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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-13 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall Council Chambers May 13, 2019 — 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Hougardy called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Present were Council President Hougardy; Councilmembers Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal, De'Sean Quinn, Kate Kruller, Thomas McLeod, Zak Idan. CITY OFFICIALS Allan Ekberg, Mayor; David Cline, City Administrator; Henry Hash, Public Works Director; Nora Gierloff, Deputy Community Development Director; Minnie Dhaliwal, Senior Planner; Maxwell Baker, Assistant Planner; Bruce Linton, Police Chief; Jay Wittwer, Fire Chief; Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst; Andy Youn, Deputy City Clerk. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Update from Will Stelle from WRIA (Washington Resource Inventory Area) 9. Councilmember Robertson introduced William Stelle, Former Regional Administrator, West Coast, of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Fisheries. Mr. Stelle is here tonight on behalf of WRIA9 (Water Resource Inventory Area 9) to speak on the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed. Mr. Stelle distributed copies of a handout showcasing major salmon habitat projects WRIA9 has completed or is in the process of implementing in Tukwila. Mr. Stelle expressed the Green/Duwamish River is significant in the big picture of salmon recovery. As the City and Council conducts business, he asked that they remember the river and consider actions to help rebuild the health and productivity of the river, streams, and landscapes that feed the Green/Duwamish. Local governments are key implementers of salmon recovery actions. Salmon are anadromous fish, meaning they are born in freshwater environments such as the Green/Duwamish. They migrate to the ocean through the Strait of Juan de Fuca as juveniles where they grow into adults before migrating back to freshwater to spawn. When considering the architecture of a salmon recovery plan, all of the major rivers support unique salmon populations and are important building blocks to maintain the resiliency of those salmon runs. The most important life stage that we can influence is where the land meets the water: rivers, streams, and the landscapes that feed those rivers and streams. Mr. Stelle explained the structure of the Endangered Species Act is such that it has very powerful directives applicable to Federal agency actions. NOAA Fisheries liaises with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Environmental Protection Agency, or Department of Transportation, to coordinate conservation actions for salmon and salmon habitats. However, the Act does not have the financial or enforcement tools to make land use changes. To be successful, it is important that federal and local agencies collectively build a community of interest around rebuilding the health of the stream and watersheds. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 13, 2019 Page 2 of 5 He emphasized the importance of local governments considering what opportunities may be available to improve the productivity of the river system and landscapes. While Tukwila has been a leader in this effort, he encouraged the City to spread the message to other local jurisdictions to ensure success in rebuilding the Green/Duwamish River. WRIA9 has recently collaborated with the Corps of Engineers to install juvenile and adult fish passage at Howard A. Hanson Dam and stands ready to offer the technical support the City may need in moving forward with salmon recovery actions. Following questions from the Council, Mr. Stelle noted that Tukwila has been a leader in efforts to rebuild connectivity in the flood plains and rebuild the integrity of the King County Flood Control System. PUBLIC COMMENTS BK Blunt, 4016 South 130th Street, is an insurance agent with Country Financial. He thanked Joe Duffie for inviting him to speak at tonight's meeting. Mr. Blunt is here to bring awareness to Tukwila consumers regarding uninsured or underinsured motorist auto insurance coverage, as he has found that many individuals are unaware of this option. He emphasized the importance of having this coverage to ensure you are protected if you are hit by someone without adequate coverage. He hopes to educate the community regarding this type of coverage. SPECIAL ISSUES 2018 Police Department Annual Report. Bruce Linton, Police Chief, utilized a PowerPoint to provide an overview of the Police Department's 2018 Annual Report with highlights as follows: Highlights The Police Department's strategy this year has been anchored in community engagement strategy; officer safety/wellness; speeding; mail theft; homeless engagement strategy; officer training; recruiting and retention; and technology integration. Investigation Division • Narcotics Detection K9 Team assisted with seizures of cash and drugs • Investigated 3 homicides • Regular information sharing meetings with patrol and external stakeholders • Pre -employment background investigations Patrol Division • Fielded 31,266 calls for service with minimum staffing for most shifts • Focused on crime reduction on TIB (Tukwila International Boulevard) corridor & adjacent neighborhoods • Targeted crime hotspots • Continued success with body -worn camera/in-car camera systems: between 2017 and 2018, uses of force dropped 33%, from 126 in 2017 to 85 in 2018. This drop is consistent with the experiences of other agencies across the nation following the fielding of body -worn cameras to their officers. Support Operations Division • Processed 5,115 records requests; 8,950 police reports; 218 concealed pistol licenses; 270 firearm transfers; 2 dealer licenses; 3,094 items of evidence/property Professional Standards Division • 5,700 hours of training completed • The AIM (Administrative Investigations Management) software went live in April of 2018. AIM provides the Police Department with a dynamic tool to collect, manage, track, analyze and report on a wide range of data including internal affairs, use of force, pursuits, accidents and other data Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 13, 2019 Page 3 of 5 related to employee professionalism and performance. Since going live, 188 incidents and 5 administrative investigations have been entered. • New training strategies/content was integrated as part of the annual in-service training. Special Operations Division • Community engagement strategy was developed • The Homeless Task Force was developed and is comprised of representatives from Human Services, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Code Enforcement, and local community partners • Bulldog Academy • Officer capacity was added to the traffic unit/SPRINT (Speed Reduction in Tukwila Neighborhoods Team) to focus on residential speed enforcement. Regional Partnerships • Valley SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) • Valley