home My WebLink AboutCOW 2015-05-11 Item 4B - Resolution - Human TraffickingCOUNCIL AGENDA S nifials Meetin ,g Date Prepared �y Ma ors review Council review 05/11/15 LH ❑ Resolution Mt g Date 05118115 ❑ Ordinance Mtg Date 05/18/15 LH [:] Other Mt g Date SPONSOR Council []Mayor ❑ HR ❑ DCD [].Finance [:].Fire ❑ IT ❑ P&R ❑ Police [:] PF SPONSOR'S This resolution is a formal expression of support for combating commercial sexual SUMMARY exploitation through comprehensive demand enforcement, deterrence and prevention and the "Buyer Beware" initiative in King County. REVIEWED BY ❑ cow Mtg. ❑ CA&P Cmte E F&S Cmte ❑ Transportation Cmte ❑ Utilities Cmte ❑ Arts Comm. ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm. DATE: 5/5/15 COMMITTEE CHAIR: HOUGARDY RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. Council President and Committee Chair COMMIT`fEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE EXPENDrrURj--zREQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED Fund Source: Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 5/11/15 ITEM INFORMATION ITEM NO. M i W., ISTAFF SPONSOR: LAUREL HUMPHREY I OR1GINAi,AGENDADATE: 5/11/15 AGEINDA I'n-1,,,m TrI'1,E A resolution relating to combating commercial sexual exploitation. CATEGORY M Discussion Mtg Date 05111115 1:1 Motion Mt ,g Date ❑ Resolution Mt g Date 05118115 ❑ Ordinance Mtg Date ❑ Bid Award Mt g Date F-1 Public Hearing Mig Date [:] Other Mt g Date SPONSOR Council []Mayor ❑ HR ❑ DCD [].Finance [:].Fire ❑ IT ❑ P&R ❑ Police [:] PF SPONSOR'S This resolution is a formal expression of support for combating commercial sexual SUMMARY exploitation through comprehensive demand enforcement, deterrence and prevention and the "Buyer Beware" initiative in King County. REVIEWED BY ❑ cow Mtg. ❑ CA&P Cmte E F&S Cmte ❑ Transportation Cmte ❑ Utilities Cmte ❑ Arts Comm. ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm. DATE: 5/5/15 COMMITTEE CHAIR: HOUGARDY RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. Council President and Committee Chair COMMIT`fEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE EXPENDrrURj--zREQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED Fund Source: Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 5/11/15 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 5/11/15 Informational Memorandum dated 4/29/15 Resolution Minutes from the Finance and Safety Committee meeting of 5/5/15 5/18/15 W., 20 City of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Haggerton Finance and Safety Committee FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst DATE: April 29, 2015 SUBJECT: Resolution relating to Combating Commercial Sexual Exploitation ISSUE A resolution expressing support for combating commercial sexual exploitation through comprehensive demand enforcement, deterrence and prevention. BACKGROUND Law enforcement and service agencies nationwide have been partnering to increase emphasis on the demand side of prostitution and human trafficking, acknowledging that children and vulnerable adults should be considered victims of commercial sexual exploitation. "Buyer Beware," an initiative that is led by the Organization for Prostitution Survivors and the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, represents a partnership with Police and City Attorney Offices across King County to go after purchasers of sex and not their victims. Buyers drive the industry and prosecutors estimate that around 27,000 men in King County are soliciting sex online every day. The Buyer Beware initiative also includes components relating to public education and an intervention program available to men both convicted of this crime and self - referred. Participating community organizations include The Organization for Prostitution Survivors, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), Stolen Youth, and Seattle Against Slavery. Several King County cities have formally pledged support via a resolution such as this one. DISCUSSION The proposed resolution expresses support for law enforcement emphasis on deterring buyers of sex, evidence -based innovations in this approach, and the Buyer Beware initiative in King County. RECOMMENDATION The Committee is asked to approve the draft resolution and forward it to the May 11, 2015 Committee of the Whole and subsequent May 18, 2015 Regular Meeting. ATTACHMENTS Draft resolution 21 22 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO COMBATING COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE DEMAND ENFORCEMENT, DETERRENCE AND PREVENTION. WHEREAS, the Tukwila City Council is committed to public safety and the health and well -being of its residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking are significant threats to our community values and the safety and well -being of the children and vulnerable adults being exploited; and WHEREAS, hundreds of children in King County are at risk of being commercially sexually exploited each year; and WHEREAS, the rise of online advertising has increased the demand for commercial sex, which victimizes children as young as 11 years old; and WHEREAS, it is illegal to purchase sex in Tukwila, King County and the State of Washington, yet prostituted individuals have typically been arrested and prosecuted up to 10 times more frequently than buyers; and WHEREAS, there is a growing body of evidence that targeting sex buyers