HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-04 Public Safety MinutesCity of Tukwila
City Council Public Safety Committee
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
December 4, 2017 - 5:30 p.m. - Hazelnut Conference Room, City Hall
Councilmembers: Thomas McLeod, Chair; Joe Duffie, De'Sean Quinn
Staff: David Cline, Jack Pace, Nora Gierloff, Jay Wittwer, Rick Mitchell, Rory Mettlin,
Laurel Humphrey (by phone)
CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair McLeod called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
I. ANNOUNCEMENT
II. BUSINESS AGENDA
A. Police Department Request to Purchase Portable Radios
Staff is seeking Council approval Council approval to purchase 16 new Motorola portable radios
in the amount of $56,367. This is a budgeted, routine purchase done to refresh the supply and
replace malfunctioning or outdated radios. Councilmember Duffie asked what are done with
the old radios and staff replied that broken ones are destroyed but older ones can sometimes
be used as backup. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO DECEMBER 11, 2017 SPECIAL
MEETING CONSENT AGENDA.
B. Code Enforcement Update
Staff provided the Committee with a year-end status report on the Code Enforcement division.
As of November 27, 2017, 99% of rental housing owners were current on licensing. The 2017
emphasis on closing cases older than one year has been successful and cases older than 3 years
are down by 63%. 377 cases were opened this year, and 450 were closed. The average number
of days to close 2017 cases was 48 days, down from 88 days for 2016 cases. The City Council
adopted a streamlined enforcement process in September that largely eliminated the use of
infractions. Squatters in vacant homes continue to be a challenge for the City, and boarding up
houses needs to be done very securely which can be expensive. Chair McLeod asked what
residents can do when squatters are observed, and they can call either the City or the Police
Department as both departments work together. Councilmember Quinn suggested that the
City establish clear expectations as these situations are not usually immediately resolved and
callers may be frustrated and/or not understand the implications of private property rights. He
also suggested creating educational material on how to properly secure homes for new owners.
Staff also talked about a "wishlist" program involving community volunteers who could help
tackle code issues at homes of the elderly, disabled, or otherwise challenged residents.
DISCUSSION ONLY.
Public Safety Committee Minutes December4, 2017
III. MISCELLANEOUS
Chair McLeod announced that the final meeting of the Public Safety Committee will be held
December 18, 2017.
Adjourned 5:58 p.m.
MCommittee Chair Approval
Minutes by LH