CDU (Civil Disturbance Unit) • Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force • Valley NET (Narcotics Enforcement Team) Employee Recognition The Police Department recognizes employees for the following categories: • Employee of the Quarter • Distinguished Service Medals • Meritorious Service Medal • Life Saving Medal • Employee of the Year Statistics Chief Linton explained there has been no significant increase when you review the statistics shown on pages 10-1'1 of the agenda packet. Violent crimes have remained mostly consistent over the past few years. A slight increase in property crimes is associated with challenges encountered through the regional homelessness crisis. There was a significant reduction last year for traffic citations/infractions issued as the Traffic and Patrol Sections have faced staffing challenges. Otherwise, these numbers are mostly consistent. Budget The Police Department continues to be good stewards of its budget while meeting departmental goals. They have continued to integrate technology and programs to achieve efficiencies as they monitor spending. They have recruited aggressively to get staffing back to normal levels. Chief Linton noted as recruiting efforts have high associated costs, retention is a key strategy. The Councilmembers offered the following comments and questions: • The Public Safety Committee will be reviewing Police Department data and statistics over the next few months; • Support existed to have a touchback to the Council on the implementation of the Police Department body camera pilot program; • The Police Department has been an example for the region with their focus on de-escalation training, resiliency training and accessibility of innovative resources; • Appreciation for the professionalism and work of Police staff, including Officer Jake Berry's work with monitoring and managing the Police Department's budget; • The need for more robust communication to the Council from the Police Department; • Acknowledgement of Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day in observance of those who have fallen in the line of duty; • What efforts are being made to reduce gang violence in the area? Chief Linton said there is a regional effort in response to an uptick in gang -related activity, with collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies in the area. • What are the mandated training requirements? Chief Linton explained the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission requires that each agency provide a minimum of 24 hours Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 13, 2019 Page 4 of 5 of in-service training annually to officers. He expects an expansion of those training requirements. Tukwila Police Officers receive an average of 50 hours of in-service training to provide multiple iterations of complex issues before encountering these situations on the street. • What are the updates regarding the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Pilot Program? Chief Linton relayed the program has been in place for 2 years, and the Police Department has benefited from the program during responses to accidents. Response times reduce significantly through the use of a UAS. There have been difficulties deploying a UAS during inclement weather, but the Police Department recently purchased weather -proofing equipment through grant funding. • Does the Tukwila Police Department have programs to address rape? Chief Linton expressed the primary strategy to mitigate incidents of rape is to conduct community outreach and education to ensure there is awareness. • How can the Council support the Police Department in finding resources? Chief Linton shared he is currently trying to identify grants that would provide staffing to address behavioral health needs in the Department. • What is Part 1 Crime as referenced on page 11 of the agenda packet? Chief Linton stated Part 1 crimes are reported to the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor Ekberg attended the Backyard Wildlife Festival on May 11, 2019. He reported there was a great turnout. The Police Department held a Memorial Ceremony on May 13, 2019 at the Tukwila City Hall Flagpole in observance of Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day. b. City Council Councilmember Seal attended the Backyard Wildlife Festival on May 11, 2019. She relayed that a resident asked her if Seattle City Light should be notifying residents when maintenance work is performed on light poles. Councilmember Quinn conveyed he was not able to attend the Backyard Wildlife Festival as he was attending a meeting of the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs. Councilmember Kruller attended a Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee meeting on May 8, 2019 where they discussed the King County Regional Affordable Housing Task Force's governance, outcomes, and other related issues. Councilmember McLeod relayed the Finance Committee met earlier today and received an update on the City's year-to-date expenditures. Through March 2019, the City is operating at $1.5 million below the allocated budget. He commended City staff and Administration. Council President Hougardy attended the Backyard Wildlife Festival on May 11, 2019. She had opportunities to speak to residents concerning issues such as speeding in neighborhoods, Accessory Dwelling Units, and more. She thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for their work on the event. c. Staff There was no report. d. Council Analyst There was no report. MISCELLANEOUS Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 13, 2019 Page 5 of 5 Councilmember Kruller offered the reminder that the City has a one-year amnesty program that is expiring in June 2019 for registration of unpermitted Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). She encouraged homeowners to contact the Department of Community Development for more information or to register their ADUs. Councilmember Quinn shared that at the May 14, 2019 Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee meeting, the Committee will be reviewing a grant application for the Minor Home Repair program. The Tukwila International Boulevard Moratorium, a Lodging Tax Application, discussion on housing issues, and a grant application for Economic Development will also be considered. Councilmember Robertson suggested having staff create a plan for a Valley Cities collaboration to address climate change. Council support existed to consider a plan to address climate change on a Committee workplan. Council President Hougardy asked that the Council Analyst follow up on this suggestion. ADJOURNMENT 8:34 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOUGARDY DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED AND CALLED A BRIEF RECESS PRIOR TO THE SPECIAL MEETING. Kathy Houga Andy Youn, Depu y City Clerk APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 5/23/19 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 5/24/19