is a pragmatic, effective way to combat the commercial sex industry; and WHEREAS, doctors and health professionals assembled by the Institute of Medicine issued the 2013 report, "Confronting Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States," which suggests "a particular emphasis on deterring demand "; and WHEREAS, the Tukwila City Council is committed to promoting a safe and healthy community, taking a strong position against human trafficking, and supporting efforts to combat trafficking and reduce commercial sexual exploitation; W: \Word Processing \Resolutions \To combat human trafficking 4 -27 -15 LH:bjs Page 1 of 2 23 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City of Tukwila will continue collaboration with our neighboring jurisdictions and our county, state and federal partners to combat commercial sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable adults in our region, and to mitigate the associated public safety, economic, and health risks to our City. Section 2. The City of Tukwila supports the partnership of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Organization for Prostitution Survivors, and the "Buyer Beware" initiative to reduce the demand for commercial sex. Section 3. The City of Tukwila's anti - trafficking strategies will be survivor informed and comprehensive, holding sex buyers and traffickers accountable, while providing exit strategies and options for prostituted individuals. Section 4. The City of Tukwila supports and promotes a culture of intolerance toward the purchase of a vulnerable human being for sex. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2015. ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney W: \Word Processing \Resolutions \To combat human trafficking 4 -27 -15 LH:bjs 24 Kate Kruller, Council President Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Page 2 of 2 Finance & Safety Committee Minutes May 5, 2015 - Page 2 or the general fund. Establishing a fee deferral program would require code amendment, and staff is seeking Council direction on this issue prior to the development of any draft ordinances. Committee members asked clarifying questions about the information presented. Committee Chair Hougardy asked Omar and Christine Lee for input, and they described the financial difficulties of a project like this in Tukwila, which has significantly lower rents than in Seattle and Bellevue. They assert that the hotel will be built but the residential aspect hangs in the balance. The Lees also shared a powerpoint presentation with graphic renderings and descriptions of amenities in the proposed development. Committee members stated continued enthusiasm for this project but acknowledged the importance of fairness, noting the City's inability to give special treatment to one developer. The Committee recommends that staff pursue the fee deferral proposal further and will share this recommendation with the Committee of the Whole. If there is consensus from the full Council, staff will develop the ordinances required and return to Committee. The Committee is not supportive of amending code or polices leading to the reduction of building and /or impact fees at this time. They requested additional City Attorney input into the developer's request for fee reductions. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL TO FORWARD DISCUSSION TO MAY 11, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. B. Resolution: Expressing Support for Combatting Commercial Sexual Exploitation This Council- initiated resolution expresses support for combating commercial sexual exploitation through comprehensive demand enforcement, deterrence and prevention, as well as support for the "Buyer Beware" initiative led by the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. There is increasing emphasis by law enforcement and service agencies locally and nationally to combat trafficking and sexual exploitation by pursuing and deterring the buyers of sex and not punishing those children and vulnerable adults who are victimized by the industry. Buyer Beware is a partnership between law enforcement, attorney, and service organizations to make progress in this area via education and intervention programs. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO MAY 11, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. III. MISCELLANEOUS Staff provided follow up to the April 7, 2015 meeting in which the Committee heard a request from the owners of ABC Towing for the City to look into its policies regarding the Police Department's contract with a Renton -based towing company. Their position was that sales tax on towing services is collected based on the location from which the truck is dispatched, and therefore the City would benefit from using a Tukwila company for this service. Staff was able to confirm that the current contract was established in 1998 and last amended in 2007. The City does not have a policy nor does state law require periodic contract rebidding for services. The Committee asked that the Police Department provide additional information regarding the current contract as well as the impacts that would occur if it were to be rebid. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Next meeting: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 5:30 p.m. - Hazelnut Conference Room Committee Chair Approval Minutes by LH 25